Fitful Wishing, pt 3: Patron Saint of Nothing
Sequel to "Inside the Forbidden"
Prologue- In the Shallow Darkness
Lee staggered up the last part of the ridge and glanced down. The ground seemed even further away to her fevered mind.
"It ends here, demon!" she hollered. "I will die and you won't have me to fight against my family! I will have the last word as to who uses my body!" And with that said, she flung herself from the rocks.
Eyes of a dead watched her with interest. She was obviously insane. But not many people, especially young girls, yelled to demons.
And got a response.
Chapter 1- The Mission
Seneca collapsed on the bed and sighed in exhaustion.
"Damn it," she said. "You'd think they were sticking us in the war day after next."
"They're preparing us," said Heero. "The last war wasn't easy and this one be any easier."
"Yeah. I know." There was a beeping sound from the computer. Seneca froze, the bolted from the bedroom but she was too late. "What's up this time?"
"It's for you," said Heero, getting up from the chair. "From someone code named 'Pacifist'." Seneca sat down and opened the e-mail. A code box came up at once.
"Gotta love this," she said happily. "Let's see. What was it last time? Epyon? So let's try Wing... Zero... Ha! It works."
"Somehow I think it would work with whatever you put." She rolled her eyes. He was such a pessimist. Then she grinned.
"Alright! A mission!" she said. "I've been wondering when I would get another one."
"The last one almost killed you."
"The last one almost killed you," she mocked. "How many times are we going to say that to each other? Live and let die, flyboy. We're in war. Good luck on the exam, by the way. I'll be long, long gone." She disappeared out the door and he shook his head, then sat down to see where she had gone. But the message had self-deleted, leaving a blank page. Then another message came up, from the same source, but to him.
Heero,
Seneca is under my influence now. There is another who is giving you missions, but we are working together to make sure you do not end up in the same location. This is for your good as well hers. Be careful, Heero. The past still lives. After a moment, the message self-deleted too. There were two of them? But who? And where had Seneca gone?
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Trowa rested his chin on his hands and watched Makaro. Three weeks. And she was still alive. Barely, but she was still alive.
I was right there, he thought. I should've looked. She wouldn't be like this if I had. The door opened gently and Catherine walked in. She laid her hand on Trowa's shoulder and he looked up at her.
"Hi," she said quietly. "How are you doing? How's Maka-so?"
"Hey, sis," said Trowa softly. "She's getting worse. The anti-venom won't take effect."
"It'll be okay," she said. "Makaro's strong. She'll get through this." He nodded. "Don't give up hope on her yet."
Makaroan, please, don't leave us...
Our lovely child, don't let this be the reason you give up. Your friends still need you, just like the pilot. Trust in the powers of the past. The door opened again and Nicca and Alex walked in.
"Trowa, Duo wants to talk to you," said Alex. "You too, Catherine. We'll watch her." Trowa and Catherine left. Nicca exchanged a glance with her friend. "Okay. Let's see what exactly is keeping Marako down. The anti-venom has to have a reason not to work."
"Well, okay, let's try this," said Nicca, pointing the IV bag. "Shouldn't that be clear?" Alex shook her head.
"No, stupid. That's the anti... Oh. My. God. Nicca, you're right. Sort of."
"Huh?"
"Okay. Anti-venom is just the snake's venom over again, correct? So..." Nicca snapped her fingers.
"It would be easy to switch the two. Damn. We're good." Alex rolled her eyes and sighed. "Come on. Even if we've found out the problem, that's only half the solution. I don't think anything can save her now."
"We've still gotta try. We can't win without Marako." They both stood on one side of their friend's bed and linked arms. Alex closed her eyes. "Ancient wise ones, hear our cry. Please, heal the evil in Makaro." A soft blue glow surrounded her and a white one around Nicca. Another light came from Makaro, but hers was black, mixed with red. The evil is fighting with her true power. I hope we can beat it. Alex felt herself slipping. Her power combined with Nicca's and the pale blue light twisted like smoke with the darkness. Then it moved up the IV. When it finally cleared, the blackness was gone from Makaro and the IV was clear. Alex released her hold on Nicca and sank back into a chair. "Please. Let her be okay."
