Chapter Ten: Foreshadowed
She was floating in a world full of white feathers and soft clouds, a haunting melody drifting past her ears. It was peaceful there, no worries, no war, just a pale nothingness that surrounded her in comfort. She turned her head slowly to examine this new world, amazed at how light she felt. It was like a dream, so quiet and calm. She tried to wonder why she felt so detached but the pulsing of the serene world around her kept her thoughts and memories at bay. She could only concentrate on the present, with no compulsion to think of the past or future. She gazed around idly, seeing only white as far as the eye could see. She was completely alone.
Alone.
She felt the first stirrings of fear. She was standing in the middle of nothing, utterly isolated. Where was she? Why was she all alone? She huddled in on herself, a feeling of claustrophobia setting in. She didn't want to be alone.
Do not be afraid, little one. We are here with you.
She looked up as the gentle voice echoed through the cavernous regions of the strange place. She could see nothing but the words took the edge off her fear.
"Where are you?" She asked, like a child, trying vainly to see something admist all that white.
We are with you. You are one of us.
She relaxed slightly, her spirit calming under the sweet tone of the voice. She had been silly to believe she had been abandoned, they had always been with her. A doubt flickered in her mind. Hadn't they?
"One of you?" She asked, softly, looking upward. "What are you?"
We are the Keys.
Ah, yes, she had always known that. Why did she insist on questioning things she had always known? Hadn't she always been a Key? Destined to unite galaxies and save her planet? Again the doubt plagued her. It seemed like there had been more than this lifeless word. Another place full of color and darkness, and...someone dear to her. She shook her head. She had always been here, with the voices. What was wrong with her?
Little one, you must hold steady. They are calling you. Fight them and protect your Earth. Do not betray us.
"Calling me? Who?" She asked, sensing the urgency in the quiet words. Off in the distance she felt a presence, a spot of darkness in her pale land. And it was coming for her. Fear struck up within her again, realizing that she didn't know what to do. She had no way to protect herself. Strangely, her hand moved towards her waist, flickering towards something that wasn't there. She frowned, the sense of that other place fluttering through her mind. She shook her head and looked towards the darkness rushing towards her. A loud voice boomed across the emptiness, the sudden sound causing her to clap her hands over her ears in pain.
"UNLOCK THE SPHERE, RENA BLADEHEART." The female voice snapped, "I WILL HAVE THIS PLANET. JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHERS."
She was confused. Who was this Rena Bladeheart? She stood, frozen in place by fear and the female voice spoke again, though this time it seemed it wasn't aimed at her.
"Kagetsu, secure her. I will have to do this myself."
Relena jerked as she felt something force her arms over head and clasp her wrists together. She struggled against the invisible shackles, crying out to the gentle voice she had heard before.
"Help me!" She cried, "I don't want to do...whatever it is she wants me to. Please! Help me!"
We cannot protect you, little one. Only you can withstand the Holder of the Keys. Fight her and save us. We are with you.
Even as the voice spoke, a form materialized before her. A little fuzzy at first, it soon resolved itself into a strange, yet beautiful person with odd slanted eyes and shining skin. From the depths of her mind came the name of this sudden image.
"The empress." She whispered, and the imperial ruler of the A'rateken threw back her head and laughed, a gratingly harsh sound. Relena tugged against the bonds that held her. Her thoughts were hazy but she knew deep down that if she didn't free herself she would be forced to do something she could not do, or risk damning the whole planet to a future of domination.
"So, the rebel leader turns out to be the Key." The empress laughed, studing her. "I suppose I should have known it would be you. Only a Key would have been able to survive the coming of the Imperial Order and lead a counter attack. Yes, I should have seen it, but then, even my mages failed to realize it at first. " She scoffed, "A bunch of worthless children they are. I don't know why I keep them, except that they do amuse me. Even as we speak, my pitiful Ritara is battling Takuya in some misguided attempt to save her son." She paused thoughtfully, "You know, it is quite odd, but Ritara is almost...human in her love for that boy." She sniffed to show what she thought of that. "Pathetic, really. She will die for that mistake."
Everything was rushing back, in a tumble of past words and situations as Relena realized what the empress was saying. How could she have forgotten the Earth? It was the temptation of a peaceful world and the seduction of the gentle voice that had lured her into forgetting. She must be on guard if she was going to figure a way out of this.
"What do you mean die?" She asked, struggling to free herself from whatever invisible foe held her. "Save her! You have the power!"
