NOTES: Hiya! The most evil Bishonen Valgaav finally comes into the story. Remember, he's not out for blood or revenge...he just hates everybody's guts. Oh, and one more note: Poor Duo and Quatre, I never give those two a break.
hehe.
Oh, one more note: Valgaav hates Monsters okay, so when Valgaav is saying how disgusting and stupid Xellos or Duo are (remember…Monster Blood in that Bishonen), know that I don't think that. Personally, I am totally in love with Duo (Though Quatre comes first), and Xellos is my second favorite character in Slayers. ::points finger at Valgaav:: so its him! Not me! Him!!
THE WAY HOME
PART III
In a dark damp cave, a hunched figure sat alone. The cave had no lights, no lamps, no candles, not even a small fire to provide warmth. There was a smell of something rotting, stinking up the place...
Yet still the figure sat.
Whenever it rained, a mist would rise in the cave. Moss and mushroom grew around the figure, almost like a throne of fungus to tribute him. Yet he did not move, he did not stir...
And the figure would not move.
He was Valgaav, the last of the Ancient Dragons, the last servant of the long dead Gaav, the Demon Dragon King. After his failure for revenge against Lina Inverse, Valgaav had left, disappearing into the deepest part of the cave.
He had realized after his defeat that his hatred and anger at the death of his Lord and Master would never be calmed by his revenge. He had targeted Lina Inverse, believing that she was the one who killed him, but he had later discovered it was Lord Hellmaster Phibrizzo who had actually done the deed. Lina had only been an unknowing pawn.
Yet still he hated her. Hated her for she and her companions had felt no regret at Gaav's demise. They did not care that Gaav had saved him from extinction at the hands of the Golden Dragons. They were relieved that he was forever gone. He hated her, because she still associated with Xellos, the despicable Monster. He hated them, all of them.
But he had realized that nothing would calm him, his murderous rage that would probably one-day kill him. So, he did not mind when his servants Gravos and Gillis left to live with Philia, one of the last surviving Golden Dragons. In a way he hated her, for she was related to the ones who had massacred his people. But he really could not blame her, for she had not even been born then. In a way he hated what she was, not who she was. Out of all of them he could only tolerate her, but no one else...not even another Golden Dragon.
The only times Valgaav ever stirred from his perch on the boulder covered in moss, was when uninvited visitors dropped by, never imagining that a half Monster, half Ancient Dragon dwelled within. He would attack them, and drive them away, never killing.
He was tired of killing. He was so tired of life.
Yellow amber eyes that used to be filled with fire and power from within had dulled in Valgaav's despair. He no longer wished to live. His only purpose before was to serve Lord Gaav. When he was gone, he lived for revenge. Now he had nothing.
If he believed that by acting up against the Monsters that Xellos would finally come and end his misery, then he would have done it a long time ago. But no. He was supposed to live and suffer, while Xellos and his Mistress probably became fat over his suffering.
He even once thought of going after Lina again, and maybe she could use a spell to kill him. But Lina's protector no longer had the Sword of Light, and the only spell that could have an effect on him would have probably been the Giga Slave. When Valgaav had been out for revenge he would not have minded the end of the world. But Valgaav was tired of death, and would not go so far as to endanger the world so that he may finally die. And besides, Philia would never allow Lina to kill him.
So, Valgaav sat in his cave, wishing sit for eternity in there.
Valgaav's closed eyes opened as he heard footsteps echoing from where the cave entrance lay. They were followed by a nervous voice asking, "Are you sure you feel him in here?"
Valgaav's eyes burned in fury as he sensed the aura of a Monster. A Monster looking for him. Probably one of the Beastmaster's minions to ask if he would join Her ranks. He would gladly kill the despicable creature and be rid of the world of one extra parasite. He slowly stood and got ready to attack when a second voice spoke, causing his to freeze like being hit by something ice cold.
"I'm sure its him."
A Golden Dragon. A very young one at that. Come to think of it, the Monster was also very young. Their aura's told him that they were babies in age.
A Monster and a Golden Dragon.
Only once he had seen the two together, and that was when Philia and Xellos were with Lina. But the two hated each other and bickered, even attacking each other...
These two were working side by side...
A dark thought past by Valgaav: Could the Golden Dragons be joining ranks with the Monsters? Why else would two infants be allowed to walk together...looking for him?
