RPG Escaflowne The King's Return.

[Talon]

[color=teal][i]Firebrand saw Escaflowne fall, and the living Valken suddenly began to whirr. His eyes lit up, and he began to shift. Out of nowhere, his body began to twist and gear around, becoming a giant part-dragon, part-wolf, part-human combination.[/i]

[b]Firebrand:[/b]Master Vaughn, behold my true power, the power of the Eternity Dragon!

[i]Firebrand aimed a wolfish claw at the Zaibachs, even those that were cloaled were visible to Firebrand's dragon-vision. He fired an ice beam, freezing the Zaibachs solid. Then Firebrand lived up to his name, charging a molten Fireball at the now-ice-sculptures of Zaibachs. They melted, and Firebrand's energy decreased. Though he still had more powers to use, he was too exhausted. Vaughn had fallen unconscious from the strain, so Firebrand fell underneath the ground, transporting Vaughn to the underground palace again. Vaughn awoke, and he saw that Firebrand had taken someone along with him. He stared at the beautiful girl in Firebrand's hand, wondering how Firebrand had found her. Then he looked at the wall-chrono. He'd been asleep for a while. He picked the sleeping girl up, bringing her to his chambers in the palace. He placed her in the bed, then went to work examining his wounds. The girl snapped awake, her eyes filled with tears. She stared at him, surprised.[/i]

[b]Arianna:[/b]Who are you?

[b]Vaughn:[/b]My name's Vaughn. What's yours?

[b]Arianna:[/b]I'm Arianna. Are you..are you an angel?

[i]Vaughn stared at her, then realized his wings were unfolded. He slapped himself mentally, then saw that Queen Celestia had entered the room.[/i]

[b]Celetia:[/b]Now Vaughn, it is time you know of your true birth. You are no mere captain of the guard. You are the Prince of my kingdom, the finest prince to be found. You are my son.

[i]Vaughn stared at her, his eyes tearing up. Arianna felt a compulsion to bow, then asked Vaughn a question.[/i]

[b]Arianna:[/b]Where am I, prince Vaughn?

[b]Vaughn:[/b]I don't rightly know. We're under the kingdom of Finalia, and you aren't on Earth anymore. But um... never mind. It doesn't matter.

[b]Arianna:[/b]What? And how did I get here?

[b]Vaughn:[/b]My Valken, Firebrand, must have brought you. Well....um....heh. Would..would you accompany me to the Finalia Festival of the Mystic Moon Ball? My mother could get you a fine dress. The fighting in all the kingdoms will cease for this one night, so I'd like you to accompany me, if you will.[/color]

[Queen Asuka]

[color=crimson][size=1][i]She stared at him for a moment as he invited her to the ball. She fought the urge to break into tears again and gently wiped the remaining ones with her hand. Both Vaughn and his mother were very beautiful and she was so very confused. Her brain was muddled...[/i]

[b]Arianna:[/b] Yes, I'll go with you...as long as you can supply me with something to wear. I'm not sure my school uniform would suit your purposes...

[i]As Vaughn broke into a slight smile, she found herself smiling as well. Then she started to weep once more. She needed answers and she wanted to know where she was.[/color][/size][/i]

[Talon]

[i][color=teal]Vaughn led Arianna to Queen Celestia's rooms, and he told her that the dresses and blouses were in the closet. He walked over to the hanging clothes, which his mother had left out for him to choose from. Prince or captain of the guard, he had to look nice. He explained Arianna's situation.[/i]

[b]Vaughn:[/b]Every now and then, a portal between Earth and Gea will open. Somebody must go through this portal. Eighteen years ago, lord Van followed a dragon onto Earth, where he slayed the dragon and took a young woman named Hitomi from Earth. Together, they live as King and Queen of Finalia now. Their son, Aiden, was my prince. Well, Firebrand, my Valken super-suit, found you in the Drakonia Forest, my homeland, and brought you here, to the land of Ivalicia. Here lies the remains of the legendary Hesperians, a race who ended up becoming known as Drakonians. And why you are here, you are a person who's destiny will save Gea, and the Earth. And-whoa!

