DISCLAIMER: With the exception of Kumi Yuy and Sette Devion, the Gundam Wing characters are not mine! I also do now own the song 'I Think It's Gonna Rain Today,' which is Bette Midler's and the creators of the movie 'Beaches.'
Author Notes: I know that I've shocked A LOT of readers with the last episode...I, too, am a HUGE Duo fan. I promise, there's A LOT more to this story, with 49 episodes to it even though I can't make any promises or give anything away! And I don't intend on disappointing anybody, especially the loyal readers of this saga! ::on knees with folded hands:: PLEASE continue to read! Thank you! ::hugs:: Love 'yas! SkyLark
Gundam Wing: The Second Chapter
Episode 30: The Ones Left Behind
by SkyLark
with help from Snodin, Vampira, Sam, Stormy, Beekay, Silver Star, GREETER 600, Ruby and all supporters of this fic
The remains of Deathscythe were discovered after a thorough search by Lieutenant Jacob's men. Since the suit had been left in its stealth mode, the search was not an easy one. It took almost two hours to locate the Gundam. When it was finally found, the Preventers brought the remains into their ship. Lieutenant Jacobs was in the hanger when the invisible Gundam was led by several Preventer mobile suits. Once his men were inside, Jacobs climbed what appeared to be simply air. As he did this, he managed to feel around and located the cockpit. He turned the stealth mode off and the invisible shield vaporized.
The soldiers looked to the Gundam with wide eyes and pale faces. Jacobs gave the same reaction and lowered his head when he stepped to the ground of the hanger and looked to the suit, himself. Deathscythe was missing its right arm, left leg, and the right half of its face. There were also great holes through the remainder of the suit that was existent.
One young man standing in the back crossed himself as he lowered his head. The Lieutenant's jaw fell slack as he tried to say something, unable to tear his gaze to the damaged suit. Finally, he breathlessly whispered, "Tell Keiser that we found what we were looking for." One of the Preventers behind him nodded sadly as she lowered her head and replied, "Yes, sir."
At this, she left the room while the others remained in the hanger, still looking to the remains of Deathscythe in shock, terror and grief. Jacobs sighed deeply and closed his eyes, "Please don't let this be a sign of what's to come from this war." The silence of the room was deafening as the Preventers were torn between screaming or running from the hanger.
* * * * * *
On Pulsar, Trowa walked into one of the dark lounges of the massive ship. The door closed behind him, making the light of the moon the only source of brightness for the small space. The tall pilot was sobbing as he walked to the window. Looking to the moon, he could hear Duo's voice in his head when he once told him, "When you're as close to the moon as you are when you're in the colonies, it looks just like a graveyard." The European pilot rested his hand on the glass before him, touching where the side of the moon was visible.
Biting his lip, Trowa lowered his head and chocked, "I'm so sorry, Duo." He began to feel tears streaming down his face and brought his hands up to try and dry them. Suddenly, he heard something moving behind him. The pilot spun quickly with wide eyes, now knowing that someone else had already been in the room before he entered.
Kumi walked to him slowly. She said quietly when she stood before him, "Don't be sorry for something that isn't your fault, Trowa." Raising her right hand, the silver-haired pilot dried the remaining tears that had fallen. Kumi frowned and rested her hand on the other pilot's cheek and their eyes remained locked on each other. "You didn't do anything wrong," she almost whispered.
Trowa shook his head and removed Kumi's hand. His eyes narrowed and looked away from the 'Perfect Soldier' as he stated, "If I had translated that transcript even ten minutes sooner than I had, Duo would still be alive...It's my fault he isn't with us anymore." The Japanese pilot shook her head, "You can't think like that, Trowa."
Before she could continue, the other pilot turned back to her and shouted, "Why the hell not!?! It's the truth!" His fists were clenched tight and he quickly turned back to look at the moon. After a pause, he whispered in a sob, "I couldn't save him...I did everything I could and I still couldn't save him..."
The silver-haired pilot walked beside him and told him, "What you did saved the lives of millions. We now know that OZ has had secret alliances with a large number of colonies. Now, there won't be a threat on the lives of other Preventers that might had been sent to those colonies." Trowa growled deeply, "But I couldn't-"
Before the tall pilot could continue, Kumi wrapped her arms around his waist, helping some of the tension in his body fade. Resting her head on his shoulder, she whispered, "Exactly, you couldn't...There wasn't anything that you could have done that would have gotten Duo out of V10 alive...You're not the blame. If you're going to point the blame at someone, point it at Quinze Khshrenadah and OZ...Point it at Foreign Minister Falseon for creating the alliance between them...Just don't point it at yourself."
Trowa's eyes softened and his hands were no longer fists and his arms worked their way around Kumi's waist. He buried his face in her shoulder and sobbed. Kumi rubbed his back as she closed her eyes and sighed deeply. Still in the embrace, Trowa sobbed quietly, "Thank you...It's just...I miss Duo so much." Kumi nodded and replied, "We all do."
There was a brief pause and Trowa asked quietly, "Please tell me this war will be over soon, Kumi." The silver-haired pilot opened her eyes and said sincerely, "I wish that I could..." The tall pilot's arms around her tightened and she whispered again, even softer, "...I wish I could." The door to the lounge opened and the pilots looked to see who was entering, though they went on holding each other.
Keiser entered and said quietly, "I'm sorry to interrupt." Looking to the young woman, he said, "I just need you for a few minutes." Trowa's arms tightened upon hearing this, almost afraid that he would fall apart of the other pilot was to leave. Kumi felt the change in his hold and whispered just low enough that only he could hear, "It'll be alright, Trowa. I won't be long." A little hesitant, the tall pilot nodded, "Okay." The pilots lowered their arms slowly.
Walking to Keiser, Kumi nodded once and walked out of the room with the Lieutenant. Once they were out in the empty hallway, Keiser looked to the Gundam pilot and said with a frown and a deep sigh, "Jacobs and his men found Deathscythe." Kumi's cobalt eyes widened for a moment upon hearing this. The Preventer continued, "We need a Gundam pilot to identify the image, since you would recognize the suit better than anyone...I figured that...well, you're the most..." Keiser was losing his search for the right words and was thankful when Kumi nodded, "I'll confirm the suit as to whether or not it is Deathscythe." The Lieutenant nodded back, "Thank you."
Commander Wilcox of Pulsar was in the control room, still trying to get over Duo's death, himself. He lowered his head sadly when he saw Kumi and said quietly, "Are you sure you'll be alright doing this?" The young woman assured him, "I'll be fine." Wilcox hesitantly nodded and stepped away from a small screen that displayed the image of Deathscythe as it lied in Jacob's hanger.
The cobalt eyes of the pilot widened, then saddened as she gazed upon the nearly unrecognizable suit. She turned pale and caught her breath in a small, sharp gasp. Her bottom lip quivered a bit and she rested a hand on the monitor as the image of the damaged suit remained. Finally, Kumi nodded after she closed her eyes, "It's Deathscythe." Keiser turned the monitor off right away, not wanting to make this any more difficult on the pilot than it needed to be. Kumi finally caught her breath as her arms wrapped around her waist.
Kumi's eyes went on to look forward to the blank screen in shock mixed with grief. Keiser placed a hand on her shoulder and asked kindly, "Are you okay?" Lowering her head, the pilot said quietly in a deep sigh, "In the back of my mind, I was just hoping that there might have been some kind of mistake..." Wilcox nodded and whispered, "We all hoped the same thing..." There was a pause and Kumi lowered her hand from the blank screen.
The Commander sat beside the pilot and asked, "What should we tell Jacobs to so with the suit?" Kumi thought for a moment, then looked to the Preventers and answered, "Please tell him to have the remains sent her as soon as possible...We should rebuild Duo's suit...And have the demon wings enlarged and defined to the size of Wing Zero's." Keiser asked, "...For another pilot?" The young woman shook her head, "No...It's all that we have of Duo now...It should be restored and kept in his memory."
Wilcox and Keiser agreed as they nodded back. Clearing her throat, Kumi said quietly, "I'm going to check on the others now...They're all going through a hard time right now...We're going to head back to the Earth as soon as possible." The commander said gently, "Of course." Looking to Keiser, Kumi said sternly, "Take care of Lady Une and Marimaya. They'll need all the support they can get." Keiser nodded, "I'll take good care of them." With a lowered head, the silver-haired pilot made her way from the hanger as the Preventers watched with heavy hearts.
* * * * * *
In the furthest reaches of space, Heero was in the hanger of Captain Wilson's ship, sitting on Wing Zero's right arm and waiting quietly. Duo would be arriving at the ship anytime now. Trying to hold back his anticipation as best he could, Heero lied back and leaned against his suit's metal with his eyes closed. His wounds had been dressed and his bruises were not half as dark as they had been.