He had to see this. He would not kill the Golden Dragon baby, but the Monster had to go. But first he had to question the two.
"Hellloooooo! Anyone in theeeerrrrrrrreeeeeeeee?"
Valgaav winced as the Monster's annoying voice bounced off the walls and reached him. Defiantly a Monster. Annoying and disgusting, just like Xellos. The thought of the Monster made Valgaav's skin crawl. Nothing good ever came from a Monster. Sure Lord Gaav was a Monster, but he was different. His goals were not the same as a Monster's…the same as that disgusting Xellos.
Valgaav, his decision made, used his powers to materialize at the cave entrance, right behind the two trespassers. Valgaav found himself studying the two while their backs were turned, unknowing that he was there. He could tell the two immediately apart. It was obviously by the ridiculously long braid and dark clothes that the boy was the Monster child, and the slightly smaller one, who had shining blonde hair was the Golden Dragon infant. Two total opposites.
"Y'know Quatre, this cave really gives me the creeps. Are you sure he's here? Well, I know that you're sure, but I just get the feeling that there is something in here, and it ain't our buddy. Besides, how in the world could he at one moment be with the others, then the next minute by himself?"
Suddenly, the Golden Dragon stiffened and whirled around, aqua eyes wide. He opened his mouth, but Valgaav lashed out, grabbing the boy by his mouth and silencing his cry immediately. Large wide aqua eyes stared at him, and Valgaav found himself confused when he saw no recognition in those expressive orbs.
"I know that he's a cold bastard and all, but it's not like him to just up and leave. He used to do that during the war, but not anymore."
The stupid creature was still babbling, oblivious of what was accruing behind him. Valgaav stared hatefully at the young Monster. Sure he had left when the Golden Dragons had attacked and slaughtered his race, but that was the only time. Was that disgusting insect implying that he was continually leaving his race or whomever he was associated with?!
Valgaav could not contain it. He hissed and the Golden Dragon squeaked as he tightened his grip on the infant.
This noise was enough to cause the braided one to stop. "I'm going to turn around and there will be something behind me." This came out almost as a groan, sounding as if bad things like this always happened.
Valgaav's disgust and rage welled up as the Monster turned and gapped at him. Violet eyes. The eyes of Xellos.
"Shit!" Squeaked the Monster, taking a step back.
The Golden Dragon was now struggling desperately, and making choking sounds. Valgaav absently removed his hand from the child's mouth and knotted his hand into the golden one's shirt, not allowing him to escape.
"What are you doing here, Monster?" Hissed Valgaav, advancing and dragging the Golden Dragon with him. "Why are you looking for me? And it had better be a good answer."
The Monster pointed a finger at the Golden Dragon. "Umm…why don't you let go of my friend first, then I'd gladly tell you anything."
Valgaav shuddered in disgust. Instead of freeing the infant, he lifted him off his feet and stared at him straight in the face. The child was pale and frightened. "Is that Monster your friend?!" He demanded. "Why are you with a Monster?!"
The Golden Dragon winced as he yelled into his face, but he answered. "He is my friend. Where we come from, what he is and what I am no longer matter."
"Really?" Purred Valgaav. "And where might this haven be?"
The Monster spoke. "You wouldn't know where it is, so why don't you let Quatre down and we'll be going, okay?"
Valgaav laughed and looked at the Monster. "Going? No no, little Monster. You two are not leaving. You are going to tell me why you came here looking for me, then I will kill you, Monster, and give your remains to Xellos. What have you to say to that?"
"Don't kill him!" Cried the Golden Dragon…Quatre? "He's not like the other Monsters! He's not like Xellos! Please, he's part human, so you can't kill him!"
"I have killed many humans before, Golden Dragon." Responded Valgaav angrily, finding himself now reluctant to kill him. But those eyes…Xellos's eyes. Anything that came from Xellos had to be destroyed. "Now, why have you come looking for me?"
"We weren't looking for you!" Shouted the Monster, his eyes now flashing angrily. "We were looking for a friend of ours that Quatre sensed was here. He was wrong, so let him go and we will leave."
Valgaav stared into the Monster's angry eyes, so unlike Xellos in this. Monsters seldom were capable of feeling anger. Hatred yes, but getting angry was very rare. Only Lord Gaav ever became angry. But this story of looking for a friend?