"Yes, I do," The empress snarled, clenching her fingers around Relena's throat. "And you have the power to hand me the earth on a silver platter. I WILL have this planet and you will give it to me, or you will die." The fingers tightened painfully. "Invoke the power of the Keys. I am running out of patience."
Relena swallowed convulsively and glared at the empress.
"Save Heer...Gharial's mother and I will."
The empress gritted her teeth, no longer looking beautiful. "Do not bargain with death, girl. I am the Holder of the Keys and, with or without you, I will have the Earth. It is only a matter of time."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Dorothy, is it really you? Why are you--?"
"Be quiet, Quatre."
Quatre flinched back, betrayal flitting across his face. Dorothy, wearing the armor of the A'rateken, kept her gun leveled at him. There was no room for sympathy in her face, and her eyes showed no weakness. Quatre felt his heart shrinking inward, a coldness stealing over him, a remnant of the zero system. She had become one of the enemy, aligning herself with the makers of war, but of course, that had always been her way. She had betrayed Rena and the rest of them.
She had betrayed him.
"What are you doing here, Quatre?" She asked, her voice shaded with sarcasm. "Why aren't you waiting patiently for those who would fight? Secluded somewhere, listening for the end of the war?"
A deep sadness filled his eyes. "Battles for freedom call everyone, not just the soldiers."
Dorothy shrugged, keeping her arm steady. "Leave here, Quatre. This is no place for you."
"And for you?" He shot back, half pleading, half demanding. "Is this the right place for you?"
She turned away from him suddenly, pocketing her sidearm. "War has always been my playground. I am trapped in it as surely as you are trapped in a warrior's body beating with the heart of a pacifist."
He dropped his arms, feeling everything slip away from him. All these years. All these years she had been right in front of them, foreshadowed in the faces of every A'rateken they had killed. He should have known, should have realized, should have seen.
"So you've been defeated, Dorothy." He said, quietly, watching her back tense under his words. "You chose the wrong side. Those who fight for freedom will always prevail. You will be crushed along with A'rateken." He sighed. "I though better of you, Dorothy. I'm disappointed."
She whirled to face him, her eyes spitting blue fire. "How dare you speak to me like you know what I've been through!" She hissed, "You have no right to judge me, Quatre. I've done as I saw fit, for the good of those I fight for. Whether or not you approve matters little to me. Save your pity. I have no room for it."
He met her angry gaze, calmly, feeling lifeless inside. She growled angrily and spun on her heel, stalking out of the room. As soon as she was out of sight, he sagged visibly, tears pricking his eyes.
"Then perhaps you have no room for me either, Dorothy."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
With a motion of his hand, the door to the Room of Keys exploded inward just as Heero ran in, fury becoming his strength. Even as the echo of his blast died away, his eyes found her and filled with raging emotions. Relena was shackled against the circular wall, dressed in the same summer blue dress she had been wearing at the festival only now it was shredded and blood-splattered. Her eyes were closed but her chest rose and fell with the blessed signs of life. Heero hands clenched into fists as his gaze shifted to the slim figure standing before her. The empress stood rigidly, her slanted eyes glazed over and staring vacantly above Relena's head. He moved forward, his purpose clear in his step when a deep voice sounded from across the room.
"Hold, Gharial."
Kagetsu unfolded himself from the wall, watching him with a cold gaze. Heero turned slightly to face him, keeping Relena within his circle of protection.
"Kill the empress and you condemn that young girl to live forever in a white world between galaxies. They are both there now, and the empress will soon have what she desires. As will I."
"And just what is it that you desire, Kagetsu?" Heero asked, his voice made of ice. The Battle Mage smiled slightly.
"The empress, of course."
Heero drew both swords, crossing the blades as Kagetsu suddenly lashed out, a beam of pure light exploding against Heero's shields and peeling the paint from the walls. With a wordless battle cry, Heero launched himself bodily at the other man. He was tired of the useless battles fought safely behind magnetic shields. He thirsted for the fullfillment of close combat, man to man. Swinging one of his swords, he sliced cleanly through Kagetsu's shield, the silver sphere bursting like a pricked bubble. The Mage stepped back, startled by the physical attack. But he regained composure quickly. He unsheathed his curved A'rateken blade, slipping into a swordman's stance. Immediantly, Heero threw aside the sword in his left hand, keeping the one in his right and crossing it with Kagetsu's.