"Whoa," said Nicca. "That'll kill ya'. Where'd you pick that up, Lex-chan?"
"My mom used to tell me that the strongest healer armors were IceAmend and Halo: the ones in my family. But InfernoBlade, yours, was good at healing FireWing, Makaro. I know that's confusing, but it worked, so leave it at that."
"Hey, we'll forget I even asked." Both of them laughed as the door opened again. Trowa, Duo, and Quatre walked in, followed by Catherine.
"What's so funny?" wondered Duo. Nicca just grinned.
"You wouldn't believe me," she answered. Makaro groaned softly and clenched her fingers on the blanket. Then she opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling.
"Damn it," she said weakly. "Someone tell me I haven't been out for two weeks again." Alex chuckled.
"You haven't been out for two weeks-" she started.
"You've been out for three," added Nicca helpfully. Makaro closed her eyes and shook her head.
"I'm going to miss the entire war if this keeps happening," she muttered. Trowa moved from the doorway and her eyes opened again. She looked at him and smiled gently. "Hi." Alex sensed they wanted to be left alone and motioned for the others to leave. Nicca started out the door, but Duo hadn't moved.
"Come on, idiot," she said, grabbing his braid and yanking him out of the room. He said something, but it was masked by the closing of the door. Trowa sat down in the chair and her smile vanished.
"You're blaming yourself," she said. "When it was my fault. You can't do that, Trowa. It's what Shisama wants."
"It was my fault, Mara-ko-" He didn't finish. The doctor ran in, followed by the nurse, and Catherine.
"How can you still be alive?!" he yelled, seeing Makaro. He pulled a gun from his lab coat pocket and fired at the nurse. She went down, dead. "Lord Shisama wants you dead. I will make it so!" Suddenly, he staggered backward. Catherine pulled her fist back and hit him again. He went down, the gun sliding across the floor and into the bathroom.
"Alright Cathy!" said Makaro. She sat up and glared at the doctor. "Shisama's network of underlings is strong."
"Are you okay?" Trowa asked Catherine. She nodded and rubbed her hand.
"We've got to get Makaro out of here," she said. The door flew open and everyone came in, including another doctor.
"Oh, dear god," he said. "Who is this man? He doesn't work here."
"He's the enemy," muttered Makaro. "And part of the Jackals."
Chapter 2- For the Love of Life
"Mara-ko-"
"Don't start with me, Trowa." She was standing in the doorway, her hair loose and tousled over the headband, since she had just woken up. "I mean it. If I've got a mission, I'm gonna do it, damn it."
"You're still-"
"You add 'too weak' and I'll show you how weak I am," she threatened. The green fire in her eyes suddenly dimmed slightly. "Trowa, we're both part of this war. We just have to do some things on our own."
"Mara-ko, you've become a big target for the Jackals, whether you admit it or not," he said. She collapsed on the couch with an exasperated sigh.
"Trowa, I know I'm his target. It's because of him I'm here in the first place. But this mission has nothing to do with him. I'm just going to meeting of the colony and Earth leaders. If anything, I'll die of boredom." She sat up. "And besides, Miss Relina will be there, not to mention I've got Phoenix if Shisama attacks."
"You can't use a mobile suit at a meeting like that, even if the Jackals attack," he said, sitting next to her. "There's too much innocence at risk." She sighed again. "Mara-ko, you have to be careful."
"I know I do," she said, standing up. "But I don't need you to tell me that." This time, he sighed.
"Is there anything you take seriously?" he asked. She was silent for a moment and he looked at her. Makaro's blue-green eyes had become brownish. He had never seen them do that.
