Well , you have some attitude there. But yah I know but Hotel California's almost done and I still have a bit left on Thunderstruck. I just finished Stand By and I want people's opinions on this one before I go any further with it.
Anyway it's a total Au, set all on earth. Note that everyone's past have changed and I'm making Quatre a test tube baby like his sisters to avoid having to get into big explanations. Another note is the leaps and bounds of technology, it seriously doesn't fit into any time period due to lack of cars but lots of heavy machinery.
Disclaimer: Come to think of it if I just changed the names then it'd be a new story. But then I'd have nothing to do with it. So I don't own Gundam Wing but someday I will own something bigger and better (Yah right like it can get better then Gundam)
-Shade and Shadow
April 3rd 5:09 pm
The teenage girl walks into the wooden club where the others were working out, telling stories and comparing new "investments". She was greeted by all her fellow members and set down her bag by the mats and equipment. Her short hair was tied up in a bandanna and her leather two toned sleeveless shirt showed off her strong arms. Her biker gloves and old shoes let off the tough girl impression yet her soft smile welcomed gullible tourists or travelers. She starts to beat up on a punching bag as a young boy steps behind her. His totally black ensemble made him look like the most likely thief among them as his own half gloved hands weighed down her shoulders. She turned quickly to deliver and backfist to his face, his braid swings as he ducks quickly and he attempts to attack with an elbow strike to her abdomen. She jumps backwards and smiles. Speed is a thieves best friend, and everyone there is heavily equipped with that. They clench hands in a high-five (well, middle-five).
Duo: "Anything good last night?" His own messy bangs hang down to his cheeks and the dirt stains on his face makes him look wild and dangerous (and damn sexy).
Solo: "Only money, don't need ta sell that." She smiles, throwing down the money by her bag. Some of the older men whistled at the pile and she wipes her own dirt stained face proudly. They didn't try to hide who they were, none of them did. There identity was their lifeblood.
Duo: "Looks like the others got a good haul too." He looks around, his violet eyes scanning the other thieves as they laughed and talked. Everyone left their new goods just lying around, they were family and you don't steal from family.
Solo: "Of course, it's tourist season." Duo and Solo were the youngest, taken in off the streets as war orphans in the secluded little town by the thieves guild. Surrounded by the older professionals, all men who had taught them to survive on the streets and became their "family." The intimidating group of convicts were reluctant to take in the female at the age of five but was quickly convinced by there youngest "son". Knowing that any children they did leave on the streets would be taken in by the assassins. The two had become the pride and joy of all the guild members, pulling off every stunt in the book as stealth members of Shade.
Duo: "We all made it through anther day, no sign of the assassins." Whenever the profit came in this good the assassins always showed up for pay.
Solo: "Good, and with this many we should be able to pay them off soon. Even if the season just started." The thieves and assassins had different seasons, Winter and fall were when it was easiest for the assassins to get around and hide victims. Where as summer and spring were fit for thieves; merchants and tourists passed through the little valley constantly. The guild was pretty much full today, most members left for big portions of the year to travel to richer countries and stayed at guilds there. This is to keep the authorities unsuspicious of the town as do the assassins, Returning sooner or later to home base. The two guilds shared money and pay with the permanent members being Duo, Solo, Trep and Cyprus. Trep had stayed there since the kids came to teach them. He was still young, maybe only ten years older then the two where as Cyprus was getting on in years. He was the guild founder and stayed around to recruit new members if they ever came along. On the streets the teens had earned themselves different names though, Solo had managed to get "Goddess of Destruction" for the little bit of vandalism and chaos she liked to created at hit sights. Duo had "Angel of Death" due to some unfortunate accidents involving witnessing the assassins at work last season and then scarcely surviving himself. They stated later on that they didn't know he was a thief, they thought he was just an snooping kid. That had to be the first time Solo or Trep had ever been to a hospital because once he woke up she was biting her nails and her eyes were darting around nervously. Trep sat calmly but whenever the nurse came in he would stutter and looked like he was going to pass out. Especially whenever they asked about the bill, they had to save for months to pay it. They also had to resort to borrowing extra money from the assassins and now having to pay back even more.
