Beyond Omega
by Maria Rocket
***
Author's Notes: Check the notes attached to Chapter 1 for full warnings and other such stuff. I've pretty much pulled through all the really sludgy stuff, it's going to start speeding up after this... Well, except that I write so dang slow... ^^;;
***
Can't you see them?
See the signs
You see them
All the signs we see them
Can't you see them?
~from "Signs" by Creed
***
Chapter 2
Cupping his hands around his eyes, Quatre squinted up at the golden brilliance of the Cinq Palace. At the very top, he could see the occasional flash of brightly colored wings large enough to be clearly seen. Duo was right, he thought. Dragons did come much bigger than Wufei. Feeling a poke on the shoulder, he dropped his gaze.
"C'mon, we're going to get caught if we stand around too long." Duo was watching the forest around them nervously. He frowned, then twisted around in a complete circle with a confused look on his face. "Hey, where's Wufei, he was right here a second ago...!"
"Duo," sighed Quatre. "Why must we always go through this?" He pointed towards the ancient bluestone walkways surrounding the palace. "He's over there."
The Draca prince was throughly fascinated with one of the many decorative fountains around the palace. He was walking around its four-sided ledge, made to resemble the four-sided star that was the symbol of the Cinq Kingdom. What had his attention was the statue within the glimmering veil of water. It was a big dragon, wings spread, sitting quite regally on its haunches. Covered with large plates, Quatre imagined it must have been terribly impressive to see in real life. Something about the molded shock of swept back hair and the face reminded him a lot of Wufei.
"Wufeiiiii!" Duo hissed. "Get back here!"
Either Wufei couldn't hear him, or was ignoring him, as he didn't respond. Before Duo could do anything else, something sprung out of nowhere and seized him from behind. Quatre stepped back to avoid friendly fire.
"AAAAAAAHHHH!! Get off! Get off!" Duo hollered.
"Trespassers!" His captor sneered. "You know the penalty for trespassing on Her Royal Highness's Glorious Achievement!?"
Quatre couldn't help rolling his eyes.
"Nooo!" Duo struggled frantically. His eyes widened in fear as his fate descended upon him. Smack on the nose.
"Augh!" With a look of disgust, he rubbed his nose with the front end of his waistcloth. "Twice already, and it isn't even midday yet!"
"Hello, Hilde." Quatre greeted his friend's attacker with a grin.
The raven-haired girl was wearing a green uniform and blue boots and gloves, exactly like what was worn by the palace guards. However, she wore no patches of rank. She was one of the few junior guards that patrolled the palace. There wasn't much to guard the palace from to begin with, so the Junior Guard tended to cause trouble more than anything else. But Heero supported the young band of overenthusiastic do-gooders. Most who joined the Junior Guard eventually quit when they discovered it wasn't as exciting as they thought it would be.
For some, pride and honor tied them to the duty. But Quatre knew that for Hilde, the excuse to annoy the senses out of Duo was an opportunity that far outweighed such things.
"You two missed the dragons flying over this morning," she informed them, setting her hands on her hips. "It was incredible! I bet it was like that with the big hoverships back during the war! Huge!"
"We woulda been here if slowpoke Quatre here hadn't gotten himself grounded."
"Grounded?" Hilde turned a wry grin onto Quatre. "Is our sweet little Quatre turning into a bad boy?"
With a huff, Quatre, drew himself up to his full one inch of height over her. "I am not little!"
"Sweet little, little Quatre, you know we wuv you, don't get upset," Duo mocked him in a sugary sweet voice. "You're so sensitive."
With a growl, Quatre pounced on Duo, throwing the braided boy to the ground. "I'll teach you!" He began planting big, wet, noisy kisses all over his friend's face. "Mwah! Mwah! I wuv you too, Duo!"
Duo yelped. "Not again! Hilde, save me!"
The girl just leaned back against a tree and laughed herself to tears as Quatre and Duo wrestled playfully on the forest floor. Tearing her eyes away from the tumbling tangle of limbs as she wiped at her eyes, she finally noticed the small dragon at the fountain. Her icy blue eyes widened.