"I'm serious," she said quietly. "About a lot of things, Trowa. But this war isn't one of them. I know I should be but... my father used to say 'There will always be evil. Just like there will always be good.' The war isn't something I'm serious about because it's a war: it's a stupid pointless way of good and evil to fight it out. And no matter who wins, the evil will always come back." She lifted her head and looked back at him. "Trowa, you of all people should know that."
"Mara-ko..." He brushed a strand of hair back from her face. "I just don't want you getting hurt again." She closed her eyes and nodded.
"And I don't want to lose the world..." He gently pulled her closer and...
There was a knock at the door.
"Alright, Maka-so. You've got some explaining to do!" came a voice. Makaro swore and pulled back. She walked to the door and opened it.
"Nicca?" Nicca grinned.
"Hi!" she said brightly. "And why haven't you left for your mission yet?" Trowa stood up and walked back to the bedroom. Nicca raised an eyebrow. "Did I miss something?"
"Just a whole lot," Makaro shot back. "I haven't left yet because I just got my mission. Why are you here?"
"My mission's in town somewhere. When I saw the circus was here, I thought I'd drop in." Makaro sighed and dropped her head in her hands.
"You've got great timing," she muttered. "I'll see you later. Bye Trowa!"
"Bye," was the only answer.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Makaro tapped the pencil on her knee and watched the speakers. What the hell kinda mission was this? She was gonna fall asleep sooner then later.
"The Colonies and Earth recently raged a war with each other," continued the fifth or sixth (or seventh. She had lost count at 'three') speaker. "Military tactics were well used, as well as abused, in the battle field and off. Among the most heinous was the use of five children who were named the Gundam pilots." Makaro straightened, just like Relina, who was next to her. Several more people in the room did too. "They were taken from their families and raised to be killing machines, aided by the mobile suits their name was derived from."
"Who is this guy?" whispered Makaro. Relina looked grim.
"Marshal Hellean. He's Shisama's right hand."
"That explains a lot." Whoever he was, he was winning over half the crowd and gaining death sentences from the other. But he was unfazed.
"They were brutal fighters and many lost their lives in unfair battles. The Gundam mobile suits were constructed of Gundanium alloy, a very strong metal. They also have shrewd minds."
"I'll give him shrewd," growled Makaro. Relina laid her hand on her arm and shook her head.
"You're not ready for a fight like that," she said quietly. Makaro settled back down, but she was ready none the less.
"And, in addition to total ruthlessness, they are responsible for the deaths of Field Marshal Noventa, all accounted for on his craft that day, Trieze Kushrenada, Miliardo PeaceCraft-"
"That's enough, Marshal Hellean!" said Relina, standing up angrily. "What you are saying is true, but I know the five that you are talking of, and of the deaths you have mentioned. My brother is one of them. But he gave his life willingly to save the Earth from being destroyed. And Trieze's battle was one he also willingly fought. You are portraying the young pilots who have saved this world and the colonies, and are fighting for them now, by their own will, as some kind of medical experiment gone wrong!" Applause rang throughout the hall, but was silenced by dark laughter. Makaro got up and joined Relina. She knew that sound.
"Very well done, Minister Darlian." At the head of the building, a tall throne-like chair rose from the floor. "Ladies, gentleman, and Miss Hashiba, I was going to make my appearance at the end of Marshal Hellean's speech, but Minister Darlian provided me the perfect opportunity. Every word she has spoken about the pilots is true: they are kind and gentle, but they are also ruthless and deadly. I have seen them in action. They will not be an easy enemy to defeat."
"Uh, Shisama?" spoke up Makaro. "Hate to burst your bubble, hon, but I'm not going against them, Minister Darlian isn't going against them, and probably half this room isn't going against them. They've done too much for this world." He laughed again.
"Miss Hashiba, you have presented the exact problem I invited you all here to discuss: the real reason for this war. There are delegates here from the colonies, from Earth, and from both the colonies and Earth. But Miss Hashiba, you are here for the Gundam pilots." Makaro raised an eyebrow.
"What are you talking about, Shisama?" she asked.
"Why, the only reason you're still alive: to defend the pilots. The whole reason I brought you here." Makaro groaned.
