AN: So this story is going to be super exciting! I am just going to wing it and see how things go! Enjoy!
DISCLAIMER FOR THE ENTIRE STORY: I DO NOT OWN GUNDAM WING OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS!
The countryside was dark. The moon's light was blocked by a thick cloud that hung over the sky like a blanket. No stars were visible, not even a hint of light filtered to the earth. It was on nights like these that the darkest of deeds were performed. It was nights like these that black magic took hold of people's hearts.
A lone figure walked through the woods. He was in a hurry to get to his destination, constantly looking over his shoulder to see if he was being followed. He did not trust the night, in fact he hated it, but in times like these he had to be cautious. He could not be seen. If anyone were to find out what he was doing, who he was serving….
He shuddered at the thought. Instead he pushed his way onward, and into the thick of the forest, making his way through the underbrush. He was close enough now that he could breathe a sigh of relief. A couple hundred yards more and he was there, he had reached the cave.
He went inside, and after a few yards he found a torch lighting his way. It was the perfect hiding spot to serve the purposes of his master well. Well hidden, deep inside Rankin Forest, a place said to be haunted for many centuries now; a myth that the man did not doubt for a minute. If it had not been for the protection of his master, the man would never have ventured into the haunted woods alone.
A cavern appeared and at the very middle of it a small pool of water. The man went over to a wall and lit another torch. He went to the opposite wall and lit yet another one, and then another one until the entire cavern was illuminated with a fiery light. After that the man dropped to his knees next to the little pool.
He withdrew a small vial from his cloak and poured the contents into the water. Steam rose from the liquid and the man breathed in the vapors. His eyes slowly rolled into the back of his head, and his body shook with a fierce seizure. The man hated this part, but it was all for his master's bidding.
"You have been a faithful servant, Saul," a deep voice suddenly said.
The man, Saul, collapsed on the ground and slowly regained his senses. He dared not to look at his master. To look at his lord in square in the eyes would mean his death. Shaking with fear, Saul bowed to the ground.
"My only hope is that I serve you well, master."
"You do what is expected of you," replied the voice. "But nothing more," he added sharply.
Saul shrank back some, "Sire, I have done all I can. One man can only do so much. Perhaps if you only gave me some more time…"
"Time!" exclaimed the voice. "I have given you plenty of time! You were asked to do one simple task."
"Sire, I have not found the right girl, yet! She must be perfect!"
"Yes, she must be," interrupted his master. "And every pathetic girl you have ever brought to me thus before has proved useless to me! It's time that I find what I'm looking for, not leave it up to some sniveling servant like you!"
"But my Lord, I have served you well, you even told me I have been a most faithful servant!" exclaimed Saul shaking all over.
"You have been faithful but you have also proven yourself to be unworthy of my cause! I will look on my own from now on. It is time that I took shape once more…"
"But that would mean a human sacrifice is needed! I cannot possibly find someone to willingly submit to your cause and die so that you may take shape once more!"
"But, my faithful servant, you already have…"
With sudden horror, Saul knew exactly what his master meant. He scrambled to his feet but it was too late, he felt himself looking into red eyes; eyes of pure evil, eyes that bore down into his soul. Saul let out a blood curdling scream even though he knew no one would ever hear him.
0000
Relena ducked in and out of the marketplace. The city was buzzing with excitement. It was a rare day indeed when the Five came to visit. Shops were bustling with customers and Relena laughed as she saw several young women her age scourge the dressmaker's shop for new robes. All wanted to look their best for the legendary soldiers of the Cinq Kingdom; the Five men who had saved the world from destruction and who led the people to victory time and time again. They were the sworn protectors of the Imperial family, and of the people.
Relena, like anyone else, was excited for their arrival, but unlike other silly girls her age, she had work to do. She refused to set her priorities aside so that she may swoon over the handsome young men who would be riding into the city at the head of the Imperial Army.
Quickly she ducked into a bookshop, the finest in the Imperial City, and ran to the back storage room where she found an older man taking inventory and surveying his stock.
"Father, I am home!" she called to him.
He turned around and smiled at her loving face. "Relena, my dear, you should be getting ready for the parade! They are supposed to be arriving by midday."
"Father you know I cannot possibly watch it without you by my side."
Mr. Darlian smiled at his daughter. He should have known better than to think Relena would have gone into the excitement without him. "Go change your dress, that one has ink stains from the printing press on it. I will finish with the inventory and then we shall close the shop and venture into the city together."