"Wow! Guys, look over there!"
"Huh?" Duo looked up from where he was now sitting on Quatre's back, trying to keep the other boy from getting up. "Oh yeah, that's Wufei! We found him on our way over here. That's the other reason we were late."
"Uff!" Spitting leaves out of his mouth, Quatre took advantage of Duo's moment of distraction. With a quick backwards jab of his elbow, he knocked the wind out of Duo. As the other boy wheezed from the blow, he pushed out from under him. He took cover behind Hilde. "We're taking him to meet Heero."
"Then you've come to the wrong place." Hilde stopped staring at Wufei, turning her eyes towards Quatre. "I just saw Heero tear out of here about fifteen minutes ago."
"What!?" Duo was about to pounce Quatre again, but stood straight up in surprise. "What's he doin' takin' off while the Draca are visiting?"
"Got me." Hilde shrugged. "But it looked like he was headed towards Kandor Falls." She leaned in towards the boys with a secretive gleam in her eye. "There's a rumor going around that the Draca are here to negotiate for permission from Relena to locate and execute somebody."
"You think Heero's looking for somebody?" Duo asked.
"But why? And who could they be looking for?" Quatre looked between Duo and Hilde. Then he bit his bottomlip doubtfully. "We shouldn't jump to conclusions though. I mean, the last rumor that came down through the Junior Guard was about a giant living in the palace basement." He crossed his arms across his pale chest. "And we all know what came of that fiasco."
"Don't look at me!" Duo squeaked. "If we hadn't gone down and had a look, we'd still be wonderin' if it were true or not! And that's why," he grabbed Quatre's wrist and started pulling him along towards the palace, "we're going after Heero and finding out what's really going on!"
"Umm... Why don't you just ask your dragon friend?" Hilde followed them.
"Ask me what?" Wufei bounded up to them.
"If you came down to execute somebody," Quatre stopped and pulled out of Duo's grasp. "Our friend Hilde has been hearing rumors."
Wufei looked Hilde over. "I have no idea. Grandmother has important matters to discuss with the Princess. That's all I know."
"See! I'll bet I'm right!" Hilde said gleefully.
"Yeah, yeah," Duo waved the matter away impatiently. "Just tell us where Heero went already. I need to hear it from the man himself!"
"I told you, Heero took off towards Kandor Falls. I have to stay on duty, but if he tells you anything more, come back and tell me!"
"We will," Quatre called back as he chased after the already departing Duo and Wufei, his sandals clattering on the stone beneath his feet.
***
Intense blue eyes stared up into mist and stinging droplets. Engulfed in the roar of the waterfall, Heero found enough peace to feel guilty for leaving Relena's side. Never before had he seen her look as lost as she had before he left. But then, she'd never had to deal with anything as serious as the Draca.
They very badly wanted someone dead. Someone they believed would bring about the end of the world. Heero's fists clenched at his sides. He knew Relena well enough to know that she wouldn't allow it. She didn't believe in the old legends. There was no way she would let them execute anyone based solely on their beliefs.
And he doubted the Draca, who had a reputation for being fanatical, would just let the matter slide by. They believed they were fighting against the evil destroyer of the world, as foretold by the Prophet. They would likely be willing to risk anything, even their ties to the Cinq Kingdom, just to succeed in their mission.
His own feelings were mixed. He wasn't about to stand by as who knew how many people were accused of something that hadn't even happened yet. He was still shocked that those as wise as the Draca had suggested such madness. But a small biting doubt pestered his mind. What if they were right?
A few years ago, before he settled into his royal duties, he had traveled beyond the kingdom, searching for survivors of the war. Specifically, for others like himself. He saw and did many things, but he never found any other survivors of his people. He was the last descendant of the Genetically Enhanced Super Soldiers that served, then rebeled against the Wizards in the ancient days. And it was during these travels that he learned of the Omega Prophecy.
It was a foreboding legend of an ancient evil reborn into a boy of Wizard and slave descent. There were several variations he had come across. But one aspect had always been the same, and it now haunted him.
The Omega would be born in the days of the last GESS prince.