"How could I have been so stupid?" she asked. "You brought me and the others here to... Shisama, that's low. Really low." He sat up straighter, darkness gleaming in his eyes.
"Miss Hashiba, you don't seem to understand. My enjoyment comes from watching you suffer. Now, all who are here to stop this war, you may leave. But know that the battle is far from over. In fact, it is just beginning."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Wufei walked around the inside of the building. Some mission. He had the information, but now he just to meet the informant.
A waltz started in the party room. Couples danced around to the slow pace, but he waited outside the door. Where was he?
"Do you have what I want?" asked a soft voice. He turned and faced a delicate looking young woman. Her deep green dress matched the feather mask and headband set with light blue jewels. "Assuming you are who I am looking for."
"But... you're a woman," he said uncertainly. The hand not holding the feather mask produced a dagger without much thought. He recognized the symbols carved into the blade at once. "You are Caia." She sighed and lowered the mask.
"Just tell me if you have the information or not," she said. "There's a party going on and I'd like to join the fun before I head back."
"Why are you here?" She threw her hands up in the air, then slipped the knife back into the sheath well concealed at her side.
"For the love of- Wufei-chan, you need a doctor to look at your head. Or a CAT Scan. Either way, I am the informant. I was sent here to get the information you have. And, if I have the time, which I probably won't, to spend some time at the party," she explained. "Look. I even put on a damn dress for this thing." She motioned to the gown that spread out around her.
"Who sent you here?" She shrugged.
"Someone named 'Pacifist'," she said. "I got the mission right after you left. I didn't know it was you I had to meet, though." I probably would've bought a nicer dress, she added to herself.
"I didn't think it would be you I had to meet," he said. He glanced back at the party. Jackels soldiers mixed with the other people. "It's not safe, Caia."
"Wufei-chan, need I remind you that I can kick ass, skirt or not skirt? No skirt, preferably, but I can work with it." She brushed a strand of her hair back. "And I'll have you with me, so..."
"Wait a minute, I didn't say I was coming," he said. She sighed.
"Fine. I'll just have to enjoy myself amongst groups of unknown guys." She put her hands on her hips. "But not until you give me the information." He took the disk from his back pocket and handed it to her. It vanished after a moment in her possession. "Thank you," she said, giving a deep curtsey. "You have been very helpful." She carefully picked up her skirt and started into the hall. He stayed behind. Come on, Wufei-chan, she thought. For my sake, be jealous. I want to spend tonight with you. She waited patiently, but he didn't come. Sighing, Caia made her way to a table in the back, hoping to avoid unnecessary attention.
It was too much to hope.
Almost immediately, three young men, dressed very nicely, came up and asked her to dance. She declined the first two, but got sick of sitting around when the third guy came up, so she accepted and moved out with him onto the dance floor. He was actually quite nice looking, with light blonde hair and deep green eyes, but he didn't have the air of maturity she was used to from Wufei.
"You have beautiful eyes," he said softly. She groaned inwardly. Not that tired old... god, she had gotten that from every guy back at her school at least once. Then again, she hadn't gotten it once here.
Wake up, Caia, said the voice of reason that seldom made itself known. He's your friend. Nothing more. Get a damned clue and move on with your life. She sighed.
"Thanks," she said. "My name's Caia."
"Ja-" That's as far as he got. Someone coughed behind him and he let go of Caia's waist.
"May I cut in?" Caia, despite herself, grinned. She knew that voice. Ja-something nodded reluctantly and moved away.
"Wufei-chan," she said. "You've got some nerve coming here and interrupting us like that. I was having a good time."
"Sure looked like you were," he said, giving her an off smile. "Will you dance with me, Caia-so?" She nodded, but caught movement out of the corner of her eye. The soldiers were closing in. He saw them to, but made no indication of it. Instead, he pulled her towards him and held her closely. "Wonder what set them off?" she whispered in his ear.
"Are you ready?" he asked.
"Sort of."
"Sort of?"
