Perspectives of the War
Or
Final Battles
Part 1
Duo's Prayer
By Maverick
Disclaimer: None of the Gundam Wing characters belong to me…I just like to write fics…so, please don't sue me!
Duo fell to the ground. His knees collapsed from under him. He turned up to see his Gundam, Deathscythe, all battered, practically beyond repair, but, now, it didn't matter. A smile slipped past Duo's lips. The war was over…over…what a wonderful word.
Suddenly, Duo felt his eyes burn, and, he knew why. Quatre…Wufei…they were both gone. They fought till the bitter end and there was nothing that he could do about it. The only thing he could do was…
Duo brought his hands together in front of this face, then lowered them to press against his chest. This was something he hadn't done in a long time, but, now, it seemed appropriate.
"Lord," Duo prayed, breathing heavily. "Lord, keep Quatre and Wufei in Your hands. Keep them in heaven with You. They were good people…they were good people. They fought only because they had to." With that, Duo ended his prayer, and shakily stood. He wiped the sweat, tears and blood from his face. What was he going to do now? The war was over, his Gundam was destroyed, and he was only 16.
/Take it step by step/ Duo told himself.
"Congratulations."
Duo looked up sharply to see a figure…a girl. He figured she had meant congratulations for making it out of the war. She walked toward him and held out her hand so he could steady himself.
Duo squinted. "Thank you." He looked at the girl curiously. "Who are you?"
The blonde child with green eyes of about 15 smiled. "My name is Sarah." She stated. "I saw you, and thought you might need some help."
Duo let out a laugh, but, it was half-assed.
"What's wrong?" Sarah questioned with a worried expression.
Duo shook his head, and felt the sting at his eyes again, felt the tears well up.
"My-my friends…"he stuttered. "They didn't make it. They couldn't see this…" Duo looked around. The place was destroyed, but, for the first time, looked so beautiful because death and war would no longer demolish it.
Sarah nodded and took a light hold of Duo's arm. "Why don't you walk with me, Duo."
Duo could only be led by her. She took him to a shelter, where soldiers were being cared for. Duo grimaced and looked away. The place reeked of blood, rotting, and death. He felt the vomit climb his throat, making him choke.
"Can we go somewhere else?" He gasped. Sarah nodded.
/What's wrong with you?/ Duo asked himself. /You deal with that sort of thing every day…why was that different?/
Suddenly, Duo found himself in a small coffee shop. He was sipping a cup of Java. He felt it slip hotly down his throat, easing some of the pain, but, it caused him to begin to think.
Sarah looked curiously at Duo's face.
"Why are you so sad?"
Duo was pulled from his daze.
"I just…" he began, looking at his coffee. He then looked up at his companion. "I need to know if Quatre and Wufei are ok. And what about the others?"
Sarah placed her hand on Duos. Her smile warmed him, and eased his mind.
"They will be fine." She whispered. "You have to trust that."
Duo and Sarah left, and began to walk down the sidewalk. The brisk air mussed Duo's hair and freezed the sweat that lingered on his face.
Sarah stopped, and Duo turned to see what she was looking at. It began to snow when he realized what it was. A graveyard. Duo shivered and felt the vomit rise again.
"Why does this bother you?" Sarah asked fervently.
Duo turned to her. "I don't like death." He laughed at that comment. "How ironic…" /I am the God of Death./
Sarah sighed. "Death can be a wonderful thing, Duo-"
"-not for me!" Duo interrupted. "I killed so many…when I die, I don't deserve to be with Quatre and Wufei. They fought for a good cause, but…" Duo paused, "What was the reason that I fought? Why did I really fight?" he turned roughly from Sarah. He couldn't face her…then, suddenly, he realized something. "How---how do you know my name?"
He only heard silence from Sarah. Then, a light glittered on his face. He faced Sarah again and gasped.
Sarah's face became lit and her smile was soft and warm. Her blonde locks became of silver and her eyes, once green, glowed an emerald. Light protruded from her hands as she reached up to touch Duo, who stood wide-eyed, and for the first time, speechless.
"Duo…" Sarah whispered. "Duo…"
Finally finding his voice, Duo's voice cracked out "Who are you?"
Sarah's smile became comforting. "I am your guardian."
Duo became confused. "My…guardian…?" His eyes widened when he realized what she meant. He stepped back. "no…"
Sarah advanced on him. "Duo…"
"NO!" Duo yelled. "That's impossible!" He pointed to the graveyard. "I don't belong there!"
Suddenly, Duo found himself back where he had started. His Gundam was still there, but this time, Duo saw himself beside it. His body lay, covered in blood. This time, Duo did throw up.
"When I congratulated you," Sarah explained, "I was doing that because you saved yourself. Not only did you help your friends, but, you showed your faith."
Tears mixed with Duo's vomit. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't speak. All he could do was weep bitter tears.
Sarah knelt beside Duo, and put her arms around him.
"It's time."
Duo looked up at his guardian. He was still hesitant. He still couldn't believe.
Sarah embraced Duo. Then, she pulled away, and, ever so softly, pressed her lips to Duo's. The kiss was beautiful. No attraction was connected to it. Duo felt Sarah's breathe, cool, and healing. Suddenly, he felt no more pain, no more bitterness, no more sadness…no more fear.
Sarah pulled Duo to her again. He felt a light encase him as both he and Sarah rose into the air in a pillar of glittering silver.
/Or,/ He thought, /are those wings?/
Duo glanced down as the ground became further and further away. He flinched when he saw Heero fall from his own Gundam. His mind screamed to go to him when he saw Heero collapse.
"Wait…" Sarah whispered.
Duo watched. Suddenly, he understood, and a soft smile crossed his face.
Heero lifted his head, and, slowly made his way over to Duo's lifeless body. He held Duo close, then, rested his head against Duo's, and muttered a prayer for him.
That is the end of part one…part 2 is next…--