THE SEVENTH GUNDAM PILOT: THE JOURNEY OF MISTY

THE QUEST

            It took several months of planning and building to get the gate finished and when it was finally done everyone took cheers and called it quits. Misty was already down in Antarctica by the time they where repairing the gateway and insisted that they move it to the very south pole. With her guidance they managed to finish the gate by the date of the Gundam pilot's disappearance. In the mean time Misty was in training by the best the preventers could find in all areas. Survival Misty already knew so they trained her in combat, explosives, piloting a mobile suit without the system. And a few other areas but one thing Misty was learning was the control her powers. Sally knew some people in China who had the training to control the chi and Misty was under their tutelage for a time. One new thing she learned is magic from the monks as well.

            As time grew near till the end of construction Misty worked on her magic skills. Lady Une and the others knew not why Misty wanted to learn magic but they left it out of the question. When it came to training in the obstacle course Misty learned that when she became fully recovered she can run faster then any other person around. Not only can she leap higher then anyone as well. Misty was becoming stronger and stronger everyday. Lady Une grew even more impressed with the young woman's progress. Her piloting skills rival that of Heero Yuy's which threw everyone off the charts. It was finally the day to begin the quest. It was the fifth anniversary of the pilot's disappearance and all the children turned four.

            Cold winds blew in Misty's face as she entered the building that contained the rebuilt gateway to the world Misty called home. Upon entering she could see all the wires and cables. In the very center was a pool of water that was ice cold to the touch. In the center of the water stood the seven symbols all in a circle. The seventh in the very heart of the pool. Having gave the crystals to Hilde before hand Misty made her way to the pool inspecting it. And checking the symbols on the side of the gate that mark star patterns. Upon entering the pool Misty was chilled to the bone. Leaving it she was immediately warmed by blankets, "are you crazy it is ice cold in there," said one man and Misty smiled her satisfaction.

            It was on the eve of the anniversary when everyone made preparations for departure. Misty was dressed in a skin tight uniform and slowly entered the pool, "WAIT!" called Hilde. Everyone else was already there when Hilde came running in holding something in her hand. "Before we start I wanted to give you this Misty," she said and handed her a photo of all the gundam pilots and there wives or girlfriends. On the other is a picture of all the women with the kids. "Show these to them when you find them. And tell them that we love them and still do. We want them back," she said, "Oh and these are for you," she said and handed Misty the crystals but they have a hole in them with a thin chain coming from them. Misty held them to her and swam over to each of the symbols and placed a crystal on each one. "What is she doing?" asked Midii, "She is using the crystals to serve as a beacon to find the pilots. And using the last one as the homing signal to find them." Explained Lucretzia, "Oh," replied Midii.

            Misty then swam over to the center and placed her crystal around her neck. Raising her hand she began to concentrate by closing her eyes. As if on time the crystals began to light up. Diving underwater Misty began to glow as well. It was then that the pool began to light up and technicians powered up the gateway. The ring around the gate began to move connecting with each of its star symbols. Machines hummed to life as the crystals glowed along with Misty.

            "Mamma is Misty going home?" asked Hitomi and Relena nodded turning towards the glowing water Hitomi could only shout, "Goodbye Misty bring back my daddy for me ok!" she shouted.

            The waters began to bubble and boil as the climax of the gateway came underway. Misty was still underwater. By the time it reached the seventh star symbol the water was boiling over. Each crystal glowed really bright till Misty released her power into the gate and her circle lit up and spread to the others. In turn they began to rotate as well and the people watched in awe at a safe distance. Suddenly the water exploded into a shooting tunnel towards the sky. It then burst into nothing and Misty stood in the middle glowing bright blue with her wings spread. The only difference was that they where grey instead of white. With a silent scream lightning poured in from the hole in the roof. It circled the rings coming in at the center. Wind began to build up as Misty's short hair reached the sky as she summoned more of her power. With one hand grasping the crystal around her neck and the other towards the sky she gazed up there. Her eyes glowed yellow and her body filled with lightning. Light began to fill the circle around her and shoot towards the sky. It then spread throughout the circle and Misty found herself being lifted. Looking towards the sky she let a single tear fall.

