Seaside Laboratory
"Anyone else's tights keep slipping?"
Heero glanced at Duo and saw that he was pulling up his dark green hose yet again. Fortunately, Heero's fit to perfection, but then again, Relena Peacecraft had been rather adept with the tape measure. Heero caught himself smiling as he remembered the incident. Now she would have something to think about while he was in space. He certainly would.
"Perhaps Milady Stryfe planned your ill-fitting garb," commented Lars.
Duo looked at him. " 'Milady', 'Ill-fitting garb?' Aren't you taking this whole thing a little too seriously? Let me clue you in on how these things work: Relena plans the party, we all dress in clothing we hate, we put up with whatever she has planned until a gundam blasts the whole shindig to smithereens. Right guys?"
A mumbling of general consensus responded.
Lars smiled bowed to them all. "I plan to kick thine asses on the field of play this fine day."
"Shove it up your…" Heero didn't have a chance to finish as Dr. Stryfe walked into the foyer. He was dressed in a sparkling dark robe, a cone-shaped hat on his head, a leather pouch handing from a belt and a crooked staff in his hand.
"Are we ready to go?" he asked cheerfully.
Five highly irritated faces were turned to him. Wufei was wearing traditional Chinese clothing that wasn't all that different from his usual form of dress, and Trowa didn't seem bothered to be wearing hose and a royal blue velvet tunic that didn't quite reach his knees, similar to the 'garb' the rest of them were wearing. Trowa, outside of Nelson, was the only one among them who didn't seem particularly bothered to wear the costume, but then he was used to prancing around in clown outfits, so this outfit might even be considered a step up in respectability. Quatre was wearing pink trimmed with silver. Whose idea was that, anyway? Dorothy Catalonia? Duo had complained about his since the moment Heero's black costume arrived.
"Why does he get to be the black knight? I am the god of death, damn it! Why doesn't he wear white for his angel wing gundam? Well? Someone answer me!" Duo was glaring at him as he held up his hose.
Dr. Stryfe went to him. "There is a string in those things; you don't have to hold it up."
Duo looked embarrassed as Trynity's father tightened the string. The dumb ass couldn't even dress himself without a Stryfe. As Duo continued to grumble, Heero patted his own costume to find the various weapons he had squirreled away. Nelson was going to be dog meat before the day was done, and the entire Cinq Kingdom was going to be witness.
Duo didn't stop complaining about his costume during the limo ride to Dover Mobile Suit Base until Dr. Stryfe told him to shut the hell up. In the brief quiet that ensued, Dr. Stryfe recounted some tale of a chivalrous, heroic green knight. The story was quite moving, and at the conclusion, there was silence until Duo whined, "The god of death doesn't wear green!"
"Thou hast no honor," remarked Lars sadly.
"Hey, and when I get through with youst, youst won't have any family jeweleths."
"Thy family jewels hath been stolen by a red-haired wench."
"That's quite enough!" Dr. Stryfe tapped his staff threateningly on the floor of the car. "I'll cast a spell if you don't settle down! I have strict orders to deliver you all in one piece, and that includes the driver."
"I think you had better listen," remarked Wufei.
"Indeed! I have a few items…" Dr. Stryfe rummaged through a leather pouch and produced a couple of small bottles containing colorful liquids.
Heero inched closer to the door. If there were an explosion, he was going to be ready to bail out.
Quatre was gasping. "Wha…what are you going to do with those?"
Duo pounded on the new, bulletproof partition. "Hey, buddy, stop the car!"
The locks shot down.
Dr. Stryfe raised his brows. "He might have listened had you not been the cause of his brother being in the hospital."
"Oh mighty wizard, thou are not planning to conjure a demon?" Lars even looked a little worried.
Dr. Stryfe smiled and stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment before saying. "Don't test me."
They all sat still until the limo rolled to a stop a few miles from the base where several horses were waiting for them to ride into the base. Heero could see that the road was lined with people waving flags and banners. How did those women get an event of this size and magnitude planned in so little a time? Their efficiency was frightening. Was it any wonder Zechs Merquise placed women in command of his army?
"I can't ride that horse!" sputtered Duo as he looked at the long-legged gray horse with green satin draped over it. "I want the black one."
Lars quickly leapt on his own red-caprisoned white horse. "Mount up, Sir Shinigami, and we shall make haste to the castle."
Heero fingered the trigger to his gun. All he had to do was wing the moron, and they would all be spared. But if he did that, he wouldn't have the satisfaction of humiliating Nelson at the base. He mounted his own horse, noting how somber Relena had made his decorations. Heero shrugged. What did it matter? In the end, the black knight would be left standing on the field.
"Someone help me get on!" cried out Quatre as his horse pranced away from him. "I've never ridden a horse!"
"Whose stupid idea was this?" demanded Wufei. He didn't look pleased, but he at least knew how to ride a horse.
Lars spurred his horse toward Quatre, then reached down to grab a handful of his tunic. He dangled him in the air for a moment before setting him on his horse.