Duo: "Do you think we'll have enough?"
Solo: "Not if they came today."
Duo: "Man, I'm so sorry. It's my fault we owe so much."
Solo: "No, they greedy bastards just wanted more money, they should have paid anyway. They're the ones who attacked you."
Duo: "Nah, I would have done something like that if I was gonna get caught…It makes sense."
Solo: "Whatever. I still don't like them." She goes back to sparing with air.
April 4th 1:13 am
Quatre: "HEY LOW-LIFES! WAKE UP!!" His demanding voice echoed through the club as he stands at the entrance of the dark building. The first to the entrance was a young girl his age, about 15 with long blond hair. The lamps slowly shine and the room is soon flooded with the streaming golden light. A giant man walks up beside the young girl and glares down at the rich boy. The teenage boys blue eyes stare up at him, unwavering.
Sniper: "You got a job or somethin?" An occasional client, hiring them to knock off blackmailers and those who threaten the Winners empire. Sniper had always warned his younger members about the Winners, tolerance was the key with the rich ones, even if he had none himself.
Dorothy: "He means, welcome back Quatre. What can we do for you?" Dorothy learned to well not to be rude to the wrong people. Hardly escaping her own household alive, she left her abusive uncle. The guild had seen true potential in her as a member of Shadow and invited her to stay, that was seven years ago. A slim female, maybe 17 joins them at the door. She scowled and went to lie back down. Her brown braids hit her shoulders and the top of her camouflage colored belly top. Her loose camouflage pants hit her black boots, An undying soldier longing for war. She was put in a war camp while the war was still raging as a child. Battling oppression, her parents died on the battlefield where she was found by Ranger. He brought her back after the fighting ended 4 years later, by then she was 13 and had learned only the ways of war.
Quatre: "Sally, always a pleasure."
Sally: "Go suck yourself rich-ass." He laughs at her coldness.
Sniper: "Do you have a reason to be here??" He snarls.
Quatre: "Yes, I'm wondering if one of you has a hit out on one Relena Peacecraft."
Dorothy: "Peacecraft? We're not aloud to go after none of dem."
Quatre: "Good, keep it that way. I received this note saying she would be."
Sniper: "We have our standards. Now if that's all, get out." The door slams shut.
Ranger: "Hey, are you awake in there? We want you three ready for anything."
Heero: "We're awake." The brown haired boy slips on a white shirt and tugs on his jeans. The other two boys are also changing. A blacked haired Chinese boy pulls up his kakhis, while the tallest of the three zips up his own jeans. His face is partially covered by curved bangs and only one moss green eye is visible. It seemed he had always been around the guild, a master assassin who could sneak into your house and earn your trust before stabbing you in the back or just shower you with an onslaught of bullets at your own front door before leaving just as quickly. None of the three had pasts that didn't involve war, they had just joined the team a little later. They left the small room they shared and walked out to the main hall. It was the off season so there were very few Shadow members left, only the youngest who waited for the jobs to come to them this time of year and the permanent members. Ranger was back to visit his "daughter" Sally for a while. Wufei, Trowa, Heero, Dorothy and Sally being the youngest had to stay this year and Sniper and Gage were the permanent. The assassins had picked up most of the orphans off the street over the years after the war, knowing if they didn't, the thieves would.
Wufei: "So, what's the job?"
Gage: "Well, we all know the thieves are in deep this year and we don't know how far they'll go to pay it off in time. I have a feeling they may blame us for that so they might try to steal from our own treasury."
Heero: "I thought they weren't aloud to steal from us."
Sally: "Yah, but were not supposed to kill them and needless to say we kinda bent the rules."
Wufei: "I thought he was just a interfering kid." He blushes a bit.
Trowa: "He was and you did your job like you were supposed to. Anyone who sees your face isn't supposed to live."
Sally: "It was pure coincidence that you were hitting the same house at once. Those damn thieves should know better."
Wufei: "Hey now, it wasn't their fault either…"
Sniper: "Anyway, Don't worry about it. No one blames you, we just have a few problems to work through."