"I can't reach my dagger."
"Why not?"
"You've got your arm on it, Wufei-chan." He pulled back and brushed her hair from her face. "Thanks..." She moved her free arm slowly from his back to her side. He gently leaned towards her as there was a click of a gun. "Some other time," she said softly. Then she turned around and hit one of the guns with the tip of her blade, sending it into the crowd. Instantly, everything froze, then the civilians backed up, leaving a space between Wufei and Caia and the three Jackals. Two with guns, one eyeing his disdainfully. "You creeps work fast."
"You're the boy who has the information," said the gunless leader. Wufei shook his head.
"Not me." The disk appeared in Caia's other hand, gleaming in the light.
"Bet you're looking for this," she said. "Come and get it." They attacked, before she make it vanish again. So she did the next best thing: she threw it up in the air. "Three!" Wufei kicked the gun from someone's hand and slammed his fist into the other guy's chest. "Two!" Caia grabbed the gun hand of one man and twisted it. He let go painfully and she caught him on the side of the head. "One!" The leader went for Caia first, leaving Wufei the chance to hit him from behind. At the same time, Caia kicked high and hit his head, but when she came back down, her weight was off balance due to the dress. Someone caught her before she could hit the ground and she grabbed the disk before it did too. "Okay. Not bad."
"Not bad?" asked Wufei, raising an eyebrow. She shook her head.
"Alright, I lied. That kicked ass." There was some scattered applause as they moved onto the balcony. It was a clear night, with a chilly wind that tossed the edges of Caia's hair around her face. "Wufei-chan? Thanks for coming back. I was hoping you would." There was a streak of light to the north and she closed her eyes. Star light, starbright, she thought. I wish that we find a way home. But not until Shisama's been defeated, once and for all. She turned to him and smiled. "You look lost in thought, Wufei-chan. Any particular reason?" He started to shake his head, then sighed.
"You look beautiful tonight," he said. Caia was taken off guard. She was debating asking him where the real Wufei had gone when he grabbed her firmly by the shoulders and kissed her.
Whoa and holy-!! That ended all doubt. It was the real Wufei. He had lost his mind, but it was him. She kissed him back and felt incredible warmth flow into her. Shisama can do whatever the hell he wants: but he can't take this away from us. I won't let him win. He'll be defeated. For. Good*
Chapter 3- Dark Child
Lee slowly felt her battle end. She had misjudged the cliff. It had been too short. But her injuries would be enough to kill her eventually. At the last moments, the darkness left her. I just want to die... peacefully...
But her darkness wasn't to be. Someone else was there. Someone who knew the feeling of internal demons constantly tormenting the soul. Someone who would be her savior in the future.
Lee's eyes opened to rain pounding against a window. Was she... dead? No. Her head was throbbing. She couldn't be dead. Unless it was her punishment for betraying her friends. Lightening flashed, followed by thunder, but that was further away. It was the end of the storm. There was another flash, and this time, the power died.
It must've struck a powerline, she thought, sitting up carefully. A bandage was wrapped around her chest, but she had her shirt back on. Whichever one she had been wearing. It was probably the same as when she had left Alex and Quatre. How long ago had that been, anyway...
The door opened. The flamed of a candle floated in, it's holder barely visible. But Lee stayed still. Nothing could scare her ever again. Nothing could be as frightening as feeling of joy about her friend dying. Was Makaro really dead? What about the rest of her friends? Caia, Seneca, Nicca? And Alex... where was she? Why couldn't Lee sense her anywhere?
"You're awake," said a voice. It was cold, but pained. The voice of a soldier who had wanted to die, but couldn't. She nodded. "How do you feel?"
"Like hell," she answered. "But it's what I deserve. You shouldn't have saved me. You should've let me die."
"No one deserves to die like," he said . "You're a Jackal. You should know that."
"What?" Lee shook her head. "Look. I'm a lot of things, but I'm not a Jackel." He set the candle down on the table and she made note of her dagger laying there, still in the sheath. Had it been cleaned? She vaguely remembered stabbing someone. Not fatally, but still...
