The Shinigami rewrites - DragonLance Chronicles.
Gundam Wing isn't mine. DragonLance isn't mine. Nothing is mine, not even my hair colour.
I thought that with all the descriptions of Duo, it would be funny to see Heero interact with a kender. Then I thought of this. Shounen ai, X-over, AU. Duo as a kender... scary. Be afraid. Be very, very afraid.
A few notes, For those of you who read this before, and noticed the differences, I discovered that my 'G-boy' timeline wasn't quite fitting into my 'Krynn' timeline, so, I've been rearranging the story to make the new blend with the old a bit better. I've also added part of the prologue to give a bit more background, and made it more clear that Heero was drifting in space for a while before he reached Krynn (the others seemed to be arriving a little too soon for how I had written the story before.). Duo and the others will be arriving a bit later in the story, excet for Heero's little flashbacks. I'll be adding more to the story, and trying to make it fit the official timeline better.
Thoughts
Flashbacks
Chapter 1
"Are you giving a party, Old One?" Tika asked as she carried over the most comfortable, well-worn chair in the Inn. "A party?" The thought seemed to strike the old man as funny. He chuckled. "Yes, girl, it will be a party such as the world of Krynn has not seen since before the Cataclysm! Be ready, Tika Waylan. Be ready!"
He patted her shoulder, tousled her hair, then turned and lowered himnself, bones creaking, into the chair. "A mug of ale," he ordered. Tika went to pour the ale. It wasn't until she had brought the old man his drink and gone back to her sweeping that she stopped, wondering how he knew her name. She turned to look at the old man, he was staring at the sky, from his seat in the corner. "Soon," he said placidly.
***
Hereo sat in the cockpit of his shuttle, wondering how he would get out of this mess. "Little supplies, less fuel, no communications, and that planet is getting too close for my liking." He set himself, preparing for a crash. But I've been gone too long. The others will start looking for me soon
Heero carefully extricated himself from the wreckage of his shuttle. This is not good. Where am I? He looked around. Uncharted planet. Duo would laugh.
"...The uncharted planet is a typical sci-fi cliche..."
He sighed softly, then turned South-East, away from the lake, following the path.
After a while, he came across a young boy, he was only about four feet tall. With long hair, a long sort of slingshot, and a wide grin. He looks like Duo a bit. The boy grinned up at him.
"Hi! Are you lost?"
"...are you lost?" "I've been lost all my life."
"I think so. Where am I?" The boy grinned wider. "You're just outside Solace. Was there somewhere you needed to be?" "I'm not from around here. What planet is this?" Now the boy was very enthusiastic. "Planet? Wow! Are you an alien? My friends don't believe in aliens, but they'd have to exist right? Just to make life interesting.... Hey, I don't even know your name yet, do I?" "Hn." The boy tilted his head curiously. "You don't talk much do you? Well My name is Tasslehoff Burrfoot, What's yours?"
"... antisocial, thinks he's evil knievel and hardly speaks!Why don't you give up and stop pretending to be human?"
"What are you?" The boy frowned slightly. "I'm a kender of course. Don't you have kender where you are? Anyway, you didn't answer me!" "Heero Yuy." The boy grinned again as Heero added, "No we don't have kender. I have heard of them, though." "how'd you hear of kender if you don't have any?" "I have a friend who knows about kender." "Wow, what's his name?" The kender looked up then. "No time, come on." The diminutive figure dragged Heero through the bushes, as two figures came down the path. Now that Heero had some idea of where he was, he could name the races of the two figures. Hn, an elf. Or rather, a half-elf, judging by the beard. And a dwarf.
"... rare friendship that only occurs in a fantasy novel. The author always makes a point of saying it wouldn't normally occur. The most common is the elf and dwarf pair. Even Papa Tolkien used it!"
The two neared where Heero and Tasslehoff were hiding. "Who goes there?" The half-elf called out. Heero jumped slightly as the kender swung his strange staff to create a whirring noise. Then he raised his voice in a screaming whine.
"Elven wanderer, turn from your course and leave the dwarf behind. We are the spirits of those poor souls Flint Fireforge left on the bar-room floor. Did we die in combat?" Heero felt the hair on the back of his neck lift slightly when the kender changed key. "NO! We died of shame, cursed by the ghost of the grape for not being able to outdrink a hill dwarf." Heero jumped as the elf started to laugh. He saw out of the corner of his eye, Tasslehoff grinning like mad. "Damn the eyes of the elves! And damn the beards of the dwarves!" The dwarf groaned.
"Wouldn't you know it? Tasslehoff Burrfoot!" Tasslehoff emerged from the bushes, once more dragging Heero behind him. "Flint!" The kender cried out as he flung himself at the dwarf. Then he turned to the elf. "Who's this? Tanis! I didn't recognise you with a beard!" The elf grinned waving the kender off as he tried to hug the much taller elf. "No thanks, I want to keep my money pouch." Heero couldn't help a smile as the dwarf tackled the kender.
