Pheonix Rising Warning: Extreme angst and strangeness ahead! I've seen Endless Waltz only once and I don't know the histories of the pilots too well, so I'm making up what I can with what I know. Please forgive me if I've gotten anything wrong.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pheonix Rising
by Ratha

Part Six:Resurrected Memories

Memories never die, they only fade until you need them most. They can't be suppressed forever, they come back to haunt you at the most inopportune times. They have a life of their own, and they refuse to let your humanity be destroyed. You can never lose them, for they are always there, sleeping in the back of your mind for all time...

Whoa! Where are we? Did we die or something? Duo's voice echoed strangely in the unearthly swirls of color and light. He looked around, then jumped with a startled yelp as someone unexpectedly appeared out of the mist.

Baka. It's only me, Heero's voice growled.

That's why I yelled, Duo replied impudently, sticking out his tongue at the other pilot. Where are we?

I don't know. Where's Eiko? Heero looked around and spotted Trowa and Quatre approaching, followed by Wufei.

You won't believe who we found, Trowa commented, jerking his head toward two more figures behind them.

Duo visibly bristled with anger. Id and Zechs. What're you doing here?

Damned if we know, Id spat back.

Calm down, you two. There's no use wasting energy trying to start a fight, Trowa said calmly. Fighting isn't allowed here.

How do you know? Id and Duo demanded.

Because Eiko won't allow it. She's the one that brought us all here. To teach us a lesson, I assume.

A lesson in what? Quatre asked. Where is she?

Trowa shrugged.

"Are you lost, mister?" asked a young girl's voice.

Heero gasped and spun around, eyes wide as he stared at the scene that was now visible.

Do you know her or something, Heero? Duo asked.

Heero didn't respond, only staring at the scene of himself laying on a grassy hill and looking up at a young girl with a puppy. No...Not again... he whispered.

"I'm not lost," Heero replied. "I'm just relaxing."

Heero relaxing? I didn't think he could.

Shut up, Bakagami.

"Oh. Do you like my puppy?" The girl picked up her puppy to show it to him, obviously proud of the wiggling drool factory.

"It's cute." He sat up and awkwardly patted the puppy, who promptly tried to lick his face. "Real cute. Look, I gotta go, okay?"

"Okay! I gotta go, too. Bye!" The girl skipped off, her puppy scampering around her feet and barking happily.

The scene abruptly changed, showing Heero standing outside a mobile suit factory and holding a detonator.

Heero pressed the button and a series of explosions went off in and around the factory. One MS fell over, crashing into a nearby apartment building and destroying it. He blinked, then ran into the ruins of the building and searched through the rubble. Suddenly he paused, his face blank, then he bent down as snow began to fall. He straightened slowly and turned to reveal he was holding something and a single tear running down his cheek. He was holding the body of the little girl's puppy.

"What have I done?" he whispered as he began walking with his head bowed, still holding the lifeless animal.

The scene faded and everyone turned to look at Heero. The Perfect Soldier was visibly shaken and there was a suspicious glimmer in his eyes. Wisely, no one spoke as they wondered whose memories were going to be shown next.

"Solo! Hang on! I've got the medicine!" cried a young boy's voice, close to tears.

Duo let out a small "eep" and began nervously fiddling with his braid.

The scene showed a young brown-haired boy kneeling beside another boy who was obviously fatally ill.

"C'mon, Solo, don't die on me! I've got the medicine!" the brown-haired boy pleaded.

The sick boy smiled weakly and coughed. "S-sorry, kid. Can't do that." He began coughing harshly.

"Don't leave me, Solo!"

The ill boy snorted. "That's easy, idiot. I'll never leave you. You'll never be alone, 'cause I'll always be by your side." He smiled again, then he suddenly went limp in the other boy's arms.

"Solo? Solo!"

The scene shifted to show a church.

