Van, Hitomi, and Folken have returned to Asturia to seek an audience with the officials
Official 1: "Defect?  A general of the Zaibach army wants to defect to our country?!"
Official 2: "That insane Dornkirk is unstoppable...?  He'll throw Gaea into chaos?"
Official 1: "Is that the reason why he's defecting?"
Official 2: "Our political beliefs won't allow us to trust without proof."
Dryden: "That's quite true.  We can't trust you so easily."
Folken: "Of course... Therefore, I've brought a gift."
Ooh, is it a Barbie?  Or maybe some tupperware

Hitomi stands out on the balcony overlooking the city
Hitomi: "Folken's defection turned the situation around.  A sense of crisis against Zaibach became reality, and Asturia signed a treaty of alliance with the surrounding countries."
Images show Folken giving speeches before a group of diplomats, planning strategical maps, and preparing troops and machinery
Hitomi: "Asturia has accepted Folken to obtain information on Zaibach, but..."
Van polishes Escaflowne, and sees Folken walking by.  He looks at him disdainfully, and ignores him
Hitomi: "Van is still..."

People are rebuilding Asturia.  Many are still injured or homeless, and have sought refuge in a church outside the city.  There, Hitomi, Van, and Merle help tend to people's needs
Van: "You can't be satisfied by doing this in the shelter of the castle?"
Hitomi: "Because I was responsible for the city being damaged."
Merle: "Why didn't you come alone?"
Hitomi: "I didn't ask you."
Merle: "Are you picking a fight?"
There is the sound of a horse and carriage outside.  It appears that Millerna has stopped by with Dryden and Allen
Priest: "I appreciate you coming to a place like this."
Millerna: "Think nothing of it.  If we can comfort the people in pain..."

People crowd around food and medical carts, awaiting their rations
Man: "Calm down!  There's plenty of food!"
Merle: "I'll go help!"
Hitomi: "Me too!"
Millerna is giving out candy to the kids
Kid 1: "Thank you!"
Kid 2: "I want one, too!"
Van and Dryden still stand by and watch
Van: "Zaibach might attack us while we're doing this."
Dryden: "You're always thinking about fighting."
Van: "Unless I fight, I'll be killed."
Dryden: "Just like a soldier... Don't you have anything else to think about?"
Van: "Zaibach will destroy Gaea, just like they did to Fanelia."
Dryden: "Oh, great...  Hang in there, King of Fanelia."
Merle's handing out snacks too, but the kids are a little less tame around her
Kid 1: "Snacks!  Snacks!"
Kid 2: "Do you have any toys?"
Merle: "Toys?
Other Kids: "Snacks!  Snacks!"
Merle: "Snacks?  W... wait a second...  GAAAAHHH!"
One of the kids pulled her tail
Merle: "Hey, don't pull my tail!"
However, she's dropped the basket of snacks, and another kid runs off with it
Merle: "Aaaaaahhh!  Hold it!"
She goes chasing after them
Hitomi: "That Merle... she's adapted to the situation."
Van: "Merle knows that those children lost their families.  Merle's the same.  I wonder if war only increases the number of children like them."
Hitomi: "Van, what did you play with Folken when you were little?"
Van: "It's none of your business."
He wanders off
Hitomi: "Sorry."
Allen: "Hitomi!  What are you doing?  Why are you here?"
Hitomi: "Because... everyone's helping.  I can't just sit back and do nothing."
Allen: "You're outside the castle.  Don't you understand how important you are to Gaea?  You always leave without telling me.  Like when you went to Fanelia with Van."
Hitomi: "That was... I don't think it had anything to do with you, Allen."
Allen: "You're not hiding anything, are you?"
Hitomi "I... don't keep anything secret from you!"
She shrugs him off and walks around him
Allen: "Hitomi!"
Hitomi: "I'll return to the castle alone, later."
Allen: "Hitomi..."
And it was at this point that I kinda stopped liking Allen ^_^*

Hitomi walks off into the field by herself.  The song "Aoi Hitomi" ("Blue Eyes") starts playing in the background
Hitomi: "What's the matter with me?  I was so upset that I said such things to Allen."
There's a long pause here, while the song keeps playing (~sono aoi hitomi utsukushii orokasa...~ Er, nevermind ^_^*).  Hitomi then crouches to the ground, setting up for a sprint.  She pushes off and just starts running