He stopped paying attention to the figures with him. Something smelt off. He didn't recognise the odour, but thought he should be on guard. Thinking quickly, he pulled a switchblade from his pants. Hang on, this is Duo's blade. How did I get it? Oh hang on, he wore these pants before me. I only got them when he complained about the spandex. Ugh, Heero no baka, concentrate. Too late. He flicked the blade out, just as Tanis reacted to the sound of a jingle behind them.
***
Heero glanced at the disgusting figure as it trotted away on it's ridiculous looking pony. "Goblins! In Solace! This new Theocrat has much to answer for!" Flint spat. Heero stopped listening. He focused on his enemies. Then one of the goblins attacked. He didn't move as the creature ran at him, he saw Tanis out the peripherals of his vision, standing over a corpse. Heero just flicked the blade in his hand, slitting the goblin's throat. Then Tasslehoff's voice rang out. "These scum will fight for anyone, Tanis. Throw them some dog meat once in a while and they're yours forev-" "Dog Meat! How about kender meat, you little squeaker!" Heero once again blocked out all outside noise. They left in relative silence. Then Tas grabbed his arm again.
"By the way, Tanis, Flint, this is Heero Yuy. I met him just away from Crystalmir Lake." The half elf looked askance at Heero, then remembered that he had fought alongside them against the goblins. "Heero, where are you from? It is a name I have not heard before." Tanis looked at him, but then Tasslehoff grinned. "He's an alien! He asked what planet we're on and everything - but he didn't ask about our leader... aren't aliens meant to do that?" "Baka, I'm human." Heero responded. Tasslehoff frowned.
"what does Baka mean?" Heero looked down at him. I'd forgotten that I wasn't dealing with Duo there. He thought how to say it, then went with the truth. "Baka means idiot." He said flatly. To his surprise, Flint burst out laughing. Tanis hid a smile. "He got you there Tas, now drop it. Heero, what brings you here?" Heero jumped. He sacolded himself for letting his guard drop so far. "I just... dropped in." He replied thoughtlessly. Tas grinned. "C'mon! Let's go!" The four walked into Solace.
***
Heero looked around the inn cautiously, mentally calculating all possible threats and escape routes. He saw Tas run into the crowd. Pointed ears. Him and Tanis both have pointed ears. What is a kender exactly? He looked up at a roar. He saw Tas being lifted by a giant of a man.
"Come on Heero." Tanis said. The pilot followed the half elf further into the inn. Tanis smiled at the huge man, as he was crushed by a strong embrace. Once the man let him go, he spoke up. "Caramon, this is Heero Yuy. Heero, Caramon Majere. Where's Raistlin?" The big man frowned at the question, then nodded at the shadowed corner. "There. He's changed Tanis." Tanis moved forward. Heero watched as the half-elf spoke uneasily. "Raistlin?" The robed figure looked up. "Tanis?" He asked.[i] Then he pulled his hood back. Heero had seen dreadful things in the war. He had done worse.
"You set your own leg???"
But nothing in the past prepared him for his first ever sight of Raistlin Majere. Heero turned his face away uneasily. Given a choice, I think I'd take my chances facing Duo after self-destructing. And maybe a few suicide jumps out of tall buildings. Duo in a temper is nothing to that. I think maybe even Dr J would be better. He turned back at the sound of his name. "Heero? This is Caramon's brother Raistlin. Raistlin, this is Heero Yuy. Tas picked him up." The mage gave a knowing... well, not quite smile. More like grimace. At the thought, Heero turned to look for the kender. His attention was caught by Tanis' voice.
"It's from Kitiara. She's not coming." Who is Kitiara? Heero thought. Then Flint spoke. "That's done it. The circle is broken, the oath denied. Bad luck." He shook his head. "Bad luck." Heero's confusion must have shown. Tas spoke. "Oops, sorry Heero, Kitiara is Caramon and Raistlin's half sister." Heero just nodded, dismissing the conversation. Then looked over as a man in armour walked in, followed by a couple of strangers. "Sturm!" Tanis said. Heero felt a tug on his arm, as Tas whispered to him. "You're dressed pretty odd. Do you want me to find you some better clothes?" Heero looked down at himself. Hn. What does he mean? I'm not wearing my spandex. Duo made sure of that. I wonder what that baka's doing. It won't hurt though. At least I won't stand out. "Alright Tas. But nothing over the top." Tas grinned, then used the words that struck an all too real fear into a young man still used to dealing with the manic god of death. "Trust me."
***
"What do you think?" Tas grinned. Heero looked down at the clothes. "Tas, it's leather." "Yeah, so you're a fighter. Elven fighters wear leather." "Tas, I'm not an elf." Tas pouted. "You did say you wouldn't wear armour like Caramon or Sturm. So I got you some like Tanis." "Alright. I'll wear the damned armour." Tas smiled brilliantly. "Great! Well? Go on, get changed." Heero sighed. "Yes Tas."
