Author's Notes-



Though I watched a helluva lot of anime and written quite a bit, this is my
first actual fanfic, not original story. So I'm quite hungry for C&C and I'd
appreciate any that could be provided (though I'd prefer it to be more in
the way of characterization, plot, etc. not spelling and grammar). Another
note, this is in script format. Please don't not read this because of the
format. It shouldn't be that much of an obstacle for those that have some a
problem with it. Due to it being written in a script, there are some
commands and terms used you may not be familiar with. Here they are...

[v.o.]- Voice over

[os]- Off screen

[EXT.]- Exterior setting

[INT.]- Interior setting

[Beat]- Pause



That's all you should need to know to get going. This thing takes place five
years after the end of the Escaflowne series. And while it does borrow
elements from the movie (that's putting it nicely), we're not biting off the
movie completely. Anything taken from the movie (you'll see what I mean when
you read this) is being altered and given a new spin. So don't worry about
that... I could say more and completely explain myself, but I'd spoil the
entire fic. Anywho, without further ado, may I present the first chapter of
Escaflowne: Tears of Atlantis. Enjoy...





The Vision of Escaflowne

Tears of Atlantis



Vision 1:1

Dreams of Gaea -Prologue-

By Greg F

Edited by Kenshi

Based on the Vision of Escaflowne, created by Shoji Kawamori



          Was it all just a dream? Or a vision?

No^� it was real. It all started the day I tried to find love again^�







[Fade in.]

[EXT. Sky]

[We find ourselves far above the ground. The ground beneath us appears to be
untouched by civilization. Nothing but rolling hills of green, fields of
wheat, and forests. Up here, the whistling of the wind drowns out any other
noise that might be made. In the distance ahead of us, we can see a large
pair of wings, their owner using them to gracefully ride the wind currents
found up at this altitude.]

[We move closer to see the wing's owner, Van Fanel. Van flies through the
air with ease, navigating the currents of air effortlessly. However, Van's
attention does not lie with complexities of flying, nor the scenery below or
above, but with the girl he carries in his arms: Hitomi Kanzaki. Hitomi's
arms are tightly wrapped around Van's neck as he carries her above Gaea, but
there is no fear or anxiety present within her, only contentment. She smiles
warmly at Van, as the gusting winds tousle her hair, as if she is happier at
this moment than she has ever been in her entire life. Van returns her smile
with his own.]

[PUSH IN on Van.]

Girl: [v.o.] Hitomi! Come on, Hitomi! Hitomi!

[Suddenly, abruptly, everything fades to white.]

[INT. Dorm Room]

[SHOT- Girl, out of focus]

Girl: Well its about time, Hitomi.

[Slowly, the girl begins to come into focus.]

Hitomi: [v.o.] Nnnn^� Yukari^�? What time is it?

[The girl finally comes into focus. It  is Yukari Uchida.]

[SHOT- Room.]

[The Dorm Room is cramped, barely enough space to accommodate two people and
their belongings. Somehow Yukari and Hitomi have managed to fit into this
rather limited living space, though the end result of them both residing
here is not graceful. Hitomi lies stretched out on top of the bunk bed that
sits on the left of the room. Yukari stands on the ladder leading up to the
top bunk, rousing Hitomi from her slumber.]

Yukari: Nine o' clock.

[Hitomi suddenly sits up in her bed.]

Hitomi: Nine? Oh no^� I missed breakfast?

Yukari: Yup. I tried to get you up earlier, but you shooed me off. Said
you'd get up on your own. I didn't see you at the cafeteria so I figured I'd
come back and check up on you. Guess you overslept.

[Hitomi sits up, stretching in the process.]

Hitomi: [smiling to herself] I was having a nice dream. I haven't had one of
them in a while^�

Yukari:[smiling[ A nice dream, huh? All about Shinriji?

[Hitomi's eyes widen and her cheeks turn a bright shade of red as she
blushes.]

Hitomi: N-no! It wasn't anything like that!

Yukari: I'll bet^�. Well c'mon sleepy head^� up and at 'em!

[She yanks the covers off Hitomi, exposing her legs to the frigid air of the
yet to be heated dorm. Hitomi quickly pulls the covers back up.]

Hitomi: Yukari!

Yukari: Well you're not going to get to class by staying in bed.

[Hitomi scowls at her friend.]

Hitomi: You didn't have to yank the covers off like that. Its cold in here.

Yukari: [grinning ear to ear] What better way to wake you up?