"Thank you, I think," said Quatre nervously as he desperately clutched the saddle horn.
Trowa sighed and nudged his own horse toward Quatre. "Take the reins and hold on. Your horse will probably stick with ours."
"I want a camel!" whined Quatre. "I can ride a camel."
"I want a motorcycle, but we have to ride horses," snapped Trowa. Heero noted that Trowa had been in an extremely bad mood the last few days during which Apolo and Arora stayed at Dover Base training with the white Taurus suits. He often sat at the window staring out at the sea or at the night sky. Heero knew they had lost Trowa, but Trowa did not seem to want to let go of the present to find his past. He never spoke of his memories, and Heero suspected by the dark circles under his eyes that his dreams were disturbed by images of the past.
Soldiers carrying banners depicting their particular gundams accompanied them on their procession. As they passed through the gauntlet of citizens, the people tossed flowers and cheered loudly for the knights of the kingdom. Lars acknowledged them with waves and bows, and he tossed roses to the pretty young women and coins to the children. Duo had trouble controlling his horse, probably because he was complaining about the color. Quatre slipped off his horse twice, the last time he was stepped on and he burst into tears. Heero's horse was startled by the high-pitched wails and reared. Heero managed to keep his seat and maneuver the animal away, but not before Quatre screeched and fainted. Heero was tempted, for Sandrock's sake, to grab away the banner with the gundam on it, especially when he heard people openly questioning if Quatre was actually the pilot of a gundam. Quatre made them all look bad.
Lars saved the day by dragging his limp body off the ground and tossing it over the saddle of Quatre's horse and taking the reins. As he acknowledged the cheers of the adoring crowd, Duo, Trowa and Wufei brought their horses near Heero's.
"It's time we worked as a team."
"Mission: teach the traitor Nelson a lesson."
"Mission accepted," said Heero with a menacing glare towards Lars who was blowing kisses to the women.
"He has no integrity," remarked Wufei.
The crowds grew bigger and noisier as they arrived at what used to be a soccer stadium but which had now been turned into a tournament arena. To the right, in the middle, was the grandstand where the king sat with his court. Poor Zechs was dressed in white and gold with a tunic that was so short it was almost indecent. His hose was skin-tight. Noin sat beside him waving a fan of plumes before her, and Heero could see by her twinkling eyes that she was enjoying her husband's humiliation immensely.
The pilots took a turn around the field and came to a stop in a row before the grandstand. Noin nudged Miliardo who shook off her arm.
"Stand up!"
"Not in this ridiculous costume."
Noin laughed. "Be a sport, Miliardo."
"Brother!" warned Relena with a menacing glare.
Heero was annoyed to see Apolo dressed in royal purple and gold, a plumed hat set at an angle on his head hovering behind Relena. Relena herself was wearing a long, golden satin gown that was cut far too low. Heero had never actually seen those curves before - although he had had a handful just the other day - and he didn't like that Apolo of Calabria was enjoying the scenery just a little too much. Trynity Stryfe was near Relena wearing a crimson gown, but she wasn't revealing anything. A shame. She had quite a display. Her hair might have clashed with her gown had she not had it hidden under a headdress that Heero likened to moose antlers.
Duo was obviously troubled by her headgear. "What the hell is on your head, babe?"
Trynity frowned. "It's a type of hat."
"Whose idea was that?"
"Mine! I researched my costume thoroughly, so it is very authentic."
"I don't like it! You shouldn't be wearing something like that during hunting season."
"Go to hell!"
"I would, but I am not dressed appropriately." He raised his voice to a near shout as he raised up in the stirrups to announce to anyone listening, "The god of death shouldn't have to wear green!"
Miliardo cleared his throat and stood. "I think I've heard as much as I want. Let the games begin." He started to sit down, but Noin grabbed a handful of his backside to force him to stand.
"You are not getting off that easy, loverboy." From down the front of her exotic, multicolored gown, she pulled out several sheets of paper. "Benton and I have taken the liberty of writing your welcome speech."
Miliardo snatched the papers from her as television cameras zoomed in on him. "Lucrezia, this is above and beyond…"
"Shut up and read," snapped Relena. Heero could see that the king's sister was becoming annoyed. He wondered who was going to destroy this event. An attack by the Calabrians? He wouldn't be surprised.
The speech was long and repetitive. To his credit, Miliardo did put some feeling in the welcome and came off looking very regal and magnanimous. Heero glanced at Trowa and caught him watching his female imperial guard. The guy probably didn't even realize he was in love with her. Then again, Trowa wasn't likely to do anything about it without thinking it over mercilessly, so that relationship was doomed.
Dorothy Catalonia was looking at Lars Nelson as if he were a juicy steak while he flirted with a blushing and giggling Hilde.
Heero glanced at Quatre and saw that he was gazing at Dorothy with such adoration that he was oblivious to her disinterest. Heero couldn't help but turn his attention to Relena. When he realized that he was staring at her, he cursed aloud, earning him a glare from Benton. They were all a bunch of worthless dimwits in matters of the heart, decided Heero. The only thing they were good for was mass destruction with their gundams. Good thing his was close by.