            Everyone watched as the light reached the sky and Misty was dragged up with it into nothing. When they looked towards the center nothing was left except an empty gate.  

            Light filled the heavens as seven objects made them known in the real world. Each piece of light went in a different direction.

            The snows of the Russian interior filled a young man face as his long blonde hair flowed in the chilling winds. Huddled around a fire he and his fellow men where making plans for there next attack in the night when a shining object fell from the sky. Gone unnoticed by the neither the young man nor his comrades the no named stranger continued his planning. Suddenly explosions filled the forest and all of them stood up to only run from several mobile suits. Yelling in Russian to retreat the young man tripped on a root and fell face first into the snow. He came up just in time for a giant foot was about to smash him. Falling again he found himself in a hole in the ground. The giant foot landed on the top of the hole then moved on. Getting up the man found himself safe as the enemy moved on. When he was about to get out of the hole fully a shinning light caught his attention. Turning back into the hole he found a necklace of some sorts. It has a crystal on one end shinning in a red light. The man put the necklace on a sense of familiarity coming to him. He got out of the hole and continued on to join the rest of his comrades.

            The hot desserts of Egypt where filled with danger either from sandstorms or raiders. A lone figure on a camel watched as mobile suits filled out of one the new bases. "These men have ruined sacred grounds," he said in Arabic. Another man beside him nodded his head in agreement. It was then that something caught his eye and the young man looked up. An object fell from the sky its shinning light filled his vision. "What is it?" asked another man until he looked up to see the object landed in the distance. "I don't know but I am going to have a look," said the first man. Kicking his camel he raced across the dessert the other man behind him. Finally reaching the top of a dune he looked at a good size hole in the ground until it was covered in sand again. "It is a meteor sir nothing to worry about," said the second man but the first leaped off his camel and slid into the hole. Taking off his mask the man looked at the object that he found. It was a crystal in the shape of a necklace. It glowed with a light brown color and he placed it around his neck. It glowed even brighter, "By Allah we have a gift from the heavens," said the second man as he stared at the young man who now wears the crystal around his neck. Getting back out of the hole the two set back towards there base camp.

            In the mountains of China another man was waiting for the enemy who would not show its head over the high winds. His hair tied back in a pony tail he did not let the cold winds interfere with his training. Waking up at dawn he set about to train himself in the martial arts leaping into the air to test his legs and delivering a flying kick. Repeating several katas he was finally satisfied when something hit him in the back of the head hard. Falling down face first into the snow the young Chinese man got up and rubbed his head feeling the bump that was growing in the back. "What the hell!" he cursed in Chinese as he turned to find the offender but found none instead he found a shinning crystal in the ground. Picking it up he examined it. Its green light began to grow brighter as he stared at it. Placing it around his neck he decided to ask who threw it later right now he wanted to train and that is what he is going to do.

The jungles of South America where no fun especially when you had to avoid everything in the jungle. A young Latin man sat across from his men having avoided another raid by the enemy he slung a broken arm in a make shift sling with a splint going through it. He watched as the fire of the night sparkled with barely any life left. As the day proceeded he only leaned back. Suddenly an explosion brought all the men to alert. Grabbing there guns they approached the fire. Where the fire was it was a hole in the ground. In that hole was a crystal glowing bright orange. None of the men moved one even did the cross on his chest and prayed for a better life. "What is going on?" said the young man in Spanish and repeated it in Portuguese. One of the men pointed in the hole and told him what they found. Looking in the hole with one eye the other behind a lock of bangs he gazed into the hole. The crystal glowed brighter and filled the hole with orange light. Putting his good hand into the hole the young man picked up the object and inspected it. "Sir is it safe?" asked one of the men in Spanish. Putting it on the young man felt something familiar about it but shrugged it off and went back to his area to sleep.