April 4th 11:45 am
Quatre: "They insisted it wasn't them father, I don't know anyone else."
Winners: "Don't worry about it to much Quatre. Just idol threats, that's all."
Quatre: "I hope your right." They sit down to tea, three of his older sisters join them.
Ceillia: "Why? You got a crush on her?"
Winners: "Well I hope he does, he's promised to her." He blushes as they laugh.
Stacia: "Imagine, the Winner's empire and the Peacecraft throne finally uniting."
Ray: "Well Ceillia's old enough for that handsome Milliardo boy."
Ceillia: "He has a girlfriend doesn't he? That scoundrel from the military…what was it?"
Winners: "Lucrezia Noin and she is a very respectable lady, be polite."
Ray: "Well, what about Mr. Kushrenada? There's a gentlemen. You or Alexa are old enough for him Stacia."
Stacia: "You'll never make a good matchmaker." Ray gives a little giggle and they continue their tea.
April 4th 8:02 pm
Relena: "Oh Ms. Noin, Thank you for helping me out tonight." She sighs as the woman brushes her long blond hair. Noin smiles.
Noin: "Just call me Noin, Relena. You will be my sister soon."
Relena: "Yes Noin. I-I guess I'm just a little nervous,
Noin: "Don't worry, I got a message from Mr. Winners today saying that it's not the assassins and they're the best, so you have virtually nothing to worry about."
Relena: "I guess you right."
April 5th 5:58 am
Solo: "We should always have atleast three people here in case the assassins do show up. We need everyone else out to bring back a little more to pay it off. I'm sorry to ask so much cuz it is the busy season and we usually manage to pay it off ourselves but…"
Bradford: "Now don'tchu go worrin' bout it lil lady. Wez all know how hardsi 'tis to pay them off. We used the money to and I'z don't sees why iz only you four who hafta pay it every year. Iz bout time we all pitches in cuz wesa usin' it too ova the winter season whens wez visit tha guild." mummers of agreement circle the crowd.
Solo: "Thanks guys. Let's head out then." She hugs Bradford before running out the door. Leaving Cyprus, Green and Moby to watch for the assassins. They were all big men who could easily defend the guild if they had to.
April 5th 8:38 am
Heero: "Should we go collect today?"
Trowa: "Probably, we need to get more food and it's best if we save our stock for emergencies.
Wufei: "But what are the chances they have it today? It's less then a week into the season."
Sally: "So? We get a little in advance right?" Sniper and Ranger nod.
Gage: "I'll go too, they won't want to hand it over to just some kids."
Heero: "Don't worry Gage, we've got it. Trowa, Wufei, Sally and I will go."
Sniper: "Not yet, wait till about noonish when their latest haul comes in."
April 5th 1:36 pm
Duo: "What a great day! Look at all this!"
Solo: "Another week like this and we should have it paid off in no time."
*Bang Bang Bang*
Sally: "Don't slam the door on me you old bastard." The thieving teens run to there guild door.
Solo: "Hey, what the fuck do you think your doing??" The four assassins turn slowly.
Heero: "We came for an advance on our pay. We need to live too."
Solo: "Here the. Now go away." She throws a pile of bills at them with a certain hated and frustrated power. Trowa lets the ragged bills tumble into his hands after smacking his chest. Wufei steps right into her face.
Wufei: "Hey, we don't complain when your walking away with half of our seasons pay."
Duo: "I'll fuckin shoot you through the chest and see how much you complain." Duo steps up closer his face in Wufei's spitting out his argument.
Wufei: "That was an accident." He growls and they both back down slowly.
Solo: "Why are we paying for your mistakes then?"
Sally: "Well, he didn't have to go to the hospital." She's smug as the two Shade members glare with unwavering eyes.
Solo: "Leave." Her voice is totally mono-tone as the teens start off.
Duo: "Hey Cyprus, open up." The door slowly creaks open.
April 5th 11: 23 pm
*creeeeeeeee*
Relena: "H-Hello? Who's there?" She looks around her totally dark and empty bedroom.