"You have the mark they carry. On your arm." She raised an eyebrow and pushed up the sleeve on her shirt. Branded onto her skin was the mark of the Jackals. She touched it gently and felt intense pain again. The evil hadn't left her. It was just laying dormant, ready to strike. And destroy. "You need rest." He picked up the candle again and blew it out as the lights came back on. Then he quietly left the room. Lee laid back down, contemplating this new fate.
If I stay, I risk his life, she thought, staring at the ceiling. He saved mine, even if he's probably damned this world. I can't stay. I have to leave as soon as possible. Her eyes closed and sleep overcame her before she could think any further on the subject.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Lee kicked the blanket off her legs and picked up her knife gently. It was the one thing she could hold on to now. The only thing she had left from her old life. She pulled the blade loose and looked at he symbol on it. Wisdom. Her father. Alex's bore the symbol of Courage, but the other girl's had two: one from each of their parents. Spirit and Life for Makaro, Faith and Virtue for Nicca, Trust and Devotion for Seneca, and Caia carried Justice and Compassion. But nothing made any sense. Makaro had no life now. Who could Seneca trust?
She stood up and laid the silver pendent to her necklace on the table, then attached the sheath to her jeans. Somehow, when they had bought those on a shopping trip with each other not even a week before they had been brought to the Gundam world, they hadn't known how much they would mean in the future.
Way in the future, considering.
He was standing outside on the balcony. The rain had stopped, and thin rays of sunlight cut through the clouds. But they didn't seem to go near him. Pity. He would've looked gorgeous like that. Shaking her head, Lee slipped out the door. At first, the street was empty. But something grabbed her from behind and pinned the dagger to her side. She started to yell, but a blow to the head silenced her. The two soldiers dragged her back into the shadows.
Miliardo PeaceCraft/Zechs Marquis heard the door click shut and knew she had gone.
"I will die and you won't have me to fight against my family!"
"You shouldn't have saved me. You should've let me die." He heard her words in his mind. She was insane. But no one deserved that kind of death. Especially someone who was as beautiful...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nicca leaned on the edge of the bridge and looked down into the water. It was a clear to the bottom, but tinged greenish. Large fish swam in the slow current and reflected the light that made it down that far. Briefly, she wondered how deep it really was. The sound of a car behind her broke her train of thought.
"What's up, Ni-ko?" asked Duo, leaning next to her. She shrugged. "You're not gonna jump, are you?" She chuckled.
"No, I'm not gonna jump," she said. "Idiot." He laughed.
"So how'd your mission go?" he asked.
"Okay, I guess," she said. "I did what I was supposed to, interrupted Trowa and Makaro when I probably shouldn't have, and got to see the circus." One fish attacked another, turned their reflections into white waves, then little ripples.
"I remember going to the circus with Hildi," he said quietly. "I should've spent more time with her."
"Duo, she didn't die in vain. We'll get Shisama," said Nicca. "You can't dwell on the past. Live in the present."
"You sound like a philosopher," he said with a small laugh.
"Well, it makes sense!" She pulled herself onto the ledge and leaned again one of the support beams. "Hildi was close to you. But if you let her memory give you too much pain, then you'll never have any other chances to meet people. I'm not saying anyone can replace her, because that's not possible, but there's always the chance at another friendship close to and/or resembling it." The wind picked up, blowing the clouds in front of the sun. "You just have to let yourself attract that kind of person." He turned around and rested his elbows on the bridge side.
"She was a great person," he murmured. "There's not gonna be someone like her in my life again." Nicka sighed and dangled her legs over the side above the water. "Will you be careful?"