"I do not care what I look like, father. They are just ordinary men. I will not look my best so that I might swoon and dote upon them as the other girls do."
Her father sighed. Even at the tender age of eighteen, Relena was not a foolish girl. She looked beautiful beyond her years, even in her ink stained frock, but Mr. Darlian would not be dissuaded this time. These were not ordinary men and it was a time to celebrate. It was the tenth year of peace in the Cinq Kingdom. Ten years had passed by without any fear or threat of war. It was cause for celebration indeed, and they all had the Five to thank for it.
"Relena, you know these are not ordinary men. You are beautiful, daughter. I am not asking you to swoon over the soldiers, just merely to not humble your looks for once. It is a time of peace and I want you to shine among the brightest of the stars tonight."
Relena blushed. "Very well, I will only be a few moments."
Mr. Darlian smiled as his daughter rushed upstairs. Though she tried to hide her excitement, he could see in her bright sapphire eyes that she was just as excited as any other girl her age.
He frowned at the thought of his daughter suppressing her joy. Ever since Relena's mother had died nearly twelve years ago of the plague, Relena had taken it upon herself to maintain a sense of maturity for her father. Mr. Darlian had done the best he could to raise her as a proper young lady, but there were several things he would surely be frowned upon for.
The first, being that he had taught Relena how to read and write rather than sew and cook. The second, was allowing Relena to work alongside him inside the bookshop. Mr. Darlian owned the finest supply of books in the Imperial City, a feat he was very proud of. His business had prospered for many years, allowing him and Relena to live almost in luxury. The Emperor himself had ordered books from Mr. Darlian several times, while others traveled far and wide to explore the vast library. He worked hard to promote his business, day and night. Everything he did, he did for the love of his daughter, whom he made sure, was well educated, unlike most young women her age, and bought her the best clothes he could get, along with nourishing food for their table.
It was Mr. Darlian's housekeeper and cook, Susannah, whom he had hired just a few years ago, who had finally taken the liberty to show Relena how a young lady should act. Relena responded diligently, not at all minding to learn new things. She was always an anxious and willing learner, and when Mr. Darlian had brought Susannah to the house, Relena was excited to have a mother figure in her life once more.
Susannah was a stout woman of fifty. She had had four daughters of her own; now all married off and with children to care for. When her husband had died several years ago from a consumption of his chest, Mr. Darlian had only been too happy to offer her a job as his housekeeper. He was eager to have a motherly figure look after Relena. After all, a man could only do so much for his growing daughter.
Meanwhile, Relena stood upstairs searching through her wardrobe. A knock came on the door.
"Who is it?" asked Relena as she threw a cloak around her to cover her undergarments up.
"Susannah."
"Oh, come in!" replied Relena. She let the cloak fall to the ground. There was no shame in front of another woman.
"Goodness child!" scolded the plump woman. "Your bed chamber is a mess!" She picked up Relena's discarded gown off the floor. She looked at the ink stains and shook her head, "Why you wear this old ting I will never know."
"Better that old thing than one of my nicer gowns. Besides, it is a most comfortable dress. I would rather be comfortable than pulling at my skirts all day."
"Bah!" exclaimed Susannah. She neatly folded the gown across Relena's bed. "What will you wear for tonight's festivities?"
"I do not know."
"Well dress in your finest!" warned Susannah. "There is to be feasting and dancing and you should look your best! Sit down child, and let me fix your hair!"
Relena sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. Susannah set to work on brushing Relena's honey blonde hair, hair that shone brightly when the sun kissed it. Susannah took pieces and curled them around her fingers, twisting them in such a way that when she released them they fell down Relena's back in golden waves. After she had finished that, she went to the dresser and pulled out a pile of ribbons.
"What frock will you be wearing?" she asked Relena.
"I am not sure."
Susannah went to her wardrobe and picked out a beautiful white dress, trimmed with blue ribbon, the same color of blue as Relena's eyes. "You will stand out among all the other girls your age. You will look more like an angel than a shopkeeper's daughter!" she sighed, "If only my daughters could have had your beauty, Relena, I am sure they would have married much better."
Relena blushed at the compliment, "Madam, your daughters are all very pretty, do not compliment me so."
"They are pretty, yes, but not as beautiful as you." She took a blue ribbon out of her pile, one that matched those on her dress, and pulled back a little bit of Relena's hair. This way it was out of her face but at the same time the golden waves would flow around her shoulders and down her back like a waterfall.
"Stand up!" ordered Susannah.
