Title: Fates Reunited pt. 3/?

Author: Deathangelgw

Disclaimer: same as always!

Warnings: Again, same as before, with a bit more sap and such…

Rating: PG-13 for violence

Pairings: wondering aren’t ya?

Note: well…inspiration came for this one again *snickers* Enjoy and please review!

‘thoughts’

Hitomi watched from the shadows as Van practiced. She sighed as he struggled to complete his exercises. ‘Van…what happened?’ she wondered as she watched him.

“He struggles with the demons he created within him.” Allen’s soft voice startled her from her dark thoughts.

She gasped in surprise as she jumped, then glanced up at Allen. “Allen-san.” She looked down guiltily, biting her lip. “Ano…do you…think you could help him?” she asked quietly.

Allen cocked an eyebrow as he gazed at her, curious. “Why do you think I would be able to help him?” he asked softly.

Hitomi blushed as she bit her lip again. “Ano, you know what he’s going through and you could help him. Everyone likes you…even I…and…” She trailed off, meeping quietly.

Chuckling softly, Allen looked up, then smirked. “It looks like I won’t be the one to help him,” he said softly. Hitomi looked up in confusion then looked out, eyes widening as she watched.

Genaisa walked out from the hangar and approached Van. She could be seen saying something to him and he shook his head, looking away. She put her hands on her hips and glared at him, then asked him again. He brought his head up and said something, earning an audible growl from her. She went over to the side where some spare swords were stored and took one out. Hitomi gasped as her cousin brought the blade out and swung it testingly, expertly. 

“Hmm…she handles it well. Though, in our world, females are not known to be warriors,” Allen stated thoughtfully as he watched Genaisa face off with Van, challenging him.

“Hai…demo…” Hitomi trailed off, her eyes wide as they watched the two spar. “She’s never even picked up a sword before now,” she commented faintly.

*~~**~~*

Van frowned as he faced off against Genaisa. She had challenged him to a fight and had pushed him when he had refused. He couldn’t understand why she was doing this, not even noticing that when he was concerned about what was happening, his own problems faded.  Genaisa sprung to the attack, slashing at him. He dodged, eyes widening in surprise at her ability. He grinned then, letting go of his apprehension, and attacked swiftly, meeting her attack for attack.

They eventually came to a stalemate, both pressing to beat the other. They kept their eyes locked, then finally relaxed and let their swords drop to their sides in mutual withdrawal.  Van gazed at her, eyes wavering. “How were you able to anticipate my moves?” he asked softly.

Genaisa looked away slightly and shrugged. “Can’t you feel it? The bond between us…links us in some way. That’s how I was able to read your moves…since I have never picked up a sword till now,” she replied quietly.

Van gasped in surprise and he stepped towards her. “How?!” he asked softly.

She closed her eyes and shrugged again. “I wish I knew. You and I…we have a similar bond. You were able to anticipate my moves as well, only you didn’t realize it,” she responded quietly as she brought her gaze back up to his. She fidgeted, then added softly, “I’m afraid that is most likely all we have in common. I’m…not like normal people.” She bit her lip.

He stepped to her and brought up his hand. “What do you mean?” he asked softly.

She stared into his eyes, then brought her hands up and slipped her shirt down her shoulders somewhat. “I…have these…” she whispered softly. Van’s eyes widened as pure white wings appeared behind her, spreading out among floating feathers.  She didn’t look at him as she murmured, “You’re…the only one who knows now. Not even my cousin knows.”

‘She’s…like me….a Draconian,’ Van thought to himself in shock, watching as her wings disappeared and she pulled her shirt up. He stared at her as she kept her gaze down, taking his silence for rejection. Before Van could say anything though, a shudder went through the ship as something crashed onto it. “Nani?!” Van cried in shock as he reached to steady a startled Genaisa.

“Someone’s landed on the ship!” she gasped out, then looked over as Van ran towards Escaflowne. “Matte, Van! It’s too dangerous!” she cried out, following him.

“Stay here! I’ll defend us!” Van shouted out as the Guymelef stood up and dove off of the ship, transforming into its dragon form.

Genaisa ran towards the edge, crying out is it was shaken by the battle going on nearby. She found Hitomi and ran to her as they watched Merle defend Van from the catlike Guymelefs. She blinked as Hitomi gasped and touched Genaisa’s face gently. “Genaisa! Your face! You got scratched!” Hitomi cried in concern as she touched the bleeding wound.

Touching it herself, Genaisa saw that the same injury was on Van’s face as well. ‘What is going on?!’ she wondered fearfully.