She ends up in the palace courtyard, and acquired her jogging clothes somewhere along the line.  Folken watches her from behind a pillar as she stops to catch her breath.  Hitomi stands by the fountain, and Folken comes out to talk to her
Folken: "You miss your home, right?"
Hitomi: "Folken."
Apparently some time has passed, and they're still sitting out there, talking
Folken: "Van said that...?"
Hitomi: "I wanted to restore the relationship between you and Van."
Folken: "He hasn't been changed."
Hitomi: "I wonder how I can make him understand."
Folken: "Aren't you scared?  I'm the man who used machines with enhanced fortune to try and take you away."
Hitomi: "I don't feel at ease, but..."
Folken: "But...?"
Hitomi: "If I were scared, you'd become nervous also.  That wouldn't work.  If I don't trust, I won't be trusted."
Folken: "My defection to Asturia might be part of a plot."
Hitomi: "Even so, my thoughts of trust will reach you.  Although it may not be brought to you correctly."
Folken: "So, that's the power you have..."
Meanwhile, Van's the one snooping on them (Van: "Dang it!  Big bro got to her before I could!  Now I hate his guts even more!")

Meanwhile, at the Rampart outpost, troops from various countries are gathering for battle
Soldier: "Trible, from the Egzaldia Army, has arrived!"
Soldier 2: "What about the advanced unit from Palas?"
Soldier 3: "It's scheduled to arrive around the time of the Ripla, tomorrow morning."
Soldier 1: "Deidalas and Chuzario armies, and Baslam as well... It's gonna be Gaea's biggest war."

Back in Asturia, Hitomi and Allen meet outside to discuss something
Hitomi: "What happened?"
Allen: "I've been ordered to move out.  As soon as the sun rises, Van and I will leave.  Before that, I have something I want to tell you.  Prince Chid of the Duchy of Freid is a result of the love between Princess Millerna's sister, Marlene, and myself.  Prince Chid is Princess Marlene's and mine..."
Hitomi: "Allen..."
Allen: "My heart won't allow me to keep this secret, because I love you now.  After you know everything, I wonder if you'll still love me... forever under the same sky, under the same moonlight."

We're in a dark room.  There's a single candle and a wine glass.  And a familiar voice ^_^
Dilandau: "Where am I?"
Jajuka: "The floating fortress Dilate."
Dilandau: "Dilate...?  Where's Shesta?"
Jajuka: "He died."
Now that it's panned over to him, it's revealed that Jajuka is a dog man, bearing a strong resemblance to the one seen in the previous episode.  Dilandau shakily reaches for a glass of wine
Dilandau: "Where's Gatty?"
Jajuka: "Dead."
Dilandau: "What about Dallet?"
Jajuka: "Dead."
Dilandau: "What about Violle?"
Jajuka: "Dead."
Dilandau: "Dead...?  DEAD?!  Haaa!"
He chucks the wine glass at Jajuka, and it spatters all over his pretty fur and Dragonslayer uniform
Dilandau: "Who are you?"
Jajuka: "I'm Jajuka."
Dilandau: "Jajuka...?"
Jajuka: "I'm a soldier under your command.  You have but one."
Dilandau: "Only one...?"
Dilandau gets the most pathetically cute look on his face for a moment, then screams and clutches his head.  He rips off his shirt, thus proving once and for all what gender he is (uh... at the moment...).  He collapses to the ground and breathes heavily for a moment
Dilandau: "Jajuka... is my new guymelef ready?"
Jajuka: "Yes, sir!"
Dilandau gets up and slings his uniform jacket back on
Dilandau: "It's been a while since I've fought.  I'm looking forward to it."

Asturia's airships move out.  Van and Allen are on them, heading towards battle
Allen: "Van, here you are..."
Van: "Allen."
Allen: "About Hitomi..."
Van: "I'm not interested."
Allen: "Yesterday, I proposed to her."
(cough) Gaaak?  Van has a more subtle, yet noticeable reaction
Allen: "She's supposed to answer when I return.  I feel relaxed when I'm with Hitomi."
Van: "Protect her."
Allen: "I won't let anyone take her away, even if it costs my life."