The door to the hanger opened, causing the pilot's eyes to snap open. Sitting up instantly, Heero quickly jumped from his suit and reached the floor of the hanger. He ran to see who entered as he made his way around his Gundam's head. He smiled brightly and called, "Duo!" as he rounded the suit. He stopped in his tracks when he saw that it was Captain Wilson. The young man looked with a look of grief to the Wing pilot. Heero's heart instantly plummeted as he looked to the captain.
"Where's Duo?" he asked quietly, almost frightened of what the answer was going to be. David cleared his throat and took a deep breath, Heero, I...We just received notification about V10." Heero nodded, trying to remain as calm as possible, though his face was beginning to show great concern. He allowed the Preventer to find the words he was searching for. Finally, Wilson looked up to him and whispered, "Colony V10 had a secret alliance with OZ."
Heero's eyes widened and he lunged at the captain. Instantly, he grabbed the man's shoulders and pinned his back against Wing Zero's arm. He shouted in demand, "What happened to Duo!?! Is he alright!?!" David was not frightened by the sudden actions of the pilot. He could only imagine what was going through his mind right now, being worried about his partner.
Taking a small breath, Wilson said to the glaring pilot, "Colony V10 was destroyed by OZ somehow, not long after we learned of the alliance." Heero's grip on his shoulders loosened as his eyes began to grow frightened. He shook his head and said quietly in attempt to convince himself, "But Duo got out of there just fine, right...You can't kill Death..."
Wilcox's eyes closed slowly, almost painfully as he couldn't stand having to see the lost look in the Wing pilot's face. "I'm sorry, Heero... But, Duo is dead." he finally said in a small voice. The moment these words were spoken, a whimper left Heero as his eyes widened. His hands released the captain and fell to his side. The pilot shook his head slowly as he barely managed to whisper, "No...no, he can't be..." He became pale and stepped backwards a few paces, still shaking his head.
Unable to fight the small tears in his eyes, Davis said quietly, "I wish that I could tell you that it isn't true..." Heero gave a loud gasp and wrapped his arms tightly around his waist, as if he had been kicked in the chest. He really felt as though he couldn't breathe as he doubled over and struggled to catch his breath. Heero went on to walk to his suit, almost struggling to do so. He caught himself from falling forward as his right hand held him up, pressing on Wing Zero's arm.
The captain stepped forward, trying to see if there was something that he could say or do...But he knew that there wasn't anything that would be able to take the pain from the 'Perfect Soldier.' The Wing pilot said quietly, in a choked sob, "Was Duo in pain before he...?" Wilcox shook his head, "No, the colony was wiped out by some massive beam while he was still in the colony's heart...He wouldn't have been able to feel anything since it all happened so fast."
While there was so much pain coursing through his body, mind and heart, Heero took almost a small sigh of relief upon hearing this...His worst fear was that Duo would have been suffering before death would claim him...He also know that was one of Duo's worst fears.
Still holding himself up, and not lifting his lowered head, Heero nodded and whispered, "Thank you...I...I just need to be alone..." David nodded and walked back, still looking to the pilot. "If you need anything, just let me know...We'll help anyway that we can." The captain left and the door closed behind him, leaving Heero alone in the hanger again.
(Intro to 'I Think It's Gonna Rain Today' Begins)
[Broken windows and empty hallways,
a pale dead moon in a sky streaked with gray.
Human kindness is overflowing,
and I think it's gonna rain today.]
The moment that the door closed, Heero fell to his knees, giving into their weakness. The moment he folded into himself, he sobbed loudly and struggled to breathe. Tears fell like a steady rain from his eyes as he felt the world around him falling at the seams, unable to ever be restored. Shaking, the Wing pilot let out all of his pain and grief as he mourned for Duo.
Heero struggled and pulled himself to his feet. Slowly, he made his way to Wing Zero's cockpit. Once in there, he lied back in his seat, looking up to the dome ceiling of the hanger. As fate would have it, there was a shower of falling stars. The 'Perfect Soldier' looked to them as more tears rolled down his cheeks. His right hand brushed some of the wet trails away, though there were to be countless more to come.
[Scarecrows dressed in the latest styles,
the frozen smiles to chase love away.
Human kindness is overflowing,
and I think it's gonna rain today]
Meanwhile, on Earth and in their safe house, the Gundam pilots sat together in the living room. There was a fire glowing in their hearth and casted shadows that danced throughout the room. Trowa and Quatre were sitting on the floor, in front of the couches that their friends lied and sat on. Wufei was sitting at the window of the room, looking out and holding a shotgun on his lap as he volunteered to be the lookout that night. Delapan was lying on one of the couches in the middle of the room while Zes and Novem sat at another.
[Lonely, lonely.
Tin can at my feet,
I think I'll kick it down the street.
That's the way to treat a friend]
In the hanger below, Kumi and Sette were nailing two long pieces of wood together to cross in the middle. When the nails were hammered in, the silver-haired pilot removed a paintbrush from a can of black paint. Sette held the cross down as her friend wrote in bold letters across the wood, 'Duo Maxwell' and blew on the wet paint when the name was finished.
Sette wiped a stray tear from her right cheek as she looked to the cross that they made. Kumi got to her feet, still holding the hammer and the tomboy did the same, taking the cross into her right hand. The two pilots left the hanger from a hidden door that led them to the ground level. Walking outside, they saw that it had begun to snow again that night in light flurries.
[Bright before me the signs implore me:
Help the needy and show them the way.
Human kindness is overflowing,
and I think it's gonna rain today]
Walking to a small hill just a half-mile from the cabin, the ex-princess held the cross up as she pushed the base into the snow-covered earth. Kumi took the hammer and began hitting the top of the cross, making it fit into the ground without much difficulty on accound of her strength. Sette bit her lip. This was not the first time the two pilots had done anything like this, but the fact that it was someone as close as Duo made it extremely hard to cope with.
Satisfied that the cross would not be moving anywhere, Kumi lowered her arms to her side and stepped back to look at the memorial. Sette stood beside her, arms crossed and breathing puffs of smoke in the freezing air. The wind blew their long hair to their sides and played with the snow that continued to fall.
The tomboy lowered her head and made a sign of the cross before turning to head back to the cabin. Kumi ran her right hand along Duo's name, still unable to believe that the jovial pilot was dead. With a frown, she turned back to the house, unable to look to the cross any longer.
[Lonely, so lonely.
Tin can at my feet,
I think I'll kick it down the street.
That's the way to treat a friend]
Wing Zero was now floating lifelessly in space along with the rain of falling stars. Inside, Heero was lying in his seat as he looked to a picture of Duo that he always took with him whenever he was off on his missions. Placing the photo back in its spot just besides the monitor, the young pilot wiped another tear that found its way past his eye.
[Bright before me the signs implore me:
Help the needy and show them the way.
Human kindness is overflowing]
His focus went to the gold cross around his neck. Taking the pendant into his hands, he brought it up to have a better look at the gift his lover had given him to make it through his missions safely. Heero bit his lip as he choked back a sob. Closing is eyes, he squeezed the cross's bade with both hands tightly. The gold cut into his palms, causing streams of blood to run down his forearms.
The warm liquid was enough to make the Wing pilot opened his eyes. Looking to the pendant, he wiped his blood that had stained the metal. He whispered sadly, "Wherever you are, Duo, I've died with you." He brought the cross closer to his face as he closed his eyes and placed a tender kiss in the middle of the pendent. Lowering the cross to lie on his chest again, he lied back, not caring about anything any longer.
[and I think it's gonna rain...
Heero looked to the shooting stars and whispered, "Sleep well, my love." He closed his eyes as more tears made their way down his face.
[today]
* * * * * *
Milliardo was standing over the cradle of Mirando as he looked to his sleeping son. The Preventer gazed with sad eyes to the child, fighting the urge to wake him and hold him a bit longer. The last day and a half had been the most challenging that he ever remembered facing. It was not long before Noin quietly woke and looked to her husband. Rising from the bed, she whispered, "Sweetheart?" Milliardo turned to face her with the same sad look. He whispered in concern, "I'm sorry... Did I wake you?" Fire shook her head and answered honestly, "I couldn't sleep anyway." The couple hugged tightly and looked to their son as they stood in each other's arms.
Mirando was sleeping soundly on his stomach, too young to know what was happening in the world around him. Wind sighed deeply, "They're so young...Heero, Kumi, Relena, Sette, Trowa, Wufei, Quatre, Dorothy, Catherine...all of them, they're still practically children." A small tear rolled down his right eyes as he whispered in a chocked sob, "For them to lose Duo the way they have is not something I would wish on my worst enemy." Noin dried two tears that fell down her face as she nodded and whispered back, "I know, love...But they have to stay strong...They know that the future depends on them."
Milliardo looked to his wife and asked quietly, "How many more of them will have to be sacrificed before mankind realizes just how wrong it is to start wars like this?" Noin shook her head, "I don't know... But they're not about to stop fighting, regardless of the fact that they have lost one of their own...They're like a family and they won't let Duo's death go unavenged."