"It's true." Whispered the Golden Dragon softly. "I sensed my friend here. I sense him in you, though you are not him. I don't understand how, but I was mistaken."
"You are an infant who barely comprehends his own powers." Said Valgaav gruffly. "But I will not allow you to walk around with Xellos's spawn. I guess you know him?"
"We met the freaky bastard." Said the Monster. "And I am not his spawn!"
Valgaav blinked at the angry Monster child, then looked at the Golden Dragon's sorrowful eyes. Valgaav smirked, though there was no mirth in it. "It doesn't matter. Lets have this as a lesson Golden Dragon, wherever you come from: That is a Monster, one who killed your race. He must be destroyed."
"No!" Cried the Golden Dragon. "Run Duo!"
Still holding the Golden Dragon aloft, Valgaav pointed, open palmed at the now confused and angry Monster. Duo was backing away slowly, but he knew that there was no where to run. If he was part human, it would mean that his powers were exceedingly limited. This would be quite easy.
But before Valgaav could even think of what kind of attack to finish the Monster off, a familiar figure materialized protectively in front of Duo.
"Xellos!" Hissed Valgaav.
The Golden Dragon said nothing.
"You!" Gasped Duo in shock.
Xellos had the nerve to grin. "We meet again, Valgaav of the Ancient Dragons."
Valgaav said, his hatred and disgust unveiled. "I see that you have come to pick up your spawn."
Xellos reached and pulled Duo forward, who tried to pull back but couldn't. "I see you noticed. The eyes, right?"
"If you want that creature still breathing you get him and yourself out, Monster!"
Xellos shrugged and said almost apologetically. "They wouldn't be here if they had accepted my help. But you know children, always believing that they know it all…"
"Let Quatre go, Bastard!" Shouted Duo, still trying to pull away from Xellos, but keeping his whole attention on Valgaav and the dangling Quatre. "And I am not his spawn!!!"
Valgaav found himself impressed. It truly did sound as if the Monster was worried about the Golden Dragon's well being.
Friends…
Impossible.
Xellos spoke. "Y'know, you would have killed this boy, because he was a Monster, yet you would have spared the other because he was a Golden Dragon. Have you forgotten that the Golden Dragon's were the ones who killed all of your race so that only you are left?"
The Golden Dragon gasped, "What?!" But it was low so that only Valgaav could here.
Valgaav snorted at Xellos, "He's even younger than Philia, Xellos. Don't even try it. He had nothing to do with what happened to the Ancient Dragons."
"And Duo here had nothing to do with Gaav, or your race, or even the war between the Golden Dragon's and the Monsters. So why kill him Valgaav?"
"Get out." Hissed Valgaav.
"Don't want to face the truth?" Taunted Xellos, snickering.
Duo yanked, but Xellos remaining holding him. "Look! I don't care what you two are talking about! You! Horn Head, put Quatre down! And you, you Purple-haired Sociopath, get your fucking hands off me!!!"
Quatre spoke. "Put me down."
Valgaav hesitated, but he felt the power that Quatre was trying to use. It was weak and unmastered, but he saw the effort and determination. A baby…what were the Golden Dragons doing? But Valgaav lowered him to the ground and let go.
Quatre stumbled backwards, turned his back on him, and faced Xellos who still had not let go of Duo. "Xellos, we already told you that we do not want your help. Let Duo go."
Xellos smirked evilly. "What? Don't I get a thank you for saving his life?"
Suddenly, something changed in the Golden Dragon. Valgaav watched in awe at how cold and stiff the boy became as he answered Xellos. "You and I both know that you only saved him for personal gain. If circumstances were different, and you wanted nothing from us, you would have allowed him to be murdered."
Valgaav looked at Xellos and was surprised to see a slight frown on the purple brows. Such an accusation should not have bothered him, so why did he look disturbed? Could it be that he too sensed this sudden change. Whatever had him disturbed it distracted him enough so that Duo was able to free himself.
The young Monster ran to his 'friend' but stopped short, violet eyes going wide. "Oh shit." He looked up and Valgaav saw fear and hesitation in those eyes.
Monsters felt no fear.
Duo stepped forward and said gently, "Hey, Quatre…are you okay?"
The response made Valgaav start. "He is frightened and confused, Duo."