[i]He turned around as he spoke, and he found Arianna undressing to try on a beautiful white dress. He spun around rapidly, trying not to look again. He didn't know why his heart was pounding, and felt a strange attraction to Arianna. He swallowed a lupm in his throat and removed his shirt to try on a suit of white leather armor and leather boots. He left his shadow-black jeans on, but as he turned to get into the armor, he found Arianna staring at him with a happy look in her eyes. He slid the armor and boots on, strapping a white cloak accross his shoulders. He stared at Arianna, her dress complimenting her fine, thin form and bringing out her starlike eyes. He gasped inwardly. He'd never seen anything so beautiful...[/i][/color]

[Queen Asuka]

[color=crimson][size=1][i]Arianna stood in the white dress, which constransted magnificiently with her black hair. She felt as if she were glowing. She had listened to everything Vaughn had said, but suddenly he was staring at her in awe. She felt herself blush and looked down to the floor.[/i]

[b]Arianna:[/b] Hearing you talk about me saving Gea frightens me. I don't remember what happened to me before I came here. But I know that I'm not on Earth anymore.

[i]She picked up a silvery veil and placed it upon her head. The silver glimmered across her forhead. She sighed once again. That was one thing Vaughn could tell....Arianna wasn't happy in the present with her situation. She just stood there, wringing her hands.[/i][/color][/size]

[Talon]

[i][color=teal]Vaughn walked over, taking her hands in his and looking into her eyes. He remembered how it felt to be alone in a new place. The day he'd been taken in as an apprentice of the Finalian Guard was painful. He pulled Arianna close to him, wiping a single tear off of her radiant cheek.[/i]

[b]Vaughn:[/b]I know how you must feel. I, too, was all alone in a new place. You don't have to be, though. You have me here with you. I'll never let you face anything alone. Arianna....In a single hour, I've fallen in love with you.

[i]Silently, in his head, he combatted with the idea of kissing her then and there, and eventually he just wrapped his arms around her, laying her head against his chest. He lifted her head and looked into her eyes. She smiled briefly, then leaned up and kissed him for a moment. He blushed fiercely, smiling gently. He tried his best to comfort her. He turned to a window, seeing that the palace was above ground. In the distance, under the light of the stars, he saw the battle ending. He smiled, holding Arianna close, letting her cry on his chest.[/i][/color]

[Queen Asuka]

[color=crimson][size=1][i]Arianna was immensely confused, but was comforted to know that already someone cared for her and was going to be a companion and protector for her. She wept silently in his arms, not knowing what to think and hoping that the reason she cared for him so much already wasn't because of her heightened anxiety and confusion. She slowly slipped out of his arms and walked silently out of the room, not having a clue where she was going, but wandering aimlessly down the halls. She wasnt' sure if he was following her or not, but she was lost. She just kept walking, not saying anything.[/color][/size][/i]

[Talon]

[color=teal][i]Vaughn slowly followed her, staying in the shadows so that she didn't feel closed in. He saw her walk though the door to the outside of the palace, and he followed, getting a surprise he didn't like. A group of Zaiback guards were sitting in the grass outside, enjoying a meal. They pulled out their crossbows, aiming at Arianna. She backed down, screaming as the bolts were released at her. They never hit her. In front of her, vaughn stood, five crossbow arrows jammed into his chest and right arm. He drew out his sword, aiming at them, and fired a spell at them, teleporting them into the palace's dungeon. Arianna screamed as Vaughn fell to the ground, blood dripping from non-fatal wounds in his chest and from his mouth. She fell to her knees, calling for help. Vaughn slipped out of consciousness.[/i][/color]

[Queen Asuka]