Thunderous applause signaled the end of the speech during which the horses left their own tribute before the grandstand of the Peacecraft dynasty.
"Thanks a lot," muttered Miliardo to Noin as he sat down, certain to check for her hand before he did so. "Now we will be treated to the sweet scent of horse…"
"I'll have it taken care of," said Benton quickly. He was dressed somberly in robes of an advisor. Heero could see Benton's life spreading out before him – doing all the dirty work including diapering that baby when it was born. Poor kid. A merciless whacked out former OZ ace pilot turned king of a total pacifist nation for a father, a tough as nails OZ Specials training officer, former commander of an army for a mother. Benton had better be reading some parenting books because those two weren't going to be any help.
Before they took another ridiculous ceremonial gallop around the stadium, the girls pulled out their scarves to bestow upon their knights as favors. Trynity tied hers at the end of Duo's braid, and as they kissed, Duo managed to knock off her headdress. The sun glaring down on her bright hair combined with her the color of her gown made Heero wince. Dorothy ignored Quatre and added her favor along with Hilde's to Lars despite what suspiciously sounded like a hiss from his official girlfriend.
Relena gave Heero one look, then proceeded to add her favor to Lars' now multicolored arm. Princess Ryana had to bribe Wufei to wear her scarf tied around his arm, and he only agreed if she promised to leave him alone the rest of the day. Trowa was looking at Arora, but she seemed not to understand what was going on. The woman wasn't even dressed in costume, and Heero guessed she was hiding her sword wherever those imperial guards hid their weapons. From nowhere Catherine appeared, and although he certainly didn't look pleased to have her hanging over him as she tied it on, Trowa didn't refuse to wear her favor.
Quatre managed to stay on his horse long enough to make it around the field, but he had to forfeit the ring joust when he couldn't hold the heavy lance. How the hell did he pilot Sandrock? The only pilot that gave Nelson a run for his money was Trowa who missed the last ring. Heero didn't really try, but he managed to get a few rings. Having captured all ten rings set up on the wooden arms on his lance, Lars cantered his horse over to the grandstand to present the rings to Relena. As she was thanking him, he grabbed her around the waist and gave her a kiss. Everyone seemed to think it was funny, the crowd cheered, but Heero felt like an ass watching his woman being pawed by the traitor Nelson. His woman? Where had that thought come from?
"What are you planning to do with the gun?" asked Duo conversationally.
Heero looked down at his hand and saw that he had pulled out his pistol.
"You can't shoot him now. If you miss, you hit Relena," pointed out Trowa.
"If you hit him," said Wufei, "you'll splatter blood and brains all over the royal couple."
They looked at each other, then at Heero. Both outcomes had their merits.
Dr. Stryfe appeared in a puff of smoke that scared the daylights out of the horses. How the hell did he do that? "I heard that! Put the gun away, Heero Yuy. This isn't the Middle Ages. We don't murder rivals and haul away princesses to our castles."
Heero raised a brow as he looked down at his costume and the jousting lance he still held in one gauntlet encased hand. He might as well be in the Middle Ages. He might as well kill his rival, and he might as well haul away the princess to his castle. Except he didn't have a castle, so that plan was not feasible.
The next competition was archery. Nelson might have won, although Wufei seemed just as skilled, had not Trynity Stryfe not marched onto the field, grabbed Duo's bow after he tangled an arrow in his hair and handily beat both Nelson and Wufei.
"That's my girl," commented both Dr. Stryfe and Duo proudly as she stomped back to the grandstand where Relena started to argue with her about her behavior. After a discussion amongst the royal family the prize was given to Lars when Mistress Stryfe was declared ineligible to participate. The booing crowd was mollified when Lars made his flamboyant prance across the field to once again kiss the princess, then grabbed Trynity to plant one on her lips.
"Bastard," muttered Heero, when he noticed Relena wiping her mouth with the back of her hand when he turned his horse and rode away. "I'm going to kill him."
"Not before I get my chance," snarled Duo.
Dr. Stryfe was chuckling. Did he think they weren't serious? "Come along, boys. Time for some refreshment and entertainment before the final event – the mock battle. Plenty enough time for killing later." He herded them out of the arena to a park where tables laden with food had been set. The people who had bought tickets found places at the many trestle tables as the knights sat at up on a stage at what Dr. Stryfe called the high table. Heero found himself sitting between Trynity and Arora, not a bad place to be. The plates served to them were made of bread, which quickly became soggy as food was piled on it. Heero searched around for his fork and came up empty.
"What the hell?" He looked at Trynity, then noticed that Duo with a mouthful of food already.
Trynity frowned. "Apparently we are to be eating in an authentic manner."
"Hey, I'm all for anything that gets the food to my stomach faster," remarked Duo as he scooped up some stew with his fingers and shoved it into his mouth.
Trynity winced and her face reddened. "Duo!"