"And so it begins," The Mage said, almost grinning. And it did.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ritara staggered away, collapsing on her back at the entrance to the prison. Her dark green hair spilled over the stone steps, along with an ever growing pool of dark red blood. One hand over the wound in her chest, she vainly tried to draw air into her battered lungs. She turned her head slightly, her vision all ready fuzzy and out of focus but not so much that she couldn't see the still form of her opponent. A small smile graced her lips and she looked skyward, suddenly feeling light and at peace.
~Farewell, Gharial. Remember how much I love you and be strong.~
She breathed out quietly, her eyes drifting shut.
The room fell silent.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heero wrenched aside, narrowly avoiding Kagetsu's blade, as a presence filled the air around him. It enveloped him briefly, not enough to hamper his awareness but he knew instantly what it was and how it had come to be.
Remember how much I love you and be strong...
A gaping sense of loss opened within him, eating at his heart and mind. With a cry that was half a sob, he reached out to the presence as it released him.
"Mother!"
Farewell, Gharial...
"Mother! Wait!"
She was gone.
Grief and anger took over. He whirled and furiously slashed at Kagetsu, his eyes blazing. Kagetsu hurriedly tried to block his sword, sensing the burst of energy in his oponent. Blue lightning arched and spit each time their blades met, but Heero did not let up. He drove Kagetsu back into a corner, his teeth gritted. He feinted, pivoted and raked his blade across the Mage's knee. Kagetsu cried out, but there was no stopping Heero. He swung around and, in a movement too fast for the eye to catch, disarmed the wounded Mage. Kagetsu only had time for a gasp of surprise before he fell backwards, his leg unable to support him.
His dark blue eyes burning with an unearthly fire, Heero stepped forward, the razor edge of his sword against Kagetsu's neck. The Mage looked up at him, a sneer on his face.
"You wouldn't really--"
Heero interrupted him.
"Omae o korosu."
And he flicked his wrist once.
There was a short breathless silence before the sound of a sword clattering to the floor sounded through the room, and Heero turned away, the light dying in his eyes. His mother had been avenged.
tbc....
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Well, was it good? Hope this can tide you over till the next chapter. It will be out this weekend. Dorothy lovers don't kill me, please, everything will resolve itself, for good or bad. *smiles* hope you guys enjoyed this one, and I'm writing as fast as I can! thanks for all the great reviews, I really appreciate them!
Next chapter: Between Galaxies
please review *hugs*
She was floating in a world full of white feathers and soft clouds, a haunting melody drifting past her ears. It was peaceful there, no worries, no war, just a pale nothingness that surrounded her in comfort. She turned her head slowly to examine this new world, amazed at how light she felt. It was like a dream, so quiet and calm. She tried to wonder why she felt so detached but the pulsing of the serene world around her kept her thoughts and memories at bay. She could only concentrate on the present, with no compulsion to think of the past or future. She gazed around idly, seeing only white as far as the eye could see. She was completely alone.
Alone.
She felt the first stirrings of fear. She was standing in the middle of nothing, utterly isolated. Where was she? Why was she all alone? She huddled in on herself, a feeling of claustrophobia setting in. She didn't want to be alone.
Do not be afraid, little one. We are here with you.
She looked up as the gentle voice echoed through the cavernous regions of the strange place. She could see nothing but the words took the edge off her fear.
"Where are you?" She asked, like a child, trying vainly to see something admist all that white.
We are with you. You are one of us.
She relaxed slightly, her spirit calming under the sweet tone of the voice. She had been silly to believe she had been abandoned, they had always been with her. A doubt flickered in her mind. Hadn't they?
"One of you?" She asked, softly, looking upward. "What are you?"
We are the Keys.
Ah, yes, she had always known that. Why did she insist on questioning things she had always known? Hadn't she always been a Key? Destined to unite galaxies and save her planet? Again the doubt plagued her. It seemed like there had been more than this lifeless word. Another place full of color and darkness, and...someone dear to her. She shook her head. She had always been here, with the voices. What was wrong with her?
Little one, you must hold steady. They are calling you. Fight them and protect your Earth. Do not betray us.
"Calling me? Who?" She asked, sensing the urgency in the quiet words. Off in the distance she felt a presence, a spot of darkness in her pale land. And it was coming for her. Fear struck up within her again, realizing that she didn't know what to do. She had no way to protect herself. Strangely, her hand moved towards her waist, flickering towards something that wasn't there. She frowned, the sense of that other place fluttering through her mind. She shook her head and looked towards the darkness rushing towards her. A loud voice boomed across the emptiness, the sudden sound causing her to clap her hands over her ears in pain.