[color=crimson][size=1][i]Arianna didn't know what had hit her. One minute she thought she was about to die and then the next Vaughn lay in front of her, bleeding and unconscious. She screamed for help, but it didn't seem as if anyone was going to come. Finally, Queen Celestia came running. She saw her son laying there and then she saw Arianna in the white dress, covering in Vaughn's blood. She immediately called for help and Vaughn was soon taken away. Arianna just stood there all alone as everyone rushed back inside. She looked up at the gray sky as it began to rain upon her.[/color][/size][/i]

[Talon]

[i][color=teal]Vaughn awoke, being carried by the guards into the medical ward. He punched the guard with his good arm, knocking him out. He ran outside, the rain washing the blood off of him. He ran to Arianna who had collapsed to her knees crying. He picked her up in his good arm and carried her in. He pulled the arrows out, finding that his wounds weren't deep, except for one just below his heart. He allowed the doctors into his room to heal him, but he refused to leave Arianna's side. He clenched his right fist, looking into her eyes.[/i]

[b]Vaughn:[/b]I love you...[/color]

[Queen Asuka]

[color=crimson][size=1][i]Arianna lay beside Vaughn as he was being healed. He told her that he loved her, but she didn't know what to say. She gently fell asleep. She dreamed that she was on a boat in the middle of murky waters and she had no idea where she was at or what was going on. She cried and cried for help but no one would come to her. She could only hear the empty echoes of herself. Eventually, the dream ended and she slept peacefully.[/color][/size][/i]

[Talon]

[color=teal][i]Vaughn awoke the next morning, Arianna in his arms. His wounds healed, he saw that her dress, reddened with blood, was on a chair. He walked out to the wash, cleaning it out. He checked the chrono, seeing that it was the day of the festival. He walked back to his room, carrying the now-clean dress, and his armor, with him. When he entered the room, he saw Arianna awake, brushing her black hair. He handed her the dress, which she hastily slid on, self-conscious noticing that Vaughn was desperately avoiding looking down. He took her by the hand, leading her out to the market-place, where they could shop and shop for souvinirs and gifts until nightfall, when the ball would begin. He took her to a perfume shop, where he got her a nice forest-scented perfume. He got for himself a small bottle of spring rain cologne. He and Arianna both ran into Aiden, who was fighting with Kwaz over a marksmanship game. Arianna slowly walked towards the gift store, looking for something to get her savior. She noticed that she didn't have finalian money, and her heart fell. Vaughn noticed the look of despair in her eyes, and he brought her close.[/i]

[b]Vaughn:[/b]What's wrong, Arianna?

[b]Arianna:[/b]You've gotten me so much, given me so much. And I have nothing to give you in return.

[b]Vaughn:[/b]Just your company alone has made me happy. I'd give everything in the world for you, just to see you smile. I'm happy with you here. Is there anything else you want? Nightfall is about two hours away.[/color]

[Queen Asuka]

[color=crimson][size=1][i]Arianna smiled and decided that he was right. She didn't have to buy him anything to make him happy. And that made her content. She sighed happily and waited until nightfall when the ball would be held. Then she would get to meet other people from this world and maybe one of them could tell her what had REALLY happened to her and help revive her memories. She slid a strand of her silky hair over her shoulder and twirled it around her fingers.[/color][/size][/i]

[Talon]

[i][color=teal]Vaughn led Arianna to the Finalian Palace as night fell. He took her into the feasting hall, where all the tables had been pushed away to leave room for dancing. A small line of tables, lined for eating, was against a wall in the back, near the thrones. Van ran over with Hitomi and hugged Vaughn, slapping him on the back.[/i]

[b]Van:[/b]Welcome back, Vaughn. You look excruciatingly good tonight. And I see you finally have an escort to this ball. What's her name?

[b]Vaughn:[/b]King Van, Queen Hitomi, please welcome Arianna. She's from Earth, so during the feast before the dance I pray lady Hitomi will explain her situation to her. I've been aching to see her comfortable.