Back in Asturia, Hitomi is contemplating over things
Hitomi: "Prince Chid is Allen's..."
~Chid~: "Hitomi."
Hitomi: "I wonder if I can ever go back to Earth."
Millerna walks by, wearing an apron and carrying laundry
Millerna: "Hitomi, how do I look?"
Attendant: "Princess, you shouldn't do that."
Millerna: "Oh, Dryden won't say anything, even if I wash clothes.  Right, Hitomi?"
Hitomi: "Well, probably not."
Hitomi goes and helps Millerna hang the laundry.  However, now there's something on her mind
Hitomi: "Ummm... Millerna..."
Millerna: "What?"
Hitomi: "I have a little problem.  Would you help?"
Millerna: "Oh, my.... This's unusual for you."
Hitomi: "Well, it's about my friend..."
Millerna: "Yes?"
Hitomi: "She has a guy she really likes, but he's a playboy..."
Millerna: "Mm-hmm.... huh?"
Hitomi: "And it turns out that he has an... illegitimate..... child....  Hm?"
Doesn't this bear a striking resemblance to a conversation held in episode 15?  :P
~Millerna~: "But he's a playboy, and it turns out that h has an illegitimate child."
Hitomi: "You knew...?"
Millerna: "You know...?"
Hitomi: "So, you know about it."
Millerna: "So do you, Hitomi.  Many things come around in one's life.  Whatever happened before you met someone cannot be erased."
Hitomi: "Millerna... you're still..."

Meanwhile, the ships have arrived at Rampart
Gaddess: "Okay, I can see it.  It's Rampart.  Kio, land gently.  We're representing Asturia."
However, just as the crusade clears the arch, a Zaibach floating fortress de-cloaks over the outpost and starts spewing forth multitudes of guymelefs
Soldier: "W... what's that?"
Red-Feathered Hat Guy: "It's Zaibach!  Guards!  Get the melef units moving, quickly!"
The Zaibach guymelefs land by the dozens.  Ah, here's some good old early-season panic.  A lone Allied guymelef stands, but up from above.... mush!  It gets flattened by a red guymelef falling from the sky.  Gee, who's got the red one?
Dilandau: "Here I am!"
And there was much rejoicing.  Oooh, he's got a new guymelef with dual flame-throwers.  And he's not afraid to show them off.  He laughs maniacally and burns everything to the ground
Reeden: "It's burning!  The port's in flames.  Sarge!"
Gaddess: "A surprise attack by Zaibach!"
Allen: "Gaddess, keep moving in!  I'll go out with the Scherezade!"
Gaddess: "Boss...!  Alright, we've gotta launch Scherezade!  Descend to the limit!  Kio, charge!"
And down they go.  Allen's all prepped, but so is Van
Van: "Allen, I'll go first!  I'm gonna distract the enemy!"
Allen: "Van!"
La la la, Escaflowne-becoming-dragon stock footage.  Van flies on ahead of Crusade

Now we're back in Asturia.  I'll warn you from the start that there's going to be a LOT of scene flipping back and forth between Rampart and Asturia
Hitomi: "At a time like this, what should I... who should I trust?"

Van flies towards the port, which is in flames
Van: "It's like a sea of flames.  Damn it."
Red-Feathered Hat Guy: "The right side!  Cover the right one!"
Aw, the red-feathered hat guy got fried
Van: "Stop!"
He lands right on top of a Zaibach guymelef and slices it in half
Zaibach Soldier 1: "The Ispano guymelef!"
Van slices his guymelef in half, thus the soldier can't really expand on that thought anymore

Hitomi: "What was that?"

Allied guymelefs are getting mauled left and right.  And Van's slicing up the Zaibach guymelefs as well

~Van~: "I'll protect Hitomi."
Now Hitomi's having voices in her head

Van's still using the pendant method, and spots a guymelef coming out of the smoke.  Accompanied by an insane laugh and "Epistle" starting up again
Dilandau: "I'm so happy to find you here."
Van: "A red guymelef."
Dilandau: "We haven't played for a while, have we?"
He shoots his metal claws at Escaflowne, which are deflected.  He then forms a blade with them and fights Escaflowne hand-to-hand
Dilandau: "BURN!"
Ah, gotta love that.  Van dodges the flames, more or less
Dilandau: "See, see?  You're gonna get burned."
He looks up and Crusade buzzes him, letting off Scherezade as it does so.  Allen locks blades with Dilandau, then jumps away
Dilandau: "Allen Schezar... I hate you!"
Dilandau shoots his claws, and Allen deflects them
Allen: "Van, cover my rear!"
Van: "Allen!"
Van turns around and sees another Zaibach guymelef behind him
Zaibach Soldier 2: "That's the Ispano guymelef they're talking about."
Zaibach Soldier 3: "If I defeat it, I can distinguish myself."
Van: "It's coming."