Hitomi: [jokingly] Jerk.

Yukari: Well I'll be waiting by the front door. Don't fall back asleep,
Hitomi.

[Yukari exits the messy room, leaving Hitomi by herself.]

[Hitomi sighs as she tosses off the blankets, reluctantly facing the cold.
She hops off the bed and runs her hand through her hair as she walks towards
her closet, navigating her way through the various books, magazines, and
empty ramen trays that decorate the floor.]

Hitomi: I can't believe I missed breakfast^�

[Hitomi opens the closet. She smiles to herself, recalling the dream. She
then catches herself being caught up in a wave of nostalgia. She sighs,
shakes her head, and begins to pick out her clothes.]

[EXT. Dormitory]

[It is spring in Japan, the cherry blossoms have begun to rain down upon the
campus of Hitomi's college as the students begin their day. The students go
to their first classes or to visit their friends or merely attempt to stay
awake after they've finished breakfast.]

[Yukari stands next to a tree outside her dormitory. The cherry blossoms are
carried past her by the wind as she eyes her watch, her book bag slung over
one of her shoulders. Yukari looks up towards her room's window, concerned.
She is oblivious to the chatter and common of the crowd of students passing
by her as she sighs in frustration, concerned about her roommate.]

[After another moment, Hitomi exits the doorway, now fully (though hastily)
dressed and carrying a bag full of books over her shoulder. She smiles and
walks towards Yukari.]

Hitomi: Hope I didn't keep you waiting long.

Yukari: It's alright. We better get going or we're gonna be late to class.

[The two friends start their walk to class, moving with the mass of students
already traveling to class.]

Yukari: I talked to Amano last night.

Hitomi: Oh! How is he doing?

Yukari: He just passed his last final, he says he's gonna graduate in May.
He told me^� he said he's gonna come back here once he's graduated^�

[Hitomi's face lights up as she hears the news.]

Hitomi: Yukari! That's wonderful!

Yukari: I know! I can't believe he's actually coming back to live here.

[Beat]

Yukari: Just remember, Hitomi, he's mine now, don't go trying to steal him
from me.

[The two girls laugh as Yukari recalls Hitomi's high school crush on her
boyfriend. They continue walking to class, talking about things ranging from
track to term papers. Then, suddenly, Hitomi stops, her eye caught by
someone in the crowd. It is a boy, no older than fifteen. He stands  a short
distance from her, facing her as the crowd moves around him like a river
around a stone. He wears strange clothing, vaguely regal in nature. He
smiles at Hitomi, his eyes, a deep red color, simultaneously conveying both
a gentleness and a deep pain. Everyone but Hitomi is seemingly oblivious to
him.]

Hitomi: Who is that?

[The boy's lips begin to move, as if he is speaking, but no sound comes out.
Hitomi stands transfixed by him, trying to hear what he is saying, but to no
avail. She continues to stare at him, until^�.]

Yukari: Hitomi?

[Hitomi snaps out her trance, turning her head towards Yukari.]

Yukari: Hitomi? What are you doing?

[Hitomi points towards where the boy was standing.]

Hitomi: That little boy over there was staring at me.

Yukari: Little boy?

[Yukari looks where Hitomi was pointing.]

Yukari: What boy? I don't see any boy.

Hitomi: What are you talking about? He was right^�

[Hitomi trails off as she turns and sees the boy is gone.]

Yukari: Are you sure you're feeling alright, Hitomi?

Hitomi: But^� I^� I could swear he was right over there^�

Yukari: Riiight^�

Hitomi: I must not be getting enough sleep^� now I'm seeing things^�

Yukari: Says the girl who slept for nine hours last night.

[Hitomi scowls at Yukari who smiles back innocently.]

Hitomi: Jerk.

[The girls walk a bit further, returning to their previous discussions on
the varying aspects of college life. After a bit, Yukari brings up the one
topic Hitomi has been avoiding like the plague recently: boys.]

Yukari: So, who are you going with to the dance this weekend?

[Hitomi sighs, knowing exactly where Yukari is going with this
conversation.]

Hitomi: I wasn't planning on going at all.

Yukari: Well^� You could always go with Shinriji. I'm sure he'd love to take
you.

Hitomi: Yukari^� I ^� I just don't wanna go^�

Yukari: Hitomi, did Shinriji do something to you?

Hitomi: W-What? No! Of course not! Why would you ask something like that?