And there was no longer any doubt in his mind that he was the last. The war had wiped out his people in a single blow, leaving only himself. Were they really living in the last days? Unless... Heero crossed his arms and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Unless...
Of course whatever the outcome, he would remain faithful to Relena's decision.
A loud squawk interrupted his thoughts. He lifted his arm and allowed his pet Bimary to perch there. The parrot-like creature ruffled its emerald feathers in the mist. Its long bushy tail wrapped around Heero's arm as it scratched at its bald, blue, lizard-skinned head with the tiny claws on its wingtip. Then it turned with flashing black eyes and opened its yellow beak wide to screech at something Heero couldn't see.
"Yeah Klarn," Heero stroked his pet, "I hear them. Can't hide from those two for long. It doesn't help that you let them know exactly where I am whenever they get close."
Sure enough, a familiar braided boy came crashing through the mist. Heero expected to see the blonde boy who usually shadowed Duo, but instead was surprised to see a small white dragon loping after him. And farther behind came Quatre, nearly tripping over his own sandals trying to keep up.
"Eh, Heero!" Duo yelled over the noise of the rushing water. "There you are! Have you met Wufei? What are you doing out here, man? What's going on, c'mon give us some dirt!"
"Uh, hi," Quatre waved, finally catching up with the other two.
Wufei was just staring at him. Heero stared back, feeling himself tense up. Unlike the dragons he had met earlier, he saw no bias or mistrust in his young eyes. Merely curiosity. Heero felt that he would like this young dragon if he could. The curse of his people only allowed him a grudging respect.
"Hello," he greeted Wufei coldly.
"Your majesty," Wufei responded.
"Prince Wufei, I'm surprised to see you wandering alone. Does your Grandmother know you're out here?"
"My Grandmother knows I am capable of taking care of myself," said Wufei, lifting his head up high.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Duo looked between them impatiently. "Just tell us what's going on already!" He looked to Quatre, who nodded eagerly.
Heero shrugged. "Just politics. Nothing I'm at liberty to discuss at the moment." He lifted his arm to allow Klarn to fly away into the mist.
"Heero, we just got back from the palace," Quatre said. "Hilde told us the dragons are looking to find someone... Is there a criminal running loose?"
"None that I know of."
Duo looked fairly annoyed. "Alright Heero, you may be a few years older than me, you may be a hell of a lot stronger than me, you may be able to out run me any day of the week, but I'm the smart one here, you're gonna tell-- HEY!"
With a smirk, Heero had escaped.
***
Duo scowled at the place where Heero had been standing a moment earlier. "One of these days, I'm gonna get that jerk..." It was useless to run after Heero. Nothing could catch him if he didn't want to be caught.
Wufei looked absolutely mortified that Duo had spoken that way.
Duo caught this, and snapped, "Hey, he's a GESS prince, and I'm no GESS. I'll call Heero whatever I please, thank you very much!"
"Well, whatever you call him, it doesn't look like he's going to talk to us today." Quatre's angelic features lit up. "Why don't we try Relena?"
A big triumphant grin spread over Duo's face. "Oh, of course! I don't know why I even bother with Heero..."
"Because he's your hero," Quatre subtly interrupted.
"He is not!" Duo subtly snapped, before continuing like he hadn't been interrupted, "...We can always count on Relena! Now there's a real royal!"
Wufei looked a little dubious. "You valley people are strange."
***
After being kicked out on his rear for the umpteenth time, Duo shook a fist at the royal palace. "Down with Relena! Boo! Hiss!"
Quatre was a little disappointed himself, but he wasn't anywhere as angry as Duo. After all, Duo was the one who kept trying to force his way in, only to be kicked out again and again. It really wasn't Duo's day. Obviously Heero had had a word with the guards. And the fact that Hilde and the rest of the Junior Guard were nearly dying with laughter wasn't helping.
"Aw, shut up!" Duo spat at them, before finally stomping away. He looked over as Quatre and Wufei followed at a healthy distance. "You know Wufei," he growled, "you could have pulled a few strings. You are a prince, you know."
"That would have been an irresponsible use of my power."
Duo huffed, rubbing his sore backside.