"Just acting the part," he said, and food dribbled out the side of his mouth. "That's what you girls wanted. What are these things?"
Trynity made a sound of disgust. "Those are eels!"
"Wiggly things, aren't they?"
Nauseous from watching Duo gulp down food that didn't really look edible, Heero glanced down the table where Lars Nelson and Apolo of Calabria flanked Relena. Apolo was feeding her a morsel of food, and although she appeared a little embarrassed, she allowed him to do so. Lars said something that made her turn her head to him, and Heero watched, paralyzed with fury as she picked up a piece of meat from her plate and hold it up to Lars' mouth. He sucked her fingers into his mouth, and Relena's giggle was drowned out by Miliardo's bark of reprimand. The guilty parties, all three, quickly kept their hands to themselves.
Heero realized that tight grips were on his wrists. He blinked and looked down. Trynity was holding one, in the hand of which he held a sharp dagger he had been hiding in his boot. Arora was preventing him from raising his gun.
Trowa's lovely imperial guard smiled at him. "I can't allow you to kill my brother."
Arora continued to smile at the jealous man sitting to her right. She doubted he even knew what he was doing. The look in his eyes had been wild as he watched the princess further down the table. Until she had come to Earth, Arora had never felt such a thing, but she now recognized it as the same feeling she had when she saw Trowa kissing his circus companion. Arora had no right to be jealous, and neither did Heero Yuy, because Trey and Princess Relena were above their station. They were destined to protect them.
"You are not eating," commented Trowa from her left.
She looked at him, careful to avoid his dark green eyes. Unfortunately that meant she looked elsewhere, and she realized Trey had changed since the last time she had seen him on Calabria. Of course, he hadn't much opportunity to become strong. His guards protected him, his life was pampered, and he had scarcely begun his journey into adulthood before he had left. Trowa Barton as the man he had become might just be stronger than Apolo.
Arora released Heero's hand and he tucked away the weapon as Trynity Stryfe whispered calming words in his other ear.
"Your training has gone well," commented Trowa. "Both Noin and Trynity say that you are a natural pilot."
"I do all to protect you, my lord prince," she said.
Trowa slid a hand over hers where it rested on the table. Arora felt her heart beating faster. What were these feelings? This was not natural! "You may try, Arora, but Heavyarms is all the protection I need. He can protect the both of us."
She looked down at his hand, then to his face. "You look tired."
"I haven't had much sleep. I was worried about you."
Arora frowned. "You do not need to worry about me."
"It's my duty to protect you, not the other way around."
Trey jerked her up from the floor where Apolo had knocked her down during swordplay. "Go play with dolls! I'm sick of watching Apolo trip over you!"
Arora would have retorted, but the arrival in the practice yard of Prince Dilan and his noisy group of obnoxious friends stalled further argument.
"Ah, my dear brother, the crowned prince at play with his imperial guards." Dilan and his friends circled them like carrion birds over a rotting animal in the Wastelands.
Apolo quickly raised his sword and stepped in front of Trey. "Stay away from my lord prince."
Dilan burst into malicious laughter. "Look at the little pesky insect that buzzes around my brother to protect him."
Arora raised her own heavy sword and stepped beside Apolo. Trey tried to shove her out of the way, but she elbowed him back.
"What have we here?" Dilan came closer and peered at Arora nose to nose. "I bet this one has a stinger."
His friends laughed. "Maybe we should find out!" one suggested.
Dilan snickered and reached out to grab the skirt of her tunic.
Trey stepped forward. "Leave her alone!"
Dilan put his hand on Trey's head and shoved him back. "I'll do as I wish, my useless little brother." He laughed until the points of Apolo's and Arora's swords were at his throat and he realized they might very likely skewer him on the spot.
His friends had quickly quieted and they shifted uncomfortably, unable to come to his aid without risking his life. While Dilan might mock and torment his brother, his friends dared not risk so much as touching the crowned prince.
Dilan laughed nervously as Trey stood behind Apolo and Arora. "They are well-trained."
"We will protect him with our lives, if need be," stated Arora.
Apolo pressed the point of his sword into Dilan's flesh until a drop of blood appeared. "You will never touch my lord prince again without killing me first."
Soft applause from the steps leading to the practice yard made them realize they were not alone. Dilan quickly stepped away and bowed as his father neared them with his mother walking slightly behind him. Her sloe eyes silently scolded her son, then moved malevolently over the trio of children that so interested the emperor. The sight of her made Trey shiver.
"How is my heir progressing in his swordplay today?" Emperor Zeno looked to the sword master who was biting his bottom lip. Truth was, Trey hadn't picked up his sword at all. Emperor Zeno raised a brow and looked at his younger son. "I see. I expect better of you Trey. I think you need to be taught a lesson." He snapped his fingers, and the emperor's guards moved forward.
Trey backed away, but Arora stayed before him, with her sword raised to protect him.
The Emperor laughed at the determination she showed even as he motioned to his guards who suddenly seized Apolo. "Do you think I would harm my beloved son?" He chose to ignore the hiss from behind him, but Trey saw the hatred in the eyes of Dilan's mother. To his horror, the emperor's guards dragged Apolo aside and tore his tunic down the back.