"UNLOCK THE SPHERE, RENA BLADEHEART." The female voice snapped, "I WILL HAVE THIS PLANET. JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHERS."
She was confused. Who was this Rena Bladeheart? She stood, frozen in place by fear and the female voice spoke again, though this time it seemed it wasn't aimed at her.
"Kagetsu, secure her. I will have to do this myself."
Relena jerked as she felt something force her arms over head and clasp her wrists together. She struggled against the invisible shackles, crying out to the gentle voice she had heard before.
"Help me!" She cried, "I don't want to do...whatever it is she wants me to. Please! Help me!"
We cannot protect you, little one. Only you can withstand the Holder of the Keys. Fight her and save us. We are with you.
Even as the voice spoke, a form materialized before her. A little fuzzy at first, it soon resolved itself into a strange, yet beautiful person with odd slanted eyes and shining skin. From the depths of her mind came the name of this sudden image.
"The empress." She whispered, and the imperial ruler of the A'rateken threw back her head and laughed, a gratingly harsh sound. Relena tugged against the bonds that held her. Her thoughts were hazy but she knew deep down that if she didn't free herself she would be forced to do something she could not do, or risk damning the whole planet to a future of domination.
"So, the rebel leader turns out to be the Key." The empress laughed, studing her. "I suppose I should have known it would be you. Only a Key would have been able to survive the coming of the Imperial Order and lead a counter attack. Yes, I should have seen it, but then, even my mages failed to realize it at first. " She scoffed, "A bunch of worthless children they are. I don't know why I keep them, except that they do amuse me. Even as we speak, my pitiful Ritara is battling Takuya in some misguided attempt to save her son." She paused thoughtfully, "You know, it is quite odd, but Ritara is almost...human in her love for that boy." She sniffed to show what she thought of that. "Pathetic, really. She will die for that mistake."
Everything was rushing back, in a tumble of past words and situations as Relena realized what the empress was saying. How could she have forgotten the Earth? It was the temptation of a peaceful world and the seduction of the gentle voice that had lured her into forgetting. She must be on guard if she was going to figure a way out of this.
"What do you mean die?" She asked, struggling to free herself from whatever invisible foe held her. "Save her! You have the power!"
"Yes, I do," The empress snarled, clenching her fingers around Relena's throat. "And you have the power to hand me the earth on a silver platter. I WILL have this planet and you will give it to me, or you will die." The fingers tightened painfully. "Invoke the power of the Keys. I am running out of patience."
Relena swallowed convulsively and glared at the empress.
"Save Heer...Gharial's mother and I will."
The empress gritted her teeth, no longer looking beautiful. "Do not bargain with death, girl. I am the Holder of the Keys and, with or without you, I will have the Earth. It is only a matter of time."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Dorothy, is it really you? Why are you--?"
"Be quiet, Quatre."
Quatre flinched back, betrayal flitting across his face. Dorothy, wearing the armor of the A'rateken, kept her gun leveled at him. There was no room for sympathy in her face, and her eyes showed no weakness. Quatre felt his heart shrinking inward, a coldness stealing over him, a remnant of the zero system. She had become one of the enemy, aligning herself with the makers of war, but of course, that had always been her way. She had betrayed Rena and the rest of them.
She had betrayed him.
"What are you doing here, Quatre?" She asked, her voice shaded with sarcasm. "Why aren't you waiting patiently for those who would fight? Secluded somewhere, listening for the end of the war?"
A deep sadness filled his eyes. "Battles for freedom call everyone, not just the soldiers."
Dorothy shrugged, keeping her arm steady. "Leave here, Quatre. This is no place for you."
"And for you?" He shot back, half pleading, half demanding. "Is this the right place for you?"
She turned away from him suddenly, pocketing her sidearm. "War has always been my playground. I am trapped in it as surely as you are trapped in a warrior's body beating with the heart of a pacifist."
He dropped his arms, feeling everything slip away from him. All these years. All these years she had been right in front of them, foreshadowed in the faces of every A'rateken they had killed. He should have known, should have realized, should have seen.
"So you've been defeated, Dorothy." He said, quietly, watching her back tense under his words. "You chose the wrong side. Those who fight for freedom will always prevail. You will be crushed along with A'rateken." He sighed. "I though better of you, Dorothy. I'm disappointed."
She whirled to face him, her eyes spitting blue fire. "How dare you speak to me like you know what I've been through!" She hissed, "You have no right to judge me, Quatre. I've done as I saw fit, for the good of those I fight for. Whether or not you approve matters little to me. Save your pity. I have no room for it."