"My mom used to tell my dad that destiny is a bitch: it doesn't have a clue, we don't have a clue, things just happen. But in my opinion, destiny has some sort of idea of who it wants to play with. Right now, I'm thinking it's us. We're fighting to save an entire world and the colonies too. But when fate throws something like death into the mixture of pain and happiness of life, it's not hard: it's damn impossible. Hildi did what she had to in this life: she befriended the Gundam pilot who she saw had the most problems with fate. She even told me that. She helped you in the last war and she can help you now. You just have to let your heart show you what she taught you." The water calmed and became glassy again. Duo looked at his image and saw tears running down his cheeks. He dropped his head down and let the tears come. Nicca didn't say anything, but stroked his hair gently. "If it hurts now and you push it away, it's only gonna hurt more in the future. But if you let it out and take care of it before it over throws you, eventually, it won't hurt so much."
"I could've saved her," he whispered. "She didn't have to die." She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them.
"We both blame ourselves," she said quietly. "I was right there. If that bastard had aimed two inches to the right, it would've hit me. And both of us would still be alive. But I would die, if it meant she was living again." He lifted his head and looked up at her. "Better?" He nodded, then brushed a tear off her face. She hadn't even realized she had been crying. But suddenly, pain welled up from nowhere. He wrapped his arms around her and she buried her face in his shoulder. "Oh, god, Duo. It's all my fault. I should've killed Shisama when I had the chance."
"It's okay," he said. "It's okay, Ni-ko. We'll both get him. For Hildi." There was a crack of thunder and rain came out of nowhere. "Nicca." She lifted her head up. "I don't want to lose you now." She closed her eyes.
"And you did before?" she asked softly. He lifted his hand and his fingers brushed her cheek.
"I never wanted to lose you..." He kissed her gently and, after a moment of lost thought, she kissed him back. Then she pulled back and they stood in the rain, looking at each other, before Duo remembered he even had a car, much less it was right behind them. "We should... get out of the rain."
"Yeah..."
Chapter 4- If Walls Could Talk
Alex walked out of the back of the house and into the garden. God, did the sun never stop shining? But today, it was glinting on something in the fountain. She bent down and pulled a thin chain from the water. But where was the 'L' shaped pendent?
"Lee's necklace," she muttered. She wiped it dry on her shirt and put it on. I can't believe I missed this. Oh, Lee, where are you? She sat on the edge of the fountain and looked up at the cloudless sky. Everything's working towards our favor, but it's all too fake. How can I win if I don't have Lee to fight with? And how can I keep going while I'm so lost? She looked back at the house and saw Quatre leaning in the doorway. She smiled gently at him. But I can depend on one thing: Quatre and the Maganacs.
"Would you like to come in for dinner?" She nodded and stood up. "What's wrong, Miss Alex?"
"I'm just confused," she said, shaking her head. "Nothing new." Rasid met them halfway to the dining room.
"Master Quatre, Mistress Alexi, you must see this. It's about Miss Lee." Alex raised an eyebrow, but followed him do the hanger. Something was being shone on a computer. It was Lee! Sort of...
"I am Alliana Date, formally known as Lee by many, including the Gundam pilots," she said. Alex could only see that her eyes were blank and gone. It wasn't her sister talking. "I am here on behalf of my Lord Shisama to announce six new suits, one of which is mine. They were the armors of Soul Wing, constructed of Gundanium and resembling the Gundams, but their pilots are not the same. They include every one of my former friends and my sister. Lord Shisama wishes these suits, as well as the Gundams and all pilots turned over immediately."
"You've got to kidding me," said Makaro, sitting down on the couch next to Trowa.
"No way..." Seneca trailed off, exchanging a glance with Heero.
"How can she betray us?" wondered Caia, tightening her grip on the glass of water in her hand.
"This is ridiculous!" Nicca threw her hands up in the air and almost smacked Duo. "That traitor!"
"If the suits and pilots are not turned over within 72 hours, the colonies and Earth will suffer. There is no negotiating. All of the requested items and people must be present, or there will still be consequences not to their liking. On behalf of the Jackals, I thank you." She bowed her head and the transmission ended. Alex gripped the edges of the computer console, then regained her composure.
"Damn it!" she swore.
"She doesn't give us any choice," said Quatre. "We have to do what they want. We can't risk innocent lives."