Actually, Quatre was glad they were getting away from the palace. He was sure Rashid must have noticed he was missing by now, and the palace was probably one of the first places he would look for him. Quatre was going to be in trouble when he got home, so he was in no hurry to be found. He was much more interested in getting Wufei to tell him all about dragons and their home in the mountains.
"I mean, I've read so much about it, but I can only imagine," Quatre gushed excitedly. "Is it really like being on top of the world? What's on the other side of the mountains? I've heard it's a giant desert that stretches to the end of the world..."
"I guess it's like the top of the world." Wufei said thoughtfully. "Though my grandmother tells me there are places much higher. But from where I live, you can see just about this entire valley, and on the other side, there's the White Woods, and the Ivory Desert... I don't know if it goes to the end of the world, but I can only assume, since no one who's tried to cross it has ever returned."
"The White Woods?" Duo stopped, suddenly interested. "I think I've heard of it... Isn't it supposed to be haunted?"
"Supposedly. And the desert is cursed because of all the people who died there." Wufei's voice became hushed. "And because that's where the Wizards lived. They had their city at the heart of the desert...it's an evil place."
"Have you ever been there?"
With a proud look, Wufei bobbed his slender neck. "I'm not afraid of spirits. I've been to the forest many times."
"And the desert?" Quatre asked with wide eyes.
Wufei's pride seemed to crumble somewhat. "I'm brave, but I'm not foolish!"
Just then, Quatre looked up at Duo, and knew from that maniac grin on his friend's face, that he should probably run home and face the wrath of Rashid. The last time he had seen that look on Duo's face, he had ended up being caught in Relena's closet, clutching a pair of her underwear in one hand, and her bra in the other. He still couldn't quite look Relena in the face. And he had a feeling whatever was about to come out of Duo's mouth was going to end him up someplace much, much worse.
"Wufei, you have to take us there!" Duo shouted, nearly jumping on Wufei in excitement. "Over the mountains, right now!"
The dragon looked as horrified as Quatre felt. He was right. Duo was completely out of his mind, and taking them along for the ride.
by Maria Rocket
***
Author's Notes: Check the notes attached to Chapter 1 for full warnings and other such stuff. I've pretty much pulled through all the really sludgy stuff, it's going to start speeding up after this... Well, except that I write so dang slow... ^^;;
***
Can't you see them?
See the signs
You see them
All the signs we see them
Can't you see them?
~from "Signs" by Creed
***
Chapter 2
Cupping his hands around his eyes, Quatre squinted up at the golden brilliance of the Cinq Palace. At the very top, he could see the occasional flash of brightly colored wings large enough to be clearly seen. Duo was right, he thought. Dragons did come much bigger than Wufei. Feeling a poke on the shoulder, he dropped his gaze.
"C'mon, we're going to get caught if we stand around too long." Duo was watching the forest around them nervously. He frowned, then twisted around in a complete circle with a confused look on his face. "Hey, where's Wufei, he was right here a second ago...!"
"Duo," sighed Quatre. "Why must we always go through this?" He pointed towards the ancient bluestone walkways surrounding the palace. "He's over there."
The Draca prince was throughly fascinated with one of the many decorative fountains around the palace. He was walking around its four-sided ledge, made to resemble the four-sided star that was the symbol of the Cinq Kingdom. What had his attention was the statue within the glimmering veil of water. It was a big dragon, wings spread, sitting quite regally on its haunches. Covered with large plates, Quatre imagined it must have been terribly impressive to see in real life. Something about the molded shock of swept back hair and the face reminded him a lot of Wufei.
"Wufeiiiii!" Duo hissed. "Get back here!"
Either Wufei couldn't hear him, or was ignoring him, as he didn't respond. Before Duo could do anything else, something sprung out of nowhere and seized him from behind. Quatre stepped back to avoid friendly fire.
"AAAAAAAHHHH!! Get off! Get off!" Duo hollered.
"Trespassers!" His captor sneered. "You know the penalty for trespassing on Her Royal Highness's Glorious Achievement!?"
Quatre couldn't help rolling his eyes.