Lowering her head, Fire whispered sadly, "As for Heero...We can only hope that somehow, we'll be able to get through to him." Her husband sighed deeply, "I couldn't even begin to imagine what he must be going through right now..." His embrace around Noin tightened as he stated, "If anything happened to you, I would be as lost as he is right now." His wife returned the tightness in her embrace as she nodded, "I feel the same about you."
Mirando gave a small sigh and opened his eyes dreamingly. He looked up to see his parents standing over his crib. The baby smiled and raised his hands as he rolled to his side. The couple couldn't help but smile warmly to the child and Milliardo picked him up. Using one hand to hold Mirando against his chest and the other to wrap around Noin's waist, the Preventer kissed Mirando's head.
Rubbing her son's back, Noin whispered, "As much as I wish I could say that we've gotten through the worst of this war...I'm afraid that more than likely isn't the case." Her husband replied, "You're right in saying that...Let's just do what we can to keep from surrendering." Fire nodded silently and rested her head against her husband's chest.
* * * * * *
Sette was sitting with Wufei and the other pilots in the living room the next day. All of the pilots looked exhausted, physically and mentally as they lounged together. The Chinese pilot sighed deeply, "The Eve Ears and the Marimaya incident combined were a cakewalk compared to this war." The tomboy nodded and she took a small sip from her water bottle, "No argument there. I've never seen anything like this." Trowa asked quietly, "Any word from Kumi as to whether to not she was able to get through to Heero yet?" Delapan shook her head, "She's been in the hanger the whole time since our return here. I doubt that she had any luck yet. She would have said otherwise by now."
Zes lowered her head on the couch's armrest where she sat as she frowned, "I don't think that Heero wants to be found." Novem looked to her with wide eyes and asked in concern, "What makes you say that, Miss Relena?" Zes replied, "Duo was his reason for living...Now that he's..." As much as the pilots were barely dealing with the fact that Duo was dead, none of them could actually bring themselves to actually say the words. It was just too painful. The other pilot understood that she was trying to say. Zes continued, "...Heero's lost the one person and reason he had to stay alive all this time." Quatre swallowed a lump in his throat and replied, "You're right, Zes. Duo was everything to him and now he's lost him."
Wufei looked to the Arabian and asked, "Can you get anything on him with your Space Heart, there, Quatre?" The blonde pilot shook his head and closed his eyes, "It's as if Heero's shut himself from everything around him...I can feel anything." Sette sighed deeply and shook her head, "You know, I had a dream with Duo in it last night...He was smiling as if all was right in the world." Trowa gave a small, sad smile as he said quietly, "I miss that smile." Zes nodded, "I do, too."
The sound of footsteps running up from the hanger below startled the pilots as they sat up and looked to the entrance from to the dining room and kitchen. Kumi ran into the living room as she panted to catch her breath. "I've managed to patch into Wing Zero," she informed her comrades as she continued to try and catch her breath. Instantly, everyone jumped to their feet and behind the black-clad pilot as she flew back down to the hanger.
The moment everyone reached the hanger, Kumi gently grabbed Quatre's wrist and led him towards the main system. The Arabian looked to his friend with wide, almost nervous eyes as he was not sure why he was brought here. Kumi locked eyes with him, placing her hands on either shoulder of the smaller pilot. "I need you to be the person to speak to Heero once we're patched in."
Quatre gasped loudly and quickly asked, "W-why?" Sette was now just as nervous as her fiancee when she heard this. The ex-princess stood beside the two pilots and looked to Kumi as she asked, "Why does Quatre have to be the one?" Kumi explained in monotone, "His Space Heart might be able to help in learning what Heero is going through, and what he might be planning to do, if we can't get him to talk for long."
Sette's eyes widened and she grabbed Kumi's arm and pulled her back a bit to have a word with her alone. "We'll be right back, guys," the tomboy told the others as she led the 'Perfect Soldier' back from the other pilots. Kumi agreed to be led off, though she was in no way being forces as she released her arm as soon as the tomboy grabbed it. The moment they could speak quietly and freely, Sette snapped in a harsh whisper, "What the hell are you thinking, making Quatre do this?"
Kumi deadpanned as she crossed her arms, "As I have already said, Quatre is the only person who can possibly figure out what is going through Heero's mind and heart. We need that information if we ever hope to bring Heero back in one piece before he gets himself killed."
The ex-princess growled deeply, "Need I remind you of the time that Quatre was taken by insanity when his father was killed? You were there to help him when it happened then. But, Heero and Duo have known him as family, as well. I'm amazed he hasn't lost his mind since Duo was killed. Having him feel the pain and suffering that Heero's going through right now could send him back into that darkness again. It was hard enough for you to get through him the first time, but you might not be able to save him again if this sends him off the deep end a second time." Kumi stated, "You don't have to remind me of that time, Sette. But, we can't afford to lose another one of us."
The tomboy snapped, "That's what till happen if we make Quatre do this." The silver-haired pilot shook her head, "I'm not going to let the darkness take him again, Sette. I made that promise to Quatre and I'm making that promise to you." She forced her partner to lock eyes with her and said clearly, "Quatre. Won't. Be. Taken. Again. Understood?" Sette's eyes widened for a moment at her friend's conviction. Licking her lips, she took a deep breath and relaxed again. Finally, she lowered her head and nodded, "Alright." Kumi gave a nod and walked back to the other pilots. Sette warned quietly as she watched her leave, "Don't screw this up, Yuy."
Kumi made her way back to Quatre, who was being supported by the others. "You don't have to go through this if you don't want to, Quatre. If you're not comfortable with this, just let me know and you won't have any part of it," she assured the blonde pilot. There was a brief pause and Sette returned, standing with those who were giving the Arabian comfort. Quatre asked quietly, "Will you be right next to me the whole time?"
The young woman's cobalt eyes widened for a moment at the question and she nodded, "Hai, if that's what you want." The Arabian looked to the silver-haired pilot and said quietly, with a small smile, "You'd never steer me wrong." A very small smile crossed Kumi's lips at these words. Running a hand through Quatre's blond locks, she said quietly, "Alright."
The pilots all stepped back to give their friends room as they watched and listened in the back of the room. Sette looked the most nervous, though all of her friends looked anxious and worried. Kumi stood beside the Arabian, who took the seat before the main monitor of the control panel. As he placed a headset on, the silver-haired pilot explained to the Arabian, "I only managed to lock onto Wing Zero's audio signal. So, you won't have to worry about anything other than what Heero says." Quatre nodded, "Got it."
The blonde pilot closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, already starting to sweat a little. He felt Kumi take his right hand onto her left as she squeezed it. "Take all the time that you need. I won't patch you through unless you're sure that you're ready." Quatre nodded and squeezed his comrade's hand back, afraid that the other pilot might disappear. Almost reading his thoughts, Kumi assured him quietly, "I'm not going anywhere, I promise." Quatre nodded and slowly opened his eyes.
Taking one more deep breath, the Arabian looked up to the Japanese pilot and nodded, "I'm ready." Kumi silently took a deep breath, herself and gave a single nod back. Her free hand flipped a series of switches on the control panel. There was a red light that was lit at the top of the board. When the last switch was flipped, it switched to green, signaling that the connection was made and the line was open. They were now able to take to Heero. There was no turning back now.
Quatre held his left headphone against his ear with his free hand as he began in a small voice, "Heero?" The moment the name left him, the Arabian felt a lump forming in his throat. Kumi could already begin to feel the darkness she felt in Quatre during the Eve Wars beginning to make its way towards the Arabian. She closed her eyes as she mentally prepared to fight it off as Quatre spoke to her cousin. The whole time, there was no answer from the Wing pilot, only silence.
Trowa and his friends all stayed still and silent as they listened for anything. After almost a minute without any reply, Quatre called more clearly, "Heero?" There was again no response. Finally, a very faint and hoarse voice answered, "Quatre?" Instantly, the other pilots gasped or reacted in some fashion as they heard their friend's voice finally reply. The Arabian smiled and sighed in relief, "Heero, I knew that you'd answer." Kumi was still fighting the darkness, though her eyes did open the instant she heard her cousin's voice.
In the cockpit of Wing Zero, Heero remained still as he continued to lie back in his seat. Quatre's gentle voice asked in concern, "Heero?...H-How are you?" The Japanese pilot's hand went up to wrap his right hand around the pendant that fell from his neck. He answered, still faintly with a choked sob, "I miss him, Quatre..." Squeezing the cross gently, his arm began to shake as tears began to cascade down his cheeks. "I miss Duo so much," he whispered.