They traveled steadily, deciding to continue the search for the Mystic Valley, a place known to hold the secret to Atlantis. But on their tails they knew that Zaibach was following, making their journey even more uneasy.  Allen’s animosity to the whole trip caused some tension between himself and Dryden, but it was Genaisa who was able to soothe them both somewhat, wisely saying that since Zaibach was going after anything related to Atlantis, that this would be the next target. All answers would be found there.

During the flight, they came into danger from levistones that were floating hidden within the clouds. Hitomi, her concern for him urging her to follow, followed Allen, who had stormed out from the meeting room. Van, along with Genaisa, went to see what was wrong and came across the two holding each other after a particularly violent run in with a levistone. Shocked, they didn’t say anything before continuing to the bridge.

After a long arduous journey, they came finally to a valley. But, much to their dismay, there was nothing there.

“I don’t understand! It should be here!” Dryden declared in exasperation as they stared out at the snow-covered valley.

“Zaibach fortress heading straight for us!!” one of the crew shouted as they floated above the valley.

“K’so…those Zaibach bastards are going to catch us…” Gaddes cursed out as they searched frantically.

Hitomi closed her eyes tightly, wishing for some kind of help. She suddenly heard the others’ thoughts, their wishes. A bright light bathed the ship and they were teleported into a large gateway, escaping their pursuers barely. They found themselves looking at a beautiful lush valley. “The Mystic Valley….we’re here!!” Dryden exclaimed joyfully.

Suddenly, a bright light surrounded Hitomi and Genaisa, causing them to disappear. Mere moments later, a stunned Allen and Van also disappeared. Landing swiftly, the crew of the Crusader ran out, searching for their comrades. They found Hitomi…but no sign of the others could be seen.

*~~**~~*

Van looked around, confused. ‘This is…Fanelia?’ he thought to himself, then looked over as he heard his name called softly. He blinked as he saw a confused and scared Genaisa standing near him and felt his heart wrench for some reason he couldn’t understand. Going over to her, he held her close to him. “Daijoubou…you’re safe,” he whispered softly as he held her.

“Van.” A soft voice came from behind them and they both looked over. An older woman stood nearby, her very likeness like that of Genaisa. She smiled at them. “Van…you must make sure the power of Atlantis stays asleep.”

“Hahaoya!” Van cried out, pain and grief on his face as he stepped towards her, reaching for her.

She shook her head, smiling softly. “Van…you need to do something for me….protect your sister,” she requested softly, her smile sad as Van gazed at her in confusion. Gracefully, her hand gestured to behind him and he turned, gaze locking with Genaisa’s as they stared at each other in shock. “When you were but a few days old, your twin sister, Nasia, was taken from us. Now…she has been returned and it is up to you both, the last of the Draconians, to make sure that Atlantis stays asleep,” their mother commanded gently before vanishing.

“Nasia? You’re….Nasia,” Van whispered softly as he held his hand out to her.

“Twins? You’re…my twin brother?” Genaisa replied quietly in shock as she stepped closer. She gasped then as the ground shook beneath their feet.

Fire roared around them as Van stood protectively in front of her, his sword out shakily as he faced the army that was coming after them. ‘I will protect you….I won’t lose you again…demo I don’t want to fight anymore! What can I do?’ he thought desperately as fear washed over him.

*~~**~~*

“Boss!! You ok!?” Allen looked over as he heard the call and smiled slightly, nodding. He felt at peace somehow, knowing that his father had loved his mother even to the end.

He glanced over as he saw Hitomi in a trance, then looked around. “Van….Genaisa…doko da?” he asked softly as he glanced at his second.

They all looked over as suddenly the two catlike Guymelefs came through the gateway and landed. “Nani?! How did they get here?!” Gaddes shouted in shock.

“Where is the Guymelef, Escaflowne?” one of the pilots demanded as they turned to the group menacingly.

*~~**~~*

Van shivered, the bodies around him from his fight sending him into despair. “No more…onegai. I don’t want to fight,” he whispered softly, his voice choking on tears as he shivered, clutching his sword to his chest.

He started as arms wrapped themselves around him and held him tenderly. “I’m here…aniki,” Nasia’s soft voice stated in his ear as she held him. “We’ll fight…together. It is our fate that we should take up this burden. But never alone,” she whispered softly as he leaned back into her, taking comfort.

“Imouto. I will fight then…for you and Hitomi…as long as you are by my side,” Van whispered softly, his shivers ceasing as he stood up and held her close. A bright light surrounded them and Van found himself within Escaflowne once more, facing the foes from before. Nasia stood on Escaflowne’s shoulder, determination on her face as they faced the cat women. “I can fight…with you by my side,” Van swore softly as he brought out his sword and glared at the two fighters. “Is it you who called us back?!” he cried out.

“Nani? Something’s…changed!” one of the fighters said softly as they gazed at Escaflowne startled.