Emperor Zeno laughed as the whip cracked over Apolo. Although Trey couldn't help but whimper from the pain he knew his friend was suffering, Apolo did not utter a sound as he took Trey's punishment for his laziness. After a dozen strokes, the Emperor waved his hand to stop them, and Apolo slumped to the ground, his back bloody and swelling.
The emperor came to stand over Trey and Arora, but she continued to hold her sword defiantly. He smiled straight at her. "Dax should be proud that you do not fear me, little one, and that his son can withstand what he just did." He glanced contemptuously at Trey. "You do not deserve the loyalty of these two."
Zeno reached out his hand, and Arora shuddered as he slid it over her cheek. When he caressed her bottom lip with his thumb, she bit down hard and received a backhand slap across the face. In the next moment Zeno was laughing as he lead his sloe-eyed concubine away followed by his other son.
Arora turned to look at Trey.
She had a trickle of blood sliding down from the corner of her mouth where her lip was cut and swelling. "You are not harmed?" she asked him.
Trey looked past her to Apolo who was trying to rise from the pool of blood around him. Trey's gut wrenched, and he turned away to vomit, then shuddered with self-disgust when he realized Arora was waiting for his answer before she would go to her brother.
"Apolo!" Trey ran to his friend and dropped to his knees beside him. Apolo was shivering, his face covered with sweat.
"I did not disgrace you, my lord prince," his voice rasped.
There were tears in Trey's eyes as he watched Arora gently dab at her brother's back with a wet cloth. "I will never let this happen again," he vowed to them. "Not ever will I be the cause of your punishment. Not ever!"
Arora wiped her own blood with the back of her hand. "We live to serve and protect you, my lord prince."
Trey rose and stumbled away, still sick to his stomach at what had happened to his friends because of him. But taking a deep breath, he walked with determination to the sword master and he took up the sword he hadn't deigned to touch earlier as he watched Apolo and Arora practice. "Teach me to kill my father."
Trey raised his head and caught a glimpse of his father watching him from an upper balcony. The laughter from above was mocking, and his court joined Zeno. Trey forced back the tears, but he was determined now. One day he would kill Zeno or die in the trying. It was his right! It was his destiny!
"Hey, Trowa! Psst!" Trowa shook his head and looked to his left to find one of the midget clowns tugging on his sleeve. "Or should I call you Prince Trey?" The clown guffawed.
Trowa glanced back to Arora and saw that she was talking to Heero. Her hand had slipped away from under his, but Trowa was sure that she had given him that memory. His appetite was gone and his stomach churned violently even though Arora and Apolo were safe in the present. They might not always be so. Trey had vowed that day that he would become what his father had wanted, and Trowa was afraid that he had succeeded.
"What do you want, Japes?"
The little clown snickered. "We need your help."
"I am not performing today."
"That much was obvious during your rotten exhibition in the ring joust."
Trowa slapped the little man gently on the side of the head. They had been friends during his days at the circus, so Japes only laughed. "What do you need?"
"A little of your brute strength."
Trowa raised his brows.
Japes snorted. "Don't worry, you can be back in less than two minutes."
Arora felt Trowa's presence leave her, and she turned to watch him walk away with a small clown.
"Where's he going?" asked Heero.
"I don't know." Uneasy, Arora felt for her sword. It was gone! Then she noticed the glint of the sun on the blade as the little man slipped into a crowd. The small clown had lifted her sword and she was horrified that she had been so easily duped. Trey's hand on hers had distracted her and made her thoughts jumbled, and now the sword entrusted to her keeping had disappeared.
Arora excused herself and tried to follow the clown, but she soon lost him in the throng of people. She caught sight of another clown and she followed him, hoping to catch him to ask him where she would find the other or Trowa, but he kept disappearing around the brightly colored tents. Arora walked faster to try to catch him and soon found herself in a blind alley. She was sure he had come this way! To her right she noticed a tent open a crack, then close. Arora smiled and pushed through.
Seated before a lighted mirror was the woman Trowa had introduced to her as Catherine. Catherine looked at her through the mirror. "Can I help you?" she asked sweetly.
Arora did not feel comfortable in this woman's presence. Trowa had obviously had an intimate relationship with her. Dorothy Catalonia kindly related what that involved to Arora in embarrassing detail. She had also tried to get Arora to tell her some of the practices on her planet, but Arora truly had no idea what occurred between men and women on Calabria so she had nothing to tell. Dorothy would have been better off asking Apolo who had wide knowledge in that particular area and probably would not balk at demonstrating. But just knowing what transpired between this Earth woman called Catherine and Prince Trey made Arora's stomach twist.
"I was looking for Prince…for Trowa." Then she added, "and one of your performers took my sword."
"A shame," remarked Catherine. "And would you believe that someone took the star of my show?"
Arora's brows furrowed. She didn't understand what the woman was talking about. "I have only come for my sword and perhaps to find Trowa."
