Heero glowered up at the Aisian djinn, determined that he would be the first to die if the Japanese ever got out of his chains. Dorothy would be a quick second.
Duo was panting as he fought to bring himself to a standing position. His normally pale skin was now a sickly shade of gray and his silk clothes clung to his body with sweat. Still, his eyes burned with a determination much like Heero's. He refused to be a slave again; he had been serving Man for millenia and he would be damned if anyone ever used him like Karzec ever again.
Thoughts of his one-time Master fueled him further. Heero had asked why Duo chose to wear black; his rememberance of everyone he had killed, everything he had destroyed as the Shinigami.
Dorothy was reclined comfortably in her throne, Wufei standing impatiently at her side. She wasn't doing anything, just humming to herself, lost in the insane fantasy Wufei had created for her. The least she could do was torture Relena a little, make her scream or something. Everyone was getting kind of bored just standing in the middle of the pink castle, waiting for the crazy blonde to make up her mind.
"Lady Dorothy...Wouldn't you like to make your wish come true now? I'm sure Duo has enough power left to carry it out."
His words broke through to what was left of Dorothy's mind. "You're right, Wufei. Duo!"
The djinn didn't have time to react as his body rose from the floor and floated right up to Dorothy's waiting hands. His body felt like it was burning from the inside out, his magic being ripped from his very soul. Heero jerked forward against his chains as she began to caress Duo's chest. Duo winced.
"You know, Dorothy, those eyebrows of yours..."
"Duo!" Heero screamed as the djinn was slammed into the stone walls, his lips shiny with blood. Duo was nearly unconcious from the pain. His fingertips had gone numb and his heart beat loudly in his ears. A lassitude was creeping through his limbs and he wanted nothing more than to sleep for a couple centuries. It was worse than anything Karzec had done. That sadist had kept Duo healthy, knowing that the magic lasted only as long as the djinn did. Dorothy had no such understanding, and no need for the power after she accomplished her goals.
Wufei's dark laughter echoed about the huge chamber. "Well now, that'll teach you to be such a smartass, Maxwell."
"Dorothy."
It was Relena's voice that carried to the dais. Dorothy looked at the captive girl as if she had not noticed her before.
"Ah, the Queen of the World wishes to speak. Well now."
She stalked down the stairs until she stood directly in front of Relena. Relena met her mad gaze with one of anger. She was unprepared for the slap that rocked her head back and drove her to the pink carpet. Heero dove in front of her prone body, blocking Dorothy's advance.
"Ahh, the knight in shining armor. I guess we'll have to see to you as well." She gestured over her shoulder. "Shinigami."
Suddenly, Heero's chains fell away with a clash of steel. Duo appeared at Dorothy's side, standing at unnatural attention. His violet eyes were empty as they stared straight ahead. His stained clothing had been replaced by a loose black shirt and breeches. Heero could sense the raw power that emanated from his form, power that was slowly killing the djinn while making him stonger and faster than the human boy before him.
Dorothy laid a lazy arm across Duo's shoulder, her fingers playing in the thick brown braid. "Would you believe that this creature here was responsible for the deaths of thousands of people? He killed the stong and the weak, men and women...children as well. I have his soul, his power. He is mine."
Heero lunged at the girl only to be knocked back by an incredible blow from Duo's arm. The Japanese pilot grasped his midsection, sure that his ribs had been cracked. He ignored the pain and stood, drawing strength from his days as the Perfect Soldier.
Dorothy had materialized herself and Relena back on the dais where Wufei now occupied the throne. He was smiling and cheering on the zombie that his brother had become. The form of Shinigami took the most out of Duo, a degenerative cycle that would kill him long before Heero had a chance to.
Duo and Heero circled each other, looking for an opportunity to strike. Heero scored a blow to Duo's arm, nearly breaking his own in the process. The djinn shook it off and swept Heero's legs out from under him. Heero hit the gray stone and rolled away, desperately trying to think of a way to gain the upper hand.
"Duo? Duo, please, you have to fight this!"
The words were answered with a frighteningly empty stare and another kick. Heero dodged and returned with a solid punch to Duo's jaw. The djinn was stunned for a moment and the Japanese pilot nearly smiled when he saw a glimmer of intelligence in the violet eyes of his opponent.
That's it! Fight it!
"C'mon, Duo! Are you going to let that ugly bitch control you? Are you going to let your brother get away with this?"
That got a response. Anger replaced the deadness and Duo blinked as he fought to come back to himself. "Heero? You..." He was losing to the magic. "Her medallion...get the...Orix..."
Heero felt tears burning in his eyes as Duo lost to the Shinigami. He could see the djinn rapidly tiring, his super strength and speed were diminishing with each move. He rushed to Duo's side as the djinn collapsed to his knees, his breathing shallow.
"Well, now the fun is almost over."
Heero stared up at Wufei, leaving Duo on the carpet. He began to walk purposefully towards the throne, stopped at the stairs by an invisible wall of magic. Wufei rose from the throne, returning the cobalt glare with a sadistic smile.
"Lady Dorothy." He spoke to the girl over his shoulder. "You had best make your final wish. Duo will be gone soon."
The blonde girl looked down at Relena with hungry eyes. "Yes. The death of Relena Peacecraft."
Her movement caused something to flash at her throat. Heero looked carefully, realizing that a gold medallion hung at her throat. A sudden idea struck Heero as he heard the whispered words, Duo's costly advice finally making sense.
"Why?"
The question took both Dorothy and Wufei by surprise. The once djinn's eyes narrowed dangerously as he began to suspect Heero's intent but Dorothy began to look thoughtful.
