~Liberi Fatali~
By Moon Dragon
Warnings: *YAOI* future pairings: 1+2, MU+3, 3+4, AU, 5+Meiran,
AU, some romance and swearing.
Notes: Only one, please forgive my lateness!
Disclaimers: I don't own Gundam Wing or anything else
from Final Fantasy 8.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Trowa looks over the dim fire cave. He's only a foot away from it
and he could feel the vibrating heat from the cave. He tries to get
rid of the fact that he might evaporate in there within a few seconds.
"So, um, what is this 'item' that I'm looking for?"
He glances at Zechs.

"The item," Zechs answers, "is a necklace piece."

Trowa couldn't resist a raised eyebrow. "A necklace piece…"
Trowa confirms slowly.

Zechs nods, "It is a carving of a lion's head and a cross,
you can't miss it."

Trowa almost shouts out, "how can I find a bloody piece of
necklace in a huge ass mountain-sized fire cave?!"

But he knows better to accept the circumstances in silence.

"No questions?" Zechs inquires, "Good. You have 25 minutes to
accomplish this. Start now."

Trowa paces inside the cave with a few mumbled curses on his way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"'You can't miss it' my ass." Trowa grumbles.

The cave is certainly huge. Although its entrance looks small,
the underground cave is almost as large as the Garden!
Trowa wipes constant sweat from his face. His hair isn't helping
with it sticking on his face.
He looks around frantically for the necklace. He wants to get out
of here fast and done over with…And shower too.
The hot lava and black jagged rocks should surely make the necklace
stand out. Wouldn't it?

Then Trowa hesitates at the sound of rocks topple over.
Can't be monsters. They are always impulsive, they never
considerate on being stealthy
He quickly summons his weapon forward (1). Blue mist sweeps over
his hand as it gradually transforms into a long sword supported by
a handle of a gun. A proud and reliable weapon called the Gunblade.

"Who's there?" Trowa demands with a raised Gunblade, "Show yourself!"

"Don't hurt me," a small feminine voice answers.

Trowa pauses as a female, no older than Trowa, walks out from the
shelter of the rocks. Blond hair is tamed back with a few accessory
clips and hazel eyes look back at Trowa. Not brown, but not quite
pure blue and green either. Her eyes speak coolly as those colours
mix in mystery.

The Garden and the Balamb City nearby does not hold many occupants.
Surely, Trowa knows everyone, but this girl.

"Who are you?" he asks, lowering his Gunblade as well.

"My-my name is Middie. Middie Une," she stammers.
She clutches nervously around her necklace.
Trowa wouldn't take much notice if the necklace didn't match
Zech's description perfectly.

"That necklace," Trowa insists, "where did you get it?"

The one named Middie steps back cautiously.
"I don't know what you're talking about."

The heat is really making Trowa more irritable.
"That necklace is the property of the Balamb Garden.
I kindly wish for you to hand it over to me-"
Trowa stops as a massive monster made out of pure fire lumbers
its way towards the girl.

"Watch out!" Trowa warns. He instantly pushes the girl, Middie out
of the way. The monster hisses at Trowa in frustration. Trowa swipes
his Gunblade across the monster. It stumbles back but not effectively. The edge of Trowa's Gunblade clouds over from the monster's heat.
Physical damage won't work on elemental monsters like the
fiery Bomb Trowa is fighting.
Trowa steadies himself as the Bomb regains composure.
He concentrates hard on the pool of magic deep inside him.
Gathering his energy, Trowa releases a chilly blizzard.
The surrounding snow collects itself around the Bomb and
instantly freezing it to a solid ice block.
Trowa winces as the iced Bomb shatters into million pieces.
The ice remains quickly melt upon the contact of the hot ground.

Trowa turns around to find Middie unconscious because of his earlier
actions. He spots the necklace nearby and picks it up,
glancing at it before checking any injuries on the girl.

There are no injuries, but Trowa must carry her all the
way back outside. He sighs at his luck and summons away his
Gunblade in order to carry her.

Wait a minute…Is it him, or is the ground slightly quaking?

Shitshitshitshitshitshit! Trowa nervously looks back to confirm his
fearful prediction.
From a distance, the G.F. Ifrit arises from its slumber and
angry with the intruders inside his cave. Its monstrous bull
form roars powerfully, which makes the whole cave shake.
Rocks fall on Trowa like rain as the G.F. stomps its way towards
the duo.

In sheer panic, Trowa hauls up Middie in his arms and hastily
retreat to the cave's entrance.
His vision is nothing but falling rocks and eventually
darkness as one hits him out like a light.

~~tbc~~

(1) for all you FF8-know-it-alls, I know that "summoning" a weapon
is not originally planned...but I really don't
want to use the comical way of
"he pull his Gunblade out of hammer space," K?