Author's Note: I don't want to keep you in suspense anymore. So in honor of the Easter Holiday, I will be posting the last of this story. Today (little bit of a longer chapter) and tomorrows chapter which is a lemon chapter. Plus my new story, was also contemplating some sort of a another venture into a fairytale. I'm so in love with Tangled right now I may try that. Will have to see hopefully not as long as this one. For now enjoy and look for the epilogue tomorrow.
Cursed
Part 21 - A Final Confrontation
The rain was slowing him down. Riding at a breakneck pace, soaked to the bone he squinted against the water, hurrying. "Please, let me get there, please…" he mumbled crouching lower to the animal.
-#-#-#-
"Once more men!" the Prince called sliding from the horses back. Drawing the jeweled sword he strode confidently towards the now splintering door. "One, Two, Three!" the men heaved again and the old decrepit door gave way. Cheering they dropped the felled tree hurrying to draw weapons. Horatio allowed his men to file in first brining up the rear; waiting to see what awaited them on the other side.
They came into an entryway dark and silent, the rain pounding the stones outside was the only sound they could hear. Breathing heavy, dripping they waited moving forward slowly. Eyes panning waiting for the enemy.
Trowa waited until they where halfway across the hall before he gave the yell for battle. The suits of armor, gargoyles, statutes and any other mobile inhabitants fell upon them. The Captain had given strict instructions to incapacitate only. With that in mind they plunged into battle.
It was a melee; one the Prince did not wish to stay around for, watching as a stone statue sent his man into a wall knocking him out. Skirting along the edge of the fight he headed upstairs, besides he hadn't yet seen his dear brother. Booted feet hurried across dusty stairs following the path of destruction, ripped furniture, nail marks. Smirking he slipped into the doors, seeing the hunched form immediately. The shaggy beast sat on the floor before a table staring at an hourglass. Curling his lip Horatio gripped his weapon tighter. Creeping forward he raised the sword, one strike, a single strike he could say the monster tired to attack him. After all he would be King, and no one could contradict him.
Lifting the steel he was about to bring it down when Heero caught sight of the distorted reflection in the curved glass of the hourglass. He lunged to the side with a snarl, the sword only slicing his arm instead of severing it. Growling in pain he turned standing slowly facing his brother. His twin brother. "Why are you here?" his gravely tone menacing and soft. The cold cruel smile that played across those lips was terrifying, "Why to kill the evil beast that took my wife and threatens my kingdom." Sighing Heero turned away, "Why can't you just leave me in peace." He mumbled, seconds before Horatio lunged at him brandishing his weapon. Heero reflexively swatted it away the sword skittering across the stones and the momentum carrying the pair outside the doors and back into the pouring rain.
"I won't fight you," Heero called as they stood facing one another. Rain soaking them through quickly, Horatio attacking Heero defending. "Did you really think you'd break the curse?" He yelled lunging fists flying. A lucky hit caught Heero off balance sending him onto the nearby low hanging roof, his brother following with mocking laughter.
Downstairs, the castle inhabitants where winning. The men lay unconscious scattered about the hall. Unaffected by blades, or hits the enchanted beings had won the day as Trowa brought the back of his halberd down on head of the last of them, the man slipping to the floor dazed. Wufei limped up bleeding; a blade had landed a strike to his face his cheek laid open dripping crimson. "You ok?" Trowa asked surveying the room, "Yeah it's shallow," he mumbled also looking around. "Have you seen the Prince?" he asked then not spotting the gaily dressed figure in the tangle. "No I-" there was a howl of pain and the two spared a second to glance at one another before they where running up the stairs.
Duo swore his heart stopped as he saw the twisted remains of the iron gate, they had beaten him here. He was halfway across the yard, eyes locked on the ripped up main doors. It was the roar of rage that caught his attention, looking up he could see a very familiar silhouette. "Heero," he mumbled, why was he on the roof? Gasping he saw another figure with something in hand swinging wildly, advancing as Heero backed up. He hurried inside pushing past the twisted wood, only barely noting the litter of bodies as he bolted by. Shocked whispers followed him as he hurried up the stairs. "He came back…"
Wufei, Trowa, and Quatre stood by the door watching as the brothers faced off. It was clear that Horatio, out of shape and more interested in ale then training was running out of steam. His lunges wild, and the swing of the make shift stone club was weak and off. Heero angry at him, angry at the world, angry at the unfairness of everything, ducked under a swing grabbing the other by the throat. Gasping and chocking the now frightened Prince clawed at the iron grip, as Heero swung him so his feet dangled off the roof onto the courtyard below. "Please no, please…we're brothers." He cried in a blind panic now, "Please," he begged. Watching cold blue eyes, same as his own begin to soften, the face relaxing. Leaving only deep pain. Closing his eyes the beast turned tossing the man against the roof, ignoring Horatio while he coughed and hacked.