            "Hey Mitch give me a hand with this!" said a young man in American English. Another man who shown clearly his Asian side went to the aid of the man who called his hair was stuck in the door. "I am surprise no name that your hair would be caught in the door even with that braid." He said and the other man laughed and together they pulled the braid out from the door. "I mean you got to cut it," he said and the other man shrugged. "No way man, this braid is all I have left of my memory if I find it again." He said and they gone back to work. It was then that the sound of shattering glass filled their ears. They ran towards the direction of one of the planes to find the hatch broken. "Man what did this?" said Mitch and the other just shrugged. Climbing up with a gun that he pulled out of his pocket the first man went up. "What do you see?" said Mitch, "Nothing but a necklace." "A what?" "Someone left their jewelry in here." Cried the first man and leaped down holding the object which glowed grey in his hand. He tucked it into his pocket and searched the hanger for more clues as to how the hatch broke.

            The Japanese prison was no place for someone of this man skill. But what does this man care he was careless and got caught hacking into this so called Neo Oz's files. By doing so he and a group of other men where running from an enemy that was far superior in technology to them. Being homeless no one cared that he was thrown in jail. He did not notice the feint light that floated into his room. It was then the bars of his jail cell bent in did he look up. He saw a shinning object fall to the ground and getting up from his sitting position had gone to look at it. It was a crystal with a chain coming out of it shinning with a white light it lit up the room. The man put the necklace on him for it is the only piece of clothing he ever had since the guards removed his clothes and let him rot in the cell. It glowed still into the morning.

            The skies over the Arctic glowed with lightning as a storm grew and enveloped the skies. A group of seal hunters looked up to see a shape flying in the sky as it finally cleared up again. It glowed a bright blue as an angel flew over the skies. A few men being Catholic did a Hail Mary as an angel flew over them. Misty was full of tears to finally be at home. Flying higher she flew into the clouds for the first time in ages. Her home was different now then it was when she last been there. Hope filled her as she let the wind be her guide. Flying above the clouds she began her search for the first of the crystals. She knew that time was short if she was going to find the Gundam Pilots. Being cold was out of the question but now her new mission would let her be of some important use as to finish her quest. She let herself feel free in the skies. Looking down she could see the lights of cities far off and heading in that direction Misty decided to start her search there.

            As she expected another storm was over the city as she flew towards it and use the clouds to hide her presence. Flying lower she got a good look at the city. It was lit alright but not with lights but with fires. A whole city was in ruins as Misty flew over it. Tears began to form in her eyes as she glided over every one. She knew the city it was in America the Alaskan frontier. Flying over what was left of the city Misty flew onward towards the south where the crystal was guiding her to the first of the Pilots.

            Making her journey southward Misty could see all the devastation that was caused to the world she called home most of her life. Saddened and at the same time angered by this she kept on traveling. It was only a few hours later that she began to feel tired and decided to land on a nearby ledge. The cold winds made her shiver with cold so she wrapped her wings around her for warmth. As she was about to go to sleep a soft noise was heard in the bush. Getting up Misty made herself ready to fly when needed. A soft wet nose touched her and she glanced down at a wolf. The wolf whimpered and she pets it. "White fang what did you find," said a soft voice and a young woman came out of the bushes. She stopped at the sight of Misty. "Oh my what do we have here?" she said and Misty decided to make a run for it, "Wait," and Misty stopped, "I live here alone in the forest with my people you look cold why don't you stay with us for the night." She said and Misty was reluctant to follow. "If you think that we are with the giant monsters you are mistaken, we hide here from them." With that the woman and the wolf turned away. Misty decided to follow them withdrawing her wings she followed them.

            The village was teaming with people as men and women made ready for the night. The woman led Misty to one of the many houses there.  Making herself at home Misty found a bed already made and wrapped herself in it and was fast asleep.

            Lone Bear came in to find a stranger sleeping on one of the spare beds with White Fang next to her. "Whispering Willow why is there a stranger in our home?" he asked her, "She was lost and cold she is one of the spirits father," called Whispering Willow as she came back into the living area. "I found her on a ledge with wings like an eagle father she was cold so I took her in." she explained, "I hope she is not one of the Neo Oz soldiers." He said, "No I checked her only thing she was carrying on her is that necklace on her neck. Lone Bear sighed and went off into his room careful not to wake the sleeping stranger.

