It's about 2:00 in the afternoon, and the party has scattered to get ready for the journey that will start the next day. AXEM, TRITHAL and THRAX instruct CHRIS to study the manual for his Wizard's Staff and to familiarize himself with the basic attacks. THRAX goes back to the castle library and grabs some magic books with useful spells. TRITHAL goes to the royal swordsmith's shop and has his weapons repaired and sharpened. AXEM goes to the gymnasium and practices his martial arts moves. When the rest of the party gets caught up with their preparing, it is about 7:30 in the evening. TRITHAL, CHRIS and THRAX decide to join AXEM in the gym and exercise for a good hour or so. Afterward, the party showers and has a well-balanced dinner.
While they eat, Ali enters the room and says, "Hey guys, can I come with you to Tanchi?"
AXEM: "Are you sure you want to do that? It's gonna be very dangerous."
Ali: "I know, but I was thinking about what Trithal said in Episode 23 when he told me that I needed to look within myself to find closure. I think I know how."
CHRIS (curious): "How?"
Ali: "I want to re-take Tanchi in the name of the house of Annan."
With TRITHAL, THRAX, CHRIS and AXEM shocked to hear the hot, young princess make such a bold declaration, THRAX asks, "Girl, are you on crack? Do you realize how big of an undertaking that will be?"
Ali: "Well, yeah, but you guys will be there... and you're strong... and with all five of us fighting together how can we lose?"
TRITHAL, getting into his serious mode, says, "Obviously you don't get it. The Plains of Tanchi have been under the control of Liiche's followers for the past fifteen years. Going in and kicking everyone's ass is one thing... but once all the ass-kicking is done you have to be able to convince the populace that you can lead their government better than the previous regime. Now, Ali, do you honestly think you're able to do that?"
Ali (unsure): "Well, I don't know, but..."
TRITHAL: "But nothing! If you're not 100% sure of what you're doing, you have no business doing it! You're better off staying here with that.. faggot.. boyfriend of yours!"
A split second later, Ali lunges forward, withdraws her sword, and holds the tip of it within a milimeter of TRITHAL's adam's apple. THRAX, AXEM and CHRIS are all startled by the suddenness of Ali's move, and TRITHAL sits there and stares at Ali as if she did nothing. TRITHAL's eyes turn a piercing blue as he chants a mantra similar to the one he used in Episode 9 to subdue the agitated princess. Ali, with a hypnotized look on her face drops her blade and curls up on the floor into the fetal position and screams "GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" TRITHAL then closes his eyes and for about a minute the other three sit and watch as they don't have a clue as to what's going on. After a few minutes Ali awakens from her trance and sees TRITHAL offering to help her to her feet.
TRITHAL: "Tell you what, as long as Thrax, Axem and Chris say it's ok, you can come along."
Ali accepts TRITHAL's hand, and as he helps her to her feet, they look at each other as if they just had a long conversation and finally see each other's point of view. With the rest of the party still stunned at what they just witnessed, TRITHAL asks if it's ok with the party if Ali accompanies them to Tanchi.
THRAX: "Uh, even though having a hot, sexy girl accompany us would be nice, I dunno if it would be such a good idea. What about you, Chris?"
CHRIS: "Duh, I don't mind! What about you, Axem?"
AXEM: "Well, I'm not sure either. Personally, I'd love to have you out there with us but, would your uncle be okay with this?"
-----
King Midus: "Are you mad?"
The king paces back-and-forth in his study as his niece, accompanied by the quartet, asks for his permission to go to Tanchi with the party. Ali pleads, "But uncle, these guys will be with me the whole time! I'll be just fine!"
King Midus: "But sweetheart, Tanchi isn't like the southern ports, or the over-land route. It's a very dangerous place! I don't see any valid reason why you should risk yourself in such a place!"
TRITHAL, once again acting like he knows more than he's letting on, says, "If I may, King Midus, I don't think Ali will be at peace with herself until she sees her home land again. The four of us will ensure her safety, and if necessary, send her back if it gets too dangerous."
King Midus (sighs): "Oh, alright! But I want Evan to go with you."
All five in uinson: "What? Why Evan?"
King Midus: "It'll get him out of the castle (and away from his fuck-buddy). Plus, the two of you need to spend some real quality time together."
Ali shudders at the thought.
THRAX: "With all due respect, Midus, Evan will be a liability, and will hinder our ability to carry out our quest."
TRITHAL: "And, we don't travel with queers!"
King Midus: "On the contrary... this will be the perfect opportunity for him to prove to all of us what kind of man he really is.. and whether or not he's worthy to be married to my Goddaughter. This may be just the way to get rid of that freak! Now, if anything happens to Ali on this quest, I will personally tear out each of your small intestines and hang you with them!"
With that, the once-again five-member party leaves the King's study and goes to their seperate bed-chambers to rest up for the journey they are gonna have ahead of them.
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