Episode 7: Death
Duo opened the door to find the tall figure of the Student Council President
standing before him. Duo sighed and started to push the door shut.
"I just had a long night, and I want my sleep. If you're going to challenge
me to a duel it can wait until tomorrow."
Zechs reached out and stopped the door with his hand. "This isn't quite
about a duel. I heard, from Relena, that you had questions about the
badges we all wear."
Duo shot Zechs a careful look, debating whether or not to trust the upper
classman. "Yeah… I do have questions about it."
"Then I will offer you the answers after the duel. The rules of the duels
say I can only tell you the truth about the badge if you win."
Duo frowned and thought about this for a second. "I accept."
Suddenly, from behind Zechs, Quatre and Trowa came running into view. "Duo!
No!" Duo looked at Quatre in surprise. "Tell me you didn't just agree to
another duel!"
"I…" Duo looked confused but nodded. Quatre turned and glared at Zechs.
"You're too late." Zechs said smoothly, speaking to Trowa.
"You planned this." Trowa said softly. "You planned it all."
Zechs merely smiled and walked away. Duo watched him walk in confusion.
What was going on? He looked at Trowa and Quatre and was surprised to see
a sad look in both their eyes.
"What's going on?"
Trowa took a step forward. "You don't know about the duels, Duo. It's too
late now to tell you, for it will make no difference. You've already
agreed to duel."
"I don't understand." Duo glanced over his shoulder to find that Heero had
been standing in the corner watching the entire time, he should have known.
"It doesn't matter if you understand or not. Duo, you can not win the duel
tomorrow, no matter what. You can not win."
Duo narrowed his eyes. "No, you don't understand. I've spent my entire
life wondering what this badge means, ever since Sister Helena and Father
Maxwell died. It's the only link I have to why they died. Zechs-senpai
just offered to explain it all to me if I won the duel. I'm not giving up
that knowledge, not when I'm this close." Duo shut the door and headed for
his bedroom.
"Duo! Matte!" He heard Quatre's slightly muffled voice from behind the
door.
"I'm going to bed!" He yelled back. Duo entered his room and dropped on
the bed, turning away to face the wall. He had to think, but think about
what? Too much was happening lately and he really didn't want to duel
anymore, yet he knew he would.
"Duo."
Duo rolled over to find Heero standing by his bed, looking down at him. It
sounded so strange to hear Heero say his name. It had almost sounded like
the boy's voice was sad, but if Heero ever had any emotions he never showed
them. So he must have been hearing things. He rolled back to face the
wall.
"Duo, why do you duel?"
Duo shrugged without sitting up and looking back. "Because I want to."
Yet that answer even sounded hallow to him.
"Tell me the real reason."
Duo shut his eyes and thought. He couldn't think of another reason, that
was the only one. "That is the real reason."
Heero grabbed his shoulder and pulled him over so the two were facing each
other. Duo looked up in surprise into Heero's blue eyes. "That can't be
the real reason," Heero said quietly. "Or else you would have lost long
ago."
He didn't know what to say. There wasn't anything to say. Why did he
continue to fight these duels? He could have forfeit them long ago and
gone back to being normal. He could have gone back to flirting with girls,
running away from Quatre's insistent homework reminders and dodging
Une-sensai. But he hadn't. Instead he'd continued to duel. Duo
concentrated on the face above his own and admitted something to himself.
He didn't even stay in the duels to annoy Heero anymore. He smiled quietly
and rolled back to facing the wall, surprised that Heero's grip on his
shoulder didn't stop him.
"It's hard to explain, and not something I want to talk about."
"Hn." Heero released Duo's shoulder and took a step back. "Lose the duel
tomorrow Duo."
Duo glanced back at him over his shoulder. "Why? What will happen if I
win?"
Heero turned away toward the window, he didn't answer.
"You care if I win, don't you? Something will happen if I win. And you
care what happens."
"Hn." Heero only grunted and climbed up to the top bunk of the bed. Below
him Duo sighed softly and faced the wall once more. No, he'd lied. He
knew why he fought the duels. As strange as it seemed the one who'd
threatened to kill him before was the one he wanted to protect. He fought
for a pair of deep blue eyes and the smile he had yet to see.