Heero descended the stairs to the common room of the inn. He saw Tas listening to a song. The barbarian woman was the singer. Then as the song faded away, the old man in the corner began to tell a story. Heero turned towards Tanis. "Did Tas find you some new clothes?" Tanis smiled. Heero met his eyes. "Yes." They looked around at a voice. "Blasphemy! Blasphemy! Heretic! Corrupting our youth! I'll bring you before the counshel, old man!" As Heero watched the man rant on about heresy and then tried to take the staff. The woman's companion shoved the other man away. Not very hard, but the man fell into the fire. Only Tas seemed able to move. Even before Heero could register what had happened, Tas was holding the woman's staff, and used it to knock the burning man to the ground. Heero blinked. Oh God. That staff just... Tas looked stunned. The old man began to shout.
It healed him! The staff! Look at the staff! Call the guards! Arrest the kender! Arrest the barbarians! Arrest their friends! I saw them come in with this knight!" He was pointing at the armoured man with Tanis. Sturm wasn't it? Ha, I hear more than you thought Duo. The [formerly] burning man screamed some more about blasphemy and heresy, then stuck his hand back into the fire. The barmaid led them away. He heard Tanis. "We'll have to go out through the kitchen!"[ii]
***
Heero sighed. Everything he had believed was being turned on it's head. There's no such things as elves and dwarves. There's no such thing as magic. Kender aren't real. Ha. No wonder Duo laughed at me when I said all that. What I wouldn't give for my gun. Heero raised his head at a sound. They were standing at the door of one of the tree houses. Tas was picking the lock. "Come in." The kender said. As they all crowded into the tiny house, Heero moved to a point where he could see outside. Then Tanis finally spoke. "The blue crystal staff, it healed that man. How?" Heero listened intently. This could be useful knowledge. "I do not know. I-I haven't had it very long." Goldmoon's voice faltered. Tanis held out his hands where they had been hurt from sliding down the rope. She touched the staff to his hands. They healed in front of their eyes. "True healing!" Tanis breathed.
Heero, frowned, and as the others got into a discussion about the woman and her staff, he saw Caramon move from the window to stand behind his brother. Silently Heero took his place keeping watch. His head snapped around at a cry of pain from the mage, and glanced away again when he realised there was no real danger. Glancing down, he saw Tas had joined him at the window. "Heero," Tas whispered, "how did you jump that far?" Heero looked at the kender sharply. Shit, I didn't realise that he saw me jump. Without the benefit of Raistlin's spell too. Hn, more magic. I really need to get home.
"Training." He answered shortly. Then he stiffened. "Tas, can you see?" The kender nodded to his soft whisper. "Hush!" The kender ordered the others in the house. "The Theocrat's guards!" Heero dismissed the others in the room as irrelevant. He focused on the noises outside. Just within his hearing he heard Tanis' incredulous whisper. "They're conducting a house to house search!" Then the goblins were outside the door. Everyone melted into the shadows.
The door swung open. Kami-Sama, didn't we lock that? The goblins walked in and saw Raistlin sitting in the corner. Heero listened to them. "Oh, ho! Look what we've found! A staff!" He walked closer to Raistlin. "Hand me that staff!" He ordered. "Certainly," Raistlin whispered. He held his staff out "Shirak." The crystal flared to life. The goblins shrieked and shut their eyes, fumbling for their swords. At that moment, Caramon jumped from behind the door, grabbed the goblins around their necks, and swept their heads together with a sickening thud. The goblin bodies crumpled into a stinking heap. "Dead?" asked Tanis. "I'm afraid so. I hit them too hard."[iii] "Well, that's torn it. We've murdered two more of the Theocrat's guards. He'll have the town up in arms. Now we can't just lie low for a few days - we've got to get out of here! And you two had better come with us." The last was addressed to the plainsmen. Then Tanis turned to Heero. "What about you? Where were you planning on going?" "I don't even know where I am, let alone where I'm going." Heero stated shortly. "Well then, perhaps you'd better stick with us. They'll be after you too since you were with us in the inn." Heero just nodded, then returned to keeping watch outside while the others worked out where they were going. Tas pulled on his arm. "Heero, would you help me find some food?" Looking at Tas, Heero nodded, then went with the kender to see what he could find in Tika's kitchen. They left after completely trashing the living room.
***
"I don't think he trusts us." Caramon observed. "Would you?" Tanis asked, glancing at the big man. I don't think I'd trust us either. Then Tanis looked at Heero. And him. Who is he? Tas called him an alien. Said he was from beyond the stars. But how? Then again, Tas claims there are plants that can live on air, so I wouldn't take that last too seriously. But Heero's so quiet that he makes Riverwind seem loquacious. And I don't think he really trusts us either. He always watches us as though we're a threat. Except Tas. For some unknown reason, he trusts Tas. Why? Who is he? Where is he from? Tanis sighed. "What's the plan?" Sturm asked. "We're going by boat." Tanis answered. "Oh, ho!" Caramon chuckled, "Told Flint yet?" "No. Leave that to me." "Where are we getting the boat?" Sturm asked suspiciously. "You'll be happier not knowing," the half-elf said. The knight frowned. His eyes followed the kender, who was far ahead of them, flitting, from one shadow to another. "I don't like this, Tanis. First we're murderers, now we're about to become thieves." "I don't consider myself a murderer." Caramon snorted. "Goblins don't count."