Duo turned away, "Shit!"
The Golden Dragon smirked. "He will return after we leave this place. Come."
Valgaav looked to Xellos who was also watching this exchange with fascination and a small amount of horror.
Duo asked, "You aren't going to try and kill us all? You've tried doing that twice."
"No. I would love to end these two's existence, but Quatre will not allow me. He is not so far gone as last time, unfortunately."
Duo scowled, but nodded. He started walking, keeping his distance from his friend, from Valgaav and from Xellos.
And Valgaav let them go. He watched silently as they left together, and he could tell that now, these two were not friends. Something had happened to the infant Golden Dragon, but Valgaav had no clue what. In a way, the way he was acting before was like Philia, innocent and young. This other one was acting like one who had seen and experienced too much, like him.
Xellos spoke. "I had sensed a darkness in him. Now I've seen it."
"Where did they come from?" Asked Valgaav, still looking to where they had disappeared.
"The future. They had no clue what they were until I told them. Who would have guessed it, a Monster and a Golden Dragon."
Valgaav glared at Xellos, expecting to see the trademark smirk and closed eyes. Instead he saw that Xellos's eyes were open, and his lips pinched. "You don't like it."
"No. It is interesting, but I do not like it."
"Is that young Monster truly yours?"
Xellos shrugged, "Yes. But he is part human, therefore he is weak. A disappointment."
Valgaav gave the other a disgusted look, finding the fact that Xellos cared so little making his stomach churn uncomfortably. He asked, "What are they doing here?"
Xellos looked at him. "A mistake was made and they ended up here. They are important, so they must live and return."
Valgaav thought of this. So even though Xellos personally did not, he still had to make sure his little spawn lived. So what the young Golden Dragon had said was true, Xellos really would not have cared if he had killed the Monster child. Valgaav found something akin to pity stirring in him. An unloved child was one of the saddest stories out there. Even if the child was a Monster…but as Xellos and the Golden Dragon had said, Duo was part human…
He was a lot like a human…in a way reminding him of Lina…an angry Lina.
Another thought came to him. Xellos was supposed to make sure that the two survive. Xellos taking care of that Golden Dragon infant…A Monster…
Valgaav asked suddenly, "The one that they were looking for…the friend, what is he?"
"Friends. There are three more." Xellos paused. "Actually I don't know what they are, cause I haven't seen them yet, and my Mistress didn't say."
Valgaav hesitated before making his mind up. "Very well. You go find these three missing ones. I will look after the Golden Dragon."
"And the Monster."
Valgaav clenched his teeth. "I won't kill the Monster."
Xellos's eyes closed and his trademark grin once again was plastered in his face. "Very well then. You can take care of them. I do believe that you have more restraint than me."
Valgaav frowned at this. Xellos was the epitome of calm and patience. After all, he did continually travel with Lina. "Why do you say that?"
Xellos snickered, "That Golden Dragon child's emotions were even better than Philia's. He may be more serious than Philia, but his emotions run dark at times. I could barely hold myself from killing him."
Valgaav growled, a feral sound that game from the back of his throat. "You will not touch him, Monster."
Xellos shrugged and hovered into the air. "Well, good luck Valgaav. And remember, both have to live."
Then he was gone. Valgaav stared at the empty air for a moment, then glanced back into his cave and its welcoming darkness. It seemed fate would not let him alone. Turning, he walked into the bright sunlight and squinted his eyes as he gazed at the lush green grass. He could barely see the two travelers still walking away.
Valgaav stood for a moment, wondering what was he going to do with them. The two were practically helpless, even though the strange darkness in the Golden Dragon had potential. Still, the power was like the one who held it: young and untrained. As for the Monster's power…Valgaav had no clue if he even had it. Yet he was able to sense the Monster in the boy immediately.
Suddenly he thought of it. Philia might be willing to help in this task, after all, it did involve a young Golden Dragon. Maybe Philia would be able to convince the child to stay away from the Monster.
With that planned, Valgaav started to follow, planning on keeping a distance so that he would not be seen, but could hear what was being said. And anyway, he was interested in this darker Golden Dragon.
***************************************
Duo glared at Quatre's back, still determined to keep a distance from the blond.