A nun stood in front of a group of raggedy-looking children, a kind smile on her face. "Hello, children. I am Sister Helen. Welcome to the Maxwell Church. Father Maxwell wants me to care for you orphans. Please tell me your names."

Several of the children eagerly told her their names, but one boy remained silent.

"What is your name, little one?" Sister Helen asked kindly, bending down to to look into his eyes.

The boy looked up, revealing himself to be the boy with Solo. "I'm Duo."

Gee, Duo. I didn't know you were an orphan...

Shut up, Quatre. You've got 29 sisters and I've got nuthin'.

You've got us and Eiko.

Do I? Just keep watching and you'll see why I'm the Shinigami.

The scene shifted to show a group of rebels using the church as a base of operations.

"I'll get you the mobile suit if you'll just leave the church!" the young Duo said to the rebel leader, clutching his short braid with his desperation.

The leader looked at him disdainfully. "Right, brat. Like you could really steal something as big as an MS."

"I can! Just watch me! I'll bring the MS back here tonight! Just promise that you'll leave the church when you get it!"

"Yeah, sure kid. If you can bring us an MS, we'll leave your little church."

Duo nodded and ran off, calling over his shoulder, "I'll be back, Sister Helen and Father Maxwell!"

I can't believe I was stupid enough to believe them, those lying bastards.

The young Duo struggled to drive the MS transport back to the church. He suddenly paled. "Noo! Those bastards!" He stopped the transport and scrambled out of the cab to stare at the destroyed church.

The church was littered with the bodies of the other children and the church's inhabitants. Duo walked silently among the ruins in shock. A soft sound caught his attention and he spotted Sister Helen, who was still alive.

"Sister Helen!" he cried, running to her side. "Sister Helen, what happened?"

"Th-the rebels bombed the church soon after you left," the nun whispered hoarsely. "They didn't think you would really be able to get the mobile suit. I'm so glad you survived, Duo..." Her eyes slowly closed and her hand went limp in his.

Duo stared in shocked horror for a moment, then suddenly let out an anguished wail.

The scene shifted again to show a Duo slightly younger than the present one, wearing a priest's outfit and a solemn expression.

"Yeah, whatever, Professor G," Duo snorted. "I'll do whatever it takes to destroy OZ for the pain they've caused."

Professor G nodded slightly. "What is your name, boy?"

"Duo Maxwell, the Shinigami."

"God of Death? Interesting. Why do you call yourself that? Do you believe in God?"

Duo's eyes flashed. "No. If there was a God, He wouldn't've taken everything away from me. No, death follows me wherever I go, so I must be Death itself."

"I see. Then may I suggest a different tactic, young Shinigami? If you are Death, then it cannot claim you. Laugh in its face and hide your pain with that laughter. Then Death can never call its God home."

The scene faded and everyone was silent. Duo was sitting down with his knees pulled up to his chest, arms resting on his knees, and his face was hidden in his arms. Quatre silently put a hand on the other boy's shoulder.

Well, now we know why Duo's messed up in the head.

Shut up, Wufei. I'm not in the mood. So who's Eiko gonna torture next?

"Is the Heavyarms ready yet Professor S?"

The scene showed Professor S and a strange man standing in front of the Heavyarms.

"Almost, Trowa Barton. But Operation: METEOR isn't-"

The strange man cut him off. "I don't care what it is or isn't. My uncle funded the building of this gundam, so I will use it the way he wants it to be used."

"We can't allow that, Mr. Barton. Operation: METEOR's objectives have changed and-"

"Then I will have to inform my uncle of your refusal." He turned to leave.

A shot rang out and the man collapsed, killed instantly. Professor S lowered the gun slowly.

"We can't allow that, either."

The man standing behind Professor S looked up at the gundam. "How can we find another pilot for the Heavyarms in time for Operation: METEOR?"

"Perhaps I could be of assistance," said a familiar voice and a dark figure leapt down from the shadows of the gundam. "My name is Triton Bloom, I'm a former mercenary who's been working on this gundam with the other technicians, so I know the Heavyarms pretty well."