Duo hit the Heero's chamber at a dead run spotting the others he flew past them not stopping. He vaguely heard them call his name, ignoring it he was focused on one thing only. Sliding on the slick stone he reached the edge, "Heero!" he yelled, leaning forward ignoring his sopping hair loose and falling in a long curtain around his body. The beast Prince stunned turned slowly, "Duo?" he called softly, hesitating as if the other was an apparition that would disappear in a heat beat. "Duo?" he yelled this time turning to climb back up to him. Duo cried out in happiness, "Heero!" reaching out for him, long fingers extended.
"You came back," he said happily, "You came back to me." Claws dug into tile as he hurried upwards agile, and quick. Reaching…arm extended he brushed those extended fingers. Before a sudden blinding pain in his chest. Roaring in rage he reeled back, knocking his brother loose. The Crown Prince's moment of triumph was cut short as he fell backwards off his brother hitting the ledge below knocking him out.
"Heero!" Duo screamed eyes fastened on the dagger protruding from his wide furred chest. "Duo," he whispered blood running suddenly from his mouth. Collapsing forward as Duo reached out hauling him over the rail, the momentum toppling them backwards. He gathered the beast close, "Heero, no please don't…" he begged pulling the knife free with a sick sucking sound. "Duo," a large paw came up cupping his face gently blue eyes smiling at him. "I'm so glad you came back," he smiled painfully clutching at the hand holding his. It hurt like hell, but Duo was back.
Just inside the door Trowa and Wufei stood silent, uncomprehending. The Prince was dying. Wufei clapped a hand to his mouth tears in his eyes, "No…" he reached out steadying himself on the armor Trowa wanting to scream in frustration. Quatre, was crying in earnest golden tears falling from wavering eyes. Sniffling he reached for Trowa, a metal hand settling on the mirror as they held each other the best they could.
Behind them innocently on the ignored table, the last graduals of golden sand trickled through the glass.
Outside in the merciless rain, Duo was crying holding tightly to Heero, "No don't leave me Heero!" he sobbed. Blue eyes smiled, before the hand that held his went slack, and those beautiful expressive eyes slid closed for a final time. "No!" he screamed, "No!" he shook him, angry, "I won't loose you," leaning down he rested his forehead against Heero's. "You can't leave me…I love you…" he whispered pressing a kiss to now slack lips.
Collapsing forward he rested against the wide chest, crying harshly sobs torn from his thick chest, the wet tangled hair pooling over them. The day's events finally catching up to him. He had lost his father, and the love of his life all within hours.
They pair where frozen in the tragic tableaux; the others watching helpless, hearts heavy what could they do?
Pressed close to the now still body Duo was the first to notice something changed. Something was happening; the rain was letting up, slowly at first, before stopping all together. The clouds, dark and threatening where departing and rays of sun beginning to steam through. A single beam struck the Prince, startling Duo. Pausing, he glanced up as another then another hit the figure. Blinking swollen red eyes he watched unsure, "How…" he muttered as the figure began to light up.
Duo feel back sun spots dancing before his eyes. Blinking he shook his head unable to focus on the figure before him. The flare had died away and Duo was looking at a clear evening sky, the sun almost completely set behind the horizon. Scrubbing his face he felt fresh tears gather as the crushing weight of what had happened hit him again.
"Urrgh…" A sudden groan drew his attention, and Duo's head snapped back to Heero so quickly he thought he might have snapped. Duo felt his jaw drop, his beast had vanished, in his place was something very different.
It was a man.
A man who was sitting up slowly. Coughing he touched his chest still sore, but whole and healed. Blinking he spotted Duo a smile widening his face as he reached out…noticing his paw was gone, and a very human hand was there. Blinking he looked dumbly at the flesh flexing and bending his fingers, strong and sure. He trailed up his arm, pink, perfect. As if hallucinating he touched his chest. Skin, no hair, flesh like Duo's. "Duo!" he cried coming to his knees, feeling faint. "Duo, it's me!" he turned amazed to the other, pausing when he saw the look of apprehension on the other's face. "Duo?" the man inched forward, violet eyes narrowed reaching out slowly to touch the very human face. Touching the pliant skin hesitantly, the strong square jaw, high cheekbones, brushing the wild tangled chocolate hair. Focusing on the eyes, those soulful blue eyes that had stolen his heart. "Heero…" he asked not daring to believe. A slow nod, and radiant smile reveling beautifully white teeth.
"Heero!" he cried wrapping arms around the man pulling him tight. Laughing and crying all at once they fell into each other. Duo pressing soft kisses to his neck, shoulder, cheek. Before pulling back to press full lips together a little awkward and unused to kissing without Heero's snout and teeth. Duo sniffling pulled away laughter ringing out. As the last of the sun vanished from the bruised sky.