*
The next day Wufei, Quatre, Trowa and Relena entered the student council
room. They had all received letters from OZ which required their presence
at this final duel to watch. Only Wufei and Trowa knew the real reason, OZ
wanted them all in one place so they couldn't interfere with the duel once
it ad begun. But none of them would dare interrupt the duels. It was a
general rule to not mess with powers one didn't understand.
Wufei stood off to the corner watching with his arms crossed, remembering
Melian. This was just like before. Every thing was the same, save that in
the last set of duels he had not been a duelist, he'd only been an innocent
bystander. He could still remember her face when she came back from the
arena those nights, the Star Prince in tow, and a smile because she had won.
She had proved them all wrong once again and asserted her power, the proof
that she could make a difference. She'd had such high hopes… such
beautiful dreams, and they'd all been shattered to help OZ in their plans.
Not this time. Whether Duo won or not Wufei had decided to end it all
tonight. When Treize showed up the duels would end, forever.
Quatre watched the arena floor sadly as Trowa wrapped his arms around the
sad boy. Trowa had explained everything to him the night before, and now
they both had a good idea of what was going to happen this night. It was
painful to know that all they could do was watch and wait. It was all up
to Duo. Quatre grasped the arms wrapped around him and held them tightly,
wrapped safely in Trowa's embrace. He felt safe, as if this wasn't real in
some way. But he knew it was real, and everything waited on the outcome of
this duel.
Relena stood between Quatre, Trowa and Wufei, looking down on the arena with
cold hatred. She had no idea that this was the last of the duels, that
this was the finale of everything. All she could think about was how after
this duel was over she's challenge Duo again and she'd get Heero back.
After all Heero was hers and no one else's. And he would be hers again, no
matter what.
All three watched as Duo, Heero and Zechs entered the arena. Then, suddenly,
the lights went out. Lights below blazed to life all around the gundams
only to show that a strange kind of roof had appeared above the arena.
Quatre stepped forward, out of Trowa's embrace.
"Nani?! How are we supposed to see what's going on?"
"We aren't," said Wufei coldly. "We won't see them until the end of the
duel, then we'll see who has lost." He clenched a fist in remembrance.
Quatre raced for the door to the elevator but found that it didn't open and
didn't respond. "We're trapped up here?"
Trowa looked slowly back to the covered arena. "Then all we can do is
wait."
Quatre closed his eyes sadly. Please let Duo make it through this duel,
let
him make the right choice! But he knew Duo. And he knew that whatever
these duels meant to him Duo would win. And in the end they would all
lose.
*
Duo shuddered as the lights went out for a split second. Above him he could
hear the sounds of gears and cranks, loud sounds of machinery coming to
life. Then, all around them, lights came back on. The lights revealed a
ceiling covering the arena, painted with fake lights that resembles stars.
The gundams hadn't moved, and now the only things you could see in the
arena were the duelists, the Star Prince and the five gundams. Nothing
else. Duo shuddered slightly, this didn't feel right at all. As Heero
placed the roses on their chests Duo looked down at his badge, wondering if
he really should lose this duel like they'd all said. He already knew that
whatever was going to happen at the end of this duel was a bad thing, so
why did he want to win?
Duo met eyes with Heero and just stared at the boy for a moment. Now was
the time to pull the sword. Instead Duo just stared into those eyes, they
were amazing when they still had life in them. But every time he pulled
out the sword they seemed to die… yet not as much as before. Each time he
fought a duel Heero seemed to retain just a little bit more of himself. So
maybe he was fighting for Heero to keep himself. Fighting against the fear
that if he lost Heero would go back to being a statue, a doll. And that
was something he didn't want to happen, not ever again.
The sword appeared in Heero's chest and Duo grasped the hilt, pulling it
free. He glanced into Heero's eyes and smiled lightly as he saw he was
right, part of Heero was still there, watching. Duo turned back to Zechs,
readying himself.
"You really want to know about the badge that much? Tell me, why is it so
important to you?" Zechs moved forward quickly, but not too fast, and Duo
blocked his katana.
Duo frowned and swung for Zechs' rose, missing by a long shot. "Its part of
my past. When they died it was all that I was left." Duo blocked Zechs
swing. "It's the only clue I have to why they had to die."