"Quatre..." she trailed off. "This is bull. Lee's my sister. I'm not gonna give in." Then she grinned slyly. "Not totally, anyway."
"So that's it," said Makaro. "We've got to give up. Or there's no way that this world will survive."
"You can't give up," said Trowa. "There's always another way." The computer made a beeping sound and they heard Alex's voice.
"Maka-so, Trowa, drop whatever you're doing. We've got a world to save."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"So basically, half of us create a diversion, half of us do the leg work," said Nicca. She picked at her salad. "That's your plan, Lex-chan?"
"It'll work," said Alex. "Trust me. The guys are the diversion. The rest of us need to get close enough to Lee to beat some sanity into her and then, all six of us get Shisama. It worked before, with our moms."
"First off," said Makaro. She popped a grape into her mouth and swallowed before going on. "My mom almost died. Secondly, they had the Ronins armors and the Soul Bearer armors too. We've got six- five girls with no basic clue and mobile suits."
"Plus Gundams and really cute pilots," added Seneca. "If we do it right, Lex's plan will work. We screw it up and everyone's dead. Us, the guys, Lee, the world, and the colonies. That's the high and low of it."
"We've got two days," said Caia. "To convince the guys and get ready."
"Getting ready won't be hard. Convincing the guys will," said Makaro. "But something else occurs to me. We're gonna end up in a battle to decide all, right? What then?"
"Self destruction," said Alex. "I've taken the liberty of disabling Quatre's self destruct, should they be with us and want to follow suit, so to speak. We're here to protect them in addition to the world."
"I did the same with Heero's," said Seneca sheepishly. "He's done it once before and he won't survive if it happens again." Caia coughed and looked down at her food.
"Me too," she muttered. "I felt so stupid, doing that. But I won't let him die because of me." Nicca voiced her own addition, but only Makaro was silent.
"What's wrong, Makaro?" She lifted her head, tears of laughter in her eyes.
"I killed Trowa's self-destruct too," she said, taking a deep breath. "And he was standing right there! He doesn't know what I did, though." All of the girls started giggling.
Not far away, a figure sat, staring at a cup of tea. He lifted his head and looked at the table of girls, then stood and walked over to them.
"Are you the pilots?" he asked quietly. Makaro lifted her head to him.
"Who wants to know?" she asked. He took something from his pocket and laid it on the table. Alex almost pounced on it.
"That's... that belongs to my sister. Where did you get it?" she asked.
"She left it," he answered. "My name is Miliardo PeaceCraft. She tried to take her life, but misjudged the height of the cliff." Alex gave a small laugh.
"Only her..." Nicca knit her brow in thought.
"Miliardo... wait a minute! I know that name. It's on one of the graves near where... Hildi's buried." Pain overcame her briefly, but she swallowed it. "You're not supposed to be alive, none the less."
"This is an interesting turn of events," muttered Caia. "One brainless best friend and one dead guy. I'm not surpr- ow!" Seneca elbowed her again and shook her head.
"Mr. PeaceCraft, what do you want?" asked Makaro. She stood up. "Will you have a seat?" He shook his head.
"I want to free her. Wherever she is, there's something wrong with her. And... I can't stand seeing her like that." Alex drummed her fingers on the table thoughtfully.
"There's something wrong..." She snapped her fingers. "That's it! The day she disappeared, there was a battle with Shisama. I know that's nothing new, but Lee had been shouting at something. I dismissed it. I shouldn't have, but I didn't want to miss that damned battle." She dropped her head in her hands. "This is all my fault. That's it. I can't involve you in this anymore."
"Lex-chan." Caia's dagger appeared and she played with absent-mindedly. "Let me tell you one thing: we're all connected. Lee vanishes, tries to kill herself, is saved by someone who knew the guys in the last war, and now we've got twelve people for the raid. You can't get anymore connected then that. Stop moping and start thinking of a way to convince those thick headed boys of ours that giving in is, always has been, the last resort."
The End