"Very well. You may pilot the gundam. Since Trowa Barton is dead, why don't you assume his name when you pilot Heavyarms?"

Triton nodded. "Then my name is Trowa Barton, pilot of the Heavyarms."

Triton? Your real name is Triton?

Well, you've recovered quickly, Duo.

So Catherine really is your sister, Trowa- er, I mean Triton?

Yes, Quatre. But keep calling me Trowa. It's the name I've gotten used to.

The scene shifted to show Trowa inside the Heavyarms' cockpit, staring at the remains of a colony in shocked horror.

"Mother, Father...Catherine...I was too late." Trowa stared at the remains a moment longer, then all expression faded from his face. "OZ will pay. I will make them pay."

The scene faded after a few moments of silence.

Hey! No fair! Trowa's is the shortest!

Shut up, Bakagami.

How come you haven't said anything, Zechs? Duo demanded, rounding on the OZ soldier.

Zechs looked silently at the braided pilot, his mask hiding his face. I've got nothing to say, Maxwell.

Duo blinked in surprise, then spun to Heero and Wufei. Even Zechs doesn't call me Bakagami! So why do you two?

Eiko said they're jealous of you, Duo, Trowa said with amusement.

Heero and Wufei sputtered indignantly while Duo grinned goofily.

"Quatre! You're being disrespectful!" a man's voice yelled angrily. "You're not piloting that gundam ever again!"

Quatre let out a startled cry. Father!

The scene showed Mr. Winner facing his son on their colony.

"I'm sorry, Father!" Quatre said with mild defiance, holding a computer disk. "But someone has to fight."

"Such arrogance! You're just a child! Think like the Winner heir!"

"He is thinking like the heir," a soft voice said as a young woman placed a hand on Quatre's shoulder.

"Ilea..." Quatre said, looking up at her.

"Quatre fights for the good of the colonies," Ilea continued.

"Military force will not solve the problem," Mr. Winner snapped.

"I never thought I'd get to pilot Sandrock by helping Instructor H," Quatre murmured.

Mr. Winner turned to the window at the sound of shouting outside. "People are angry because I don't follow OZ. Looks like they've been fooled into protesting against me again."

The shouting could be plainly heard through the glass. "The Winners monopolize our resources!" "The Winners are the enemy of the colonies!

Mr. Winner turned back to his son. "But still, we're not fighting." He looked out the window again, then did a double-take. "What's that MS doing here?!"

Outside, a Leo suit was visible, aiming its weapon at the protestors. "I'm the Winners' guard!" the pilot said. "We will not be insulted anymore! Death to the protestors!" It fired its machine-gun at the crowd.

"What?! It's firing at the civilians! I don't even know that MS!" Mr. Winner shouted as two Taurus suits appeared.

Quatre stared in shock as he watched the Leo's pilot sneak out. "It's an OZ trap!" he cried as the Taurus fired their beam cannons at the mansion.

"OZ set us up!" Mr. Winner shouted just before the mansion was hit.

The house exploded with a loud boom, then everything was silent.

Quatre groaned and stirred, pushing himself to his hands and knees. Blinking and shaking his head, he suddenly noticed Ilea. "Sister!" he cried upon seeing her fatally wounded.

"I'm glad...I could protect my brother..." she croaked weakly. "We'll always...love you..." She let out a last shaky breath and was still.

"ILEA!!" Quatre screamed, tears brimming in his eyes.

"Force of arms...will not solve anything..." Mr. Winner's voice said weakly.

"Father!" Quatre located his father trapped under slabs of stone.

"It will only cause more problems..." Mr. Winner reached a hand toward Quatre. "Quatre...remember...you are...the Winner heir!" His hand fell to the ground.

Quatre stared in shocked horror, then he let his head drop down to hide his face. "Ilea...Father..." he whispered brokenly. "OZ kills everyone who gets in the way...even civilians..." He fell silent and slowly stood, stumbling forward. He picked up the disk that had somehow survived the blast.