Zechs smiled. "You mean you want to solve the mystery of fate. The mystery
of Shinigami."
"No, I just want to know why." Duo dodged back away from Zechs' blade. "It
doesn't really matter anymore, true, but I want to know none the less.
There was no reason for them to die!" Duo dived forward and sliced a small
thread off one of the petals of Zechs rose, yet the rest of the rose stayed
attached. Both watched that small bit drift to the floor for a second,
then Duo met Zechs eyes. "I won't lose."
"Even though your friends told you to?" Zechs aimed for Duo's rose once
more.
"They don't understand."
Duo stumbled backward, the last swing from Zechs had been strong and his arm
hurt from the force of the impact. Duo blocked the rose with his arm and
took a few deep breaths. This duel was different from the others. He knew
Zechs was good and he couldn't just rely on luck and instinct, he needed to
think. He needed a plan or he would lose. Duo took a few more deep
breaths to keep himself calm but rolled away in time to miss the blow from
Zechs. He jumped to his feet and raced forward, going straight for the red
rose on Zechs' chest as fast as he could move. Zechs whirled around and
struck out with his sword, missing Duo's rose, instead his sword struck the
end of Duo's braid. There was a thin snap and the hair tie broke. Duo
whirled around to face Zechs as his hair slowly slipped undone.
Shimatta, he thought, Zechs had done that on purpose. Duo wasn't used to
doing things with his hair down and it would hinder his already awkward
movement. It would give Zechs yet another advantage. Zechs dived forward
and Duo was forced to throw himself backward to the ground to avoid the
blade. He found himself on the ground next to Heero's feet.
"Duo," Heero hissed.
Duo looked up at Heero in surprise, there was complete life in the boy's
eyes. He wasn't a statue at all.
Heero held out a hand and touched the end of Duo's blade. Suddenly golden
light flared up around Heero and the sword. Duo felt the hilt of the sword
become warm and the warmth seeped up his arm and into his body. He glanced
back at Heero to find whatever life had been in his eyes was now gone. Duo
took a few steps back in surprise when he heard a soft warning voice in his
mind.
Behind you.
Duo whirled around and brought his blade up just in time to block Zechs'
blow. Zechs only smiled and swung again, yet Duo's arms moved with
practiced ease and blocked the blow once more. His eyes went wide as he
realized that he suddenly knew how to use a sword, and yet it wasn't the
same power that had come from the sword before.
"So you have discovered one of the many powers of the Star Prince,
impressive."
Duo took a few quick steps back them moved forward for Zechs' rose. The
movement was smooth and liquid, like water. It was then that he realized
it. Heero had somehow put himself in the sword and was helping Duo fight.
Duo grinned as he expertly blocked all of Zechs' tries for his rose. At
this rate the duel would go on forever. They were now perfectly matched.
Yet Duo still had a trump card up his sleeve. That strange power from
before.
Duo grasped the sword with both hands tightly. He closed his eyes for a
split second, concentrating. In his hands he felt the sword flare to life
once more and the familiar cold weight settle over his shoulders. He
opened his eyes to see Zechs charging forward in slow motion. Duo simply
stepped to the side and swung, disconnecting Zechs' rose as he moved by.
All around them the sounds of the bells echoed and Duo felt the two strange
powers disappear. He dropped to his knees and the sword clattered onto the
ground next to him. Having one of the strange powers take over was tiring
enough, but both… he could barely move. Duo's entire body ached from
exhaustion. He was glad the duel was over, he didn't think he could stand,
much less move, to fight another. The sword dissolved and Heero walked
slowly to Duo's side as the sound of clapping came from the shadows. Duo
looked up and wiped off his sweat-covered brow as a tall figure stepped
out.
Treize stepped out from the shadows clapping; looking generally pleased with
himself and all those around him. He wore a strange version of the student
council uniform, yet very ornate. It looked like the outfit of royalty in
the military, an outfit that served to impress and place fear in people's
minds. Duo struggled to his feet as Treize walked up to him.
"And just who are you?"
"You were promised knowledge if you won this duel. You have won. What is
it you truly wish to know?"