***
Heero watched the forest carefully. I can't let my guard slip. He glanced out at the lake. I think when I get a chance, I'll ask Tas to explain everyone in this little group. For instance, why the Dwarf... Flint was it? Why is he so nervous about being in a boat? He scanned the trees again, before turning towards the lake where he had first crashed. It wasn't far from here now that I think of it. He heard Flint's horrified voice. "You're going to put us all in one boat! You're mad half-elf!" "It's a big boat." Tanis answered. Why doesn't he like boats? Heero wondered. As they all piled into the boat - minus Flint - Heero noticed Tas struggling with the oars, and Tanis swearing. He missed a shot? Well I never...
"... elves are master marksmen, they *never* miss a shot. Even half-elves have no trouble with archery."
He felt a dampness as the dwarf was hauled aboard the boat, soaking wet. He got even wetter as Caramon finally splashed aboard. Heero finally allowed his guard to slip. He closed his eyes, forcing everything from his mind. Relax Yuy. Just try to relax. You can't do anything at the moment. He sighed slightly, then glanced up as he heard Goldmoon gasp. "Raist, what is it? I don't see anything." Caramon said. Heero listened as Raistlin went into a coughing fit, then managed to choke out the words. "Tanis... The constellations..." "What?" Tanis asked startled. "What about the constellations?" "Gone!" Raistlin rasped, then went into another coughing fit. When he could speak again he said, "The constellation known as the Queen of Darkness and the one called Valiant Warrior. Both gone. She has come to Krynn, Tanis, and he has come to fight her. All the evil rumours we have heard are true. War, death, destruction..." His voice died in another fit of coughing. Caramon held him. "C'mon, Raist. Don't get so worked up. It's only a bunch of stars." "Only a bunch of stars." Tanis repeated flatly. Thinking of everything else he had seen, some things that he would have dismissed as impossible only a couple of days ago, Heero wasn't so sure.
***
Heero smiled to himself as Tas wrapped a blanket around the dwarf. The more I see of him, the more he reminds me of that braided baka. And that damn stubborn dwarf is a little like me. The last thought was a little rueful. He moved forward and spoke quietly. "Tas, could I talk to you for a while?" "Sure Heero! Just let me..." "Go on doorknob. I'll be fine." That last was the dwarf, who was greedily drinking some wine. Doorknob? Maybe it's like when I say Duo no baka. Tas shrugged, then went with Heero to a quiet corner. "Tas," Heero wasn't sure how to ask for what he wanted. Then he decided. "Can you tell me a bit about your friends? And probably about the area we're in. I think I need to know what is going on." Tas grinned. "Sure! I just gotta think. Um, there's Tanis and Flint, Tanis is from Qualinesti, and Flint is a Hill Dwarf." "I kind of guessed that. Why was he so nervous about boats?" Tas grinned. "Just a fishing trip that went wrong. Anyway, Caramon and Raistlin, they're easy to work out, Caramon is strong but not too clever, and Raistlin is smart, but really weak physically. They're both human. Solace born and bred! Um, Sturm is a Knight of Solamnia, but I've known him for years. He isn't as uptight as he acts. The barbarians, I'm not sure cause they weren't part of our group before. But it looks like Goldmoon's a high ranking lady of Que-Shu, and Riverwind's the guard or something... but then, it looks like they're in love." Heero nodded, figuring that Tas wouldn't say much more than that. Well, not relevant anyway. He watched silently for a while as Tas sorted through the items in his pouches. "So what about the area?" Before Tas could answer, Tanis came over to them. "Tas... my ring..." Tanis said softly, pointing at a finely carved ring of golden, clinging ivy leaves. "Is it?" asked Tasslehoff with wide-eyed innocence. "is this yours? I'm glad I found it. You must have dropped it at the inn." Tanis settled down next to the kender. Heero didn't miss the odd look that Tanis gave him. "Have you got a map of this area, Tas?" The kender's eyes shone. "A map? Yes Tanis. Of course." Gathering all his belongings up, Tas pulled out a hand-carved wooden scroll case from another pouch. He drew forth a sheaf of maps. Heero stared at the kender's collection. Kami- Sama, I've never seen so many maps. Almost absently he picked up a few of the maps to try and decipher them.
***
I'll end this chapter here, since we've reached the first night, on the banks of Crystalmir Lake, the next chapter will deal with the other plot point bought up in the other version. Yup, the G-Boys are in the house! OK, how did the rewrite of my Rewrites go? Better? Worse? So-so? I'm keeping the new version, since I like this one a bit better, but I don't know how well it'll work out.
----------------------- [i] This always made me laugh, anybody else get the feeling of the constant "Heero" "Relena" that went on in GW? No wonder there are so many shounen ai Tanis/Raistlin stories around!
[ii] This is my all time favourite DragonLance quote! It is also one of the most recognisable, as shown when Tanis repeats that line in "Dragons of Summer Flame" before the Knights of Takhisis attack the High Clerist's Tower.
[iii] Another of my favourite lines! This is just so Caramon, but also, it's something you could almost see Heero sayng too.