"So I can be Queen of the World."
Heero snorted derisively. "That's just a title. Relena is more than that."
The girl's gray eyebrows drew together in confusion. Her insanity was trying to cope with the words, which were starting to make entirely too much sense.
She smiled as she threw out her next attack. "She is nothing. Just an upstart girl who rules what the Gundams fought for. She takes credit for the pain you suffered, for the blood you spilled."
Her logic struck a chord. Heero had often thought the very same, but had come to understand that that was the difference between himself and Relena. He would kill for peace while Relena kept that peace, something the Japanese pilot could not do.
"That is what she is for. She holds the hope I fight for. She is responsible for an entire world."
Dorothy stood in anger, her hand reaching down to grab Relena's hair. To her credit, Relena did not cry out, but kept her eyes on Heero, suddenly realizing his plan.
"Well, she won't have to worry about that when she's dead, will she?"
Heero pressed against Wufei's barrier, noticing that the djinn had conveniently backed away until he was nearly behind the carved throne. "The world will remember her. They will mourn her, carry on her dreams. Killing her will merely make a martyr."
Dorothy let go of Relena. Her eyes were defeated as she realized the truth of his words. Heero saw his chance.
He looked at Relena and then at the necklace. Relena nodded slowly and get to her knees. "Now!"
Relena reached up and tore at the medallion, the chain breaking. Before Dorothy could react, Relena threw it to Heero. Wufei roared in anger as he watched the scene unfold before him, disappearing in a flash of smoke. He reappeared with one hand locked on Heero's throat, his eyes glowing red.
"Not this time, Yuy! My brother will not be saved this time!"
Heero choked as the hand on his neck tightened. He gripped the Orix tighter, praying that the magic would hear his silent plea.
I wish for the Orix to have no power over Duo!
The magic flared in Heero's hand and Wufei screamed. He disappeared again as he realized that he had lost. The Japanese pilot fell to the floor and gasped for air, his hand burning as the Orix began to destroy itself.
Through his haze of pain, he recognized Duo's screams. Heero turned to where the boy he loved writhed in agony, angry streams of black magic flowing from his mouth and nose.
"Heero!"
At Relena's cry, Heero realized that the reality of the castle was beginning to fade away, the gray stone and pink tapestries fading into smoke. Soon nothing but the ruined interior to Relena's house remained. Relena rushed to a window.
"The Gundam is gone!"
Heero rushed to Duo's side, turning the boy gently until the dark head rested in his lap. Duo moaned and Heero's heart skipped a beat. He was still alive.
"Duo? Daijoubu ka?"
The voice that answered him was weak, but definitely Duo. "Nope. I'm dead."
The djinn smiled and opened his eyes. He was pleasantly surprised to be greeted by Heero's tear filled blues. The smiled faded as he remembered what had happened. Heero had used his final wish. Duo would be trapped in his idol for another small eternity until his next Master came along.
Heero frowned as he saw Duo's face fall. "What is it?"
"You used your last wish. It's time for me to go."
Heero felt a stab of fear. "No. You can't go. I...Aishiteru."
Duo reached up to brush away the tears that had begun to spill down the Japanese boy's cheeks. "Aishiteru."
"Here. I think this is yours."
Heero stared up in surprise as Relena held out her hand, the obsidian carving of Duo resting in her palm. Her eyes were filled with sympathetic tears and Heero realized that she had heard the exchange.
"I wish you two could be together."
Granted.
Heero was shocked as Duo disappeared in a flash of light. Relena squeaked in surprise as the idol went as well. He looked around and sighed when he realized that the djinn was gone.
"Hello? Is anybody in here?"
Heero looked up to see Quatre standing on the edge of the wreckage, his face dusty. Relena's security force followed close behind, working their way through the charred wood and plaster. Quatre knelt with Heero while the security handled Dorothy, who was still standing in shock after the loss of the Orix. He checked his friend over for injuries. Nothing.
"I'm going home, Quatre. I'll see you later."
Without waiting for a response, Heero left them standing there, staring at his retreating form. Relena waved goodbye, smiling as if she knew something.
"Tell him thank you for me, Heero."
~*~*~*~
Heero sighed as he realized that his apartment had gone back to normal, the walls back to their original stark white. He threw himself onto the couch, choking back the urge to cry.
"You know, it certainly took you long enough to get back here. Are you getting out of shape?"
Heero bolted from his seat in surprise. Duo stood in the hall, a lopsided grin on his face. He looked different...more human even. His skin had become pink instead of the pale white, but his chestnut braid had stayed the same. He wore jeans and a red shirt that opened to reveal his muscular chest. Heero was speechless.
"Hn. Nice to see you too."
Duo's clever remarks were choked off as Heero's arms surrounded him. He leaned into the embrace, smiling as he realized that Heero was crying.
"I thought...I thought you'd gone back into the idol."
Duo smiled and put his hands on Heero's cheeks. "Nah. The Queen of the World needs to watch what she says around me..."
With that he kissed Heero deeply, his centuries of loneliness melting away in the embrace of the perfect boy. Heero smiled.
"All I've ever wished for. Aishiteru, Duo."
Duo rolled his eyes. "God, please don't ever say that word ever again."
"Nani?"
"I swear if I hear the word 'wish' one more time, I'll scream..."
~*Owari*~
**This story has gotten overwhelming response! Thank you to everyone who kept reading this, even those who have been bugging me to finish since July! But I would like to apologize about making Wufei such a horrible person. He just fit my needs well. However, you'll be happy to know that Dorothy Catalonia is now teaching crafts as a resident at the local sanitarium.**