Duo glanced at Zechs to find him standing there with his normal manor of
power. He'd wanted Duo to win as well, how strange. Duo looked back to
Treize. "The badge. What does it mean?" He took a deep breath. "Who
killed Father Maxwell and Sister Helen?"
Treize simply nodded. "Death killed them."
Duo opened his mouth to protest but stopped as Treize made the slightest of
motions with his hand. From behind Duo Heero stepped forward, walking to
Treize's side. Duo watched in amazement as Heero placed his hand on his
own chest and the hilt to the Star Sword appeared once more. He pulled it
out and there was a strange flash of black. The black settled over Heero's
shoulders in a long cloak that flowed like water. Duo took a step back.
~
He'd found them in the church, lying silently on the ground, unmoving. A
thin cloaked figure was knelt by the body of Sister Helen, a long sword in
his hand. Duo watched in fear as the figure stood up and locked eyes with
him. Duo couldn't see the figure's face, but he could see the eyes. They
were a deep blue, and they were blank, emotionless. The eyes of death.
Death turned away and left for the door. Duo moved after him but stopped as
something fell to the ground at Death's feet. A small badge, in the shape
of a star. Duo knelt down to touch the badge and looked up, only to find
Death gone. That was when it hit him, they were dead. The only people who
had ever cared about him were dead.
Why?
Why did they have to die?
Why?
~
Duo backed away from the two. He finally recognized the eyes. He saw
Heero's eyes watching him from under the hood, silent and emotionless.
Just like the eyes of Death. They were the eyes of Death, and it was the
same sword. Duo glanced down at his own hand, he'd held the very same
sword that had killed Father Maxwell and Sister Helen. The same sword.
His eyes narrowed and he clenched his hand into a fist near his heart. "It
was you? It was you this whole time?!" He clenched the fist tightly; his
body close to shaking with anger. In his mind scenes flashed, things that
had happened between him and Heero. The duels, the conversations, the
jokes he'd made. Even the death threats. All that time it had been Heero
who'd killed them. As his hatred grew Duo felt his chest grow warm.
Then without a single thought he gave a cry of anger. A sword appeared in
his own chest and he drew it. Duo raced forward swinging the sword at
Heero in pure rage.
Duo opened the door to find the tall figure of the Student Council President
standing before him. Duo sighed and started to push the door shut.
"I just had a long night, and I want my sleep. If you're going to challenge
me to a duel it can wait until tomorrow."
Zechs reached out and stopped the door with his hand. "This isn't quite
about a duel. I heard, from Relena, that you had questions about the
badges we all wear."
Duo shot Zechs a careful look, debating whether or not to trust the upper
classman. "Yeah… I do have questions about it."
"Then I will offer you the answers after the duel. The rules of the duels
say I can only tell you the truth about the badge if you win."
Duo frowned and thought about this for a second. "I accept."
Suddenly, from behind Zechs, Quatre and Trowa came running into view. "Duo!
No!" Duo looked at Quatre in surprise. "Tell me you didn't just agree to
another duel!"
"I…" Duo looked confused but nodded. Quatre turned and glared at Zechs.
"You're too late." Zechs said smoothly, speaking to Trowa.
"You planned this." Trowa said softly. "You planned it all."
Zechs merely smiled and walked away. Duo watched him walk in confusion.
What was going on? He looked at Trowa and Quatre and was surprised to see
a sad look in both their eyes.
"What's going on?"
Trowa took a step forward. "You don't know about the duels, Duo. It's too
late now to tell you, for it will make no difference. You've already
agreed to duel."
"I don't understand." Duo glanced over his shoulder to find that Heero had
been standing in the corner watching the entire time, he should have known.
"It doesn't matter if you understand or not. Duo, you can not win the duel
tomorrow, no matter what. You can not win."
Duo narrowed his eyes. "No, you don't understand. I've spent my entire
life wondering what this badge means, ever since Sister Helena and Father
Maxwell died. It's the only link I have to why they died. Zechs-senpai
just offered to explain it all to me if I won the duel. I'm not giving up
that knowledge, not when I'm this close." Duo shut the door and headed for
his bedroom.
"Duo! Matte!" He heard Quatre's slightly muffled voice from behind the
door.