“I don’t sense any fear around him…” the other whispered softly in shock.

“Van! Genaisa!” Hitomi cried out as she ran towards the edge. She gasped as she saw her cousin on Escaflowne’s shoulder before a bright light blinded them. They suddenly found themselves in the previous valley.

“I will take up this mantle…the karma of war! I will bear the sorrow of the dead!!” Van screamed as power surged around him, emanating from both Nasia’s pendant and the energist of Escaflowne. To the shock of all, the Zaibach soldiers were thrown away by the blast, leaving them standing alone in the fading glow.

Van came out from his cockpit and looked over at Nasia, a soft smile on his lips as he met her soft gaze equally.  They both looked up as a bright light shone out again, visible only to Van, Nasia, and Hitomi. “Van….Nasia…Atlantis’ power must stay asleep. It is up to you both,” their mother said gently.

“Hahaoya!” they both cried out, shocking the group below them as they reached out for the fading image.

“Remember….Van….Nasia. Ai shiteru,” their mother stated gently as she vanished in a bright light. Two small orbs floated down to them both and they took them, gazing at them in silent wonder.

“Nasia….could that be…Genaisa?” Hitomi wondered aloud as they watched.

“Did you just say Nasia?!” Millerna asked in shock as she stared at Hitomi. Hitomi nodded as they all looked at Millerna in confusion. “I had heard a story that twins had been given to the royal house of Fanelia when Van had been born, but they had lost the daughter to some strange occurrence. Her name was Princess Nasia of Fanelia. No one knew what had happened to her and she had never been found no matter how hard they had searched,” Millerna explained softly as she brought her gaze back to the two that stood on Escaflowne.

“Nasia…a princess….” Hitomi whispered softly in shock, now seeing everything clearly. The strange connections the two had, the resemblance, and even the strange vision she had seen of the young princess’ disappearance into a flood of light. ‘That must have been it! Whatever had brought me here had taken Nasia to my world and she had been raised as my…cousin…’ she thought in shock.

Suddenly, a bright column of light surrounded Escaflowne and the two on it as another column surrounded Hitomi. As they vanished, Allen grabbed onto Hitomi, getting pulled along as well before the light vanished, leaving the group stunned at the sudden disappearance.

*~~**~~*

Allen, Nasia, Van, and Hitomi looked around warily as they reappeared in a large building. “Doko?” Hitomi asked softly as she stepped closer to Nasia for comfort.

Van ran over to Escaflowne and touched the energist, crying out as he was blasted back. “Aniki!” Nasia cried out as she ran to him, holding him up. “Daijoubou?!” she asked softly and he nodded his reassurance as Allen and Hitomi came by them.

“So…it’s true then. You are the lost princess of Fanelia,” Allen declared softly, his face gentle with a smile as he placed a hand on Nasia’s back. She smiled and nodded at him, then looked around startled as the ground shook slightly.

“The ground is moving up!” Hitomi shouted in fear as they were moved up so that they were facing a large machine. They moved closer together as they faced, what they soon found out, the leader of their enemy, Zaibach.

After receiving a startling vision, Hitomi had fainted and they had been taken to the prison, hanging in cages. They waited for Hitomi to awaken, trying to figure out a way to escape from their hanging prison. Allen looked at the two Fanelian royals, smiling softly. “It must make you both happy to be reunited,” he said gently.

“Hai…I’d always had a feeling that I was missing something. Something very important,” Van replied softly, his face soft with affection as he gazed at his twin.

Nasia smiled sweetly back. “And I always felt like I didn’t belong in the other world. Though…I love Hitomi. She is my dearest friend and will always be my cousin in my heart. Just like okaasan and otousan on the Mystic Moon will always be there in my heart,” she added softly, her hand over her heart.

“I’m glad you had someone to take care of you, imouto,” Van stated softly, then looked over as Hitomi stirred. “Hitomi?” he asked anxiously as they shifted closer to her.

“Daijoubu?” Nasia asked softly in worry as Hitomi sat up.

“Hai, Genaisa, daijoubu,” Hitomi replied reassuringly, then meeped slightly. “Gomen nasai, Nasia…I didn’t mean to..” She bit her lip as she trailed off.

“Daijoubu, cousin! We’re still cousins in our hearts, ne?” Nasia responded reassuringly as she smiled brightly at Hitomi. “My name and status may change, but I haven’t. We’re still cousins, ne?” she asked softly and smiled as Hitomi nodded.

“Hitomi…what happened back there?” Allen asked softly as Hitomi sat back against the cage slightly.

“I had a vision,” Hitomi replied then told them of it, growing concerned along with them over what had been seen.