Hitomi: "Don't, Van!"
~Van~: "I'll protect..."

Van whirls around and slices up the enemy guymelefs

~Van~: "...Hitomi."

Van continues to use Hitomi's method to see the Zaibach guymelefs.  Meanwhile, Allen and Dilandau continue battling
Dilandau: "You're strong as ever, Allen."
Allen knocks Dilandau back and is about to slice him, but Jajuka comes to the rescue
Jajuka: "Lord Dilandau!"
He bodyslams Allen's guymelef with his
Dilandau: "Don't interfere, Jajuka!"
Jajuka: "Lord Dilandau..."
Jajuka takes over battling Allen
Allen: "He's good."
And Van slices another guy in half

Hitomi: "Why can I see it?"
~Van~: "I'll protect you."

Van continues on his battle rampage

Hitomi: "Don't!"

There goes another guy chopped in half

Hitomi: "Stop.... please stop....  Van!"
~Van~: "I'll protect you!"

Van whirls around as Dilandau comes charging at him, a sword claw on each arm.  They continue their battle

Hitomi: "Van, please.... please stop."

Van and Dilandau attack each other some more
Dilandau: "Very good, Van!  You're great!"
Van: "What's this obnoxious, murderous aura?"
Dilandau: "I'm getting more excited!"
Er, that's nice, Dil.  Just don't tell me about it.  Dilandau breaks free of their locked blades
Van: "Damn it!"
A little ways away, Allen and Jajuka are still whacking each other to bits
Allen: "Van!"
Dilandau: "DIE!"
He swipes his claw up, but Van is able to block it
Dilandau: "What the...?!"
Van: "You can never defeat me!"

~Van~: "I'll protect you!"
Hitomi: "No more!"
Hitomi's pendant flares to life

As does Escaflowne's energist
Jajuka: "Lord Dilandau!"
Jajuka makes an abrupt departure from his battle with Allen
Allen: "What?"

And Dornkirk's big globe thingy is glowing out of control as well

Something's wrong with Dilandau, too.  He backs down from Van, fearfully, and cowers
Dilandau: "Jajuka!  Jajuka!"
Not to let this opportunity slip by, Van charges Dilandau's back.  However, Jajuka gets between them at the last second and blocks
Jajuka: "Lord Dilandau!"
Is this like the extent of his dialogue in this part?  Dilandau is screaming, and sees images of a frightened little girl.  Finally, he gets transported away in one of those ever-present columns of light
Van: "It's gone."
I'll give you three guesses what Jajuka's next line is
Jajuka: "Lord Dilandau!"
He throws his guymelef into flight mode and takes off.  And, for some reason, the disappearance of Dilandau has dissuaded Zaibach from continuing this battle, and the floating fortress disappears
Allen: "They're done it.  They caught us off guard.  We have to return to Palas."

Hitomi's sill crumpled on the floor, as she's been through all of this
Hitomi: "Why...?  Why must everyone fight?  I can't stand this.  I don't want to see anymore."

The troops return to Asturia and bring news of the battle
Dryden: "I see.  Rampart was totally destroyed."
Allen: "The conference with our allies must be held here."
Dryden: "Alright."
Van: "Zaibach is serious.  We have to prepare for it immediately."
Dryden: "Hm."
Van: "A preemptive attack will be effective.  We'll be finished if we don't."
Hitomi: "Why can't you think of anything other than fighting?"
Guess who's snuck in on a private conversation
Van: "What are you talking about?  This is a war to protect you."
Hitomi: "I saw it.  You enjoy fighting, Van!  I don't want you to protect me like that.  I hate war.  I hate this world!"
Van: "Hitomi!"
Hitomi: "Someone, please send me back!  Send me back to my world!"
So the Gaean Transportation Committee finally says "Okay, fine.  Jeez," and throws down a pillar of light to send her back
Allen/Van: "Hitomi!"
And, thus, she gets slurped into the sky

It's 4:53.  We're back at the school.  Hitomi's in bed in the infirmary, with Amano watching over her, ala episode 1.