[b]Hitomi:[/b]Well, Arianna. You are welcome here, and I pray you have a good time. And it's good to see that someone has finally been welcomed into Vaughn's arms. He has been lonely for eighteen years.

[b]Arianna:[/b]Thank you.

[i]As Vaughn and Arianna walked to the feasting table, he kissed her gently, bringing a memory to her mind...[/i][/color]

[Domon]

[i] After being found unconcious by Kwaz and his squad the Escaflowne and Aiden were brought back to the palace. After recuporating for a day Aiden told his father that he wanted to be allowed to use the Escaflowne as his own, untill he decided to not use it anymore. Van had agreed and that night was the festival. Aiden had been sitting at a chair at the head table with his mother and father untill he saw a Captian Vaughn and a young girl. He went to go greet them but decided against it when he saw the look on his father's face that said "I'll go look and then you may introduce yourself." After his father and mother introduced themselves Aiden stood up and walked over to the group and spoke to them.[/i]

Aiden: So Vaughwho might this radiant beauty be?? Did she come from the Mystic moon like my mother??

Vaughn: Actually she did her name is Arianna. Arianna I would like to introduce you to Prince Aiden Salanzar de Fanel. He is the pilot of the Escaflowne and..

Aiden: Please Vaughn you're embarrassing me.. Please won't you two join us?? Mother and father would be honored wouldn't you??

Both Van and Hitomi: Of course. We would be honored.

Van: Its a real pity.

Aiden and Hitomi: What is??

Van: Well Allan isn't here. He's probably off galavanting or just at home with his sister. I had sent them an invitation but.

[i] Just as van was about to finish his sentence Sherezade came walking up the palace steps and in one of its hands was Allan's sister. The famous melef came to a stop at the top of the stairs and Allan and his sister both jumped down onto the ground.[/i]

Allan: Sorry we are late but we ran into a little bit of trouble on the Austarian border. They wanted to search me, me, one of thier very own knights. I guess you can't be to careful now.

Van: Tell me after the festivities, we should be able to catch up on things then.

Allan: Right. Oh hi Aiden, i hear you are now the pilot of Escaflowne. You aren't getting as many knicks in the melef's sword like your dad did?

Van: Hey!! Oh well. On with the festival!!

[i] Aiden actually felt a little safer since the festival was going on, he knew that even if countries were at war they would stop just for this occassion. Well thats what Aiden wanted to think but something just kept bugging him, he felt like something was out there, waiting for the right moment. He shrugged the feeling off saying he was just being paranoid. Little did he know how right he was....[/i]

[Talon]

[i][color=teal]Arianna fell deep in her memory, a memory of the day she'd left Earth, when Hitomi sat beside her, talking to her. Vaughn talked with Van, though, about the Hesperians and the Palace of Souls.[/i]

[b]Van:[/b]So explain it to me again. You are a prince of a forgotten civilization, and you are a warrior of Destiny to help save Gea and the Earth. Damn. Same thing with me, and I had a legendary melef.

[b]Vaughn:[/b]Mine is a legendery VALKEN, though. Huge difference. And my mother is the Queen Celestia. And I am deeply in love with the White Angel.

[b]Van:[/b]So that's her nickname now. White Angel. She is beautiful, though not so much as Hitomi.

[b]Vaughn:[/b]Ha. A man believes that his wife or lover, and her alone, is the most beautiful of all. So it is for me and Arianna. Truly, van, I hope that I can be at her side forever. I love her, though if she has any feelings for me she is shy to show them. Alas, my knightly patience is great, and I would wait eternities for her.

[i]Arianna heard every word of what Vaughn had said, and her eyes began to tear up. He loved her, he really did...[/i][/color]

[Domon]

[i] After eating his fill he asked Allan if he wouldn't mind using Sherezade and sparring with him while he used Escaflowne. Allan had agreed. So both of them were in their melefs and they were out on a grassy field and then the sparring began. Aiden rushed but allan quickly sidstepped and tripped Aiden and backed off. This time Aiden took the sword and brought it into an upward stroke. This sparring continued for an hour. Even after an hour Aiden still hadn't managed to land a blow on Allan.[/i]

Allan: You're not charging right, you go charging without even thinking that your enemy may be expecting it, you also aren't using the Escaflwone's sword right, you must not be used to handling it the proper way. Oh well tommorrow i'll have your father demonstrate. He and i will spar and you will watch and observe. Okay?