Back in their hanger, the Wing pilot's comrades were either crying or on the verge to do so as they listened to the pained voice. Quatre dried his face with his free hand as he whispered back, "I know, Heero..." Kumi's eyes closed as a stray tear rolled down her left eye. She had to continue to concentrate on fighting the darkness, which was coming back stronger now. She gave a reassuring squeeze on the Arabian's hand to help give him the strength to continue. Quatre pleaded quietly, "Heero, please tell us where we can find you...We're all here to help you through this. Please don't try to do this alone."
Heero closed his eyes, still holding onto the cross as a few more tears rolled from his eyes. "I'm beyond help now," he whispered sincerely, in a low voice that was almost inaudible and a shadow of what it normally was. He truly sounded as though he was no longer among the living. Quatre's voice replied, "Don't say that, Heero. It isn't true." The Japanese pilot's free hand slowly made its way to the transmitter. When it reached and gripped onto a handful of cords, he yanked them from their sockets in a swift tug.
Seeing that the connection was lost, Quatre and Kumi shouted instantly as they looked to the monitor with wide eyes in one voice, "NO!" They let go of their hands as the silver-haired pilot worked at the control panel. After a moment of trying several buttons and switches, she lowered her head and sighed deeply, "We lost him." Quatre dried some of the tears that remained on his cheeks and shook his head, "We lost him when Duo was killed."
Suddenly, Kumi felt the darkness coming on strong as she gave a small cry of pain and fell to her knees, gripping her stomach as her arms wrapped around her. Quatre and Trowa shouted, "Kumi!" The silver-haired pilot was breathing heavy as she was now sweating badly. The two pilots were about to try and help by lifting her when Sette got between them and the 'Perfect Soldier,' shouting, "Don't touch her!"
Now, all of the pilots were circling around their friends as they sprinted from their places in the back of the room. Trowa shouted to the ex-princess, "WHY NOT!" It was killing him to see the young pilot in pain. Sette informed him, "She's fighting something right now and can't be broken in her concentration. If you touch her, it'll do more harm than good." Quatre's eyes widened as he whispered, "It's the darkness, isn't it?" His fiance nodded and replied quietly, "Yes."
The Japanese pilot was shouting again as she held her upper half up with her hands, which were now tight fists, on the metal ground below her, arching her back up in the air. The others watched in fear as some of them backed up from her. Trowa's eyes widened as he whispered breathlessly, "I-It was Kumi the whole time, wasn't it...During the Eve Wars, when Quatre was flying Wing Zero after his father's death."
The tomboy looked to him, almost hesitant to answer, since she didn't know if Kumi wanted him to know the answer. Seeing her friend in pain, however, she knew that she had to be honest, whether Kumi wanted her to be or not. She nodded, "Yes, Trowa...It was her the whole time." The tall pilot looked back to the silver-haired pilot with a look of concern mixed with amazement. The 'Perfect Soldier' continued to fight the darkness with everything she had as she went on growling deeply with her eyes still squeezed shut in agony.
Finally, with one last, long and loud cry, the silver-haired pilot collapsed on her stomach, spread across the ground below her. Trowa yelled, "Kumi!" as he ran to her side. Quatre and Sette were right behind him. The fallen pilot began to groan deeply as she moved a bit. "I'll be fine," she told the pilots as she looked up to them. Sette took Trowa's right arm and Quatre's left as she pulled them back, allowing Kumi to get up on her own. The 'Perfect Soldier' slowly made her way onto her feet without any assistance.
Looking to her startled comrades, the sweat-coated pilot took some deep breaths in attempt to catch up with what had been lost during the struggle. She gave a single nod to the Arabian and stated simply, "It's been put to rest again...This time for good." Quatre blinked, taken back by this news. Then, he smiled warmly and threw his arms around Kumi. The silver-haired pilot returned the gesture, almost hesitant as if she forgot how to hug someone.
The soldier sighed deeply and closed her eyes. When she hug broke, Sette gave her a hug as well, and pulled pack quickly as she said quietly, "Thank you...I-I'm sorry about that snap earlier-" Her partner shook her head and wiped some of the sweat from her face as she replied, "It's alright, Sette...Right now I just need to get some rest." Zes asked in concern, "Are you going to be alright? Do you need anything?" Kumi answered in her soldier voice, "Don't worry about me, I'm fine." She paused and looked to the others as she suggested, "It's been a long two days...We all could use our rest...We're still in the middle of a war."
With no argument there, the pilots all made their way up the stairs. Trowa was one of the last to climb the stairs, looking to Kumi with the same shock that he had when he realized that she was the one responsible for saving Quatre in the Eve Wars. "Kumi was the one I was calling for all this time...No wonder I've felt as though I've always known her," he thought to himself. The silver-haired pilot looked to him for a brief moment, before nodding once for him to go upstairs.
The moment that Wufei, the last to leave the hanger, began to climb the stairs, he heard the monitors on the hanger turn on automatically. The dark eyes of the pilot widened as he looked to the screens. He called to the others, "You guys might want to see this!" The others all looked back to him, then began in reenter the hanger quickly. The blue screens of the control panel revealed nothing for a long time, until all of the pilots made their way around the system to see what was happening.
The image of a man in his late twenties appeared. His red hair was shining under the lights of the room he sat in. Hid OZ uniform showed that he was a man of rank and honor for the organization. His brown eyes were piercing as he looked forward to the viewers. Wufei's eyes narrowed as he growled deeply, "What the hell is this?" His friends all glared to the screen now, disgusted with the man before they ever got to know exactly who he was. Anything associated with OZ was a disgrace and something to be hated in all of their eyes.
The man smiled, "My name is General Vance Cray, of the OZ ship known as Quasar." Trowa's ears perked up the instant the ship's name entered his ears. It was the same, quilled ship that he had snuck onto months prior to this time. The general continued, "By now, everyone on Earth and in space is receiving this message...I am speaking on behalf of his excellency, Quinze Kushrenadah." The blood of all of the pilots was truly boiling now, just hearing the name of the man responsible for this war and the death of their friend, Duo.
"For those of you who have not heard, OZ has eliminated Gundam Pilot 02. I can assure all of you that the Gundam pilots he left behind will be joining him before long...This announcement is for all of the colonies who have not allied with us as of yet...You have twenty-four hours to sign with us and fight by our side. After this time, those who have not done so will be seen as our foes and treated as such when we have won this war. By now, all of you should realize that there is not a chance your precious Gundam pilots will be able to stop us."
All of the pilots were growling, clenching fists, whatever it was to show that they were ready to kill the young man and everyone who stood for OZ. Cray sneered, "Finally, I have a message for the Gundam pilots...Don't fuck with OZ." The man's image disappeared as the screen went black. With a loud cry, Wufei sent his right fist into one of the small screens he stood before. The others all looked to him with respect and understanding, since they felt exactly the same way. As he removed his blood-covered hand from the broken monitor, the Chinese pilot hissed, "Bastards."
Novem removed a scarf from her pocked at wrapped the wounded hand of her friend. "My sediments exactly," she said sincerely. Wufei snapped, "I want every one of those sons of bitches to suffer." Delapan nodded, "They will. We're not out of this war yet." Sette chuckled deeply and shook her head, "Spoken like a true Gundam pilot." Wufei looked to Kumi and motioned with his head to the broken screen, "Sorry about that." The silver-haired pilot smirked, "Actually, I was about to do the same thing...The screen can always be replaced."
Dorothy finished wrapping Wufei's hand and sighed deeply, "We won't be doing anyone any good by not getting any sleep." Quatre nodded, "She's right. We might as well turn in." The others agreed and made their way upstairs. Nobody was expected to be a lookout for the night, since everyone had lost so much sleep the last two days. It was a pretty safe bet to say that nothing was going to happen that night.
* * * * * *
Sette was sleeping in her room well past midnight. Her eyes slowly opened when she thought that she heard a shuttle of some kind flying overhead. This was a normal sound, since there were civilizations many miles away that crossed the woods where the safe house was hidden. Still, something about the sound of this one caused her to wake up.
Walking to her window as she rubbed her eyes, the tomboy yawned loudly. Looking out, she saw that the sky was clear. Not a shuttle was in the sky. Shrugging, the pilot told herself, "Must be hearing things." As she made her way back to her bed, however, something made her stop in her place. "It did sound awful close, though," she thought aloud as she looked to her mattress. The ex-princess took her blue robe and wrapped it over her long nightgown.
Reaching a door down the hall, Sette knocked gently and called in a whisper, "Quatre? Can I come in, hon?" There was no response. Knocking again, a bit louder this time, Sette gave a concerned look and called, "Quatre?" When there was no response, the pilot opened the door and entered quickly. Mason's pilot stopped cold in her tracks as she looked with tide eyes in her fiancee's room. Quatre's bed had not been slept in and the room was empty. The moonlight made it easy to see that the Arabian's sneakers were nowhere to be found, either. "No," Sette gasped to herself. She flew from the room and ran down to the hanger.