*creeeeeeeee*
Relena: "P-P-Please go away. I didn't do anything to you." A figure jumps and grabs her arm, pulling her in. She goes to scream only to inhale a cloth full of chloroform, she passes out.
April 6th 9:00 am
Quatre: "She's GONE?? Idol threats my ass. What are her guards paid for?? Man, I could have done a better job!" He screams the words in angry frustration. Mr. Winners stands calmly in his office and watches his only son rant on. 30 children…30 test tube babies, all females except for the most recent, he loved them all but Quatre had never learned. He still looked down on everyone and never did a thing for himself.
Winners: But it's about time he did. "Then go find her." His son stops.
Quatre: "What??" His father looks smug.
Winners: "If you could do so much better, then go."
Quatre: "Fine. I will."
April 6th 9:35 am
*knock knock*
Sniper: "Who is it?" He peeks through the door.
Noin: "A client." Sniper swings the door open.
Sniper: "Ms. Noin and Mr. Peacecraft. 20 000 up front, a name and address, no questions asked." They couple steps into the silent main hall. Clanging and heavy breathing can be heard from the gym side as the four teens walk out talking, they see the two and become quiet.
Milliardo: "Let me explain, My sister went missing last night and I'd like to place a hit out on whoever's responsible. We don't know who or where but they left this. If you can bring her back alive and kill this man, I'll glad pay three times this." He hands them a note and the money.
Noin: "We think it may be letters cut out from the Stanford newspaper."
Gage: "That's where they most likely are then. I don't know how many we can spare though."
Sniper: "We should have four stay behind."
Ranger: "I say we let the young ones have some fun. One of you'll havta stay though."
Sally: "I will, I wanna be around 'til you gotta go anyway."
Milliardo: "Good, here's some money, take the train."
April 6th 10:00 am
Duo: "Well this is where most of the tourists come in and out."
Solo: "Yah I guess…" They both lean against the side of the brick wall, watching the near empty station for victims.
Duo: "No way." The three assassins walk down the strip carrying bags to their train. They quickly slip into the doorway and walk behind the unsuspecting teens. They each slowly grasp a ticket from the young assassins pocket and run down the road to their guild.
Solo: "Trep, Cyprus. We're goin' away for a while, be back God knows when. We lifted some tickets so it looks like we're goin somewhere." They both grab their duffel bags with their few worldly possessions inside and a little cash.
Trep: "Have fun, here take some stuff. Don't forget your card if you wanna stay at another Shade guild. Most of 'em know ya so no worries there anyway." He puts some various food in their bags. Solo shakes hands with him and they head off.
Duo: "Thanks Trep, we'll see ya later." He waves a gloved hand behind him as they leave.
April 6th 10:15 am
Conductor: "All aboard, please present your tickets upon entry."
Heero: "Shit, where's my ticket??" He searches each of his pockets in desperation.
Trowa: "hn? Mine's gone too!" Wufei pulls his safely from his pocket.
Heero: "*sigh* let's go replace them. They'll have to be on our train, we'll get them then."
April 6th 10:21 am
Conductor: "Last call." The three boys run on, passing their tickets as they go.
Quatre: "Here you are." He passes in his and the conductor tips his hat politely.
Solo/Duo: "Wait! wait wait!" They sprint up to the train with speed earned from their lifestyles. They board the train and the conductor starts off for the front. The train was empty except for a few people, the two just ignored them, not giving them a second glance.
Duo: "Whew, man I'm glad we made it." He throws his bag above their seats and slumps back.
Solo: "mmmm uh huh. I haven't left that two bit town since I got…." She stops.
Duo: "What is it?"
Solo: "Listen. They're arguing."
Quatre: "Who hired YOU?"
Trowa: "Just some concerned family."
Quatre: "Well leave. I have to do this."
Heero: "Well so do we, we have a job."
Quatre: "She's my fiancée, I'll find her."
Wufei: "And we'll execute the bastard, you wouldn't have the guts to do that you pussy."
Duo: "Shit, it's YOU!" He spins around and peers over the seat.
