The Way Back

Crowley: <It's either a rat or the guards that'll come after us if we do something about the rat. Which would you prefer?>

*Crowley shakes his head in embarrassment. Was this really his crew?*

~Kari & Kentaro~

Jade Rabbit: <I'm a pretty, pretty rabbit? Pamphlet, focus.>

=====
~Derek & Creed~

*He sees Crone and Creed talking to the minister by the throne tent.*

Crone: <I see, so it's almost time. Perfect.>

Minister: <His Highness should be--Oh, there he is. We can go now.>

=====
~Lucien~

*She turns to him pointing the crossbow at him and shoots.*

Lin: <L-Leave!>

=====
~Crowley~

Blonde Thiefess: <I just really hate ra-->

Fat Bandit: <My belly tickles.>

Blonde Thiefess: <It's a rat!>

Fat Bandit: <No, I just hungry.>

*He scatches the rabbits chin.*

Kentaro:<I take it you want to go.>

"Your aim sucks" he says flatly after he catches the arrow in his hand after dodging deftly. "I wish I didn't have to return. Believe me. But I'm under orders and I can't leave until I located what I was sent here to find."

---

"Derek... there seems to be someone chasing after you" Creed points.

Crowley: <Oh, for god's sakes...>

*Crowley facepalms and ignores their ramblings, listening for anything else besides rats.*

Derek: <Thank you. Let's leave ASAP.>

~Kari & Kentaro~

Jade Rabbit: <Yes! We do!>

=====
~Derek & Creed~

Minister: <Yes. Let's head to the aerodrome.>

*Soon they're aboard the airship. It starts shaking and takes off, rising through the sky away from the capital. Derek and Creed are led to a large chamber that is sort of a very luxurious bedroom/living room combo.*

=====
~Lucien~

*Green wind flows upward from the ground and around Lin. Dozens of vines burst out of the ground darting towards him like lightning aiming to wrap around him.*

=====
~Crowley~

*The airship shakes for a few seconds and then stops, but they hear the engine working nearby.*

Spade: <It's going.>

Kentaro:<Right.>

*Kentaro looks at the hole in the ceiling.*

Kentaro:<Really should do something about that first.>

*Crowley breathes a sigh of relief that they were finally moving.*

Crowley: <Finally...>

*Derek decides to plop in a nearby couch and rest.*

Derek: <Finally, now's my chance to ask her...>

Lucien counters with his hands.

"That's not going to get you anywhere Lin. Look. If you've moved on I'm sorry for coming back but my hands are tied and I couldn't refuse the order. If you help me look for the Aeldi Shadow then I'll be gone as quick as I came."

Not that I ever came quick with- god, Creed... you're affecting my mind now. I really need to distance myself from him and Alto.

---

"So why was a little girl chasing you Derek? Breaking their hearts when they're young you lady killer you?" Creed elbows Derek in the side jokingly. "Ask who what? Kelphy? You llllike heeeeer" Creed cat smiles. "You know Lucien likes her too~"

Derek: <Oh, I'm aware. It's all about timing though, and how quick I act.>

*He pokes Creed in the elbow and laughs.*

Derek: <And I'm far from a lady killer.>

~Kari & Kentaro~

Jade Rabbit: <Hmmm...>

*Minutes later, the hole has been covered with some of Kentaro's clothes.*

Jade Rabbit: <Can we go now, please?>

=====
~Lucien~

Lin: <Tied indeed. I'm not going to help. I want you to leave.>

*Only then does Lucien realize a few vines have emerged from his own torso and are wrapped around his wrists. Lin walks off.*

=====
~Crowley~

Fat Bandit: <We there yet?>

Spade: <A few hours until we arrive at capital Alda.>

*Seconds later, they realize the fat bandit is snoring in the other crate.*

"No, really, I think he intends to propose to her when we finish this business with the Origin. Then again he's a hard one to tie down..."

---

"Hey!! HEEEEEY!! NO FAR!!" Lucien struggles. For a moment before shadow hands pop out of Lin's shadow and grab her, albeit gently and begin to tickle her. "Y-You let me go now Lin!"

Crowley: <I can hardly contain my excitement.>

*Crowley sighs and closes his eyes to sleep as well.*

Derek: <Marriage? Hum, that's interesting.>

[That was my favorite shirt.]

Kentaro:<Sure, why not?>

~Kari & Kentaro~

Jade Rabbit: <YES!>

*Soon, they're standing by the aerodrome's ticket booth.*

Ticket Lady: <Good afternoon. Do you wish to buy a ticket or hear about our special hunting season offers?>

=====
~Lucien~

*She grits her teeth and groans, attempting to break free. Suddenly, she coughs a bit and goes unconscious.*

=====
~Crowley~

Blonde Thiefess: <Everyone's going to sleep?! Hey Spade, let's play a game. I see something black.>

Spade: <I can kill you.>

Lucien breaks free and rushes to Lin. He catches her before she falls. "Hey, that isn't funny!"

---

"Indeed"

[Both of those do sound nice.]

Kentaro:<Hear about hunting offers.>

"Buy a ticket."

*Derek lies down and closes his eyes.*

Derek: <Welp, I'm gonna sleep for the ride.>

*Crowley wakes up again, there was no point in trying to sleep over all this rambling.*

~Kari & Kentaro~

Ticket Lady: <During this month only, the hunting season is open and all cottages in hunting areas in all three kingdoms are 50% off! Now you can enjoy the warmth of a cosy cottage with your lover for only half the price! Lowmortalityrateguaranteed.>

=====
~Creed, Derek & Crowley~

*Timeskip! The crates Crowley and his gang are in are unloaded onto the airdrome just as Crone, Creed and Derek exit the airship. Crowley and the gang can hear Crone speaking outside.*

Crone: <At last. I take it Your Majesty will be heading to the royal palace to meet with Lady Kelphy?>

=====
~Lucien~

*She elbows him in the face and runs off, disappearing into the woods.*

"That was a dirty trick!" Lucien chases after her.

---

Creed yawns as he gets off the ship.

Derek: <Yes, that's the plan. I would appreciate it if you led the way, my friend.>