"I'm going to bed!" He yelled back. Duo entered his room and dropped on
the bed, turning away to face the wall. He had to think, but think about
what? Too much was happening lately and he really didn't want to duel
anymore, yet he knew he would.
"Duo."
Duo rolled over to find Heero standing by his bed, looking down at him. It
sounded so strange to hear Heero say his name. It had almost sounded like
the boy's voice was sad, but if Heero ever had any emotions he never showed
them. So he must have been hearing things. He rolled back to face the
wall.
"Duo, why do you duel?"
Duo shrugged without sitting up and looking back. "Because I want to."
Yet that answer even sounded hallow to him.
"Tell me the real reason."
Duo shut his eyes and thought. He couldn't think of another reason, that
was the only one. "That is the real reason."
Heero grabbed his shoulder and pulled him over so the two were facing each
other. Duo looked up in surprise into Heero's blue eyes. "That can't be
the real reason," Heero said quietly. "Or else you would have lost long
ago."
He didn't know what to say. There wasn't anything to say. Why did he
continue to fight these duels? He could have forfeit them long ago and
gone back to being normal. He could have gone back to flirting with girls,
running away from Quatre's insistent homework reminders and dodging
Une-sensai. But he hadn't. Instead he'd continued to duel. Duo
concentrated on the face above his own and admitted something to himself.
He didn't even stay in the duels to annoy Heero anymore. He smiled quietly
and rolled back to facing the wall, surprised that Heero's grip on his
shoulder didn't stop him.
"It's hard to explain, and not something I want to talk about."
"Hn." Heero released Duo's shoulder and took a step back. "Lose the duel
tomorrow Duo."
Duo glanced back at him over his shoulder. "Why? What will happen if I
win?"
Heero turned away toward the window, he didn't answer.
"You care if I win, don't you? Something will happen if I win. And you
care what happens."
"Hn." Heero only grunted and climbed up to the top bunk of the bed. Below
him Duo sighed softly and faced the wall once more. No, he'd lied. He
knew why he fought the duels. As strange as it seemed the one who'd
threatened to kill him before was the one he wanted to protect. He fought
for a pair of deep blue eyes and the smile he had yet to see.
*
The next day Wufei, Quatre, Trowa and Relena entered the student council
room. They had all received letters from OZ which required their presence
at this final duel to watch. Only Wufei and Trowa knew the real reason, OZ
wanted them all in one place so they couldn't interfere with the duel once
it ad begun. But none of them would dare interrupt the duels. It was a
general rule to not mess with powers one didn't understand.
Wufei stood off to the corner watching with his arms crossed, remembering
Melian. This was just like before. Every thing was the same, save that in
the last set of duels he had not been a duelist, he'd only been an innocent
bystander. He could still remember her face when she came back from the
arena those nights, the Star Prince in tow, and a smile because she had won.
She had proved them all wrong once again and asserted her power, the proof
that she could make a difference. She'd had such high hopes… such
beautiful dreams, and they'd all been shattered to help OZ in their plans.
Not this time. Whether Duo won or not Wufei had decided to end it all
tonight. When Treize showed up the duels would end, forever.
Quatre watched the arena floor sadly as Trowa wrapped his arms around the
sad boy. Trowa had explained everything to him the night before, and now
they both had a good idea of what was going to happen this night. It was
painful to know that all they could do was watch and wait. It was all up
to Duo. Quatre grasped the arms wrapped around him and held them tightly,
wrapped safely in Trowa's embrace. He felt safe, as if this wasn't real in
some way. But he knew it was real, and everything waited on the outcome of
this duel.
Relena stood between Quatre, Trowa and Wufei, looking down on the arena with
cold hatred. She had no idea that this was the last of the duels, that
this was the finale of everything. All she could think about was how after
this duel was over she's challenge Duo again and she'd get Heero back.
After all Heero was hers and no one else's. And he would be hers again, no
matter what.
All three watched as Duo, Heero and Zechs entered the arena. Then, suddenly,
the lights went out. Lights below blazed to life all around the gundams
only to show that a strange kind of roof had appeared above the arena.
Quatre stepped forward, out of Trowa's embrace.
"Nani?! How are we supposed to see what's going on?"
"We aren't," said Wufei coldly. "We won't see them until the end of the
duel, then we'll see who has lost." He clenched a fist in remembrance.