Gundam Wing isn't mine. DragonLance isn't mine. Nothing is mine, not even my hair colour.
I thought that with all the descriptions of Duo, it would be funny to see Heero interact with a kender. Then I thought of this. Shounen ai, X-over, AU. Duo as a kender... scary. Be afraid. Be very, very afraid.
A few notes, For those of you who read this before, and noticed the differences, I discovered that my 'G-boy' timeline wasn't quite fitting into my 'Krynn' timeline, so, I've been rearranging the story to make the new blend with the old a bit better. I've also added part of the prologue to give a bit more background, and made it more clear that Heero was drifting in space for a while before he reached Krynn (the others seemed to be arriving a little too soon for how I had written the story before.). Duo and the others will be arriving a bit later in the story, excet for Heero's little flashbacks. I'll be adding more to the story, and trying to make it fit the official timeline better.
Thoughts
Flashbacks
Chapter 1
"Are you giving a party, Old One?" Tika asked as she carried over the most comfortable, well-worn chair in the Inn. "A party?" The thought seemed to strike the old man as funny. He chuckled. "Yes, girl, it will be a party such as the world of Krynn has not seen since before the Cataclysm! Be ready, Tika Waylan. Be ready!"
He patted her shoulder, tousled her hair, then turned and lowered himnself, bones creaking, into the chair. "A mug of ale," he ordered. Tika went to pour the ale. It wasn't until she had brought the old man his drink and gone back to her sweeping that she stopped, wondering how he knew her name. She turned to look at the old man, he was staring at the sky, from his seat in the corner. "Soon," he said placidly.
***
Hereo sat in the cockpit of his shuttle, wondering how he would get out of this mess. "Little supplies, less fuel, no communications, and that planet is getting too close for my liking." He set himself, preparing for a crash. But I've been gone too long. The others will start looking for me soon
Heero carefully extricated himself from the wreckage of his shuttle. This is not good. Where am I? He looked around. Uncharted planet. Duo would laugh.
"...The uncharted planet is a typical sci-fi cliche..."
He sighed softly, then turned South-East, away from the lake, following the path.
After a while, he came across a young boy, he was only about four feet tall. With long hair, a long sort of slingshot, and a wide grin. He looks like Duo a bit. The boy grinned up at him.
"Hi! Are you lost?"
"...are you lost?" "I've been lost all my life."
"I think so. Where am I?" The boy grinned wider. "You're just outside Solace. Was there somewhere you needed to be?" "I'm not from around here. What planet is this?" Now the boy was very enthusiastic. "Planet? Wow! Are you an alien? My friends don't believe in aliens, but they'd have to exist right? Just to make life interesting.... Hey, I don't even know your name yet, do I?" "Hn." The boy tilted his head curiously. "You don't talk much do you? Well My name is Tasslehoff Burrfoot, What's yours?"
"... antisocial, thinks he's evil knievel and hardly speaks!Why don't you give up and stop pretending to be human?"
"What are you?" The boy frowned slightly. "I'm a kender of course. Don't you have kender where you are? Anyway, you didn't answer me!" "Heero Yuy." The boy grinned again as Heero added, "No we don't have kender. I have heard of them, though." "how'd you hear of kender if you don't have any?" "I have a friend who knows about kender." "Wow, what's his name?" The kender looked up then. "No time, come on." The diminutive figure dragged Heero through the bushes, as two figures came down the path. Now that Heero had some idea of where he was, he could name the races of the two figures. Hn, an elf. Or rather, a half-elf, judging by the beard. And a dwarf.
"... rare friendship that only occurs in a fantasy novel. The author always makes a point of saying it wouldn't normally occur. The most common is the elf and dwarf pair. Even Papa Tolkien used it!"
The two neared where Heero and Tasslehoff were hiding. "Who goes there?" The half-elf called out. Heero jumped slightly as the kender swung his strange staff to create a whirring noise. Then he raised his voice in a screaming whine.
"Elven wanderer, turn from your course and leave the dwarf behind. We are the spirits of those poor souls Flint Fireforge left on the bar-room floor. Did we die in combat?" Heero felt the hair on the back of his neck lift slightly when the kender changed key. "NO! We died of shame, cursed by the ghost of the grape for not being able to outdrink a hill dwarf." Heero jumped as the elf started to laugh. He saw out of the corner of his eye, Tasslehoff grinning like mad. "Damn the eyes of the elves! And damn the beards of the dwarves!" The dwarf groaned.
"Wouldn't you know it? Tasslehoff Burrfoot!" Tasslehoff emerged from the bushes, once more dragging Heero behind him. "Flint!" The kender cried out as he flung himself at the dwarf. Then he turned to the elf. "Who's this? Tanis! I didn't recognise you with a beard!" The elf grinned waving the kender off as he tried to hug the much taller elf. "No thanks, I want to keep my money pouch." Heero couldn't help a smile as the dwarf tackled the kender.
