Disclaimer: Neither myself nor Shinotenshi own the g-boys. If we did things would be very different and Relena wouldn't be around. ^_^ Also any original characters where created by us and are owned by us. Don't steal them!

Author's notes: Anything that is written in between these quotes ' ' is either said through the Zero System or telepathically.

Cai searched around the first explosion. He took out a smile device and turned it on. "Kazu? What's the word man?" He asked.

"Ni-chan just checked in." Came a reply from a young sounding man through the device. "It's most definitely Nemesis."

"I figured as much. She okay?" He asked.

"She's fine. A bit discouraged, though. That guy she helped refused help from her. She's worried about him." Kazu Yuy replied.

"Understood." Cai said. "Send her here."

"Can do." Kazu replied. Cai walked off helping who he could and searching for anyone who looked suspicious.

On top of the nearest building to the explosion, a young lady stood and watched over the area. Her long pale blonde hair was pulled back into a barrette and left loose for the most part and she was dressed in knee-length black lace up boots, black jeans, a black vest that laced up the front and bracers that laced up as well. They had a design of a dragon done in crimson thread. She narrowed her eyes as she focused in on Cai.

Cai looked up and spotted the girl who'd spotted him. He stared up at her until Akani ran up to him. Akani offered him back his gun. Cai took it quickly and eyed the girl cautiously.

Shadow smirked and jumped off the edge of the building she was on. She landed on the ground and said, "Is there a problem?"

Akani and Cai both narrowed their eyes suspiciously at Shadow. She was most definitely not a normal girl.

"Cai…" Akani started.

"Hush, onna." He said. "Who are you?" He asked shadow.

She smirked and said, "You are the first to actually see me. My name is Shadow. I am the leader of Nemesis."

Cai pushed Akani back and a bit behind him, since she had no weapons. He pointed his gun at Shadow. "Then I guess we do have a problem, then." He said. Akani opened her mouth to speak. "Urusai, onna." He interrupted her.

Shadow gave them an amused look and said, "You honestly think you can stop me? Nobody has been able to stop me. I chose to reveal myself to you or you would have never known I was here. How do you like my handy work?"

Cai lowered his gun. He knew she was right about that. Many had fallen with more than just a gun at their side. He still kept himself placed between Shadow and Akani. "Why did you do this?" He asked.

Shadow looked at the burning building and the surrounding area, before she turned back to them and said, "It's fun. I like to see just how far I can go. How much pain and suffering I can cause. I
hate this world and have no reason not to try and destroy it."

Cai narrowed his eyes at her. He should have expected as much. "So why? Why show yourself to us? What do you want with us?"

Shadow smiled faintly and said, "I was feeling generous today. Besides I have a question for Akani. How did Alexander respond to his invitation to join Nemesis?"

Akani folded her arms over her chest. "Why not ask your lackey?" She said.

"Nice comeback, Akani. I'm sure Donovan would love to tell me, however he's currently occupied doing something else at the moment. Although I can guess what his reaction was." Shadow replied.

Akani stepped forward with every intention of using the worst words she knew, but Cai brought up his hand blocked her way, not even looking at her. Akani stood subdued.

"You'll get no information from us." He said.

"I see. I can tell you just what happened. Alexander refused the offer and ran from Akani. He even refused her help as well. He's one of the best chemists I've seen and would be a great addition to Nemesis." Shadow said.

"And what makes you so sure he'd join you?" Cai asked. His voice was still calm and composed.

"You'd be surprised what you can convince a person to do, when they aren't in their right mind." Shadow replied.

"What are you planning to do to him?" Akani demanded. Cai raised his hand again.

"Akani." Warned Cai.

Shadow smiled rather sadistically and said, "I have no intentions of doing anything to him, my dear. He won't be harmed, physically at least."

Akani growled angrily. "You leave him alone!" She snapped.

"Hush, onna." Cai said.