Quatre raced for the door to the elevator but found that it didn't open and
didn't respond. "We're trapped up here?"
Trowa looked slowly back to the covered arena. "Then all we can do is
wait."
Quatre closed his eyes sadly. Please let Duo make it through this duel,
let
him make the right choice! But he knew Duo. And he knew that whatever
these duels meant to him Duo would win. And in the end they would all
lose.
*
Duo shuddered as the lights went out for a split second. Above him he could
hear the sounds of gears and cranks, loud sounds of machinery coming to
life. Then, all around them, lights came back on. The lights revealed a
ceiling covering the arena, painted with fake lights that resembles stars.
The gundams hadn't moved, and now the only things you could see in the
arena were the duelists, the Star Prince and the five gundams. Nothing
else. Duo shuddered slightly, this didn't feel right at all. As Heero
placed the roses on their chests Duo looked down at his badge, wondering if
he really should lose this duel like they'd all said. He already knew that
whatever was going to happen at the end of this duel was a bad thing, so
why did he want to win?
Duo met eyes with Heero and just stared at the boy for a moment. Now was
the time to pull the sword. Instead Duo just stared into those eyes, they
were amazing when they still had life in them. But every time he pulled
out the sword they seemed to die… yet not as much as before. Each time he
fought a duel Heero seemed to retain just a little bit more of himself. So
maybe he was fighting for Heero to keep himself. Fighting against the fear
that if he lost Heero would go back to being a statue, a doll. And that
was something he didn't want to happen, not ever again.
The sword appeared in Heero's chest and Duo grasped the hilt, pulling it
free. He glanced into Heero's eyes and smiled lightly as he saw he was
right, part of Heero was still there, watching. Duo turned back to Zechs,
readying himself.
"You really want to know about the badge that much? Tell me, why is it so
important to you?" Zechs moved forward quickly, but not too fast, and Duo
blocked his katana.
Duo frowned and swung for Zechs' rose, missing by a long shot. "Its part of
my past. When they died it was all that I was left." Duo blocked Zechs
swing. "It's the only clue I have to why they had to die."
Zechs smiled. "You mean you want to solve the mystery of fate. The mystery
of Shinigami."
"No, I just want to know why." Duo dodged back away from Zechs' blade. "It
doesn't really matter anymore, true, but I want to know none the less.
There was no reason for them to die!" Duo dived forward and sliced a small
thread off one of the petals of Zechs rose, yet the rest of the rose stayed
attached. Both watched that small bit drift to the floor for a second,
then Duo met Zechs eyes. "I won't lose."
"Even though your friends told you to?" Zechs aimed for Duo's rose once
more.
"They don't understand."
Duo stumbled backward, the last swing from Zechs had been strong and his arm
hurt from the force of the impact. Duo blocked the rose with his arm and
took a few deep breaths. This duel was different from the others. He knew
Zechs was good and he couldn't just rely on luck and instinct, he needed to
think. He needed a plan or he would lose. Duo took a few more deep
breaths to keep himself calm but rolled away in time to miss the blow from
Zechs. He jumped to his feet and raced forward, going straight for the red
rose on Zechs' chest as fast as he could move. Zechs whirled around and
struck out with his sword, missing Duo's rose, instead his sword struck the
end of Duo's braid. There was a thin snap and the hair tie broke. Duo
whirled around to face Zechs as his hair slowly slipped undone.
Shimatta, he thought, Zechs had done that on purpose. Duo wasn't used to
doing things with his hair down and it would hinder his already awkward
movement. It would give Zechs yet another advantage. Zechs dived forward
and Duo was forced to throw himself backward to the ground to avoid the
blade. He found himself on the ground next to Heero's feet.
"Duo," Heero hissed.
Duo looked up at Heero in surprise, there was complete life in the boy's
eyes. He wasn't a statue at all.
Heero held out a hand and touched the end of Duo's blade. Suddenly golden
light flared up around Heero and the sword. Duo felt the hilt of the sword
become warm and the warmth seeped up his arm and into his body. He glanced
back at Heero to find whatever life had been in his eyes was now gone. Duo
took a few steps back in surprise when he heard a soft warning voice in his
mind.