Sette reached the hanger and turned the lights on. She covered her mouth and gasped. In a small voice, she whispered "Quatre? What are you doing?" One of the private ships was missing, with nothing but a barren spot where it had rested.
TBC
Author Notes: I know that I've shocked A LOT of readers with the last episode...I, too, am a HUGE Duo fan. I promise, there's A LOT more to this story, with 49 episodes to it even though I can't make any promises or give anything away! And I don't intend on disappointing anybody, especially the loyal readers of this saga! ::on knees with folded hands:: PLEASE continue to read! Thank you! ::hugs:: Love 'yas! SkyLark
Gundam Wing: The Second Chapter
Episode 30: The Ones Left Behind
by SkyLark
with help from Snodin, Vampira, Sam, Stormy, Beekay, Silver Star, GREETER 600, Ruby and all supporters of this fic
The remains of Deathscythe were discovered after a thorough search by Lieutenant Jacob's men. Since the suit had been left in its stealth mode, the search was not an easy one. It took almost two hours to locate the Gundam. When it was finally found, the Preventers brought the remains into their ship. Lieutenant Jacobs was in the hanger when the invisible Gundam was led by several Preventer mobile suits. Once his men were inside, Jacobs climbed what appeared to be simply air. As he did this, he managed to feel around and located the cockpit. He turned the stealth mode off and the invisible shield vaporized.
The soldiers looked to the Gundam with wide eyes and pale faces. Jacobs gave the same reaction and lowered his head when he stepped to the ground of the hanger and looked to the suit, himself. Deathscythe was missing its right arm, left leg, and the right half of its face. There were also great holes through the remainder of the suit that was existent.
One young man standing in the back crossed himself as he lowered his head. The Lieutenant's jaw fell slack as he tried to say something, unable to tear his gaze to the damaged suit. Finally, he breathlessly whispered, "Tell Keiser that we found what we were looking for." One of the Preventers behind him nodded sadly as she lowered her head and replied, "Yes, sir."
At this, she left the room while the others remained in the hanger, still looking to the remains of Deathscythe in shock, terror and grief. Jacobs sighed deeply and closed his eyes, "Please don't let this be a sign of what's to come from this war." The silence of the room was deafening as the Preventers were torn between screaming or running from the hanger.
* * * * * *
On Pulsar, Trowa walked into one of the dark lounges of the massive ship. The door closed behind him, making the light of the moon the only source of brightness for the small space. The tall pilot was sobbing as he walked to the window. Looking to the moon, he could hear Duo's voice in his head when he once told him, "When you're as close to the moon as you are when you're in the colonies, it looks just like a graveyard." The European pilot rested his hand on the glass before him, touching where the side of the moon was visible.
Biting his lip, Trowa lowered his head and chocked, "I'm so sorry, Duo." He began to feel tears streaming down his face and brought his hands up to try and dry them. Suddenly, he heard something moving behind him. The pilot spun quickly with wide eyes, now knowing that someone else had already been in the room before he entered.
Kumi walked to him slowly. She said quietly when she stood before him, "Don't be sorry for something that isn't your fault, Trowa." Raising her right hand, the silver-haired pilot dried the remaining tears that had fallen. Kumi frowned and rested her hand on the other pilot's cheek and their eyes remained locked on each other. "You didn't do anything wrong," she almost whispered.
Trowa shook his head and removed Kumi's hand. His eyes narrowed and looked away from the 'Perfect Soldier' as he stated, "If I had translated that transcript even ten minutes sooner than I had, Duo would still be alive...It's my fault he isn't with us anymore." The Japanese pilot shook her head, "You can't think like that, Trowa."
Before she could continue, the other pilot turned back to her and shouted, "Why the hell not!?! It's the truth!" His fists were clenched tight and he quickly turned back to look at the moon. After a pause, he whispered in a sob, "I couldn't save him...I did everything I could and I still couldn't save him..."
The silver-haired pilot walked beside him and told him, "What you did saved the lives of millions. We now know that OZ has had secret alliances with a large number of colonies. Now, there won't be a threat on the lives of other Preventers that might had been sent to those colonies." Trowa growled deeply, "But I couldn't-"
Before the tall pilot could continue, Kumi wrapped her arms around his waist, helping some of the tension in his body fade. Resting her head on his shoulder, she whispered, "Exactly, you couldn't...There wasn't anything that you could have done that would have gotten Duo out of V10 alive...You're not the blame. If you're going to point the blame at someone, point it at Quinze Khshrenadah and OZ...Point it at Foreign Minister Falseon for creating the alliance between them...Just don't point it at yourself."
Trowa's eyes softened and his hands were no longer fists and his arms worked their way around Kumi's waist. He buried his face in her shoulder and sobbed. Kumi rubbed his back as she closed her eyes and sighed deeply. Still in the embrace, Trowa sobbed quietly, "Thank you...It's just...I miss Duo so much." Kumi nodded and replied, "We all do."
There was a brief pause and Trowa asked quietly, "Please tell me this war will be over soon, Kumi." The silver-haired pilot opened her eyes and said sincerely, "I wish that I could..." The tall pilot's arms around her tightened and she whispered again, even softer, "...I wish I could." The door to the lounge opened and the pilots looked to see who was entering, though they went on holding each other.
Keiser entered and said quietly, "I'm sorry to interrupt." Looking to the young woman, he said, "I just need you for a few minutes." Trowa's arms tightened upon hearing this, almost afraid that he would fall apart of the other pilot was to leave. Kumi felt the change in his hold and whispered just low enough that only he could hear, "It'll be alright, Trowa. I won't be long." A little hesitant, the tall pilot nodded, "Okay." The pilots lowered their arms slowly.
Walking to Keiser, Kumi nodded once and walked out of the room with the Lieutenant. Once they were out in the empty hallway, Keiser looked to the Gundam pilot and said with a frown and a deep sigh, "Jacobs and his men found Deathscythe." Kumi's cobalt eyes widened for a moment upon hearing this. The Preventer continued, "We need a Gundam pilot to identify the image, since you would recognize the suit better than anyone...I figured that...well, you're the most..." Keiser was losing his search for the right words and was thankful when Kumi nodded, "I'll confirm the suit as to whether or not it is Deathscythe." The Lieutenant nodded back, "Thank you."
Commander Wilcox of Pulsar was in the control room, still trying to get over Duo's death, himself. He lowered his head sadly when he saw Kumi and said quietly, "Are you sure you'll be alright doing this?" The young woman assured him, "I'll be fine." Wilcox hesitantly nodded and stepped away from a small screen that displayed the image of Deathscythe as it lied in Jacob's hanger.
The cobalt eyes of the pilot widened, then saddened as she gazed upon the nearly unrecognizable suit. She turned pale and caught her breath in a small, sharp gasp. Her bottom lip quivered a bit and she rested a hand on the monitor as the image of the damaged suit remained. Finally, Kumi nodded after she closed her eyes, "It's Deathscythe." Keiser turned the monitor off right away, not wanting to make this any more difficult on the pilot than it needed to be. Kumi finally caught her breath as her arms wrapped around her waist.
Kumi's eyes went on to look forward to the blank screen in shock mixed with grief. Keiser placed a hand on her shoulder and asked kindly, "Are you okay?" Lowering her head, the pilot said quietly in a deep sigh, "In the back of my mind, I was just hoping that there might have been some kind of mistake..." Wilcox nodded and whispered, "We all hoped the same thing..." There was a pause and Kumi lowered her hand from the blank screen.
The Commander sat beside the pilot and asked, "What should we tell Jacobs to so with the suit?" Kumi thought for a moment, then looked to the Preventers and answered, "Please tell him to have the remains sent her as soon as possible...We should rebuild Duo's suit...And have the demon wings enlarged and defined to the size of Wing Zero's." Keiser asked, "...For another pilot?" The young woman shook her head, "No...It's all that we have of Duo now...It should be restored and kept in his memory."
Wilcox and Keiser agreed as they nodded back. Clearing her throat, Kumi said quietly, "I'm going to check on the others now...They're all going through a hard time right now...We're going to head back to the Earth as soon as possible." The commander said gently, "Of course." Looking to Keiser, Kumi said sternly, "Take care of Lady Une and Marimaya. They'll need all the support they can get." Keiser nodded, "I'll take good care of them." With a lowered head, the silver-haired pilot made her way from the hanger as the Preventers watched with heavy hearts.
* * * * * *
In the furthest reaches of space, Heero was in the hanger of Captain Wilson's ship, sitting on Wing Zero's right arm and waiting quietly. Duo would be arriving at the ship anytime now. Trying to hold back his anticipation as best he could, Heero lied back and leaned against his suit's metal with his eyes closed. His wounds had been dressed and his bruises were not half as dark as they had been.