"Nooo!" Duo struggled frantically. His eyes widened in fear as his fate descended upon him. Smack on the nose.
"Augh!" With a look of disgust, he rubbed his nose with the front end of his waistcloth. "Twice already, and it isn't even midday yet!"
"Hello, Hilde." Quatre greeted his friend's attacker with a grin.
The raven-haired girl was wearing a green uniform and blue boots and gloves, exactly like what was worn by the palace guards. However, she wore no patches of rank. She was one of the few junior guards that patrolled the palace. There wasn't much to guard the palace from to begin with, so the Junior Guard tended to cause trouble more than anything else. But Heero supported the young band of overenthusiastic do-gooders. Most who joined the Junior Guard eventually quit when they discovered it wasn't as exciting as they thought it would be.
For some, pride and honor tied them to the duty. But Quatre knew that for Hilde, the excuse to annoy the senses out of Duo was an opportunity that far outweighed such things.
"You two missed the dragons flying over this morning," she informed them, setting her hands on her hips. "It was incredible! I bet it was like that with the big hoverships back during the war! Huge!"
"We woulda been here if slowpoke Quatre here hadn't gotten himself grounded."
"Grounded?" Hilde turned a wry grin onto Quatre. "Is our sweet little Quatre turning into a bad boy?"
With a huff, Quatre, drew himself up to his full one inch of height over her. "I am not little!"
"Sweet little, little Quatre, you know we wuv you, don't get upset," Duo mocked him in a sugary sweet voice. "You're so sensitive."
With a growl, Quatre pounced on Duo, throwing the braided boy to the ground. "I'll teach you!" He began planting big, wet, noisy kisses all over his friend's face. "Mwah! Mwah! I wuv you too, Duo!"
Duo yelped. "Not again! Hilde, save me!"
The girl just leaned back against a tree and laughed herself to tears as Quatre and Duo wrestled playfully on the forest floor. Tearing her eyes away from the tumbling tangle of limbs as she wiped at her eyes, she finally noticed the small dragon at the fountain. Her icy blue eyes widened.
"Wow! Guys, look over there!"
"Huh?" Duo looked up from where he was now sitting on Quatre's back, trying to keep the other boy from getting up. "Oh yeah, that's Wufei! We found him on our way over here. That's the other reason we were late."
"Uff!" Spitting leaves out of his mouth, Quatre took advantage of Duo's moment of distraction. With a quick backwards jab of his elbow, he knocked the wind out of Duo. As the other boy wheezed from the blow, he pushed out from under him. He took cover behind Hilde. "We're taking him to meet Heero."
"Then you've come to the wrong place." Hilde stopped staring at Wufei, turning her eyes towards Quatre. "I just saw Heero tear out of here about fifteen minutes ago."
"What!?" Duo was about to pounce Quatre again, but stood straight up in surprise. "What's he doin' takin' off while the Draca are visiting?"
"Got me." Hilde shrugged. "But it looked like he was headed towards Kandor Falls." She leaned in towards the boys with a secretive gleam in her eye. "There's a rumor going around that the Draca are here to negotiate for permission from Relena to locate and execute somebody."
"You think Heero's looking for somebody?" Duo asked.
"But why? And who could they be looking for?" Quatre looked between Duo and Hilde. Then he bit his bottomlip doubtfully. "We shouldn't jump to conclusions though. I mean, the last rumor that came down through the Junior Guard was about a giant living in the palace basement." He crossed his arms across his pale chest. "And we all know what came of that fiasco."
"Don't look at me!" Duo squeaked. "If we hadn't gone down and had a look, we'd still be wonderin' if it were true or not! And that's why," he grabbed Quatre's wrist and started pulling him along towards the palace, "we're going after Heero and finding out what's really going on!"
"Umm... Why don't you just ask your dragon friend?" Hilde followed them.
"Ask me what?" Wufei bounded up to them.
"If you came down to execute somebody," Quatre stopped and pulled out of Duo's grasp. "Our friend Hilde has been hearing rumors."
Wufei looked Hilde over. "I have no idea. Grandmother has important matters to discuss with the Princess. That's all I know."