"He's a big boy. He can take care of himself." Catherine stood up and turned around to face her. "I need someone to take his place. Do you have the guts to risk your life?"
Arora raised her chin. "I have risked my life since I was but a child."
"Japes, get the door," ordered Catherine, and Arora turned to see the small clown scurry to the door and throw a lock. "Marcel, Jacques, come and help me get our new performer ready."
"Are you sure Trowa won't be angry?" asked Japes nervously at the door. He was holding Arora's sword.
Catherine laughed. "Trowa finds her presence and that of her brother highly annoying. He will laugh and enjoy the show."
Arora was hurt to hear that Trey did not appreciate her and Apolo, but she refused to be an object for his ridicule. She fought the muscle-bound circus workers and managed to knock one out before a blow to the back of her head stunned her and she crumpled to the floor.
When she became conscious, she was immediately aware that she couldn't move, that she was tied to the same wheel she had seen Trowa tied to that day at the circus. Catherine approached her, and seeing her eyes open, she laughed softly.
"I think I hit you too hard. You have a little bump on your head." She sighed with mocking exaggeration. "Sorry."
Arora looked down and saw that someone had placed a brightly colored robe over her own clothing, and Catherine was holding face paint in her hands. Because one side of her face already felt stiff, Arora knew that she had been busy applying the makeup to her face while she was unconscious.
"What do you think you are going to do?" demanded Arora, furious to be caught in such a ridiculous position. Her shame was growing by the second as the other woman glared at her.
"Nothing I haven't done hundreds of times to Trowa." Catherine laughed and patted her cheek. "I don't think it will end the same way though. We always had so much fun taking off our makeup after the performance. You can take off your own." Catherine tossed aside the sponge and white paint after applying what she could. "That is, if you don't get killed."
"Where is Prince…Where is Trowa?" demanded Arora. Her concern was that this deranged woman had done some harm to Trey.
Catherine laughed. "Prince Trey is enjoying the entertainment. I imagine he will enjoy it much more when he sees our performance."
Arora struggled against the ropes tying her down, but they held her tight. She closed her eyes and tried to summon her powers, but they did not come. Apolo had warned her never to use them, so they had grown weak with neglect. Arora wanted to cry as she imagined Trey laughing at her plight, but she reminded herself who she was. She would not give this woman the satisfaction of seeing how frightened she was deep inside.
Trowa returned to his seat and found that Arora was gone. He looked at Heero who was still staring at his soggy plate with disgust. "Where is Arora?"
Heero looked at him. Behind him Trynity was glaring at Duo who had grabbed her plate of food and was helping himself. Soon enough the Great Evacuator was going to get Heero's plate as well. Trowa wondered if Trynity had some peptic medicine handy for him. A vision of Duo vomiting during the melee made Trowa feel queasy.
"I thought she was with you."
Apolo suddenly filled her seat. Heero glared and turned away, but at least he didn't stab the imperial guard.
"I saw you hold back during that ridiculous contest," said Apolo. "You used incredible restraint not to show these Earth people how weak they are."
Trowa sighed. "I didn't hold back, Apolo. I'm not the man you remember."
Apolo continued to smile. "But you are. I see it. Each day the aura of Prince Trey becomes stronger." He reached out to touch Trowa, but Trowa jerked back.
"Don't! I have already had enough of your Guerani magic today."
Apolo's face darkened, and although they were on Earth, far from danger, he glanced around worriedly before looking at Trowa. "What has Arora done?"
Trowa didn't respond to his question. Deep inside he wanted Apolo to tell him everything, and yet he was certain Apolo didn't know the most important details, that despite their close bond growing up together, Trey had kept things from Apolo.
Trowa looked into Apolo's eyes. He wished he hadn't.
"Why do you waste your free time practicing in here?"
Trey swung his sword as Apolo lounged on a pile of pillows that was Trey's bed. "So that I may practice in privacy."
"Who are you secretly training to defeat? Your father or Arora?"
Trey's face burned as Apolo smiled knowingly at him.
"Are you not ashamed that your sister has surpassed you in skill?"
Apolo laughed. "That will soon change. I am becoming stronger, but she weakens as she becomes a woman."
Trey turned his back on Apolo to practice his strokes. He didn't want Apolo to see his face as he thought of Arora. The bratty girl had always been the bane of his existence, but lately he had begun to have troubling thoughts of her. And he was not blind to the looks other men had been giving his imperial guard. Even Dilan made no secret of his interest in Arora.
"My father is considering an offer for her," remarked Apolo casually.
Trey spun around. "You were reading my thoughts!" he accused angrily.
Apolo laughed. "I don't have to."
Tossing aside the sword, Trey put his hands on his hips. "What offer?"
"Prince Dilan has made him a generous offer to make her his concubine."
"He would not dare!" Trey was beside himself with anger.
Apolo sat up. "My father will discuss it with the emperor before he acts."
"She has a blood oath to me!" Trey strode to the door. "Dilan can't have her!"