Yukari: Its just that you've been avoiding him lately. I don't understand
why. He's a great guy. Compassionate, funny, not to mention cute.  And you
two got along great before, and I know you'd be great together^�

Hitomi: Yukari^� I'm just^� not ready for something like that right now.

Yukari: Hitomi^�

[Yukari prepares to press her point, but stops herself when she sees just
how much this subject is troubling her friend. Yukari sighs and lets the
subject drop.]

Yukari: Never mind^�. Listen, do you wanna have dinner at the student union
tonight?

Hitomi: Sure? What time?

Yukari: Six. At the usual table.

[Yukari checks her watch.]

Yukari: Oh shoot. I gotta get going or I'll be late for pysch.

[Yukari turns, and begins running, waving to Hitomi as she leaves.]

Yukari: See you tonight, Hitomi!

[Hitomi sighs as she turns towards the building to enter her next class.]

Hitomi: [thinking] Isn't this a great way to start the day^�

[Hitomi walks towards her next class, hoping that will take her mind off of
the uncomfortable topic of her conversation with Yukari. As Hitomi enters
the building we PAN UP to a clock sitting atop a lamp post. After a moment,
the time of 9:30 fades and the lighting upon the clock shifts as we time
lapse to four o'clock.]

[INT. Stadium]

[The sun hangs high in the sky, bathing the college stadium in light. There
is a good deal of commotion and chatter from the stadium as the track team
practices.]

[Hitomi is sitting in the bleachers lacing up her shoes on the bench in
front of her as she mulls over her conversation earlier this morning with
Yukari.]

Hitomi: [thinking] Yukari's right. Shinriji is a great guy. Back in high
school I would've gone out with him in a second. But now^�. But now^� there's
Van. I ^� love Van. But I'm never going to see him again.

[Beat]

Hitomi: [thinking]What am I supposed to do? Sit around, dream about Van, and
become a lonely old maid or should I ^� should I ^� move on^�

[Hitomi finishes tying her shoe, leans back on her bench, and looks up at
the sky to search for Gaea. For so long it hung in Earth's sky, visible only
to her, like a fond memory. But as she grew older and her time on Gaea
became more distant, it has faded from her view.]

[Beat]

[Hitomi lowers her eyes from the sky and looks down at the ground, depressed
by her next thought.]

Hitomi: [thinking] I wonder^� I wonder if Van^� has found someone else^�

Girl: [os] HITOMI!!

[Hitomi is shaken from her thoughts as one of the other runners calls her
name.]

Girl: You're up, Hitomi!

Hitomi: Coming!

[Hitomi gets up, deciding to worry about it later. However, as she gets up
she looks down and standing in the middle of the field is the boy she saw
earlier in the day. Once again, everyone but Hitomi is oblivious to his
presence.]

Hitomi: [thinking] Its that boy again!

[The boy has been looking upward at the sky, lowers his head and turns his
gaze towards Hitomi. A gentle smile spreads across his lips as he looks at
her. Hitomi stares at him, confused out of her mind as to what's going on
when^�]

Girl: [os] Hitomi! What are you doing?!

[Once again, Hitomi is snapped from her trance as she looks down at her
fellow runner.]

Hitomi: I just^�

[Hitomi looks back to where the boy was standing, but just as before, she
finds that spot empty, like he was never there.]

Hitomi: [trailing off] ^� thought I saw something^�

[Hitomi narrows her eyes looking at the spot where the boy was search
desperately for any sign he was there.]

Hitomi: [thinking] Am I having visions again? But I haven't had them since I
left Gaea.

[Beat]

Hitomi: [thinking] What's going on?

Girl: [os] Hitomi! They're gonna start without you!

Hitomi: Coming!

[She looks at the spot once more, decides she'll worry about later, and
begins to walk down the steps towards the track.]

[INT. Student Union]

[Time has passed once again, as we find ourselves within the student union
at six o'clock. The various shops at the student union are brimming with
students from across the campus, as most of the day's classes have ended.
Most of the students are getting dinner at the various restaurants, fast
food places, and food stands found there. Hitomi makes her way through the
crowd and enters a diner found at the far end of the union. Hitomi navigates
her way through the maze of waiters and customers to meet Yukari for
dinner.]

Hitomi:[thinking] I can't believe its so crowded in here, its only six.
Doesn't anyone at this school eat late?

[As Hitomi finally makes her way to the back, she looks at her usual table,
expecting to find Yukari waiting for her, but instead finds^�]

Hitomi: ^� Shinriji?!