"See! I'll bet I'm right!" Hilde said gleefully.
"Yeah, yeah," Duo waved the matter away impatiently. "Just tell us where Heero went already. I need to hear it from the man himself!"
"I told you, Heero took off towards Kandor Falls. I have to stay on duty, but if he tells you anything more, come back and tell me!"
"We will," Quatre called back as he chased after the already departing Duo and Wufei, his sandals clattering on the stone beneath his feet.
***
Intense blue eyes stared up into mist and stinging droplets. Engulfed in the roar of the waterfall, Heero found enough peace to feel guilty for leaving Relena's side. Never before had he seen her look as lost as she had before he left. But then, she'd never had to deal with anything as serious as the Draca.
They very badly wanted someone dead. Someone they believed would bring about the end of the world. Heero's fists clenched at his sides. He knew Relena well enough to know that she wouldn't allow it. She didn't believe in the old legends. There was no way she would let them execute anyone based solely on their beliefs.
And he doubted the Draca, who had a reputation for being fanatical, would just let the matter slide by. They believed they were fighting against the evil destroyer of the world, as foretold by the Prophet. They would likely be willing to risk anything, even their ties to the Cinq Kingdom, just to succeed in their mission.
His own feelings were mixed. He wasn't about to stand by as who knew how many people were accused of something that hadn't even happened yet. He was still shocked that those as wise as the Draca had suggested such madness. But a small biting doubt pestered his mind. What if they were right?
A few years ago, before he settled into his royal duties, he had traveled beyond the kingdom, searching for survivors of the war. Specifically, for others like himself. He saw and did many things, but he never found any other survivors of his people. He was the last descendant of the Genetically Enhanced Super Soldiers that served, then rebeled against the Wizards in the ancient days. And it was during these travels that he learned of the Omega Prophecy.
It was a foreboding legend of an ancient evil reborn into a boy of Wizard and slave descent. There were several variations he had come across. But one aspect had always been the same, and it now haunted him.
The Omega would be born in the days of the last GESS prince.
And there was no longer any doubt in his mind that he was the last. The war had wiped out his people in a single blow, leaving only himself. Were they really living in the last days? Unless... Heero crossed his arms and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Unless...
Of course whatever the outcome, he would remain faithful to Relena's decision.
A loud squawk interrupted his thoughts. He lifted his arm and allowed his pet Bimary to perch there. The parrot-like creature ruffled its emerald feathers in the mist. Its long bushy tail wrapped around Heero's arm as it scratched at its bald, blue, lizard-skinned head with the tiny claws on its wingtip. Then it turned with flashing black eyes and opened its yellow beak wide to screech at something Heero couldn't see.
"Yeah Klarn," Heero stroked his pet, "I hear them. Can't hide from those two for long. It doesn't help that you let them know exactly where I am whenever they get close."
Sure enough, a familiar braided boy came crashing through the mist. Heero expected to see the blonde boy who usually shadowed Duo, but instead was surprised to see a small white dragon loping after him. And farther behind came Quatre, nearly tripping over his own sandals trying to keep up.
"Eh, Heero!" Duo yelled over the noise of the rushing water. "There you are! Have you met Wufei? What are you doing out here, man? What's going on, c'mon give us some dirt!"
"Uh, hi," Quatre waved, finally catching up with the other two.
Wufei was just staring at him. Heero stared back, feeling himself tense up. Unlike the dragons he had met earlier, he saw no bias or mistrust in his young eyes. Merely curiosity. Heero felt that he would like this young dragon if he could. The curse of his people only allowed him a grudging respect.
"Hello," he greeted Wufei coldly.
"Your majesty," Wufei responded.
"Prince Wufei, I'm surprised to see you wandering alone. Does your Grandmother know you're out here?"
"My Grandmother knows I am capable of taking care of myself," said Wufei, lifting his head up high.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Duo looked between them impatiently. "Just tell us what's going on already!" He looked to Quatre, who nodded eagerly.
Heero shrugged. "Just politics. Nothing I'm at liberty to discuss at the moment." He lifted his arm to allow Klarn to fly away into the mist.