Shadow just smirked and said, "You want to protect him, yet he doesn't want your protection or help. How amusing. You think you can protect him from me?"

Akani growled in a low tone and Cai knew she was going to challenge Shadow. Cai turned and looked at her this time, a warning look that read she was to stop. "Yamero." He said harshly. Akani narrowed her eyes but fell silent. Cai turned back to Shadow but was silent.

Shadow narrowed her eyes and said, "What's the problem? Don't dare to try and take me on?"

Cai smirked. "You're really conceited, aren't you?" He said. "You know as well as I do we don't stand a chance against you right here right now. You just want to hear us say it."

Shadow looked at him and said, "It doesn't matter to me what you think of me. I have other reasons for talking to you, right now. You think you can figure anything out, yet both of you are fools."

"You keep asking questions you know the answer too, yet we're the fools?" Cai said.

Shadow smirked and suddenly they heard, "Sorry, I'm late." She looked to the side as Donovan stepped into the light. He held an object up and Shadow nodded. He tossed it to her and said, "It's all setup Shadow. You've got the controls now. We are heading out and I will see you at the base, my lady." He gave a slight bow and then vanished back in the darkness of the alleyway. Shadow then turned to Akani and Cai. She held up the device Donovan had tossed her and said, "I assume you know what this is."

Cai narrowed his eyes at her. "What are you destroying now?" He asked, still calm and composed.

She looked at him and said, "While we were talking, this was wired to an entire city block. It will kill quite a few people, should I set it off."

Cai frowned. He figured as much. Not that he could have stopped it even if he wasn't busy. "We get a choice in the matter?" He asked.

Shadow appeared to think on the question, before she said, "No." She then pushed the button on the detonator and set it off. Several miles away, the explosions took place and literally shook the surrounding area.

Akani almost fell over, but Cai grabbed a hold of her and kept her on her feet. She was seething with anger but Cai still looked completely indifferent. "And the point of that was?" Cai asked.

"No point. I just felt like doing it." Shadow replied as she crushed the detonator in her hand. She threw the crushed pieces on the ground and started to walk away. As she did she said, "As much as I'd love to continue our little chat, I've got another engagement to go to. Don't worry though. You haven't seen the last of Nemesis or myself. And that holds true for Alexander as well."

Akani started after them but Cai stopped her. "What the hell is wrong with you?" She growled. "They're going after Alex!" Cai pushed her off in the direction of the explosion.

"Ni-chan, we'd just end up getting ourselves killed." He said. "We're no match for her right now."

"I don't care." She growled. "I can't just do nothing. I have to try to help him."

"He doesn't want your help, Akani." Cai said starting off to the explosion. "Leave him to the fate he choose. There are people dying that will be grateful for your help." Akani frowned. She looked
back in the direction of Alex's house.

"I'll get you out of Nemesis, Alex." She said softly. "I swear it." She followed after Cai.

Shadow took off at a steady pace and ended up at an abandoned spaceport. She walked inside one of the hanger bays and several members of Nemesis, including Donovan looked up. A shuttlecraft was sitting inside of the bay as well. Donovan looked at Shadow and said, "How did it go?"

She smiled and said, "It went perfectly."

Donovan grinned and said, "That's good. Now what would you like us to do?"

"We wait." Shadow replied.

Nobody questioned her, as she always had a good reason for doing what she did. Shadow looked out of the hangerbay and could see the raging fires from the two worst explosions and she thought to herself, 'Just a little longer and Alexander Callahan is mine.'

Alex sat up fast as the house shook faintly. He looked around and then went downstairs. He turned on the small TV in the kitchen and the newscaster was reporting on another explosion that had taken place, bringing the total up to three explosions in about an hour. He was turning away from the TV when the newscaster mentioned where the third explosion had taken place. Alex froze and looked back at the TV, with undisguised pain in his eyes. The third explosion had taken place where his mother worked. He backed up in shock and managed to sit at the table. He put his head in his hands and tried not to cry or let the pain rule him again.