The final flash from the balcony had temporally blinded Wufei, blinking he shook his head trying to clear his vision. "Trowa yo-" he trailed off realizing he hand was no long resting on metal. It was warm, human skin. Trowa made no sound as he looked down at his hands, turning them over shocked and amazed. He was human again, he was real… Big callused hands touched his chest feeling the hard, muscular flesh beneath his tunic. "Trowa!" A soft voice gasped behind him, spinning in place he let out a shout of joy. The tall slender blonde was standing behind them. Free from his mirrored world he grinned widely. Eyes drinking up the sight of his lover, he looked exactly as he remembered. Tall, rugged, handsome, that charming roguish grin that hid that heart of gold.
Trowa was drinking up the vision before him, pale flesh that taunted him from the open laces of his shirt, the perfectly fitting black pants, right down to the delectable bare toes that stood on the stones. Laughing wildly Quatre ran into Trowa's arms, whooping for joy. The guard caught him easily, long legs wrapping around his waist, as they kissed with five years worth of pent up passion. Wufei chuckling leaned against the open door, a smile crossing his handsome face.
Standing now Heero turned spotting his friends, "Trowa, Quatre! I'm human!" he rushed over, a little unsteady in his new body; uncaring he was interrupting the couple. Duo laughed watching as the other two turned to look at the Prince dutifully impressed, but refusing to release each other. Duo stood beside Wufei smiling, the solider eyed him, "Came in the nick of time," he whispered unable to help smiling when he heard the cries from below as the curse broke and the others returned to human form.
Below another group was just arriving, the King rode at the head of the procession Zechs by his side. The King was beyond angry, the guard had left nothing out in he retelling of the events. Of every transgression made by the Crown Prince, when he was indisposed. There was going to be holy hell to pay and the guard would be lying if he said he felt bad for the kid.
Reaching the rundown castle they glanced around at the broken door, no sounds of battle inside. Frowning they dismounted Zechs and the others entering first to clear the way. They found scattered about the hall, the men the Prince had taken. Surprised he crouched to check one of the bodies, feeling a strong steady heartbeat. "Just knocked out," he explained glancing around where they castle inhabitants? They heard cheers then above stairs, and Zechs was off with three others, the King following behind as they climb into the tower.
A small celebration had broken out, the few soldiers, Miss Mary, grooms men and several servants; all that had served in the house where crying and hugging amazed to see the handsome young Prince. Heero had a solid arm around Duo, happy to see he was slightly taller then the other, though the long haired man was a tad bulker then himself. The violet-eyed man couldn't get enough gently touching smooth skin, kissing him on the cheek. He had missed him so much, no matter how he looked.
The new group joined them, the blonde's eager eyes seeking out the slender dark haired form talking animatedly to an auburn haired someone. One that Zechs recognized, "Trowa," he breathed smiling. They had been in training together. A servant was the first to spot the new comers, recognizing the King, "The King he called!" bowing low, the other following suit, all the way down until only Heero stood upright. Suddenly hesitant and unsure.
Silence reigned as slowly the older man strode forward past the genuflecting servants coming to pause before the now human form of his eldest son. He was handsome, well formed, but it was those warm blue eyes that captured him. Honest, compelling… reaching out he clapped him on the shoulder. "Welcome home son," he smiled widely turning to gesture to the others. "My son, the eldest twin and Crown Prince!" Heero's jaw dropped, as he looked around at the cheering crowd. Blushing suddenly in astonishment.
"No!" a voice rang out, and all eyes turned to the harried looking Prince Horatio now stripped of his title. "I am the Prince he is…he is…" he trailed off getting a good look at his twin. Tall, strong, handsome…it wasn't fair. With a cry of frustration he charged at his brother, halted as a solid fist connected with his jaw dropping him like a ton of bricks. Duo smiled ruefully shaking his hand, "He had it coming." Laughing Heero pulled him close, kissing his forehead, "That he did."
In the crowd the blonde finally found his lover, reaching out to gently touch the muscled shoulder. "Wufei," he breathed, the other freezing turned smile dying as he got a good look at his lover. "Zechs!" he gasped in dismay, touching bruises, noting his weight loss, and flushed cheeks. "You're sick," he accused, holding a hand to his forehead. Reaching up he pulled the hand to his mouth kissing it, "Phenomena," the dark haired man gasped, "What? How?" Sighing he wrapped his arms around the smaller man grinning for all he was worth, "Long story tell you later." He whispered before devouring frowning lips.
As the King shook hands with the others gathered around, Heero turned back to Duo gently tracing the bruises on his face, touching the wrapped fingers gently. "What took so long?" he mumbled resting foreheads together, "I was locked in the dungeon." He whispered with a crooked smile, Heero gasped. Duo laughing wrapped his arms around the other's neck, ignoring his protesting ribs. "I'll explain later, for now all I want to tell you is how much I love you." He mumbled leaning close, waning a kiss. Heero smiled stopping a hair's breath away. "I love you too," he replied moments before they lost all reason.