            Dawn shone its first rays on Misty's face as she woke, "Good morning winged one," said Lone Bear as he looked at her from the fire. "Sleep well?" Misty nodded and pointed to her throat indicating that she can't talk. "Ah I see a silent one," he said and she nodded. "You have to thank Whispering Willow for letting you stay at our home." He said Misty nodded her thanks and headed out the door. "Wait," and she turned to him, "You need food and rest it looks like you have seen much and have traveled a long way." He said and Whispering Willow came back in nearly bumping into Misty, "Sorry," she said and sat beside her father. Taking some things out of her basket she offered them to Misty. "I made these for you it looks like you need them." She said and handed Misty a jacket with holes coming out of the back, "It is for your wings." She said and Misty smiled. She took some food from Whispering Willow and thanked her silently. Setting down to eat she stopped when she noticed other people watching. A little frightened she made ready to fight back, "Don't worry winged one they will not bite they heard about you that is all." And Misty relaxed and ate the rest of her meal. Putting on the jacket she made her way out again the people followed. She saw a river in front of the village down a steep ravine. Spreading her wings for everyone to see she was about to take off. "Good luck White Eagle," one old man said and Misty smiled at the new name she had only been here for one night and already she was being treated as if she lived there. Leaping off the ledge she flew into the sky again to search for the first crystal.

            The clouds did not look kind at all but Misty did not care as she rose higher letting the rough winds catch her. She sailed over the storm and played in the winds. The direction she began to take made the crystal glow brighter. This is the direction I must take, Misty thought to herself as she set off. The thunder only hid the sound well but Misty took her time to filter it out. Looking behind her she could see the outline of a mobile suit and Aries as she remembered correctly. Trying to stay in the clouds as best she could she hope the Aries did not notice. But it was already too late and they found her. Coming at her with blinding speed the Aries turned on its search lights and Misty was flying for her life. The mobile suits were faster then she was and she tried to get away. It grabbed her and she struggled to get away. "What the hell!" she could make out the pilot saying over the howling winds. Concentrating her power she let loose a surge of electricity. The Aries stopped moving and became quiet. It then began to drop letting Misty go. She flew into the storm and did not stop when she heard the explosion.

            Leaving the safety of the mountains the trek southward was smooth with occasional patrols of both Oz and Canadian soldiers. It finally got more frequent as she neared the US, Canada border and landed. Hitch hiking she managed to get to a nearby town. She had to hide for Oz soldiers where everywhere as she wondered away from the town after getting some supplies and a back pack. Leaving the town she stayed away from the road and followed the crystal.

            It was late one night when Misty settled down and built a fire for herself. Taking out some of the meat she got from Whispering Willow that she had left. She began to eat until she heard footsteps. Getting up really fast she buried the fire under dirt and stones and made sure it was out before taking to the skies.

            Some time later a group of seven Oz soldiers came out of the bushes finding the fire. They inspected it to find it still fresh. "Search the area for any sign of the occupant." Said the commanding officer and soldiers began to comb the area. Something caught the captain's eye as he bent down to pick up a large feather. It was bigger then any bird he ever seen looking up he wondered where it went but went back to finding the owner of the campsite.

            Misty was long gone into the skies as she crossed the forest into another group of mountains. This time she landed for she did not want to be seen. The crystal glowing brighter as she got nearer to her destination. Then out of nowhere explosions began and she was rocked from her footing. Tumbling down the hill she fell off the ledge to hit her head on a rock and passed out.

            Mitch and no name where on the run form the enemy when they neared the ravine. "Shit Oz never stops do they?" Mitch joked and the other man laughed. "Tell me about it?" he replied as they ran down the ravine. "Hey look," no name said and pointed to a figure on a ledge. Escaping the explosion both men ducked under another ledge as a mobile suit flew overhead. The one with the braid aimed a rocket launcher at the suit and let loose a rocket. The mobile suit exploded out in mid air. Whooping both men ran out and threw a grenade at a number of troops that came out of the forest after them. Mitch ran to the woman and grabbed her over his shoulder. "I got her lets get out of here." He said and both men ran down the ravine. With out knowing it the crystal around the braided man's neck began to glow.

TBC