Shadow suddenly looked up from where she was sitting and said, "It's time. Donovan, you are coming with me. The rest of you get the shuttle ready to lift off."

They all nodded and Donovan followed Shadow out. He grabbed a small black case on his way out. They followed a direct route to Alex's house and Donovan didn't bother to knock. He opened the door and walked in. Shadow followed him in and they both heard the small television on in the kitchen. Donovan walked slightly into the kitchen and said, "I told you I would be back, Alexander."

Alex looked up with fear on his eyes and he was crying, despite trying not to cry. He looked at Donovan and managed to croak out, "Why? What are you doing here?"

Donovan smirked and didn't answer. Shadow then stepped out from behind Donovan and said, "And here I thought Donovan would have told you why Nemesis was after you."

Alex's eyes widened and he said, "Who are you!?"

She smirked and walked a little further into the kitchen and turned off the TV before she said, "My name is Shadow. I am the leader of Nemesis."

Alex just stared at her in surprise. A small part of his mind that was still coherent was telling him to run, but it was getting lost in the jumble of emotions running through him. One thing his mind did agree on was that Shadow was very attractive. He shook his head and tried to clear his mind but it wasn't working. He looked at her and said, "Why did you set the explosives in the small business district? My mom.........she worked there."

Shadow looked at him and said, "I know she did and yes, she is dead. Besides she wasn't your real mother. Your real parents are already dead. Calista never understood you and she never would have."

Alex looked down and said, "That's true, but I still cared about her. She may not have understood me, but she did try to. Why should I help you?"

Shadow smiled and said, "You are an expert at chemicals and explosives. You can't tell me that you don't get a thrill at destroying something or you wouldn't cause the explosions you do at school. You're restless in those classes and Nemesis can give you the challenge."

Alex stood up and looked from her to Donovan and back. He then shrugged and said, "Then I won't deny it. I do love to blow things up and I love to mix chemicals up, sometimes just to see what they will do. Maybe I have a death wish if I continue to mess with chemicals, but I don't care. But why should I work for you? Why should I work for Nemesis?"

Shadow looked at him and said, "You hate the government as much as I do. You blame them for the death of your real parents. I work at trying to bring down the government and trying to disrupt the peace policy. Why not work for Nemesis?"

Alex flinched slightly at her words. Nobody had ever known how his parents had been killed, except him. Now she knew as well. He was so confused and he didn't know what to do. Shadow was opening old wounds that he had thought were healed. Her words made sense yet a small
part of him was telling him to say no and get as far away from her as he could. Without realizing what he was doing, he had taken several steps towards her. He blinked and echoed her last sentence, "Why not work for Nemesis?"

Shadow smirked and held out her hand to him and said, "All you have to do is say yes and you will be taken out of this boring world and into one where your talents can shine."

Alex looked at Shadow, reached out and took her hand.

"I will join Nemesis. I will help you take down this cruel and unjust government." he said in a dull tone.

Shadow nodded and then Alex collapsed. She caught him and looked at Donovan, who was now standing behind where Alex had been standing. He held an empty syringe in his hands and said, "That was easier then I thought."

"It wasn't that easy, Donovan. Shock and surprise where the biggest factors, but I had to open up the old wounds in order for him to really 'see'." Shadow said and checked to make sure Alex was indeed okay.

Donovan nodded and said, "Let it not be said that you can't play a mean mind game with someone."

Shadow nodded and Donovan walked over and picked Alex. He looked at Shadow and said, "While you were talking, I set up the last of the explosives in this house. The detonator is on the table. I'll take our sleeping friend to the shuttle. I'll wait for you there."