The door to the hanger opened, causing the pilot's eyes to snap open. Sitting up instantly, Heero quickly jumped from his suit and reached the floor of the hanger. He ran to see who entered as he made his way around his Gundam's head. He smiled brightly and called, "Duo!" as he rounded the suit. He stopped in his tracks when he saw that it was Captain Wilson. The young man looked with a look of grief to the Wing pilot. Heero's heart instantly plummeted as he looked to the captain.
"Where's Duo?" he asked quietly, almost frightened of what the answer was going to be. David cleared his throat and took a deep breath, Heero, I...We just received notification about V10." Heero nodded, trying to remain as calm as possible, though his face was beginning to show great concern. He allowed the Preventer to find the words he was searching for. Finally, Wilson looked up to him and whispered, "Colony V10 had a secret alliance with OZ."
Heero's eyes widened and he lunged at the captain. Instantly, he grabbed the man's shoulders and pinned his back against Wing Zero's arm. He shouted in demand, "What happened to Duo!?! Is he alright!?!" David was not frightened by the sudden actions of the pilot. He could only imagine what was going through his mind right now, being worried about his partner.
Taking a small breath, Wilson said to the glaring pilot, "Colony V10 was destroyed by OZ somehow, not long after we learned of the alliance." Heero's grip on his shoulders loosened as his eyes began to grow frightened. He shook his head and said quietly in attempt to convince himself, "But Duo got out of there just fine, right...You can't kill Death..."
Wilcox's eyes closed slowly, almost painfully as he couldn't stand having to see the lost look in the Wing pilot's face. "I'm sorry, Heero... But, Duo is dead." he finally said in a small voice. The moment these words were spoken, a whimper left Heero as his eyes widened. His hands released the captain and fell to his side. The pilot shook his head slowly as he barely managed to whisper, "No...no, he can't be..." He became pale and stepped backwards a few paces, still shaking his head.
Unable to fight the small tears in his eyes, Davis said quietly, "I wish that I could tell you that it isn't true..." Heero gave a loud gasp and wrapped his arms tightly around his waist, as if he had been kicked in the chest. He really felt as though he couldn't breathe as he doubled over and struggled to catch his breath. Heero went on to walk to his suit, almost struggling to do so. He caught himself from falling forward as his right hand held him up, pressing on Wing Zero's arm.
The captain stepped forward, trying to see if there was something that he could say or do...But he knew that there wasn't anything that would be able to take the pain from the 'Perfect Soldier.' The Wing pilot said quietly, in a choked sob, "Was Duo in pain before he...?" Wilcox shook his head, "No, the colony was wiped out by some massive beam while he was still in the colony's heart...He wouldn't have been able to feel anything since it all happened so fast."
While there was so much pain coursing through his body, mind and heart, Heero took almost a small sigh of relief upon hearing this...His worst fear was that Duo would have been suffering before death would claim him...He also know that was one of Duo's worst fears.
Still holding himself up, and not lifting his lowered head, Heero nodded and whispered, "Thank you...I...I just need to be alone..." David nodded and walked back, still looking to the pilot. "If you need anything, just let me know...We'll help anyway that we can." The captain left and the door closed behind him, leaving Heero alone in the hanger again.
(Intro to 'I Think It's Gonna Rain Today' Begins)
[Broken windows and empty hallways,
a pale dead moon in a sky streaked with gray.
Human kindness is overflowing,
and I think it's gonna rain today.]
The moment that the door closed, Heero fell to his knees, giving into their weakness. The moment he folded into himself, he sobbed loudly and struggled to breathe. Tears fell like a steady rain from his eyes as he felt the world around him falling at the seams, unable to ever be restored. Shaking, the Wing pilot let out all of his pain and grief as he mourned for Duo.
Heero struggled and pulled himself to his feet. Slowly, he made his way to Wing Zero's cockpit. Once in there, he lied back in his seat, looking up to the dome ceiling of the hanger. As fate would have it, there was a shower of falling stars. The 'Perfect Soldier' looked to them as more tears rolled down his cheeks. His right hand brushed some of the wet trails away, though there were to be countless more to come.
[Scarecrows dressed in the latest styles,
the frozen smiles to chase love away.
Human kindness is overflowing,
and I think it's gonna rain today]
Meanwhile, on Earth and in their safe house, the Gundam pilots sat together in the living room. There was a fire glowing in their hearth and casted shadows that danced throughout the room. Trowa and Quatre were sitting on the floor, in front of the couches that their friends lied and sat on. Wufei was sitting at the window of the room, looking out and holding a shotgun on his lap as he volunteered to be the lookout that night. Delapan was lying on one of the couches in the middle of the room while Zes and Novem sat at another.
[Lonely, lonely.
Tin can at my feet,
I think I'll kick it down the street.
That's the way to treat a friend]
In the hanger below, Kumi and Sette were nailing two long pieces of wood together to cross in the middle. When the nails were hammered in, the silver-haired pilot removed a paintbrush from a can of black paint. Sette held the cross down as her friend wrote in bold letters across the wood, 'Duo Maxwell' and blew on the wet paint when the name was finished.
Sette wiped a stray tear from her right cheek as she looked to the cross that they made. Kumi got to her feet, still holding the hammer and the tomboy did the same, taking the cross into her right hand. The two pilots left the hanger from a hidden door that led them to the ground level. Walking outside, they saw that it had begun to snow again that night in light flurries.
[Bright before me the signs implore me:
Help the needy and show them the way.
Human kindness is overflowing,
and I think it's gonna rain today]
Walking to a small hill just a half-mile from the cabin, the ex-princess held the cross up as she pushed the base into the snow-covered earth. Kumi took the hammer and began hitting the top of the cross, making it fit into the ground without much difficulty on accound of her strength. Sette bit her lip. This was not the first time the two pilots had done anything like this, but the fact that it was someone as close as Duo made it extremely hard to cope with.
Satisfied that the cross would not be moving anywhere, Kumi lowered her arms to her side and stepped back to look at the memorial. Sette stood beside her, arms crossed and breathing puffs of smoke in the freezing air. The wind blew their long hair to their sides and played with the snow that continued to fall.
The tomboy lowered her head and made a sign of the cross before turning to head back to the cabin. Kumi ran her right hand along Duo's name, still unable to believe that the jovial pilot was dead. With a frown, she turned back to the house, unable to look to the cross any longer.
[Lonely, so lonely.
Tin can at my feet,
I think I'll kick it down the street.
That's the way to treat a friend]
Wing Zero was now floating lifelessly in space along with the rain of falling stars. Inside, Heero was lying in his seat as he looked to a picture of Duo that he always took with him whenever he was off on his missions. Placing the photo back in its spot just besides the monitor, the young pilot wiped another tear that found its way past his eye.
[Bright before me the signs implore me:
Help the needy and show them the way.
Human kindness is overflowing]
His focus went to the gold cross around his neck. Taking the pendant into his hands, he brought it up to have a better look at the gift his lover had given him to make it through his missions safely. Heero bit his lip as he choked back a sob. Closing is eyes, he squeezed the cross's bade with both hands tightly. The gold cut into his palms, causing streams of blood to run down his forearms.
The warm liquid was enough to make the Wing pilot opened his eyes. Looking to the pendant, he wiped his blood that had stained the metal. He whispered sadly, "Wherever you are, Duo, I've died with you." He brought the cross closer to his face as he closed his eyes and placed a tender kiss in the middle of the pendent. Lowering the cross to lie on his chest again, he lied back, not caring about anything any longer.
[and I think it's gonna rain...
Heero looked to the shooting stars and whispered, "Sleep well, my love." He closed his eyes as more tears made their way down his face.
[today]
* * * * * *
Milliardo was standing over the cradle of Mirando as he looked to his sleeping son. The Preventer gazed with sad eyes to the child, fighting the urge to wake him and hold him a bit longer. The last day and a half had been the most challenging that he ever remembered facing. It was not long before Noin quietly woke and looked to her husband. Rising from the bed, she whispered, "Sweetheart?" Milliardo turned to face her with the same sad look. He whispered in concern, "I'm sorry... Did I wake you?" Fire shook her head and answered honestly, "I couldn't sleep anyway." The couple hugged tightly and looked to their son as they stood in each other's arms.
Mirando was sleeping soundly on his stomach, too young to know what was happening in the world around him. Wind sighed deeply, "They're so young...Heero, Kumi, Relena, Sette, Trowa, Wufei, Quatre, Dorothy, Catherine...all of them, they're still practically children." A small tear rolled down his right eyes as he whispered in a chocked sob, "For them to lose Duo the way they have is not something I would wish on my worst enemy." Noin dried two tears that fell down her face as she nodded and whispered back, "I know, love...But they have to stay strong...They know that the future depends on them."
Milliardo looked to his wife and asked quietly, "How many more of them will have to be sacrificed before mankind realizes just how wrong it is to start wars like this?" Noin shook her head, "I don't know... But they're not about to stop fighting, regardless of the fact that they have lost one of their own...They're like a family and they won't let Duo's death go unavenged."