Relena stood as Susannah placed the white gown over Relena's head. She waited patiently as Susannah buttoned up the back. The older woman stepped back to look at her with pride.
"You do look magnificent! Like a young bride on her wedding day!"
"Susannah please…" Relena laughed as she turned to look at herself in the mirror. But her laughter stopped immediately when she saw her reflection. Relena hated vanity, she was never one to call herself pretty or beautiful by any means, but this time Susannah was right, she did look very beautiful. Relena gasped at herself. She had been called pretty before, but she had never once in her life felt that way. Today was different though, today she actually felt it.
An idea suddenly hit Relena and she turned around to see the back of her gown. She struggled to look over her shoulder, but could not see clearly.
"Susannah, does the gown cover up my shoulder blade enough?"
Susannah frowned, "Of course! Why would I send you out into the world to be burned at the stake like a witch! Don't worry, my dear," smiled the older woman. "No one will be able to see the mark of the Sight. I promise."
Relena breathed a sigh of relief. She had always lived in fear of being discovered. The tattoo painted onto her right shoulder blade had been there since she was out of her mother's womb. It was a sign of her gift, one of the chosen ones who had the gift of the Sight, the ability to see events in the future.
"Do not worry about it anymore," said Susannah interrupting Relena from her thoughts. "Tonight is a memorable night indeed! The Five warriors have come home to their city and are looking to celebrate alongside us all! Rare is the day when we meet the Five!"
"Relena!" called her father from downstairs.
Susannah and Relena looked at each other and giggled in delight. They both rushed down to meet Mr. Darlian who stood at the door waiting.
"You ladies look ravishing today!" he exclaimed. "Susannah that must be a new dress, that shade of red is quite fitting for you. And Relena, you look like a princess." He kissed both of them lightly on the cheek.
Together they walked out of the shop. Mr. Darlian locked up the door, put the key in his pocket, and then offered both arms, one for each lady. They made their way down the street and into the gathering crowd.
0000
The crowd cheered. The roar was deafening. The entire city had lined the main avenue to witness the most spectacular parade to ever enter the city. Relena, Susannah, and Mr. Darlian were in the middle of all the excitement. Mr. Darlian had managed to push their way to the front of the crowd so that they were directly on the main avenue. The trumpets blared loudly and Relena felt her heart leap because she knew that it had begun.
"Relena!" cried a small voice.
Relena looked around at the sound of her name and suddenly found herself face to face with a girl her own age, with long blue hair and bright violet eyes.
"Hilde!" exclaimed Relena. The two young women hugged and giggled and laughed like young school girls.
"Oh, you look wonderful!" exclaimed Hilde as she admired Relena's dress.
"You look delightful as well, my dear!" laughed Relena as she admired Hilde's own violet one.
"Ladies!" cried Mr. Darlian above the crowd. "Here they come!"
The two of them gasped and looked as the army began their march. The banners were held high and the trumpets blared loudly in their eyes. The people cheered and waved flags and ribbons. Hilde threw rose petals into the air as they started to pass. Relena smiled and laughed at the wonderful spectacle. Then she saw them.
Five men on horseback, their armor glistening in the sun, walked at the front of the army. Relena felt herself become taken aback at the mere sight of them. They looked to be nothing more than young men, yet wise beyond their years. She heard Hilde gasp beside her,
"Oh, Relena look at them! They are gods among us mortals! How handsome they all are!"
Relena studied them more closely as they approached. Indeed, they were the most handsome young men she had ever seen in her life; each beautiful in his own way, each completely different from the other but at the same time completely the same.
The first had hair brighter than the sun and carried a pleasant countenance. He smiled warmly at the crowd, waving occasionally, and accepting the occasional flower as a gift from a maid. He was timid in his approach but at the same time carried an air of confidence and pride about him. He was a gentleman to say the least.
The next was a peculiar young man with a handsome face and wide grin. He waved abruptly and winked at the young women as he rode by. His mischievous violet eyes darted through the crowd, and every time a girl looked upon him, she swooned at the very sight of him. The warrior would laugh and when he turned his head, Relena caught site of a large brown braid trailing down the warrior's back.
The other three warriors were quite different. They were quiet and more reserved than the first two; almost intimidating to look at.
A tall young man with emerald green eyes sat silently in the saddle. He looked straight ahead, occasionally giving half a smile, but never allowing his emotions to reveal themselves. His brown hair darted over his face shadowing most of his features.
The fourth was a man of oriental descent, probably from the Far East side of the Cinq Kingdom. His jet black hair and black eyes set off the stern features of his face. He scowled as he marched on his horse through the city.