[Shinriji sits at the table, expecting Hitomi and waves when he sees her,
glad to see her. Shinriji is tall man with light brown hair. He is handsome,
but by no means a bishonen. He holds a folded piece of paper in his hand.]

[Hitomi approaches the table hesitantly, not quite sure what's going on and
obviously uncomfortable in Shinriji's presence.]

Shinriji: Hey, Hitomi.

Hitomi: Hi, Shinriji. What are you doing here? I was supposed to meet
Yukari^�

Shinriji: Me too. She wanted me to help her with her anatomy work or
something over dinner. When I got here I found this.

[Shinriji hands Hitomi the note. Hitomi reads the note to herself.]

Hitomi: "Sorry, something came up at the last minute and I really have to
take care of it. You two have fun."

Shinriji: I believe we've been set up.

Hitomi: Sure looks that way.

[An uncomfortable silence falls over the two as they both wonder what to
say.]

Shinriji: Persistent. Isn't she?

Hitomi: You can say that again.

[Shinriji smiles as Hitomi's mood has been lightened.]

Shinriji: Well since we're here, you wanna get something to eat?

Hitomi: Well^� uh^� there was^� this research project I had to get started on^�

[Hitomi trails off, her excuse obviously a lie to get her out of this
uncomfortable situation.]

(Flashback)-

Yukari: He's a great guy. Compassionate, funny, not to mention cute.  And
you two got along great before, and I know you'd be great together^�

(End Flashback)-

[Hitomi sighs.]

Hitomi: [thinking] Might as well give it a chance, I'll never know until I
try^�

[She smiles and sits down across from Shinriji.]

Hitomi: But^� I guess that can wait. I can at least have some dinner.

[Shinriji smiles as she sits down, not sure why she didn't skip out like he
thought she would, but nonetheless thrilled she decided to stay.]

[The date progresses over the next several hours, the initial awkwardness
fading away as Hitomi and Shinriji become comfortable in each other's
company. Hitomi leaves her concerns behind and just lets herself enjoy the
evening, she can worry about that stuff when she has to. We see a montage of
still shots from the date as Hitomi narrates over it.]

Hitomi: Even though I still fully intend on beating Yukari senseless for
doing this, I have to admit, this is fun.

[SHOT- Hitomi and Shinriji talking as they eat their dinners.]

Hitomi: Is this what I've been afraid of? I mean, I'm not kidding myself.
This isn't an epic romance or anything.

[SHOT- Hitomi and Shinriji walking through the student union, talking.]

Hitomi: It's only a date. But this ^� I haven't had this much fun in a while.

[SHOT- Hitomi and Shinriji getting ice cream at a stand on the streets of
Tokyo.]

Hitomi: Shinriji is smart, witty, and handsome. I shouldn't be bothered by
being on a date with him. But^�

[EXT. Hill]

[Hitomi and Shinriji walk down a concrete path, lit by lamps running along
the side of it, on a hill on the outskirts of the campus. Trees cover the
land facing away from the edge of the hill.]

[The two walk in silence, Shinriji looking at Hitomi out of the corner of
his eye, trying not to look like he's staring at her. Hitomi is oblivious
though, her gaze directed at the ground below as their evening draws to a
close and her internal conflict becomes greater.]

Hitomi: [narrating] But he^� He's not Van.

[Beat]

Shinriji: Hitomi?

[Hitomi looks up, putting on a weak smile for show. ]

Hitomi: Yes?

Shinriji: Are you okay? You've been acting a little depressed since we got
out here.

Hitomi: I have been? I'm sorry, its just^� I ^�. never mind^�

[Shinriji stops and rubs his head. Hitomi stops shortly afterwards and looks
back at him.]

Hitomi: Shinriji?

Shinriji: Hitomi, look. I don't know what I've done or if its something
else, but you've been real skittish around me lately. I don't know what I
did, but I must have done something to make you uncomfortable again. If you
want me to go, I^�

[Hitomi cuts him off.]

Hitomi: Shinriji^� its not you. I ^� I want you to stay.

[A silence falls over the two students, neither sure exactly what to do
next. Then, after several moments of the silence hanging in the air,
Shinriji slowly steps closer to Hitomi, puts his hand on her cheek, leans
forward and kisses her.]

[Hitomi is surprised by the kiss, but eventually eases into it. It is a
long, slow, gentle kiss. After several moments Shinriji pulls back. He says
nothing, he only offers Hitomi a gentle smile. Hitomi looks at him, unsure
of how to react when she is startled by a flock of birds. The birds suddenly
fly up from the edge of the hill, behind Hitomi. Hitomi turns around quickly
to see them and follows their flight up into the air. She watches them
disappear into the night sky.]

[As Hitomi turns back to Shinriji, she finds he's no longer there, and she
is no longer on the hill. She finds herself standing in a wheat field, the
grain rising up high all around her, surrounding her. Instead of a forest in
front of her, there is nothing but rolling hills of grass and a sky
completely clear, with all of the stars shining down upon her. Hitomi
quickly looks around, searching for any clue as to where she is and quickly
finds one: high in the sky, the Earth and the moon, the Mystic Moon, hang
high above her.]

Hitomi: ^� I'm in Gaea^� but how^�

[Hitomi takes a few tentative steps backward, confused and disoriented,
when^�]

Boy: [os] This world^�

[Hitomi quickly turns around, hearing the voice behind her. Behind her she
sees the boy who has appeared before her throughout the day, standing in
this field of wheat. His smile is gone as he addresses her. His face is a
mask of seriousness, scarred with pain.]

Boy: This world is filled with sadness. With pain. All it does it wound. And
hurt.

Boy: Please. End this. End this sadness. End this pain. End this hurt. Come
to my far away land, to Gaea, and make this place vanish^�

Boy: Goddess of Wings.

Hitomi: ^� Wings? What^� What are you talking about? What is going on here?

[Suddenly the ground begins to shake. Hitomi stumbles and falls losing her
footing. The boy remains standing, seemingly unaware of what's occurring.]

[The ground shakes further and a fissure opens up beneath Hitomi, Hitomi
falls in, screaming in terror.]

Boy: [v.o.] Let it all ^� just^�. Vanish^�..

[As Hitomi plummets into the abyss and the boy's words echo around her, she
is suddenly pulled back to the hill she was on before this all started.]

[EXT. Hill]

Shinriji: Hitomi? Hitomi? You're white as a sheet.

[Hitomi is still shocked from her vision and rubbing her head in disbelief,
Shinriji is still smiling, but obviously concerned.]

Shinriji: Oh come on, it wasn't that bad, was it?

[Hitomi then covers her mouth, suddenly becoming nauseous.]

Hitomi: [weakly] Something's happening^�

Shinriji: What's wrong? Hitomi? What's-

[Shinriji is cut off as a pillar of light bursts out of the ground to
surround Hitomi. Shinriji backs up and covers his eyes. It reaches up high
in the sky till it can no longer be seen. Slowly, Hitomi is lifted into the
air by the pillar of light. He sees Hitomi being carried away. He reacts
instantly, running into the pillar of light and reaching for Hitomi's hand.]

Shinriji: HITOMI!

[Hitomi reaches out for Shinriji's hand, but it is just out of her grasp.]

Hitomi: Shinriji!

[Hitomi is allowed to say nothing else as the pillar of light sweeps her
into the sky and disappears behind her, leaving Shinriji standing there
alone and confused.]

Shinriji: What in^�

[EXT. Forest]

[We find ourselves high over a forest in Gaea. The forest is largely
untouched by civilization. A large Asturian fort can be seen in the distance
though. After a moment, the pillar of light descends in the center of our
view. It lingers for a moment, then dissipates.]

[EXT. Forest]

[Hitomi wakes up and finds herself lying on the ground. She slowly gets up
and looks around, confused and a little scared. She looks up in the sky to
see the Mystic moon over head.]

Hitomi: Gaea^� I'm ^� on Gaea? But that's impossible^� Van has my pendant now. 
This is impossible^�

[Hitomi begins to start walking when^�]

Man: [os] Well, well. Look what we've got here.

[Hitomi quickly turns around to see a trio of bandits. They are dirty and
clothed in rags. They eye Hitomi like a beast might eye his next meal.]

Bandit: And here I thought it was gonna be a slow night.

[The three bandits laugh as they slowly approach Hitomi, who backs away, her
eyes filled with fear.]

[Fade to black]

To be continued^�



I've returned to Gaea, after five years.



Its barely changed from when I first got here^� there is an oppressiveness in
the air^� like a storm is gathering^�



Everything I knew here is distant, far away.



But as I gather my wits, I see everything burning before me.



It all burns away, into the night.



Next time, on the Vision of Escaflowne: Tears of Atlantis, "Distant Dreams"



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