Aiden: Alright. Hey Allan. Would you please be my sword master and i your pupil??

Allan: I would be honored. We will begin lessons the day after tommorrow. Now how about you say we both go back and get some more food and drink and enjoy the festivities?

Aiden: Sounds good to me. Hey how long has it been since you heard from Milerna?? I wanted to talk to her and her nephew the Prince of Fried. I always thought Sheid was so cool.

Allan: Well Milerna is at Fried right now helping with Prince Shied's wife's baby. You do remember that Shied is a father now?

[i] They continued their conversation until they reached the palace. For the rest of the night the entire kingdom seemed to not sleep. During a break in the festivities Aiden went over to Vaughn and spoke to him.[/i]

Aiden: Would you be able to show me how to focus my energy into Escaflwone so that i could make Escaflowne stronger??

Vaughn: Yeah, i'll show you tommorrow.

[Talon]

[i][color=teal]Vaughn stood, walking over to Arianna when the feasting was slowing down. He took her by the hand, smiling warmly.[/i]

[b]Vaughn:[/b]Come, my dearest, and dance with me.

[i]He led her to the center of the floor, put his left arm around her waist, and her right arm found itself wound around his neck. He took her left hand in his right, and together they danced well into the night, and everyone that night, if they didn't know Vaughn, would think their ball and that dance floor had been graced with the presence of two mystical angels. Even Van and Hitomi began to question Vaughn's mortality when they saw the way he smiled with Arianna in his arms and the way they danced together. Van sighed, looking at Hitomi and smiling at his angel. Vaughn held on to Arianna that night, hoping it could last forever. They danced until three o' clock in the morning, when Vaughn led Arianna out into the garden, where they stood in each other's arms, waiting for the sun to come up. Vaughn bent down to kiss Arianna....[/i][/color]

[KabukiOwari]

*Kaze parked his suit in the forest far away ebough so no one could here...he jumped down from it and sprinted through the forest heading towards the castle...*

"was that Escaflowne?..."

*He stopped at the edge of the forest...he could see the castle...there were guards all around...how could he get in....*

"hmmm....i gotta get into the hangar...."

*he waited until the guards turned there back...he sprinted to the castle:a corner of it. As a guard rounded the corner kaze threw a kick...it hit the guard making him instantly fall to the ground...Kaze kneeled down making sure he was was knocked out...he then peered around the corner...he didnt see anything so he ran to a bush beside the castle...he jumped in it...and watched...making sure no guards were near him...*

[Tigervx]

Kwaz seemed very tense now that there is a new threat, or old, to the kingdom. He had recently been promoted from captain to general. Kwaz was very confused about this first, why him? he was only a soldier. The King explained that his bravery showed him that he was a leader to the end. Kwaz was now in command of 50 malises, he was no longer a small captain...

[Queen Asuka]

[color=crimson][size=1][i]Just as Vaughn was leaning over to kiss her, Arianna suddenly pushed away from him. He frowned at her, wondering what was wrong. She wouldn't look up at him and she just stared down in her feet in desolation.[/i]

[b]Vaughn:[/b] Arianna, what's wrong? Did I do something?

[b]Arianna:[/b] No, it's not that...it's not that at all...It's just that after talking with Hitomi, I've been having flashbacks from home. My memory is still incomplete, but little bits and pieces keep coming to me. I remembered...him....