Lowering her head, Fire whispered sadly, "As for Heero...We can only hope that somehow, we'll be able to get through to him." Her husband sighed deeply, "I couldn't even begin to imagine what he must be going through right now..." His embrace around Noin tightened as he stated, "If anything happened to you, I would be as lost as he is right now." His wife returned the tightness in her embrace as she nodded, "I feel the same about you."
Mirando gave a small sigh and opened his eyes dreamingly. He looked up to see his parents standing over his crib. The baby smiled and raised his hands as he rolled to his side. The couple couldn't help but smile warmly to the child and Milliardo picked him up. Using one hand to hold Mirando against his chest and the other to wrap around Noin's waist, the Preventer kissed Mirando's head.
Rubbing her son's back, Noin whispered, "As much as I wish I could say that we've gotten through the worst of this war...I'm afraid that more than likely isn't the case." Her husband replied, "You're right in saying that...Let's just do what we can to keep from surrendering." Fire nodded silently and rested her head against her husband's chest.
* * * * * *
Sette was sitting with Wufei and the other pilots in the living room the next day. All of the pilots looked exhausted, physically and mentally as they lounged together. The Chinese pilot sighed deeply, "The Eve Ears and the Marimaya incident combined were a cakewalk compared to this war." The tomboy nodded and she took a small sip from her water bottle, "No argument there. I've never seen anything like this." Trowa asked quietly, "Any word from Kumi as to whether to not she was able to get through to Heero yet?" Delapan shook her head, "She's been in the hanger the whole time since our return here. I doubt that she had any luck yet. She would have said otherwise by now."
Zes lowered her head on the couch's armrest where she sat as she frowned, "I don't think that Heero wants to be found." Novem looked to her with wide eyes and asked in concern, "What makes you say that, Miss Relena?" Zes replied, "Duo was his reason for living...Now that he's..." As much as the pilots were barely dealing with the fact that Duo was dead, none of them could actually bring themselves to actually say the words. It was just too painful. The other pilot understood that she was trying to say. Zes continued, "...Heero's lost the one person and reason he had to stay alive all this time." Quatre swallowed a lump in his throat and replied, "You're right, Zes. Duo was everything to him and now he's lost him."
Wufei looked to the Arabian and asked, "Can you get anything on him with your Space Heart, there, Quatre?" The blonde pilot shook his head and closed his eyes, "It's as if Heero's shut himself from everything around him...I can feel anything." Sette sighed deeply and shook her head, "You know, I had a dream with Duo in it last night...He was smiling as if all was right in the world." Trowa gave a small, sad smile as he said quietly, "I miss that smile." Zes nodded, "I do, too."
The sound of footsteps running up from the hanger below startled the pilots as they sat up and looked to the entrance from to the dining room and kitchen. Kumi ran into the living room as she panted to catch her breath. "I've managed to patch into Wing Zero," she informed her comrades as she continued to try and catch her breath. Instantly, everyone jumped to their feet and behind the black-clad pilot as she flew back down to the hanger.
The moment everyone reached the hanger, Kumi gently grabbed Quatre's wrist and led him towards the main system. The Arabian looked to his friend with wide, almost nervous eyes as he was not sure why he was brought here. Kumi locked eyes with him, placing her hands on either shoulder of the smaller pilot. "I need you to be the person to speak to Heero once we're patched in."
Quatre gasped loudly and quickly asked, "W-why?" Sette was now just as nervous as her fiancee when she heard this. The ex-princess stood beside the two pilots and looked to Kumi as she asked, "Why does Quatre have to be the one?" Kumi explained in monotone, "His Space Heart might be able to help in learning what Heero is going through, and what he might be planning to do, if we can't get him to talk for long."
Sette's eyes widened and she grabbed Kumi's arm and pulled her back a bit to have a word with her alone. "We'll be right back, guys," the tomboy told the others as she led the 'Perfect Soldier' back from the other pilots. Kumi agreed to be led off, though she was in no way being forces as she released her arm as soon as the tomboy grabbed it. The moment they could speak quietly and freely, Sette snapped in a harsh whisper, "What the hell are you thinking, making Quatre do this?"
Kumi deadpanned as she crossed her arms, "As I have already said, Quatre is the only person who can possibly figure out what is going through Heero's mind and heart. We need that information if we ever hope to bring Heero back in one piece before he gets himself killed."
The ex-princess growled deeply, "Need I remind you of the time that Quatre was taken by insanity when his father was killed? You were there to help him when it happened then. But, Heero and Duo have known him as family, as well. I'm amazed he hasn't lost his mind since Duo was killed. Having him feel the pain and suffering that Heero's going through right now could send him back into that darkness again. It was hard enough for you to get through him the first time, but you might not be able to save him again if this sends him off the deep end a second time." Kumi stated, "You don't have to remind me of that time, Sette. But, we can't afford to lose another one of us."
The tomboy snapped, "That's what till happen if we make Quatre do this." The silver-haired pilot shook her head, "I'm not going to let the darkness take him again, Sette. I made that promise to Quatre and I'm making that promise to you." She forced her partner to lock eyes with her and said clearly, "Quatre. Won't. Be. Taken. Again. Understood?" Sette's eyes widened for a moment at her friend's conviction. Licking her lips, she took a deep breath and relaxed again. Finally, she lowered her head and nodded, "Alright." Kumi gave a nod and walked back to the other pilots. Sette warned quietly as she watched her leave, "Don't screw this up, Yuy."
Kumi made her way back to Quatre, who was being supported by the others. "You don't have to go through this if you don't want to, Quatre. If you're not comfortable with this, just let me know and you won't have any part of it," she assured the blonde pilot. There was a brief pause and Sette returned, standing with those who were giving the Arabian comfort. Quatre asked quietly, "Will you be right next to me the whole time?"
The young woman's cobalt eyes widened for a moment at the question and she nodded, "Hai, if that's what you want." The Arabian looked to the silver-haired pilot and said quietly, with a small smile, "You'd never steer me wrong." A very small smile crossed Kumi's lips at these words. Running a hand through Quatre's blond locks, she said quietly, "Alright."
The pilots all stepped back to give their friends room as they watched and listened in the back of the room. Sette looked the most nervous, though all of her friends looked anxious and worried. Kumi stood beside the Arabian, who took the seat before the main monitor of the control panel. As he placed a headset on, the silver-haired pilot explained to the Arabian, "I only managed to lock onto Wing Zero's audio signal. So, you won't have to worry about anything other than what Heero says." Quatre nodded, "Got it."
The blonde pilot closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths, already starting to sweat a little. He felt Kumi take his right hand onto her left as she squeezed it. "Take all the time that you need. I won't patch you through unless you're sure that you're ready." Quatre nodded and squeezed his comrade's hand back, afraid that the other pilot might disappear. Almost reading his thoughts, Kumi assured him quietly, "I'm not going anywhere, I promise." Quatre nodded and slowly opened his eyes.
Taking one more deep breath, the Arabian looked up to the Japanese pilot and nodded, "I'm ready." Kumi silently took a deep breath, herself and gave a single nod back. Her free hand flipped a series of switches on the control panel. There was a red light that was lit at the top of the board. When the last switch was flipped, it switched to green, signaling that the connection was made and the line was open. They were now able to take to Heero. There was no turning back now.
Quatre held his left headphone against his ear with his free hand as he began in a small voice, "Heero?" The moment the name left him, the Arabian felt a lump forming in his throat. Kumi could already begin to feel the darkness she felt in Quatre during the Eve Wars beginning to make its way towards the Arabian. She closed her eyes as she mentally prepared to fight it off as Quatre spoke to her cousin. The whole time, there was no answer from the Wing pilot, only silence.
Trowa and his friends all stayed still and silent as they listened for anything. After almost a minute without any reply, Quatre called more clearly, "Heero?" There was again no response. Finally, a very faint and hoarse voice answered, "Quatre?" Instantly, the other pilots gasped or reacted in some fashion as they heard their friend's voice finally reply. The Arabian smiled and sighed in relief, "Heero, I knew that you'd answer." Kumi was still fighting the darkness, though her eyes did open the instant she heard her cousin's voice.
In the cockpit of Wing Zero, Heero remained still as he continued to lie back in his seat. Quatre's gentle voice asked in concern, "Heero?...H-How are you?" The Japanese pilot's hand went up to wrap his right hand around the pendant that fell from his neck. He answered, still faintly with a choked sob, "I miss him, Quatre..." Squeezing the cross gently, his arm began to shake as tears began to cascade down his cheeks. "I miss Duo so much," he whispered.
Back in their hanger, the Wing pilot's comrades were either crying or on the verge to do so as they listened to the pained voice. Quatre dried his face with his free hand as he whispered back, "I know, Heero..." Kumi's eyes closed as a stray tear rolled down her left eye. She had to continue to concentrate on fighting the darkness, which was coming back stronger now. She gave a reassuring squeeze on the Arabian's hand to help give him the strength to continue. Quatre pleaded quietly, "Heero, please tell us where we can find you...We're all here to help you through this. Please don't try to do this alone."