Heero: "You took our tickets."
Solo: "You'll never prove anything, what's with the rich ass? A friend of yours?"
All four: "No."
Wufei: "I should kill all three of you bastards for interfering."
Duo: "Yah, if at first you don't succeed, try try again." Wufei's temper runs hot as the boy smiles.
Solo: "Besides, I think the conductor might notice a corpse or two and the assassins might be prime suspects, just goin on a hunch though."
Duo: "Well the good thing bout them bein' here is that they can't be back in harassing Cyprus and Trep." She nods, they just glare.
Trowa: "Well, I guess we'll just have to put up with each other, it's gonna be a long trip."
Duo: "Oh yah, where are we going anyway?"
Trowa: "A long, long trip."
April 7th 5: 46 pm
Wufei: "Man I wish I had killed you, what was it?" The members of Shadow and Shade sit on the edges of their seats in a circle playing cards. As a result of Wufei being overtired, he starts to lighten up a bit. Yet a little pissed at Duo for just taking half his winnings.
Duo: "Duo and I'm just one of those people who survive everything. I'm in." Solo and Trowa throw in their cards. Quatre sits in the corner staring out the window and sulking.
Quatre: "I don't believe it. My fiancée is gone and I'm stuck on a train with three assassins and a pair of thieves talking about killing each other. Sickening low life's."
The boys just continue to ignore the spoiled boy but Solo looses what little control she actually has over control of her quick temper. Her tired glare makes it's way to the rich Arabian.
Solo: "Atleast we have lives, loser." She snaps Duo shushes her.
Quatre: "As you can see I lead a high class life thank you." He smiles victoriously, like he's already won. The others deal out more cards, still ignoring the rich brat.
Solo: "Unless complaining your life all I see is a rich pussy." He looks a little annoyed at the fact that she's still arguing with him. A few "ins" are heard from the group and some scowls.
Quatre: "You just can't identify blue blood when you see it." She flips the blade on her knife.
Solo: "Maybe I should take a closer look at it then." She stands up, this catches the boys attention. Duo pushes on her shoulders and she sits back down glaring at him and flipping the blade back. They sigh as they continue their game. Duo looks smug and throws down four aces, the assassins glare at him skeptically. He flashes them a cheesy smile and shrugs, gathering his winnings.
April 7th 6:38 pm
Conductor: "Next stop Stanford. Please prepare your bags."
Quatre: "This is…Stanford?" He stares at the giant crowed city streets to the posh side of town. He sighs in wonder at the fancy French restaurant beside the even classier hotel.
Duo: "I feel so at home." He is also staring but at the ally covered in graffiti marking the territory as that of the Shadow guild.
Man: "AHHHH!" His tortured screaming rings out. They turn to Solo who's smiling.
Solo: "Me too."
Man: "Shit shit shit!!!" He grasps his bleeding hand in pain. Solo snaps the blade back, Duo looks at her puzzled.
Solo: "He tried to steal my wallet." The thin man looked like he had done more then his share of slinking around in the shadows.
Man: "How the fuck could you have seen that coming?"
Solo: "Your quick but not quick enough. Next time move exactly as your target so they can't even see your shadow and be more prepared for attacks." A dark man comes out to the street to meet up with them and bows respectfully.
Dark man: "Hello, my name is Gate and this is Quicksilver. You must be the children of the guild. We received two messages today, I'd like to welcome you to the first united guild of Shade and Shadow. Are we to understand that all of you are looking for Ms. Relena?"
Quatre: "Yes, do you have any idea where she may be?"
Gate: "We'll give you a complete report when we get to the guild."
Quatre: "Then let's go." The five teens stare at him.
Heero: "Hold on just a moment." They all gather in a quiet circle.
Wufei: "What do you think your doing Winners? You can't come in the guild."
Quatre: "It's easier this way…I mean we're all looking for her…"
Trowa: "So Mr. Winner's wants the low lives around?" He looks smug.
Quatre: "I'm letting you be graced by my esteemed presence." He smiles, some of rogues look skeptical but Quatre's light hearted eyes are enough reassurance. Not even of 15 years parenting can destroy the kind hearted boy inside who's been waiting for these carefree friends who are patient enough to accept him into their group.