Apolo picked up his sword and followed after him as Trey walked quickly through the halls of the palace. Servants fell to their knees as he passed, soldiers saluted him, nobles bowed low. Trey ignored them all. He found Dax amongst the men he commanded as first imperial guard of the emperor.
He bowed to Trey. "What can I do for you, my lord prince?"
Trey glanced at the map spread out on the table. "What are you doing?" They appeared to be planning some type of offensive.
Dax rolled up the map. "It is nothing to concern yourself with. There are rumors of Guerani survivors gathering in the wastelands."
Trey forced himself not to react although his heart pounded and he dared not look at Apolo.
"No need to worry." One of Dax's men pulled a curved, long knife from his belt. "We know what to do with them, the evil creatures. With all their spells and powers, they still bleed like the rest of us."
Another man spat on the floor.
Trey turned his attention back to Dax. "I would speak to you privately."
The men took their cue and all but Apolo left the room. Dax folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the table to look at Trey. "I wondered how long it would take for you to come to me."
They both knew what they were speaking of. "I forbid it."
"I don't need your permission," pointed out Dax. "Arora will soon be ready for breeding if she is not already. Now she has some worth to my house."
Trey clenched his fists, hating Dax for his thoughtless words. "She has worth to me!" he blurted.
Dax raised his brows. "You are the crowned prince, Trey. The alliances you make are for the good of the empire. Even your concubines must be carefully chosen so not to offend the nobles. They would be angered if you took my female into your house."
"How is it that my father took my mother as his wife? Was she good for his empire?"
A voice from the doorway made him turn around. "I took your mother as my wife because I believed she could make me more powerful through alliances with her people."
Emperor Zeno stepped into the room and closed the door. "I made you my heir over Dilan because I still believed I would become more powerful through you." His eyes met Trey's. "I was mistaken on both counts."
Although he wanted to with every fiber of his being, Trey knew today wasn't the day to kill him. Zeno was too powerful, and Trey was not ready to challenge him yet.
His father met his eyes. "I see your hatred, Trey. Good. There is much of me in you after all. Your Calabrian half will yet crush that weak human half." He looked at Dax. "Whatever my beloved son wants, you will grant him."
"Yes, of course, my lord." Dax bowed low to the emperor who gave Trey one last look before walking out.
Dax sighed. "You have cost me a great deal, Trey. What will I tell Arora?"
"I will speak to her."
Trey started toward the door, but Dax's voice stopped him. "You are dooming my daughter to forever stand in your shadow. She will never fulfill the duties that a female is born to do."
Trey pushed open the door and walked out. He didn't care! He didn't want to see Arora fulfilling those duties with another man, and if it meant denying her, then so be it.
Before he could leave, Dax said, "Remember, Trey, that if you dishonor my house, I cannot punish you, but I have the divine right to punish her and no one, not even your father, can refute that."
Dax's words were unsettling, but Trey managed to remain calm as he sought out Arora. He found her surrounded by women in a chamber prepared especially for her. Colorful fabrics were strewn about the room, and Arora was being fitted into a gown as he entered. He got a glimpse of her slender, bare back before the fabric was pulled over her. A startled gasp alerted the other women that they had been interrupted. All fell to their knees and lowered their eyes.
Arora spun to see what had caused the disturbance, and her face grew pink. He read in her eyes that she didn't know what to do. Trey felt a sudden barrier between them, and he didn't like it. It felt unnatural after the years they had spent together.
"Dismiss your women," he ordered.
Even before Arora spoke, they scurried away, all but one. Lady Xuxa, Dilan's mother, stepped from the shadows. Her eyes raked over Trey and he shuddered as a sudden chill swept through him. With a mocking hesitation, she sank into a curtsey to him and lowered her head. He ignored her and looked at Arora. There was uncertainty in her big eyes.
Lady Xuxa rose. "Do you come to congratulate Arora, my lord prince? She has made an excellent match."
Trey didn't take his eyes from Arora's. "Is this what you want?"
There was confusion in her gaze. "I…It is what is expected." She managed to smile, but Trey saw that her eyes were glistening. She couldn't marry him; she couldn't even become the concubine of the crowned prince, but a match with the second prince was more than Dax could have dreamed possible. Trey knew this. Arora knew it. Dilan was doing the family a great honor, and Trey was about to ground it under his feet, but he didn't care. He didn't want to see Arora with his brother. He didn't believe that Arora wanted to be with Dilan either.
"I asked if this is what you wanted?" He had difficulty keeping his anger and impatience in check.
Lady Xuxa spoke. "You speak as if she has a choice, my lord prince."
He looked at her. Before lowering her gaze respectfully, she allowed him to see her contempt. Trey knew the woman hated him. She had hated the woman who had briefly displaced her in the emperor's favor and given birth to the son who had taken everything from her own. Although Lady Xuxa had come into the emperor's household as part of an alliance with a Wasteland chieftain, because of her low rank, Zeno had not seen fit to marry her. Still, because she had given him a son, she was a woman who wielded much power in his house.