It was Him. Duo had never really met this other Quatre. He had heard all about Him from Heero and Trowa, and Quatre had talked about his madness when under the influence of the Zero System.
But it wasn't madness. It had been made clear after Quatre had been tortured by the yellow-eyed Psychopath with the grudge against God: that there were two Quatres. There had been two Quatre's way before the war. The other Quatre did not mind using his powers and skills to kill. The other Quatre did not mind killing his friends.*
The other Quatre was a cold bastard.
He had been told that Quatre (or Him) was about to kill Heero (again) when he had popped up with Trowa and hugged the boy. He was told that at that moment when He saw all four of them, alive and well, Quatre finally appeared, and the other…He…was gone.
Duo did not even want to think of the other as Quatre.
Duo swallowed and asked, "So, what's your name."
Quatre…or Him…stopped walking and looked at him, his face devoid of any emotion. "You know my name."
Duo glared. "No. I know Quatre's name, and you ain't Quatre."
"We are the same."
"That's a load of Bull."
The other raised an eyebrow. "You do not like me." He stated it as a fact.
"Damn straight."
"You like Quatre. You are his best friend."
Duo snorted. "Quatre does not go around trying to kill his friends."
The other frowned. "Quatre would sacrifice himself to protect you. He would allow himself to suffer for all of you. I will not let him suffer. I protect him."
Duo suddenly found himself feeling like he had just been insulted. "Hey, listen Buddy, we protect Quatre just fine!"
The other laughed, a hallow sound that Duo concluded did not suit Quatre at all. "You let him be taken and tortured. I was the one who protected him."
Duo could not believe he was arguing with Quatre about who could protect him better! His head was beginning to hurt. "Dammit! Forget it, okay! Just let me talk to Quatre."
"I am here."
Duo felt like pulling his hair out of his scalp. "No! You're not Quatre! Got it? Let me spell it out for you: YOU ARE NOT QUATRE!!!"
"You are easily excitable." Remarked the other, and Duo looked about to explode, but he raised his pale hand to stop the oncoming triad. "If you do not want to call me by my name, what would you call me?"
"Uh, I don't know. What about Bastard?"
Duo meant it as an insult, but the other Quatre smirked at him. "Tempting, but no. Something else. You call yourself the God of Death, so use that mind of yours and give me a name. A name fitting for myself."
Duo stared at his best friend, or actually the shell of his best friend, already missing his company. He thought for a moment, about all that this other had done, then asked, "If I give you a name, will you let me speak to Quatre."
"He wants to speak to you, so I agree. He is not pleased with me."
Duo didn't need to be a mind reader to know that. Sighing he looked at the shell, this stranger in his best friend's body, and knew that this one was capable of anything, including the destruction of the Gundam Pilots. "Fine then. I have a name for you."
"Let me here it."
Duo crossed his arms. "Bane."
The other suddenly smiled, a true smile with no hidden malice in it. "Bane." He looked at Duo, his cold eyes more gentle. "I see why you are Quatre's closest friend."
Then Quatre jerked and shuddered, his eyes flashing wide. Duo watched anxiously, then knew when those wide aqua eyes met him, that he was looking at Quatre once again.
Though he later made Quatre swear not to tell anyone, Duo whooped in joy and pounced the gentle blond, crushing him in the biggest hug, lifting him and twirling him in the air, while Quatre struggled and laughed.
Quatre was his best friend, and Duo knew that somehow they would find the others. Valgaav, Xellos, and Bane could go to Hell and roast there for all he cared. Quatre was here, Heero, Trowa, and Wufei were somewhere out there, and that was all that mattered.
TO BE CONTINUED
^-^
- Okay, this was referring to The Targets. Farefello (a madman) torutured Quatre, and the result of the torture was Bane (yay! I gave him a name!!! You like it?). Bane was about to kill Heero but Duo entered and hugged him. Duo hadn't really stopped to look at Quatre, so he did not really notice when Quatre changed back. So you see, this is the first time that Duo actually comes face to face with Bane.
- For all those who don't know…Bane: n. ruin, death, harm, or their cause, poison. Think the Bane of the Gundam Pilots. You like??? TELL ME!!!!!
- I USED THE F WORD!!!! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND…I NEVER USE THE F WORD! I NEVER SAY IT AND I HAVE NEVER WRITTEN IT!!!!
::jumping up and down squeaking::