Soft laughter filled the room, slowly growing louder as Quatre lifted his head to look at the disk. Tears streamed down his cheeks as a familiar maniacal expression crossed his face.

The scene faded with Quatre's laughter still echoing around the stunned pilots.

Eesh! You're even scarier than Heero, Quatre! Is that when you went crazy with the Wing ZERO? Duo turned to the pilot of Sandrock questioningly.

Quatre nodded silently, looking very shaken.

It's okay, Quatre, Trowa said softly, putting an arm around the other boy's shoulders. I'm sure Eiko has a reason for doing this.

Wufei looked at Id and Zechs, who were looking extremely uncomfortable. I think I know what she's doing. It's mainly for those two. He jerked his thumb at the two OZ soldiers.

So who's next? Duo asked. There's only four left-Eiko, Wu-man, Vampire-boy, and Sucks.

Heero muffled a laugh as the three "nicknamed" pilots angrily advanced on the braided pilot. Leave him alone. He's always saying things like that. He's just an idiot with a death-wish.

Hey! You're not helping, Heero! Duo yelled as he took refuge behind Trowa and Quatre.

"You weakling! Get your nose out of those books and fight!"

Wufei let out a curse as the scene showed a library with a young Chinese woman standing in front of a chair, the occupant of which was obviously hiding his face behind a book.

"Did you hear me, Wufei?! Listen to me when I'm talking to you!" the woman snarled.

Heh. Wufei was a bookworm.

Shut up, Bakagami!

Yeesh! Ya don't have to bite my head off! So is that Meiran, Wu-man?

Don't call me Wu-man, and yes, that was Meiran.

I thought so.

Letting out an exasperated sound, Meiran snatched the book from Wufei's hands. "I swear, I am going to burn all these blasted books of yours!" She tossed the book over her shoulder and glared at the silent Chinese man. "Now, are you going to fight with us or not?"

"No," Wufei said calmly. "Fighting won't stop OZ, or the Alliance. All it will accomplish will be the death of more innocent people."

Meiran scowled, but said nothing more, spinning on her heel and stalking away. "Suit yourself, you weakling! Just don't come crying to me when you get captured by the Alliance!"

"As if that would ever happen," Wufei muttered as he stood and went the opposite direction.

I'm confused, Wu-man-

What else is new?

Ha ha. I thought you were the one who was always yelling about others being weak and you were strong and all that junk.

Shut up and use your brain for once.

Be nice to him, Wufei.

The scene shifted to show the scene of a battlefield littered with bodies.

Wufei stared at the carnage in shock, then began frantically looking for someone or something among the dead. He stumbled over one body and landed beside the body of Meiran. His eyes widened as he stared.

The Chinese woman stirred and opened her eyes, looking up at him. "Wu...fei..." she whispered hoarsely. She coughed up blood and let out a labored breath.

Wufei got to his knees beside her, disbelief plain on his face. "This...this is impossible. The weak are supposed to be the ones to die, not the strong."

"I wasn't strong enough. But I died for my people. Does that finally prove I am the legendary Nataku?"

Wufei stayed silent for a long moment, then nodded slightly. He stayed by her side until her breathing stilled, then stood up, fists clenched and trembling at his sides with helpless fury.

The scene faded into silence.

Wufei scowled darkly and crossed his arms. Eiko had better have a damned good excuse for doing this, he growled. Or else I will severely berate that girl!

'Berate'? That's all, Wu-man? Heh. Looks like you're getting soft-

Shut up before I strangle you with that braid of yours!

"Father! Mother!" cried a boy's voice just before an explosion rocked the area and flames burst into existence. A young boy with long pale blonde hair stood on a clifftop above a burning kingdom. Shocked horror was visible on his face as he stared at the burning inferno below him. "Relena..." he whimpered, falling to his hands and knees, sobbing softly.

The scene suddenly shifted to focus on a familiar figure standing several yards behind the boy: Treize Kushrenada.

Treize watched the boy silently, a faint smile on his face. He didn't even turn as a soldier approached. "Were there any other survivors?" he asked the soldier quietly.

"We couldn't find the girl, Relena Peacecraft, to imprison with the rest of the Peacecrafts," the soldier replied.

"No matter," Treize smiled. "We have young Milliardo. Make sure he never finds out the truth about this. Understood?"

"Yes, Lord Treize."

Truth? Zechs suddenly said. What truth? What is he talking about?

Treize gave the boy's back a mock pitying look. "We wouldn't want him to know that it was OZ that destroyed the Sanc Kingdom, now would we?"

The scene faded.

Who's Milliardo? Duo asked in confusion.

That bastard, Zechs growled with barely controlled fury. So he's the one who destroyed my home! Damn him! I've been serving the murderer of my family!

Whoa. Duo looked at Zechs in surprise. I didn't think-

You don't think. That's the problem. Wufei glared at Duo, who returned it, much to Wufei's surprise.

Get off my back, China man!

I warned you to be nice to him, Wufei, Trowa said calmly. Now you've got Shinigami mad at you and not Duo.

Id snorted. Talk about your split personalities.

A baby's wail suddenly split the air.

Aw shit, Id groaned. Damn you, Eiko.

A rude noise overran the wailing.

And there's Eiko, Heero chuckled.

The scene showed a dim room, the center of which was lit up by a single light over a table, on which a baby kicked and wailed unhappily as the two shadowed figures ignored it.

"This brat is getting on my nerves!" a male voice growled. "Can't you get it to shut up, Lady?"

The other figure snorted. "Why should I? I don't want the brat. Take him to the orphanage or something. Just get him out of my sight."

The baby wailed louder and a faint glow surrounded him just before something smashed nearby.

The two figures cursed in startled anger.

"Dammit, I said get it out of here!" the woman snarled. "That thing is a menace! A freak! What NORMAL brat would have such pale skin and red eyes?"

The man chuckled darkly. "I know the perfect place for it. There's a secret lab that is conducting experiments with such...freaks...as this brat. It's for the Newtype Project. They would be ecstatic to get it."

"Whatever. Just get rid of it."

"Yes, Lady. As you wish. Lord Treize will never know of it."

Id growled dangerously and the younger pilots edged away from him. Dammit, Eiko! What game are you pulling? Is this another attempt to get the better of me? Answer me!

Silence met his angry voice and the scene faded abruptly. Id let out a round of curses at the infuriating silence.

I've heard of that project, Quatre said softly. The Newtype Project. It was run by OZ. Then something happened and their funding was cut off and the project abandoned.

What happened? Duo asked.

I happened, Id growled. Suddenly he seemed to deflate and let out a heavy sigh. I was a prime candidate for the experiments to create a better soldier and to artificially bring about the newtype abilities. My pseudo newtype abilities were never cultivated enough to warrant any further funding, so the project was scrapped. But just before I was disposed of, Treize decided to adopt me, rather than let me be killed. Then that bitch Lady Une let slip that I was her son, which I had always known, thanks to Eiko. When Treize had my blood analyzed, he found out that I was his son as well.

Damn. Talk about a messed-up childhood, Duo commented. Just like the rest of us. But what's Eiko's point in showing us all this?

As if in answer, the colors and light suddenly seemed to explode around the seven pilots, blinding them. When they could see again, they found themselves on one of the Colonies. As they watched, they suddenly noticed Leos all over the place, plus countless OZ soldiers armed with assault rifles. The soldiers were guarding a group of Colonist prisoners and herding them into transport shuttles.

"Get these prisoners moving!" a soldier shouted. "Make them an example to all those who oppose OZ!"

A familiar flash of black hair caught the watching pilots' attention and the spotted a young twelve-year-old girl among the prisoners.

Eiko...Wufei said in surprise.

The girl jerked as if she'd heard him and turned, but she was shoved into a shuttle by a soldier and the door closed for the shuttle to leave.

"Mama! Daddy!" her panicked voice wailed as the scene shifted.

Now they were inside a resource satellite, surrounded by slaves. The pilots immediately focused on a transit train and the familiar figure of Eiko, looking defeated. She seemed unaware of her surroundings until a disturbance attracted her attention.

"Work, you worthless piece of scum, WORK!" snarled an OZ slave driver as he beat a man who obviously couldn't work anymore.

Eiko stiffened and her eyes glowed their familiar blue-green glow that heralded the use of her powers. "Daddy..." she whispered, her eyes blazing with fury.

Then with a cry of fury, Eiko's powers exploded out of her, slamming into the slave driver and throwing him into an upright, stored emergency mining spade, killing him instantly. Her eyes still glowed with an unholy light and a reddish aura flickered like flames around her.

After a moment, the guards began firing at her. The bullets never touched her, yet she collapsed in a dead faint and the scene faded into darkness.

Then a vague, echoing voice broke the silence.

"I've never seen anything like this, Lord Treize. Her psychic powers are immense, unmatched by anything else in the known universe. She would be a great asset to OZ. But her memories of the 'peacekeeping' invasion could prove dangerous."

"Then erase her memories," Treize' voice responded. "And install a limitor to control her. Such power is too valuable to destroy."

"What about the girl's parents?"

"Kill them. We can't risk another telepath with that kind of power being created."

The light returned and the pilots now saw the Eiko they all knew, but she had an alien expression of coldness on her face.

"What is your name and rank?" Treize asked.

"Special OZ soldier 1934. Codename: the Pheonix," she responded curtly.

"And your history?"

"Raised in OZ and trained solely to fight."

"Who is your commanding officer?"

"Special Lieutenant Zechs Marquise."

Then for a brief second, a look of sadness crossed her face just before the scene faded.

Id blinked in shock. I never knew the truth of what OZ and my father did, he murmured. Eiko was right. OZ' ideals aren't for the good of the Colonies or for peace.

That's what I've been trying to tell you for years, Id, said Eiko's voice and she suddenly appeared in front of them. I'm sorry for making all of you go through that, heaven knows it was hard on you before. But I had to show you the truth. I had to show you the true face of OZ. And it is not pretty. She turned to face Id. What is your decision?

Id was silent a moment, then spoke quietly. I can't let my father hurt any more innocent people. I will join you pilots against OZ.

Eiko smiled and turned to Zechs. Zechs Marquise-

My name is Milliardo Peacecraft, he interrupted. Zechs died in the battle with the phoenix. I will avenge my family and the destruction of the Sanc Kingdom.

Eiko smiled and nodded. Then I have proved my point and we can return.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The eight gundams docked at the space base and the pilots exited their mobile suits.

"Id!" Eiko shrieked happily and tackled the red-haired man in a hug, kissing him enthusiastically.

The younger pilots laughed and began hooting and making catcalls, bursting into more laughter when the embarrassed man glared at them through an embarrassed blush.

A glare from Eiko made them shut up instantly. She smiled brightly and looped her arm through Id's, leaning her head on his shoulder. "So now there's eight gundams against OZ," she said. "OZ doesn't have a chance. Right?"

"Right!" was the unanimous response.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whee! Part six is finally done! I was having so much trouble with this part because my muse abandoned me before I even got started on it. I swear, I am going to hurt that Trowa! How dare he sneak away when I wasn't looking! Now I'll have to go chase down another muse. Do you know how hard it is to catch a muse when you're as insane as me? The Z-gang's too fast to catch, the GW boys carry guns, Kaoru chases me away from her dojo, the Sailor senshi always go ballistic, and the Ronins and mashos hide where I can't get to them. :( Does anyone know where I can get a new muse?