He met her angry gaze, calmly, feeling lifeless inside. She growled angrily and spun on her heel, stalking out of the room. As soon as she was out of sight, he sagged visibly, tears pricking his eyes.
"Then perhaps you have no room for me either, Dorothy."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
With a motion of his hand, the door to the Room of Keys exploded inward just as Heero ran in, fury becoming his strength. Even as the echo of his blast died away, his eyes found her and filled with raging emotions. Relena was shackled against the circular wall, dressed in the same summer blue dress she had been wearing at the festival only now it was shredded and blood-splattered. Her eyes were closed but her chest rose and fell with the blessed signs of life. Heero hands clenched into fists as his gaze shifted to the slim figure standing before her. The empress stood rigidly, her slanted eyes glazed over and staring vacantly above Relena's head. He moved forward, his purpose clear in his step when a deep voice sounded from across the room.
"Hold, Gharial."
Kagetsu unfolded himself from the wall, watching him with a cold gaze. Heero turned slightly to face him, keeping Relena within his circle of protection.
"Kill the empress and you condemn that young girl to live forever in a white world between galaxies. They are both there now, and the empress will soon have what she desires. As will I."
"And just what is it that you desire, Kagetsu?" Heero asked, his voice made of ice. The Battle Mage smiled slightly.
"The empress, of course."
Heero drew both swords, crossing the blades as Kagetsu suddenly lashed out, a beam of pure light exploding against Heero's shields and peeling the paint from the walls. With a wordless battle cry, Heero launched himself bodily at the other man. He was tired of the useless battles fought safely behind magnetic shields. He thirsted for the fullfillment of close combat, man to man. Swinging one of his swords, he sliced cleanly through Kagetsu's shield, the silver sphere bursting like a pricked bubble. The Mage stepped back, startled by the physical attack. But he regained composure quickly. He unsheathed his curved A'rateken blade, slipping into a swordman's stance. Immediantly, Heero threw aside the sword in his left hand, keeping the one in his right and crossing it with Kagetsu's.
"And so it begins," The Mage said, almost grinning. And it did.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ritara staggered away, collapsing on her back at the entrance to the prison. Her dark green hair spilled over the stone steps, along with an ever growing pool of dark red blood. One hand over the wound in her chest, she vainly tried to draw air into her battered lungs. She turned her head slightly, her vision all ready fuzzy and out of focus but not so much that she couldn't see the still form of her opponent. A small smile graced her lips and she looked skyward, suddenly feeling light and at peace.
~Farewell, Gharial. Remember how much I love you and be strong.~
She breathed out quietly, her eyes drifting shut.
The room fell silent.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Heero wrenched aside, narrowly avoiding Kagetsu's blade, as a presence filled the air around him. It enveloped him briefly, not enough to hamper his awareness but he knew instantly what it was and how it had come to be.
Remember how much I love you and be strong...
A gaping sense of loss opened within him, eating at his heart and mind. With a cry that was half a sob, he reached out to the presence as it released him.
"Mother!"
Farewell, Gharial...
"Mother! Wait!"
She was gone.
Grief and anger took over. He whirled and furiously slashed at Kagetsu, his eyes blazing. Kagetsu hurriedly tried to block his sword, sensing the burst of energy in his oponent. Blue lightning arched and spit each time their blades met, but Heero did not let up. He drove Kagetsu back into a corner, his teeth gritted. He feinted, pivoted and raked his blade across the Mage's knee. Kagetsu cried out, but there was no stopping Heero. He swung around and, in a movement too fast for the eye to catch, disarmed the wounded Mage. Kagetsu only had time for a gasp of surprise before he fell backwards, his leg unable to support him.
His dark blue eyes burning with an unearthly fire, Heero stepped forward, the razor edge of his sword against Kagetsu's neck. The Mage looked up at him, a sneer on his face.
"You wouldn't really--"
Heero interrupted him.
"Omae o korosu."
And he flicked his wrist once.
There was a short breathless silence before the sound of a sword clattering to the floor sounded through the room, and Heero turned away, the light dying in his eyes. His mother had been avenged.
tbc....
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Well, was it good? Hope this can tide you over till the next chapter. It will be out this weekend. Dorothy lovers don't kill me, please, everything will resolve itself, for good or bad. *smiles* hope you guys enjoyed this one, and I'm writing as fast as I can! thanks for all the great reviews, I really appreciate them!
Next chapter: Between Galaxies
please review *hugs*