Heero closed his eyes, still holding onto the cross as a few more tears rolled from his eyes. "I'm beyond help now," he whispered sincerely, in a low voice that was almost inaudible and a shadow of what it normally was. He truly sounded as though he was no longer among the living. Quatre's voice replied, "Don't say that, Heero. It isn't true." The Japanese pilot's free hand slowly made its way to the transmitter. When it reached and gripped onto a handful of cords, he yanked them from their sockets in a swift tug.
Seeing that the connection was lost, Quatre and Kumi shouted instantly as they looked to the monitor with wide eyes in one voice, "NO!" They let go of their hands as the silver-haired pilot worked at the control panel. After a moment of trying several buttons and switches, she lowered her head and sighed deeply, "We lost him." Quatre dried some of the tears that remained on his cheeks and shook his head, "We lost him when Duo was killed."
Suddenly, Kumi felt the darkness coming on strong as she gave a small cry of pain and fell to her knees, gripping her stomach as her arms wrapped around her. Quatre and Trowa shouted, "Kumi!" The silver-haired pilot was breathing heavy as she was now sweating badly. The two pilots were about to try and help by lifting her when Sette got between them and the 'Perfect Soldier,' shouting, "Don't touch her!"
Now, all of the pilots were circling around their friends as they sprinted from their places in the back of the room. Trowa shouted to the ex-princess, "WHY NOT!" It was killing him to see the young pilot in pain. Sette informed him, "She's fighting something right now and can't be broken in her concentration. If you touch her, it'll do more harm than good." Quatre's eyes widened as he whispered, "It's the darkness, isn't it?" His fiance nodded and replied quietly, "Yes."
The Japanese pilot was shouting again as she held her upper half up with her hands, which were now tight fists, on the metal ground below her, arching her back up in the air. The others watched in fear as some of them backed up from her. Trowa's eyes widened as he whispered breathlessly, "I-It was Kumi the whole time, wasn't it...During the Eve Wars, when Quatre was flying Wing Zero after his father's death."
The tomboy looked to him, almost hesitant to answer, since she didn't know if Kumi wanted him to know the answer. Seeing her friend in pain, however, she knew that she had to be honest, whether Kumi wanted her to be or not. She nodded, "Yes, Trowa...It was her the whole time." The tall pilot looked back to the silver-haired pilot with a look of concern mixed with amazement. The 'Perfect Soldier' continued to fight the darkness with everything she had as she went on growling deeply with her eyes still squeezed shut in agony.
Finally, with one last, long and loud cry, the silver-haired pilot collapsed on her stomach, spread across the ground below her. Trowa yelled, "Kumi!" as he ran to her side. Quatre and Sette were right behind him. The fallen pilot began to groan deeply as she moved a bit. "I'll be fine," she told the pilots as she looked up to them. Sette took Trowa's right arm and Quatre's left as she pulled them back, allowing Kumi to get up on her own. The 'Perfect Soldier' slowly made her way onto her feet without any assistance.
Looking to her startled comrades, the sweat-coated pilot took some deep breaths in attempt to catch up with what had been lost during the struggle. She gave a single nod to the Arabian and stated simply, "It's been put to rest again...This time for good." Quatre blinked, taken back by this news. Then, he smiled warmly and threw his arms around Kumi. The silver-haired pilot returned the gesture, almost hesitant as if she forgot how to hug someone.
The soldier sighed deeply and closed her eyes. When she hug broke, Sette gave her a hug as well, and pulled pack quickly as she said quietly, "Thank you...I-I'm sorry about that snap earlier-" Her partner shook her head and wiped some of the sweat from her face as she replied, "It's alright, Sette...Right now I just need to get some rest." Zes asked in concern, "Are you going to be alright? Do you need anything?" Kumi answered in her soldier voice, "Don't worry about me, I'm fine." She paused and looked to the others as she suggested, "It's been a long two days...We all could use our rest...We're still in the middle of a war."
With no argument there, the pilots all made their way up the stairs. Trowa was one of the last to climb the stairs, looking to Kumi with the same shock that he had when he realized that she was the one responsible for saving Quatre in the Eve Wars. "Kumi was the one I was calling for all this time...No wonder I've felt as though I've always known her," he thought to himself. The silver-haired pilot looked to him for a brief moment, before nodding once for him to go upstairs.
The moment that Wufei, the last to leave the hanger, began to climb the stairs, he heard the monitors on the hanger turn on automatically. The dark eyes of the pilot widened as he looked to the screens. He called to the others, "You guys might want to see this!" The others all looked back to him, then began in reenter the hanger quickly. The blue screens of the control panel revealed nothing for a long time, until all of the pilots made their way around the system to see what was happening.
The image of a man in his late twenties appeared. His red hair was shining under the lights of the room he sat in. Hid OZ uniform showed that he was a man of rank and honor for the organization. His brown eyes were piercing as he looked forward to the viewers. Wufei's eyes narrowed as he growled deeply, "What the hell is this?" His friends all glared to the screen now, disgusted with the man before they ever got to know exactly who he was. Anything associated with OZ was a disgrace and something to be hated in all of their eyes.
The man smiled, "My name is General Vance Cray, of the OZ ship known as Quasar." Trowa's ears perked up the instant the ship's name entered his ears. It was the same, quilled ship that he had snuck onto months prior to this time. The general continued, "By now, everyone on Earth and in space is receiving this message...I am speaking on behalf of his excellency, Quinze Kushrenadah." The blood of all of the pilots was truly boiling now, just hearing the name of the man responsible for this war and the death of their friend, Duo.
"For those of you who have not heard, OZ has eliminated Gundam Pilot 02. I can assure all of you that the Gundam pilots he left behind will be joining him before long...This announcement is for all of the colonies who have not allied with us as of yet...You have twenty-four hours to sign with us and fight by our side. After this time, those who have not done so will be seen as our foes and treated as such when we have won this war. By now, all of you should realize that there is not a chance your precious Gundam pilots will be able to stop us."
All of the pilots were growling, clenching fists, whatever it was to show that they were ready to kill the young man and everyone who stood for OZ. Cray sneered, "Finally, I have a message for the Gundam pilots...Don't fuck with OZ." The man's image disappeared as the screen went black. With a loud cry, Wufei sent his right fist into one of the small screens he stood before. The others all looked to him with respect and understanding, since they felt exactly the same way. As he removed his blood-covered hand from the broken monitor, the Chinese pilot hissed, "Bastards."
Novem removed a scarf from her pocked at wrapped the wounded hand of her friend. "My sediments exactly," she said sincerely. Wufei snapped, "I want every one of those sons of bitches to suffer." Delapan nodded, "They will. We're not out of this war yet." Sette chuckled deeply and shook her head, "Spoken like a true Gundam pilot." Wufei looked to Kumi and motioned with his head to the broken screen, "Sorry about that." The silver-haired pilot smirked, "Actually, I was about to do the same thing...The screen can always be replaced."
Dorothy finished wrapping Wufei's hand and sighed deeply, "We won't be doing anyone any good by not getting any sleep." Quatre nodded, "She's right. We might as well turn in." The others agreed and made their way upstairs. Nobody was expected to be a lookout for the night, since everyone had lost so much sleep the last two days. It was a pretty safe bet to say that nothing was going to happen that night.
* * * * * *
Sette was sleeping in her room well past midnight. Her eyes slowly opened when she thought that she heard a shuttle of some kind flying overhead. This was a normal sound, since there were civilizations many miles away that crossed the woods where the safe house was hidden. Still, something about the sound of this one caused her to wake up.
Walking to her window as she rubbed her eyes, the tomboy yawned loudly. Looking out, she saw that the sky was clear. Not a shuttle was in the sky. Shrugging, the pilot told herself, "Must be hearing things." As she made her way back to her bed, however, something made her stop in her place. "It did sound awful close, though," she thought aloud as she looked to her mattress. The ex-princess took her blue robe and wrapped it over her long nightgown.
Reaching a door down the hall, Sette knocked gently and called in a whisper, "Quatre? Can I come in, hon?" There was no response. Knocking again, a bit louder this time, Sette gave a concerned look and called, "Quatre?" When there was no response, the pilot opened the door and entered quickly. Mason's pilot stopped cold in her tracks as she looked with tide eyes in her fiancee's room. Quatre's bed had not been slept in and the room was empty. The moonlight made it easy to see that the Arabian's sneakers were nowhere to be found, either. "No," Sette gasped to herself. She flew from the room and ran down to the hanger.
Sette reached the hanger and turned the lights on. She covered her mouth and gasped. In a small voice, she whispered "Quatre? What are you doing?" One of the private ships was missing, with nothing but a barren spot where it had rested.
TBC