He stopped paying attention to the figures with him. Something smelt off. He didn't recognise the odour, but thought he should be on guard. Thinking quickly, he pulled a switchblade from his pants. Hang on, this is Duo's blade. How did I get it? Oh hang on, he wore these pants before me. I only got them when he complained about the spandex. Ugh, Heero no baka, concentrate. Too late. He flicked the blade out, just as Tanis reacted to the sound of a jingle behind them.
***
Heero glanced at the disgusting figure as it trotted away on it's ridiculous looking pony. "Goblins! In Solace! This new Theocrat has much to answer for!" Flint spat. Heero stopped listening. He focused on his enemies. Then one of the goblins attacked. He didn't move as the creature ran at him, he saw Tanis out the peripherals of his vision, standing over a corpse. Heero just flicked the blade in his hand, slitting the goblin's throat. Then Tasslehoff's voice rang out. "These scum will fight for anyone, Tanis. Throw them some dog meat once in a while and they're yours forev-" "Dog Meat! How about kender meat, you little squeaker!" Heero once again blocked out all outside noise. They left in relative silence. Then Tas grabbed his arm again.
"By the way, Tanis, Flint, this is Heero Yuy. I met him just away from Crystalmir Lake." The half elf looked askance at Heero, then remembered that he had fought alongside them against the goblins. "Heero, where are you from? It is a name I have not heard before." Tanis looked at him, but then Tasslehoff grinned. "He's an alien! He asked what planet we're on and everything - but he didn't ask about our leader... aren't aliens meant to do that?" "Baka, I'm human." Heero responded. Tasslehoff frowned.
"what does Baka mean?" Heero looked down at him. I'd forgotten that I wasn't dealing with Duo there. He thought how to say it, then went with the truth. "Baka means idiot." He said flatly. To his surprise, Flint burst out laughing. Tanis hid a smile. "He got you there Tas, now drop it. Heero, what brings you here?" Heero jumped. He sacolded himself for letting his guard drop so far. "I just... dropped in." He replied thoughtlessly. Tas grinned. "C'mon! Let's go!" The four walked into Solace.
***
Heero looked around the inn cautiously, mentally calculating all possible threats and escape routes. He saw Tas run into the crowd. Pointed ears. Him and Tanis both have pointed ears. What is a kender exactly? He looked up at a roar. He saw Tas being lifted by a giant of a man.
"Come on Heero." Tanis said. The pilot followed the half elf further into the inn. Tanis smiled at the huge man, as he was crushed by a strong embrace. Once the man let him go, he spoke up. "Caramon, this is Heero Yuy. Heero, Caramon Majere. Where's Raistlin?" The big man frowned at the question, then nodded at the shadowed corner. "There. He's changed Tanis." Tanis moved forward. Heero watched as the half-elf spoke uneasily. "Raistlin?" The robed figure looked up. "Tanis?" He asked.[i] Then he pulled his hood back. Heero had seen dreadful things in the war. He had done worse.
"You set your own leg???"
But nothing in the past prepared him for his first ever sight of Raistlin Majere. Heero turned his face away uneasily. Given a choice, I think I'd take my chances facing Duo after self-destructing. And maybe a few suicide jumps out of tall buildings. Duo in a temper is nothing to that. I think maybe even Dr J would be better. He turned back at the sound of his name. "Heero? This is Caramon's brother Raistlin. Raistlin, this is Heero Yuy. Tas picked him up." The mage gave a knowing... well, not quite smile. More like grimace. At the thought, Heero turned to look for the kender. His attention was caught by Tanis' voice.
"It's from Kitiara. She's not coming." Who is Kitiara? Heero thought. Then Flint spoke. "That's done it. The circle is broken, the oath denied. Bad luck." He shook his head. "Bad luck." Heero's confusion must have shown. Tas spoke. "Oops, sorry Heero, Kitiara is Caramon and Raistlin's half sister." Heero just nodded, dismissing the conversation. Then looked over as a man in armour walked in, followed by a couple of strangers. "Sturm!" Tanis said. Heero felt a tug on his arm, as Tas whispered to him. "You're dressed pretty odd. Do you want me to find you some better clothes?" Heero looked down at himself. Hn. What does he mean? I'm not wearing my spandex. Duo made sure of that. I wonder what that baka's doing. It won't hurt though. At least I won't stand out. "Alright Tas. But nothing over the top." Tas grinned, then used the words that struck an all too real fear into a young man still used to dealing with the manic god of death. "Trust me."
***
"What do you think?" Tas grinned. Heero looked down at the clothes. "Tas, it's leather." "Yeah, so you're a fighter. Elven fighters wear leather." "Tas, I'm not an elf." Tas pouted. "You did say you wouldn't wear armour like Caramon or Sturm. So I got you some like Tanis." "Alright. I'll wear the damned armour." Tas smiled brilliantly. "Great! Well? Go on, get changed." Heero sighed. "Yes Tas."