Behind you.
Duo whirled around and brought his blade up just in time to block Zechs'
blow. Zechs only smiled and swung again, yet Duo's arms moved with
practiced ease and blocked the blow once more. His eyes went wide as he
realized that he suddenly knew how to use a sword, and yet it wasn't the
same power that had come from the sword before.
"So you have discovered one of the many powers of the Star Prince,
impressive."
Duo took a few quick steps back them moved forward for Zechs' rose. The
movement was smooth and liquid, like water. It was then that he realized
it. Heero had somehow put himself in the sword and was helping Duo fight.
Duo grinned as he expertly blocked all of Zechs' tries for his rose. At
this rate the duel would go on forever. They were now perfectly matched.
Yet Duo still had a trump card up his sleeve. That strange power from
before.
Duo grasped the sword with both hands tightly. He closed his eyes for a
split second, concentrating. In his hands he felt the sword flare to life
once more and the familiar cold weight settle over his shoulders. He
opened his eyes to see Zechs charging forward in slow motion. Duo simply
stepped to the side and swung, disconnecting Zechs' rose as he moved by.
All around them the sounds of the bells echoed and Duo felt the two strange
powers disappear. He dropped to his knees and the sword clattered onto the
ground next to him. Having one of the strange powers take over was tiring
enough, but both… he could barely move. Duo's entire body ached from
exhaustion. He was glad the duel was over, he didn't think he could stand,
much less move, to fight another. The sword dissolved and Heero walked
slowly to Duo's side as the sound of clapping came from the shadows. Duo
looked up and wiped off his sweat-covered brow as a tall figure stepped
out.
Treize stepped out from the shadows clapping; looking generally pleased with
himself and all those around him. He wore a strange version of the student
council uniform, yet very ornate. It looked like the outfit of royalty in
the military, an outfit that served to impress and place fear in people's
minds. Duo struggled to his feet as Treize walked up to him.
"And just who are you?"
"You were promised knowledge if you won this duel. You have won. What is
it you truly wish to know?"
Duo glanced at Zechs to find him standing there with his normal manor of
power. He'd wanted Duo to win as well, how strange. Duo looked back to
Treize. "The badge. What does it mean?" He took a deep breath. "Who
killed Father Maxwell and Sister Helen?"
Treize simply nodded. "Death killed them."
Duo opened his mouth to protest but stopped as Treize made the slightest of
motions with his hand. From behind Duo Heero stepped forward, walking to
Treize's side. Duo watched in amazement as Heero placed his hand on his
own chest and the hilt to the Star Sword appeared once more. He pulled it
out and there was a strange flash of black. The black settled over Heero's
shoulders in a long cloak that flowed like water. Duo took a step back.
~
He'd found them in the church, lying silently on the ground, unmoving. A
thin cloaked figure was knelt by the body of Sister Helen, a long sword in
his hand. Duo watched in fear as the figure stood up and locked eyes with
him. Duo couldn't see the figure's face, but he could see the eyes. They
were a deep blue, and they were blank, emotionless. The eyes of death.
Death turned away and left for the door. Duo moved after him but stopped as
something fell to the ground at Death's feet. A small badge, in the shape
of a star. Duo knelt down to touch the badge and looked up, only to find
Death gone. That was when it hit him, they were dead. The only people who
had ever cared about him were dead.
Why?
Why did they have to die?
Why?
~
Duo backed away from the two. He finally recognized the eyes. He saw
Heero's eyes watching him from under the hood, silent and emotionless.
Just like the eyes of Death. They were the eyes of Death, and it was the
same sword. Duo glanced down at his own hand, he'd held the very same
sword that had killed Father Maxwell and Sister Helen. The same sword.
His eyes narrowed and he clenched his hand into a fist near his heart. "It
was you? It was you this whole time?!" He clenched the fist tightly; his
body close to shaking with anger. In his mind scenes flashed, things that
had happened between him and Heero. The duels, the conversations, the
jokes he'd made. Even the death threats. All that time it had been Heero
who'd killed them. As his hatred grew Duo felt his chest grow warm.
Then without a single thought he gave a cry of anger. A sword appeared in
his own chest and he drew it. Duo raced forward swinging the sword at
Heero in pure rage.