But it was the last warrior who rode ahead of the rest that Relena found to be the most fascinating. He had the most handsome face she had ever laid eyes on, so handsome that she found herself captivated with it. His hair was the most unruly and rugged she had ever seen, a deep chocolate brown that he let fall about his face. But it was his eyes that struck Relena so deeply: deep, Prussian blue eyes that held emotion only Relena could see. She found herself staring at him, as if transfixed.
Suddenly, an all too familiar burning sensation seared through her shoulder and Relena's sight jolted. She found herself staring directly into those eyes. They were filled with pain and sorrow, and another emotion that Relena could not quite make out.
"Relena," whispered her father fiercely.
She snapped back from the Sight and into reality, staring at ordinary soldiers as they passed by. The Five had already passed.
"Are you alright?" asked her father.
She nodded her head slightly staring at the back of the young man, whom she had just had a vision of. She wondered what it meant, just like all the other visions she had had in the past.
"Oh, Relena, can you believe it? It was simply the most wonderful thing I had ever seen!" exclaimed Hilde laughing and smiling.
Relena managed to smile even though she was still dumbfounded. "Yes," she finally managed to mutter. "It was extraordinary."
"Well let's go!" exclaimed Hilde. "There is feasting and dancing to be had yet!"
Relena laughed, "Father, may we go?"
He looked at her with concerned eyes, "Yes, we will meet you at the ball later tonight."
"I am fine father, I promise," Relena replied quietly. "See you tonight!" She dispersed at Hilde's heels, eager to be free and swept away into the festivities.
0000
The Five rode into the courtyard of the Imperial Palace and each side heavily after a long journey.
Duo Maxwell was the first to jump down from his mount, grinning from ear to ear. "Can you believe the reception we just had? That was amazing!"
Quatre Winner smiled warmly, "I daresay the entire city was there today."
"The entire city? I would say more like the entire country!" Duo laughed.
Wufei Chang rolled his eyes, "Maxwell, will you ever learn to keep you big mouth shut?"
"Easy Wufei today is the tenth anniversary of peace! A peace that we have kept for ten years! You should be happy!"
Wufei simply snorted. "I am grateful for peace, but I do not like parading around like some baka in front of everybody!"
"The emperor requested it. Besides it is expected anyways! It has been years since we last set foot inside this city," Quatre said calmly. "I, for one, am grateful to be back. It is almost like a homecoming."
"I agree," stated the tall young man, Trowa Barton, quietly. "It is time that we rest. We have journeyed long enough."
Quatre nodded in agreement and Duo shrugged. The last of the five men slid off his horse and glanced at the palace that loomed before them. Heero Yuy had never thought of this as a homecoming. He had never really thought of the Imperial City as his home, after all, it had been nearly twenty years since he had last seen it.
"The emperor is coming!" exclaimed Quatre.
The Five bowed deeply at the sight of the emperor of the Cinq Kingdom, Milliardo Peacecraft, at his side, stood the Empress Lucrezia and their tiny son, Lucian.
"Welcome, honored guests!" greeted Milliardo.
"My Lord," bowed Heero.
"No my friends, it is I that should bow to you! For ten years you have kept our kingdom peaceful, and as always I am in debt to the Five and to the Guardians who sent you to serve us."
Milliardo and Lucrezia bowed. Their young son, the prince Lucian stared wide eyed at the five warriors.
"Look at his braid mother," the young boy said as he pointed to Duo.
The empress knelt down and spoke to him, "You much treat our guest with respect, Lucian."
But Duo simply grinned, "Do not worry, little prince, you can look all you want, as long as you promise to pull on it."
The little boy giggled and hid behind his mother's skirts. Lucrezia smiled warmly. "Let us show you to your chambers. I am sure you shall want to rest for a few hours before the feasting begins."
Quatre bowed, "Thank you, your majesty."
All followed the royal family into the Imperial Palace, all that is, save Heero Yuy. He walked to the edge of the courtyard. The palace sat high on a hill overlooking the city. It was a magnificent sight to see. Below, Heero could make out the beginnings of the celebration, the People scurrying about, giant bonfires being lit as dusk began to settle.
"Heero come on!" shouted Duo from behind him.
Heero took one last longing look. So this was to be home for a while? He hoped to the gods that everyone was right for once. He turned on his heel and strode inside the palace.
AN: How do you like it so far? I hope I have grabbed your interest I am so excited about this story! Email: