Duo's Discovery

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Some few months later, Heero was in the middle of the woods, next to a gundam that looked suspiciously like Wing Gundam, Duo was climbing into what could only be Deathscythe Hell, Trowa and Quatre had met up again, Wufei was no longer in uniform, but sitting on a metal stone, or was that a giant knee? and Lord Une's forces had multiplied.

D'arcy had recovered, and was in the process of cleaning her gundam. The gold hinges were gleaming more brightly than ever. She worked, humming to herself, for a while, and then a shadow fell over her. She looked up, and saw that the shadow was that of Deathscythe Hell. D'arcy stood, and called out, her pleasant voice just a bit mocking, Ah, yes! The famous Deathscythe Hell! Is it Duo, or has he sold his Gundam?

Duo said, I would never sell my Gundam. Everyone knows that.

Well, I'm glad too see someone so famous. D'arcy bowed. Her bow, like her voice, gently ridiculed Duo.



Of course, again. I never expected you, or anyone else, for that matter, to even see me, but I was there.

It was one of those few times when Duo felt bemused. You were?

With that, D'arcy turned back to cleaning her gundam.

The door opened, and Duo jumped down from the cockpit. He stood still an instant, noticing how more clearly defined her figure was when it wasn't seen through glass. Oh, come on. You couldn't have been there without my seeing you.

Her tone was gentler than before. You had stars in your eyes. You didn't even notice Relena then. She looked up to find him staring at her. You needn't think I'm offended, you know. I don't think anyone noticed me.

Somebody must have noticed you.

Are you kidding? Heero never notices anybody, you were caught up with Hilde, Trowa doesn't notice girls, Quatre's too shy, and Wufei hates women. No, I wasn't noticed. She turned away, and muttered under her breath, except by Lord Une.

Duo must have had sharp ears, because he caught what she said. Lady Une's cousin? What does he have to do with anything?

The bastard tried to steal my gundam.

Duo cringed.

Only for him. Her voice was filled with pride. He's missing a finger on his left hand now.

He smiled. Attagirl. Hey, I've got to go blow up some of his mobile suits. Wanna come along?



They got into their Gundams, and flew down to Attila base. Ever noticed, D'arcy remarked, how every one of his bases are named after some famous warrior?



He'll be naming one after you next.

Duo laughed. Not until I'm dead.



They had reached the base, and landed. Duo turned on his scythe. Aren't you gonna use your gun?

Nah. What's the point? We have to get through the guards first, and close combat's the best for that.

Even I don't punch.

Nor do I—with a bare hand. But I've got my nice, pointy, laser knuckles. As she spoke, she turned them on, and four short beam blades came out of the brace she had put around her right hand. She pulled a regular beam sword out of her right wrist, and hefted it in her left hand. And her stance changed, so that she was more crouched, ready to pounce or repel. They moved forward, and D'arcy took the first guard. She cut off its head with her laser-knuckles. The next she cut in half diagonally with her sword, and turned just in time to put up her shield to block the third guard, while kneeing it in groin with an especially pointy right knee. It ripped through the guard's stomach, disemboweling it. Duo took out two more guards with one slash and they were in. They scanned for the base's center, found it, and D'arcy took out her gun. She gave the center a blast, and it was soon nothing but rubble. They flew away.

The whole process had taken less than six minutes. D'arcy starting singing Mind Education under her breath. She had a nice singing voice, too. Then she started to laugh. Another strike against you, murderers.

You should be the Goddess of Death, Duo said.

D'arcy gave a half-laugh, half-snort. It was plainly derisive. If I'm the goddess of anything, it's revenge. Well, I'll see you later...if you remember me.

Duo called after her. What's your name?

She stopped, and gave him another bow, mid-air. D'arcy Collins at your service. Be seeing you. And she was gone.

~~~

Duo flew home deep in thought. Finally, he sent a message to Wing ZERO. Hey, Heero! Wherever you are! There's a sixth gundam! Her name's D'arcy, and she's the Goddess of Revenge! Don't know much else, but it looks like it'll be fun knowing her!

Heero smiled grimly. A sixth Gundam, is it? he though to himself. Sounds like the Enemy in disguise. How could a sixth Gundam be built?

~~~

Meanwhile, D'arcy stood at a grave. Mother? There's three more mobile suits for you. Her voice broke. Only — only the — rest — left to go. Suddenly, she knelt at the foot of the grave, and threw herself down on it. Mother, I promise you, I'll avenge you. She started crying. I — promise — you... She sobbed and sobbed, until she had worn herself out, and finally slept.