Heero descended the stairs to the common room of the inn. He saw Tas listening to a song. The barbarian woman was the singer. Then as the song faded away, the old man in the corner began to tell a story. Heero turned towards Tanis. "Did Tas find you some new clothes?" Tanis smiled. Heero met his eyes. "Yes." They looked around at a voice. "Blasphemy! Blasphemy! Heretic! Corrupting our youth! I'll bring you before the counshel, old man!" As Heero watched the man rant on about heresy and then tried to take the staff. The woman's companion shoved the other man away. Not very hard, but the man fell into the fire. Only Tas seemed able to move. Even before Heero could register what had happened, Tas was holding the woman's staff, and used it to knock the burning man to the ground. Heero blinked. Oh God. That staff just... Tas looked stunned. The old man began to shout.
It healed him! The staff! Look at the staff! Call the guards! Arrest the kender! Arrest the barbarians! Arrest their friends! I saw them come in with this knight!" He was pointing at the armoured man with Tanis. Sturm wasn't it? Ha, I hear more than you thought Duo. The [formerly] burning man screamed some more about blasphemy and heresy, then stuck his hand back into the fire. The barmaid led them away. He heard Tanis. "We'll have to go out through the kitchen!"[ii]
***
Heero sighed. Everything he had believed was being turned on it's head. There's no such things as elves and dwarves. There's no such thing as magic. Kender aren't real. Ha. No wonder Duo laughed at me when I said all that. What I wouldn't give for my gun. Heero raised his head at a sound. They were standing at the door of one of the tree houses. Tas was picking the lock. "Come in." The kender said. As they all crowded into the tiny house, Heero moved to a point where he could see outside. Then Tanis finally spoke. "The blue crystal staff, it healed that man. How?" Heero listened intently. This could be useful knowledge. "I do not know. I-I haven't had it very long." Goldmoon's voice faltered. Tanis held out his hands where they had been hurt from sliding down the rope. She touched the staff to his hands. They healed in front of their eyes. "True healing!" Tanis breathed.
Heero, frowned, and as the others got into a discussion about the woman and her staff, he saw Caramon move from the window to stand behind his brother. Silently Heero took his place keeping watch. His head snapped around at a cry of pain from the mage, and glanced away again when he realised there was no real danger. Glancing down, he saw Tas had joined him at the window. "Heero," Tas whispered, "how did you jump that far?" Heero looked at the kender sharply. Shit, I didn't realise that he saw me jump. Without the benefit of Raistlin's spell too. Hn, more magic. I really need to get home.
"Training." He answered shortly. Then he stiffened. "Tas, can you see?" The kender nodded to his soft whisper. "Hush!" The kender ordered the others in the house. "The Theocrat's guards!" Heero dismissed the others in the room as irrelevant. He focused on the noises outside. Just within his hearing he heard Tanis' incredulous whisper. "They're conducting a house to house search!" Then the goblins were outside the door. Everyone melted into the shadows.
The door swung open. Kami-Sama, didn't we lock that? The goblins walked in and saw Raistlin sitting in the corner. Heero listened to them. "Oh, ho! Look what we've found! A staff!" He walked closer to Raistlin. "Hand me that staff!" He ordered. "Certainly," Raistlin whispered. He held his staff out "Shirak." The crystal flared to life. The goblins shrieked and shut their eyes, fumbling for their swords. At that moment, Caramon jumped from behind the door, grabbed the goblins around their necks, and swept their heads together with a sickening thud. The goblin bodies crumpled into a stinking heap. "Dead?" asked Tanis. "I'm afraid so. I hit them too hard."[iii] "Well, that's torn it. We've murdered two more of the Theocrat's guards. He'll have the town up in arms. Now we can't just lie low for a few days - we've got to get out of here! And you two had better come with us." The last was addressed to the plainsmen. Then Tanis turned to Heero. "What about you? Where were you planning on going?" "I don't even know where I am, let alone where I'm going." Heero stated shortly. "Well then, perhaps you'd better stick with us. They'll be after you too since you were with us in the inn." Heero just nodded, then returned to keeping watch outside while the others worked out where they were going. Tas pulled on his arm. "Heero, would you help me find some food?" Looking at Tas, Heero nodded, then went with the kender to see what he could find in Tika's kitchen. They left after completely trashing the living room.
***
"I don't think he trusts us." Caramon observed. "Would you?" Tanis asked, glancing at the big man. I don't think I'd trust us either. Then Tanis looked at Heero. And him. Who is he? Tas called him an alien. Said he was from beyond the stars. But how? Then again, Tas claims there are plants that can live on air, so I wouldn't take that last too seriously. But Heero's so quiet that he makes Riverwind seem loquacious. And I don't think he really trusts us either. He always watches us as though we're a threat. Except Tas. For some unknown reason, he trusts Tas. Why? Who is he? Where is he from? Tanis sighed. "What's the plan?" Sturm asked. "We're going by boat." Tanis answered. "Oh, ho!" Caramon chuckled, "Told Flint yet?" "No. Leave that to me." "Where are we getting the boat?" Sturm asked suspiciously. "You'll be happier not knowing," the half-elf said. The knight frowned. His eyes followed the kender, who was far ahead of them, flitting, from one shadow to another. "I don't like this, Tanis. First we're murderers, now we're about to become thieves." "I don't consider myself a murderer." Caramon snorted. "Goblins don't count."