Trowa: "Let's go then." The two boys nod and they start down the road with a single mission in mind: To save one Relena Peacecraft. The name meant nothing but a profit to the three assassins, and even less to the thieves who were there just for the pure rush. For the young heir it meant his loveless future and his empty promise to his father. Growing up rich wasn't easy and being surrounded by the same kind of girls wasn't helping. Yah, he'd grown up with Relena and they were good friends but…marriage just seemed so committal for 15. They'll be married by 17 his father always bragged. Great.
April 7th 6:49 am
Gate: "Open up Hilde. We've got the kids." The guild doors were opened by girl their age dressed in what looked like a safari outfit. She doesn't look to impressed but slinks up to Duo seductively. She lifts his head with one finger and leans in to kiss him. He quickly pulls her hand away from his back pocket holding it off to one side but continues the kiss. She pulls away disgusted and scowls.
Hilde: "So, ya got lucky."
Duo: "Luck has nothin' ta do with it babe." He holds up her guild membership card. She snatches it back quickly and storms off. Quicksilver walks to what could be a medical center holding his hand, leaving them with Gate. His eyes follow Hilde until her door slams shut.
Gate: "Don't mind Hilde, she just don't like bein' outdone. She came about four years ago and she's one of the best goin'. Her mother was one of dem hookers and left her on a "job site" at the age eleven n I brought her in. She always had her own style goin' on."
Solo: "Right. You call that style?" She looks disgusted at her smiling partner.
Duo: "I dunno, she's got somethin'" Solo scowls and Duo laughs, teasing the spitfire thief.
Wufei: "So what are you?" Gate looks at him a little confused.
Wufei: "Comon man, thief or assassin?"
Gate: "Assassin, but since we became the single guild mosta us here are trained as both."
Quatre: "Like her?"
Gate: "Yah, Hilde's gots some talent. HEY GIRO!! Our guests are here!!" a voice shouts back.
Giro: "WHAT ONES?"
Gate: "They came at the same time." A heavy built man walks up to them.
Giro: "I thought Shade n Shadow don't getsta long down thar."
Gate: "Yah, they usually don't take orders from rich ass brats either, but things come up." Quatre blushes, but luckily for him the two men are to busy making fun of him to notice.
Giro: "I knowz the two Shade children. I musta say iza honor ta have uz here. Trep iz alwayz braggin bout you two n 'e spared no details bout u bein' sucha pretty yungin. Solo n Duo 'e says, masters at tha art of thievin' 'e says. N 'e wuz true toiz word 'e wuz, Iz no wonder 'ilde wuz upset, But thars no shame in bein' beaten by tha best, eh boy?" He smiles a toothy grin and pats Duo on the back. Gate looks annoyed at his all to impressed friend.
Gate: "Yes Giro we all know. This is Heero, Trowa and Wufei from Shadow. They've been with Sniper for tha longest time but you know how modest he is about his work, this can be their test. I know Ranger's proud of these ones and his Sally……but I don't know who we got here."
Quatre: "Ummmm……I'm new…my…name's……Sandrock." The others look at his nervously.
Giro: "You an assassin?"
Quatre: "Yah." He quickly nods. Heero rolls his eyes and Trowa stays expressionless.
Trowa: "We picked him up on our way here, he was headed here anyway. We'll take him to find the rich bitch then take him to see Ranger and Sniper." Trowa's perfectly flat and serious voice could convince even the most skeptical person of his lies.
Giro: "Well…keep 'em outta trouble ya 'ear?" They nod. Giro leaves back to his room.
Gate: "Ignore him, he's one of the old fashion types, he grew up around the assassin and thief times of rivalry. I'm still the only assassin he really trusts."
Heero: "It does take some gettin' used to."
Solo: "I'm just wonderin' what Trep's been sayin' bout us." A little half smile curls on her lips.
Duo: "eh. By tha looks of it, iz all good stuff."
Quatre: "Now, about that plan…"