[i]She became very silent and he could see the tears coming to her eyes once again. His heart leap to his throat as he thought that there was already another in her life. He didn't say anything for a long moment but finally just took her in his arms. She didn't move or respond, but stood there almost lifelessly.[/i][/color][/size]

[Domon]

[i] Aiden was getting tired and he wanted to go see the Escaflowne before he went to bed. As he walked to the temple to see the Escaflowne he felt like he was being watched. He turned around and had his sword drawn but the person that was behind him was no other then Merle.[/i]

Aiden: Merle don't do that!! you scared me!!!

Merle: Sorry Lord Aiden. Its just that i saw something heading towards the temple!! It looked like a human. A Zaibachian melef pilot.

Aiden: WHAT!!! Merle go tell my father and tell Captain Vaughn and General Kwaz!! I'll go and get to the Escaflowne.

[i] Aiden ran towards the temple with his sword drawn. Whoever was going to steal Escaflowne wouldn't get far. Only the royal family could access the cockpit to Escaflwone and anyone not of royal blood would suffer the Dragon's wrath. Aiden smirked. What a fool!! Whoever would try was going to get blown to pieces.[/i]

[KabukiOwari]

*He quickly climbed the wall...when he got to the top he dropped down and looked around searching for any guards...he ran towards the hanger...he had been in here before to help with a melef problem...he quickly entered the hangar...his eyes widened*

"Ahhhh....it is...its Escaflowne...its amazing..."

*he laughs..*

"but thats all it is..."

[Domon]

[i] Aiden ran right into the hanger and saw a mysterious figure standing in front of Escaflowne. Aiden unsheathed his sword and spoke.[/i]

Aiden: Who the hell are you!!! What are you doing near Escaflowne?!!! Get away from there!!! NOOOOWWWWW!!!
[i] Aiden charged at the man but the man doged and had his sword drawn and they started going at each other.[/i]

?????: You're pitiful!!! I'll kill you!!!

[i] Just when this man finished his sentence Alllan, Van, and Vaughn came running into the hanger only to catch a glimpse of this assaliant.[/i]

Van: Who the HELL WAS THAT??? What did he want with Escaflowne??

Aiden: Beats me.. Father we should hide the Escaflowne. And i know the perfect place.

Van: lets hear it. But in the meanwhile, Allan and Vaughn i hate to do this to you but could you two guard the Escaflowne for a little bit?

Both men: Yes.

[i] Aiden and Van walked out of the temple and quietly discussed of hiding the Escaflowne in the Royal graveyard. No one even knew where it was except for the royal priest and the royal family. So no one could find it and if they would they wouldn't see anything. They would have to speak in the ancient Drakonian words to unseal the spell.[/i]

Aiden: I'll move the Escaflowne now.

Van: Okay.

[i] Aiden moved the Escaflowne to the graveyard and hid it well so no one could find it. he grinned.[/i]

[KabukiOwari]

*he quickly ran out of the hanger...he hiin the shadows as he made his way out of the castle...*

"hmmmm...now they will move it...it dosent matter though...all i wanted to do is see if it was really escaflowne...hmmmm...well..."

*he huged the wall hiding in the shadows...*

[Talon]

[i][color=teal]Merle ran into the garden, looking for Vaughn. When she heard that the problem had been resolved, however, she left Vaughn alone. She'd seen him, crying gently in his room at the palace, a young woman in his bed. She followed him now, watching him stare out the window silently. She heard his tears hit the ground...

Vaughn collapsed to the floor, his knees against his chest and his arms around them. He cried openly now, large sobs punctuating his movements. All he could do was cry, for the one person he'd love, had ever loved, and ever would love, belonged to someone else. He stared at Firebrand, once again feeling it as his only friend. He silently cirsed it, though, for bringing Arianna to him. He stood on the window sill, hearing Merle slip away. He prepared to jump. He couldn't take it. He never noticed the footsteps of Arianna silently padding up behind him as he jumped. He folded his wings back, his tears streaming down his cheeks. He whispered softly as the ground raced towards him.[/i]

[b]Vaughn:[/b]I love you forever, Arianna...[/color]