In Memory
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or anything
affiliated with it
AC 198
After the casket had been laid and buried, Hilde approached the former pilots. They had all made their way to the newly re-built Maxwell Church for the funeral service. The pilots had only heard yesterday that their companion had left them.
"When the hospital was cleaning out his things, they found this," she shoved an off-white envelope into Quatre's hand. "It was addressed to you so I didn't open it." she walked off before the tears started again, leaving the pilots to the envelope. It was plain, normal size, 'Former Gundam Pilots' was scribbled in Duo's messy script on the front in black ink. Quatre opened the envelope and took it out, his eyes already puffy from crying. He handed it to Heero, who nodded and began to read aloud.
"Dear friends,
I can't believe the year has gone by so fast. Just yesterday the world was at war. Little children feared that they wouldn't make it out of school, that the short sideways glances as they got on the bus would be the last time they saw their parents.
But now everything is safe and the Shinigami is gone. I don't regret my death, I just wish I could have taken your grief with me. I have a few things I'd like to say before you go back.
To Heero ~ Have a good life. Break down the wall around your emotions. There is so much for you to experience... the kinds of things I never got to.
To Quatre ~ Never loose your innocence. You're too kind and gentle to be corrupted, I know that, but please promise me one thing, if only in your mind. Promise that you will never turn into me. Promise me.
To Trowa ~ Trowa, buddy, you need to work on your attitude. Lighten up. Talk!
Have fun. Make life your own... but don't do anything I wouldn't do, kay?"
They couldn't help but smile at that. Even Quatre smiled, though he couldn't
stop crying.
"To Wufei ~ Don't be so grumpy all the time. You need to listen up. Take someone out and have a good time. Women aren't weak. Hilde came and stayed with me constantly while I was in the hospital... wouldn't you like for someone to be there for you?
Guys, I feel my time is short, so I leave you with this final message.
Shinigami will be watching you. Everything you do. The good, the bad.... the ugly... and I'll see you when this life turns to the next.
Friends for eternity and beyond,
Duo."
They just stood there for a while. Enjoying the comfortable silence, and pondering over Duo's words. As Heero went to put the letter back inside, he saw something shine in the bottom. There were 5 small pieces of metal with inscriptions on them. A piece from each of the gundams! He placed them on the table and picked up the one with his name on the front. It was a white piece of metal with gold writing. As he flipped it over, he saw there was also etching in the back. It read:
Pilot of Zero
stands alone eternally
the perfect soldier
He put it into his pocket and looked around. The others had also found one with their name on it. Quatre was holding a ruby-colored piece of metal. He was near tears again. His had read:
Pilot of Sandrock
heart of space resides within
noble in desert
A green piece of metal with black writing was picked up off the table. Wufei looked indifferent, although his eyes had softened a bit. His read:
Pilot of Shenlong
importance of justice reigns
considered dragon
Trowa was silent, not a feat for him. It was a blue piece of metal with silver writing. It read:
Pilot Heavyarms
hair that hide his emotion
dubbed the silencer
The last one sat on the table. It was Duo's. A black piece of metal with red writing read:
Pilot of Deathscythe
large eyes dance with mirth
the Shinigami
They looked at each other and nodded. Heero picked up the piece and walked over to the wall of the church, pinning Duo's piece to it. They split up, each going the way the wind would take them.