"Okay." Shadow replied as she picked up the detonator. She watched Donovan as he left he house and made his way down the way they had came. Shadow then went upstairs and walked into Alex's room. She reached into his book bag and pulled out the device Akani had given him. She smirked, walked downstairs and out of the house. She turned around to face the house and then pushed the button on the detonator. The house exploded and Shadow didn't look fazed at all. She then pushed the button on the device Akani had given Alex and tossed it on the ground in front of the now destroyed house along with a note that said, "You've lost this round. Alex is now a member of Nemesis and there is nothing you can do about it."

Shadow then turned and walked away from the destroyed building. She got back to the abandoned spaceport and saw the shuttle was ready and waiting for take-off. She entered the shuttle and closed the door behind her and said, "Let's go. We've accomplished what we had come to do."

The pilot nodded and the shuttle lifted off and left the colony.

Akani was helping the wounded when the signal from the device blared in her mind through her link to the Zero system. She got up and looked to Cai. He nodded to her and she ran off. She found a secluded spot. "I need an empty spot near Alex's house." She said into the com.

"One moment, Akani dear." Kazu's voice responded. There was silence. "I've got a nice spot for you." He said and gave her coordinates.

"Thanks." She said. She double-checked that no one was around her right now. In the clear she teleported to the spot she was told was clear. She got to Alex's house and picked up the device. "This isn't over, Shadow." She growled holding the device. "Not by a long shot."

"Akani. Heads up. Local pigs are on their way." Kazu warned. "You don't need to be caught on the scene. Get your skirted butt out of there."

"That spot still open?" She asked walking calmly away from the house.

"So is the spot you were at before." Kazu said.

"Thank you, Kazu." She said getting to the secluded area.

"No problem, Akani." Kazu said. Akani teleported back to the previous area. She looked at Cai and shook her head. He nodded and went back to helping the wounded. Akani did as well, discretely hiding the fact that she was using her powers to stop the bleeding.

"Hey, kiddos." Kazu said again. "Hate to keep getting on your case while you're doing civil service but the reporters just pulled in. Look like you belong."

Cai looked to Akani and tapped on his ear. Akani nodded and deactivated her link to Soul Reaver and tossed the earpiece in her bag and stopped using her powers, instead relying on her medical knowledge.

Things went well and the media for the most part ignoring the two children aside from a few people making a passing mention of good Samaritans, until the Police started pushing people behind a barrier declaring it a danger zone. "Looks like we've done all they'll let us do to help. I'm sure school won't miss us. Let's go check back in." Cai said. Akani nodded and they headed for HQ.

They got back and Kazu met them at the door. He ran his hand through his golden hair. "Another typical day in school?" He said. "Glad I graduated."

"Oh shut up, Kazu." Akani said. "Where's my dad?"

"Mr. Maxwell's talking to my dad." He said. "They're off working on the Gundams."

"Thanx." Akani said and she started walking off. Kazu smirked.

"Want help getting all that dust of your skirt?" He asked.

"Leave her alone." Cai said and followed Akani.

"She loves it. She knows it." Kazu said and walked back up to his spot on the observation deck.



Far off on Earth the circus went on as usual. Koji Bloom did his usual routine. Acrobatics and other demonstrations of his amazing skill and balance. The crowd Oo'd and Ah'd as he worked skillfully without a net. And for his finally he let himself drop and landed gracefully on his feet. The crowd cheered and screamed. He took his bow and walked out of the tent.

"Good job." A deep voice said.

"Thanks, uncle Trowa." Koji said and continued walking.

"I wish you wouldn't encourage him to do that." Catherine said. "It's dangerous." Koji ignored his mother and continued on. He got to his trailer and watched the government trucks pass by. He
frowned at walked into his trailer and turned on his TV. He had about an hour before finally curtain call.

"Today on colony L2 there were 4 explosions. Authorities report it was the anti-government group calling themselves Nemesis." Came the news report.

