Resolution

After atomizing Hannibal’s body, Maya raced the Dodge out of the desert and back to Rylan’s house. With her music pumping she skid into Rylan’s yard, like she always did, and hopped out of the car dancing.

Rylan, Evan, Darna, and Tidus sat on the house porch clutching their stomachs in raucous laughter. Tidus spun and pointed at Maya and they all clapped and cheered at her.

“Oi, Skinny Dragon!” bellowed Tidus, “Did you handle that Ox bullshit?”

Maya covered her mouth and laughed, “Of course I handled him you Big Dumb Bear!”

“Oh! I told you boys, lady Maya’s ruthless!” said Tidus to the snickering Rylan and Evan. He then faced Maya, “I was just telling them about the time you got into that fight with that red-headed Garsen girl when we were kids in academy. What was her name again?” He asked with a goofy smile.

Maya smirked, “You mean Yaara Garsen, the Scorpion Princess!” she shook her head laughing.

“Haha, right, she hated you but your brother adored her, if I recall!” laughed Tidus.

Maya sucked her teeth, “Leif’s an idiot! And Yaara was a bitch. That’s why I threw a cake at her in the lunchroom, hmph!” she pouted.

Everyone erupted in laughter at Maya. The giant Tidus ran down the porch steps and squeeze hugged her, lifting her off the ground.

“Ugh!” cried Maya, hugging and punching him, “Tidus, you’re bigger than ever, you Bear!” punch, punch.

Tidus smiled and flexed his biceps, “That’s how I smite enemies, Skinny Dragon!” he cackled.

Maya laughed and joined them all on the porch as Tidus shared stories of their time in academy, the Kellan equivalent of Junior High. Fun memories.

But Seriously

After an hour of laughing and eating, the five sat in the living room and discussed their next move: Rescuing Chloe.

“What Hannibal, or none of you barons knew, was my mother had plenty of parts for that laser machine in her evil lab in the desert,” said Maya.

Rylan turned to her, “Anya’s place? You know where it is?” he asked.

“Yeah, she sent me all of her information right before she jumped through the gate.” Maya displayed data on her gear, “She also sent Leif’s vital readings...he was...barely alive when she took him back to Eres...But I know he’s alive now.”

“How do you know?” asked Evan with worried eyes.

Darna smiled and squeezed Evan’s cheek, “Don’t worry cowboy. If Maya says Leif’s alive than he is.”

“Have faith,” Tidus nodded to Evan, “Leif’s tough.”

“So, do you have all of the parts to repair the machine?” Darna asked Maya.

“Yes. The machine is a shell with four components, but only one part is Eren tech. The rest is earth material. I’ll fix it in five minutes. I only told Hannibal it would take a few days to stall his dumb ass.”

“So what’s the plan?” asked Rylan.

Maya faced Tidus. “First things first. Tidus, I would never ask you to fight my battle-”

“What?” shouted Tidus, stopping Maya’s statement.

He jumped up and extended his mighty Battle Axe striker. All four mouths dropped as they gaped at his fearsome, and large, double edged weapon.

“I’m sorry lady Maya. Were you about to ask your strongest bannerman to stand down and not fight for you?” asked Tidus, with his eyebrow raised to Maya, “Or perhaps I just misheard you?”

While everyone stared at Tidus’ axe, Maya smiled at him warmly, “Tidus...I would never ask you something so selfish.”

Tidus retracted his axe and bowed to Maya, presenting her his striker. “Marchioness, I'm Tidus Nyban of of the Steppes Bear clan. Your strongest bannermen. And our axe's belong to you.”

Maya smiled and ruffled his hair, “In that case you’d better protect me with that scary weapon you big dumb bear!”

Tidus smiled, “My lady!”

"Are you proposing for marriage, Tidus," Darna snarked, "I'm sure my cousin Maya can be swayed!"

Everyone laughed at Tidus and Maya's display.

"Heh heh, shut up, Darna!" Maya snapped with a laugh.

Rylan turned to Maya, “You were explaining the plan.”

The Plan

“Simple but difficult” said Maya. “You see, from what my mother sent me about the machine, we should be able to leave it here on earth with the two hundred diamonds and use it as a transmitter.” She faced Rylan, “And if we don’t do that then you cannot come with us to Eres, Rylan.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re a grounder. You’re the one actually opening the gate by grounding the ampsediun on earth. But if you are not on earth then there’s nothing that will open a gate here.”

Darna smirked, “But you think by using the machine as a transmitter on earth, Rylan can open a gate in his yard even if he’s on Eres?”

“Almost,” Maya answered, “Rylan is the one of the strongest grounders I’ve ever seen!”

Rylan beamed with pride, “That’s right, I’m a powerful man!” he laughed high fiving Tidus and Evan.

Maya smirked, “But he’s not strong enough.”

“Aww!” cried Rylan as the others laughed at him.

“You said one of the strongest grounders,” Darna said to Maya, “So who is the strongest?”

“Easy,” said Maya, “His baby sister, Chloe.”

Everyone turned to Maya with, “Whaa? Is that the truth? The little girl is stronger than Rylan?”

“Yes,” answered Maya, “And my mother knew that. And she also concluded that when Rylan and Chloe fused their ampsediun together, they could open a gate to any world...in theory anyway.”

“But what if the theory is incorrect?” asked Evan.

“Well...Then Rylan and Chloe will be stuck on Eres until me or my mother can figure out a way to open a gate on earth without a grounder, from Eres.”

“That’d be impossible,” chimed Darna.

“It doesn’t matter,” said Rylan, “Because I’m going to Eres to find my sister, regardless if I can make it back to earth or not!” he growled.

“And I’ll help you Rylan,” said Maya standing up.

As she stood, her bannermen stood with her.

“We’ll all help reunite you with your sister,” said Darna.

“Aye!” agreed Tidus, “And I doubt your sister will be hard to find, for the Duchess Anya is a crafty one,” he assured Rylan.

Rylan gazed at everyone with watered eyes. “I appreciate everyone’s help, so what’s our next move?” he asked Maya.

Maya took a breath, “Tonight I’ll repair the machine.” She faced everyone, “And tomorrow morning, bright and early, we open the rift gate. Our destination…

...Planet Eres!”

END OF BOOK ONE.

____________________________________________________________

Thank you everyone for reading this story. But I’m afraid I’m going to have to take a hiatus before contemplating a book two, or any other story. Why? Because book two is not fully developed and because real life sucks and I have a lot to do these days :’(

If you liked this story and the direction it went I’m super grateful ^_^

If you hated the story no worries, I hear you too. Thank you for making it this far.

I love you all ^_^

Later space cowboys~

-JayDirex