“It seems that if Zaibach continues, then all of Gaea will end up like Atlantis…in ruins and destroyed,” Nasia said softly in concern, then gasped softly as she grasped above her heart in pain. Van cried out in pain as well, falling out as he clutched his chest and coughed up blood.

“Nani?! Van! Nasia!” Hitomi cried out in fear as the twins struggled with whatever pain they were experiencing through their bond.

“They must be dismantling Escaflowne!” Allen cried in concern as he reached over to Nasia, taking her hand to try and help her. He blinked as he felt a familiarity with her, a connection that hadn’t been there before and locked eyes with her pain-filled gaze. He held her hand tightly as Hitomi reached out to Van and figured out that they could control Escaflowne from there through the bond that Van shared with the Guymelef.

“Hitomi…it’s too dangerous…” Van gasped out in his pain.

“Daijoubu! I can help you focus!” Hitomi exclaimed anxiously, yet reassuringly as she reached for his hand. “Hayaku, Van! Before it’s too late!” she urged.

“Onegai, aniki…hayaku…” Nasia gasped out as she trembled with the pain, her hand bloodless as it clutched to Allen’s own.

“Be careful,” Allen whispered softly, watching with wide eyes as the other two laced their fingers together and worked to move Escaflowne.

Moments later, the ceiling crashed down and Escaflowne swooped down, hovering next to them. “You did it!!” Nasia cried joyfully as Hitomi laughed in relief. They got freed and flew off on Escaflowne, searching for a way out.

But the Zaibach guards were alert to their escape and soon came to block their way. “Allen! Take Hitomi and Nasia and get out! I’ll guard the way!” Van shouted as he transformed Escaflowne into its Guymelef form. He set them down carefully before standing and facing the approaching Guymelefs. “Hayaku! We’ll meet on the roof!” he shouted at them as he slashed at one.

Allen gazed at Hitomi as she watched Van, then she nodded. “Hai…let’s go!” she stated firmly, smiling as Nasia nodded. They ran down a hallway and ran into a small group of soldiers.

Allen moved swiftly, knocking two of the soldiers out with swift punches. He turned and found, to his shock, that Nasia had taken out two of the others, yanking out one of the swords as she stood at the ready. She smiled softly at him and he found his heart melting at the soft trusting smile that was filled with confidence. ‘She looks like Van and Hitomi…confident and caring all at once,’ he thought to himself before shaking himself. He looked over at Hitomi. “Hitomi! Doko?!” he asked urgently as he made sure that their way was clear.

“Hai!” Hitomi said before concentrating. She turned and pointed. “The roof is that way!” she declared before she led the way down the hall. They came to the roof and looked out at the city. “The city seems so alone. I wonder if the people of Zaibach are really happy,” Hitomi wondered out loud softly as they gazed at the glittering city.

“Perhaps…or it just may be the illusion of happiness,” Nasia responded softly as she clasped her cousin’s hand with her own. “Daijoubou, Hitomi…aniki will come through for us,” She stated with a smile and nodded as Hitomi nodded.

“You both really believe in Van,” Allen observed softly, then smiled as Nasia smiled that same smile at him again. They didn’t have a chance to respond as another group of soldiers appeared suddenly, ready to come after them. Pulling out his sword, Allen stood before them both. “I won’t let you get Hitomi!” he proclaimed dangerously, then glanced over as Nasia stood determinedly next to him. He felt a smile cross his lips before he prepared to defend them both.

But a sound behind them changed things. “Allen! Hitomi! Nasia! Hayaku!! Get on!!” Van cried out as he flew up with Escaflowne.

“Van!” Hitomi cried out in gladness as she turned to him. She meeped as she got scooped up suddenly by Allen and they jumped in, followed swiftly by Nasia as she sat in front of her brother. They flew off swiftly, chased quickly by Zaibach Guymelefs as they flew through the city.

Van whispered softly, urgently to Escaflowne, urging it to faster speeds. Suddenly, it transformed slightly and they sped away, easily out-flying any of their pursuers. As they left the country of Zaibach, they passed a floating fortress. Unbeknownst to them, they were watched as they passed by.

‘Van…why do we fight each other…’ Folken asked silently as he watched them fly by. He gasped softly then, shocked, as he saw the young woman seated in front of Van. ‘She looks like…Hahaoya…but, she’s dead…’ he wondered, then his eyes widened in sudden realization, memories of the past flooding around him. A bright light, a baby’s wail and his mother’s sobbing. “Nasia…have you returned to us?” he wondered softly, unaware of the two pairs of cat’s eyes that watched him from the shadows, their own eyes wide with shock. He smiled softly, in joy as a tear rolled down his cheek. “Imouto…have you been returned to us….” he whispered in joy before leaving the room.

TBC

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