"Heero, we just got back from the palace," Quatre said. "Hilde told us the dragons are looking to find someone... Is there a criminal running loose?"
"None that I know of."
Duo looked fairly annoyed. "Alright Heero, you may be a few years older than me, you may be a hell of a lot stronger than me, you may be able to out run me any day of the week, but I'm the smart one here, you're gonna tell-- HEY!"
With a smirk, Heero had escaped.
***
Duo scowled at the place where Heero had been standing a moment earlier. "One of these days, I'm gonna get that jerk..." It was useless to run after Heero. Nothing could catch him if he didn't want to be caught.
Wufei looked absolutely mortified that Duo had spoken that way.
Duo caught this, and snapped, "Hey, he's a GESS prince, and I'm no GESS. I'll call Heero whatever I please, thank you very much!"
"Well, whatever you call him, it doesn't look like he's going to talk to us today." Quatre's angelic features lit up. "Why don't we try Relena?"
A big triumphant grin spread over Duo's face. "Oh, of course! I don't know why I even bother with Heero..."
"Because he's your hero," Quatre subtly interrupted.
"He is not!" Duo subtly snapped, before continuing like he hadn't been interrupted, "...We can always count on Relena! Now there's a real royal!"
Wufei looked a little dubious. "You valley people are strange."
***
After being kicked out on his rear for the umpteenth time, Duo shook a fist at the royal palace. "Down with Relena! Boo! Hiss!"
Quatre was a little disappointed himself, but he wasn't anywhere as angry as Duo. After all, Duo was the one who kept trying to force his way in, only to be kicked out again and again. It really wasn't Duo's day. Obviously Heero had had a word with the guards. And the fact that Hilde and the rest of the Junior Guard were nearly dying with laughter wasn't helping.
"Aw, shut up!" Duo spat at them, before finally stomping away. He looked over as Quatre and Wufei followed at a healthy distance. "You know Wufei," he growled, "you could have pulled a few strings. You are a prince, you know."
"That would have been an irresponsible use of my power."
Duo huffed, rubbing his sore backside.
Actually, Quatre was glad they were getting away from the palace. He was sure Rashid must have noticed he was missing by now, and the palace was probably one of the first places he would look for him. Quatre was going to be in trouble when he got home, so he was in no hurry to be found. He was much more interested in getting Wufei to tell him all about dragons and their home in the mountains.
"I mean, I've read so much about it, but I can only imagine," Quatre gushed excitedly. "Is it really like being on top of the world? What's on the other side of the mountains? I've heard it's a giant desert that stretches to the end of the world..."
"I guess it's like the top of the world." Wufei said thoughtfully. "Though my grandmother tells me there are places much higher. But from where I live, you can see just about this entire valley, and on the other side, there's the White Woods, and the Ivory Desert... I don't know if it goes to the end of the world, but I can only assume, since no one who's tried to cross it has ever returned."
"The White Woods?" Duo stopped, suddenly interested. "I think I've heard of it... Isn't it supposed to be haunted?"
"Supposedly. And the desert is cursed because of all the people who died there." Wufei's voice became hushed. "And because that's where the Wizards lived. They had their city at the heart of the desert...it's an evil place."
"Have you ever been there?"
With a proud look, Wufei bobbed his slender neck. "I'm not afraid of spirits. I've been to the forest many times."
"And the desert?" Quatre asked with wide eyes.
Wufei's pride seemed to crumble somewhat. "I'm brave, but I'm not foolish!"
Just then, Quatre looked up at Duo, and knew from that maniac grin on his friend's face, that he should probably run home and face the wrath of Rashid. The last time he had seen that look on Duo's face, he had ended up being caught in Relena's closet, clutching a pair of her underwear in one hand, and her bra in the other. He still couldn't quite look Relena in the face. And he had a feeling whatever was about to come out of Duo's mouth was going to end him up someplace much, much worse.
"Wufei, you have to take us there!" Duo shouted, nearly jumping on Wufei in excitement. "Over the mountains, right now!"
The dragon looked as horrified as Quatre felt. He was right. Duo was completely out of his mind, and taking them along for the ride.