"Hmph. 'Bout time someone did something about those government bastards." He said. "I just wish I could help them." He bided his time, keeping himself busy until curtain call. He went out and took his final bow for the night and the show ended. He walked out to the front of the tent and started showing off for the crowd as they left. As most of the crowd filtered off Koji finally stopped. He smiled and waved to the crowd but noticed a man with what appeared to be a dragon symbol… the symbol of Nemesis. He stared at the man a bit unsure of what he should do. Resolved that he wanted to do more with his life than the circus he approached the man, making sure they were out of earshot of anyone else, he still spoke low. "You're from Nemesis, aren't you?"

The man looked at Koji suspiciously and said, "Maybe I am and maybe I'm not. Why do you want to know?"

"Either you are or you aren't. I won't say any more until I know." Koji said. "But don't worry, I won't turn you in if you are."

The man looked at him for a few seconds and then said, "Yes, I work for Nemesis. Now why do you want to know?"

"I want to join." He said.

The man looked at him startled and said, "You want to join Nemesis? Why should I believe you?"

Koji shrugged. "You have no reason to. But I want to join. I think my skills could be useful to your organization." He said.

The man shrugged and said, "It's not my decision. It's up the boss. You'd have to talk to Shadow."

"And how can I get in contact with Shadow?" He said.

The man looked around and saw that nobody was around them and he pulled out a small communicator. He opened it and punched in a code. The com channel opened and another man's voice came through and said, "Something wrong?"

"Nah, I've got someone that wants to join Nemesis. He needs to talk to Shadow first."

"Ah….I see. Shadow's on the way back to the base. I can inform Shadow about your young friend, but I don't think Shadow would be able come to Earth."

The man looked at Koji and said, "We can tell Shadow about you, but you'd have to come to space to meet with the boss."

Koji cast one glance back to the tent then looked at the man. "That's fine with me." He said.

The man nodded and said into the communicator, "Let the boss know about this kid. He's coming up to space to meet Shadow."

"Okay. I'll let the boss know. When and how is he going to come up?"

He looked at Koji and repeated the questions.

Koji thought about this for a moment. "I have a small savings. Tell me where to go and I'll catch the next shuttle there." He said.

The man looked at him and said, "You have to go to L1. The boss or Shadow's second in command will meet you at the spaceport. They will take care of you from there."

Koji nodded. "Thank you." He said with a polite bow.

The man nodded, said a few words into the communicator and then shut it down. He then hurried off.

Koji returned to his trailer. He changed out of his outfit and into normal clothes. He dug around under his bed until he found the small box where he kept his money. He counted it quickly then shoved it in his pocket. He gathered a few small things and a couple changes of clothes, figuring if he was accepted he wouldn't be returning, and threw them in his backpack. He slung it over his back and left his trailer.

"Where are you off too?" Trowa asked, looking to have been coming to see him.

"I was just going for a walk." Koji said.

"You bag looks mighty full for walk." Trowa commented.

"I wanted to go to the park and read for a while. I'm bringing my jacket and a sweater incase it gets cold." He said. "It's not a problem is it Uncle Trowa?"

"Just be back before morning this time, Koji." He said. "You're mother was very worried about you last time."

"I fell asleep." He said with a shrug. "I'll try not to do that this time."

"See you later then, Koji." Trowa said heading back for the main tent.

"Good-bye, Uncle Trowa." Koji said and walked off. He headed straight for the space port.

"Can I help you kid?" The lady behind the counter asked.

"Yes, ma'am." He said. "I need a one way ticket to L1 please."

"Isle or window." She asked.

"Window please." He said. She smiled at him and handed him a ticket. He paid for it and took the ticket.

"The shuttle leaves in 15 minutes." She said.

"Thank you." He said and walked off. Koji was soon on his way to L1. After a long trip he arrived at L1 and got off the shuttle. He looked around unsure of who he was looking for.

Any Japanese words or phrases are translated below:

Onna = Woman.

Urusai = Be quiet, be silence, shut up.

Yamero = Rough non-polite form of "Stop". Polite way to say it is "Yamete."