***
Heero watched the forest carefully. I can't let my guard slip. He glanced out at the lake. I think when I get a chance, I'll ask Tas to explain everyone in this little group. For instance, why the Dwarf... Flint was it? Why is he so nervous about being in a boat? He scanned the trees again, before turning towards the lake where he had first crashed. It wasn't far from here now that I think of it. He heard Flint's horrified voice. "You're going to put us all in one boat! You're mad half-elf!" "It's a big boat." Tanis answered. Why doesn't he like boats? Heero wondered. As they all piled into the boat - minus Flint - Heero noticed Tas struggling with the oars, and Tanis swearing. He missed a shot? Well I never...
"... elves are master marksmen, they *never* miss a shot. Even half-elves have no trouble with archery."
He felt a dampness as the dwarf was hauled aboard the boat, soaking wet. He got even wetter as Caramon finally splashed aboard. Heero finally allowed his guard to slip. He closed his eyes, forcing everything from his mind. Relax Yuy. Just try to relax. You can't do anything at the moment. He sighed slightly, then glanced up as he heard Goldmoon gasp. "Raist, what is it? I don't see anything." Caramon said. Heero listened as Raistlin went into a coughing fit, then managed to choke out the words. "Tanis... The constellations..." "What?" Tanis asked startled. "What about the constellations?" "Gone!" Raistlin rasped, then went into another coughing fit. When he could speak again he said, "The constellation known as the Queen of Darkness and the one called Valiant Warrior. Both gone. She has come to Krynn, Tanis, and he has come to fight her. All the evil rumours we have heard are true. War, death, destruction..." His voice died in another fit of coughing. Caramon held him. "C'mon, Raist. Don't get so worked up. It's only a bunch of stars." "Only a bunch of stars." Tanis repeated flatly. Thinking of everything else he had seen, some things that he would have dismissed as impossible only a couple of days ago, Heero wasn't so sure.
***
Heero smiled to himself as Tas wrapped a blanket around the dwarf. The more I see of him, the more he reminds me of that braided baka. And that damn stubborn dwarf is a little like me. The last thought was a little rueful. He moved forward and spoke quietly. "Tas, could I talk to you for a while?" "Sure Heero! Just let me..." "Go on doorknob. I'll be fine." That last was the dwarf, who was greedily drinking some wine. Doorknob? Maybe it's like when I say Duo no baka. Tas shrugged, then went with Heero to a quiet corner. "Tas," Heero wasn't sure how to ask for what he wanted. Then he decided. "Can you tell me a bit about your friends? And probably about the area we're in. I think I need to know what is going on." Tas grinned. "Sure! I just gotta think. Um, there's Tanis and Flint, Tanis is from Qualinesti, and Flint is a Hill Dwarf." "I kind of guessed that. Why was he so nervous about boats?" Tas grinned. "Just a fishing trip that went wrong. Anyway, Caramon and Raistlin, they're easy to work out, Caramon is strong but not too clever, and Raistlin is smart, but really weak physically. They're both human. Solace born and bred! Um, Sturm is a Knight of Solamnia, but I've known him for years. He isn't as uptight as he acts. The barbarians, I'm not sure cause they weren't part of our group before. But it looks like Goldmoon's a high ranking lady of Que-Shu, and Riverwind's the guard or something... but then, it looks like they're in love." Heero nodded, figuring that Tas wouldn't say much more than that. Well, not relevant anyway. He watched silently for a while as Tas sorted through the items in his pouches. "So what about the area?" Before Tas could answer, Tanis came over to them. "Tas... my ring..." Tanis said softly, pointing at a finely carved ring of golden, clinging ivy leaves. "Is it?" asked Tasslehoff with wide-eyed innocence. "is this yours? I'm glad I found it. You must have dropped it at the inn." Tanis settled down next to the kender. Heero didn't miss the odd look that Tanis gave him. "Have you got a map of this area, Tas?" The kender's eyes shone. "A map? Yes Tanis. Of course." Gathering all his belongings up, Tas pulled out a hand-carved wooden scroll case from another pouch. He drew forth a sheaf of maps. Heero stared at the kender's collection. Kami- Sama, I've never seen so many maps. Almost absently he picked up a few of the maps to try and decipher them.
***
I'll end this chapter here, since we've reached the first night, on the banks of Crystalmir Lake, the next chapter will deal with the other plot point bought up in the other version. Yup, the G-Boys are in the house! OK, how did the rewrite of my Rewrites go? Better? Worse? So-so? I'm keeping the new version, since I like this one a bit better, but I don't know how well it'll work out.
----------------------- [i] This always made me laugh, anybody else get the feeling of the constant "Heero" "Relena" that went on in GW? No wonder there are so many shounen ai Tanis/Raistlin stories around!
[ii] This is my all time favourite DragonLance quote! It is also one of the most recognisable, as shown when Tanis repeats that line in "Dragons of Summer Flame" before the Knights of Takhisis attack the High Clerist's Tower.
[iii] Another of my favourite lines! This is just so Caramon, but also, it's something you could almost see Heero sayng too.