"She has a choice," stated Trey, then looked from her to Arora. "I have spoken to Dax, and my own father has decreed that I am to make the decision concerning your future. I am leaving the choice up to you, Arora." Giving a female the power to make such a choice was unprecedented, but Trey needed to hear from her lips what she wanted.
"No!" hissed Lady Xuxa. She looked quickly at Arora when she realized that Trey spoke the truth. "My son has made a gracious offer. You can do no better!"
Arora turned her head, and Trey saw that she was staring at her sword. It was old and battered, but she wielded it with more skill than any other. Trey was not embarrassed to acknowledge that she was a far better sword handler than he. She had worked harder than Apolo because she was a female, and she had surpassed him and Trey so that she would never embarrass him. As she stared at the sword, Trey felt a sudden sickening fear that she was tired of fighting a losing battle. Apolo was right. It was only a matter of time before she would become weaker. She could never change her sex.
She turned her head to look at him.
Her wide eyes clearly showed her confusion.
Trey's heart went out to her.
Arora touched it.
A frightened collective gasp from the crowd jerked Trowa back to the present. He first saw Apolo's angry, horrified stare, and Trowa followed his gaze. He was mortified to see Catherine readying to throw another knife. There was spite in her eyes as she stared at her intended target. That target stared back. How many times had he seen that challenging look? Nothing frightened Arora.
"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Apolo through gritted teeth as he looked from the hideously painted woman pinned to the target to Trowa. "Do you mean to humiliate my sister?"
"I would never do that," said Trowa as he half-stood. He didn't know what to do. Catherine was in control. Those knives were razor sharp. While he did not question her precision, not after facing her day after day at the other end of the knife point, Trowa didn't know her intention toward Arora.
"Psst! Trowa!"
His heart seemed to stop as he watched the knife slice through the air to land a hair's width from Arora's neck. Arora did not even flinch. If she had moved, she would be dead. The crowd applauded, but unlike usual, Catherine did not acknowledge the praise for her talent. She was concentrating on her target.
Trowa glanced down and saw Japes standing beside him, a sword in his hands. He recognized it as Arora's sword, the one she had arrived with. For a moment he stared at the jewels decorating the deadly sword and he had a vague recollection that he had given Arora a sword that day long ago when she refused Dilan's offer. But this was not that sword. For reasons that he did not understand, he had taken Arora's sword when he left for Bayman. That very sword had attracted the Calabrians to L3. From whom did she receive this finely crafted sword? What was Japes doing with it?
"Where did you get that?" Trowa looked away from the midget to watch Catherine throw two knives in quick succession at Arora. One penetrated the fabric of her robes at her shoulder, and the other ended resting against her cheek.
"Are you enjoying the show?" asked Japes with a chuckle.
Trowa grabbed him by his ruffled collar and pulled him so that he was nose to nose with the small man. "Do you have something to do with that?"
"Cathy assured me you would like it," Japes sniveled.
"She lied." Trowa grabbed the sword and threw back the little clown. Before he could stand, the finale began with the spinning of the wheel.
Apolo rose, his body shaking with fury.
Trowa didn't dare to breathe.
Catherine threw three knives. The crowd was silent until the wheel stopped turning and it was apparent that the person on the target had not been hit. Thunderous applause ensued, but Trowa did not join in. Followed by Apolo, he leapt over the table and strode directly to Catherine.
"You bitch!" He grabbed her wrists in a tight grasp.
"Let me go, Trowa Barton!" Catherine was glaring at him.
He squeezed her wrists tighter as Apolo used the knives to unlash Arora from the wheel. Catherine's anger quickly changed to fear as she realized Trowa could break her wrists and she would never be able to perform her act again. The acrobats and clowns had hurried into the clearing to perform, drawing attention away from them.
"Trowa," she whimpered nervously. "I…I wasn't going to hurt her."
"I'm not hurt," he heard Arora say from behind him.
Trowa shoved Catherine away and turned in time to catch Arora as she fell forward trembling, her dark lashes drifting shut. He lifted her in his arms although Apolo put out his arms to take the burden from him.
"I will take care of her myself."
"My lord prince…" started Apolo, but Trowa walked away with her before he could protest. He was following until Trowa snapped at him to leave them.
Trowa took her to the tent where he saw the banner for Heavyarms fluttering in the breeze. He was expected to rest after lunch in the tent before donning armor to wear in the melee. The armor was laid out in readiness to be placed on him. During the week he had put it on once and decided the Knights of the Round Table had had mental defects if they actually fought in the ridiculous equipment. Trowa much preferred Heavyarms.
He laid Arora on the pillows placed on the mat on the floor of the tent, then found a cloth to wet and gently wipe her face of the garish makeup Catherine had painted on her. Despite her words, he sensed that Arora had been terrified by what had happened. Prince Trey would have had Catherine Bloom beaten, probably to death for what she had done to his imperial guard. Trowa had to fight the urge to return to Catherine and punish her. He wasn't the selfish Prince Trey anymore. He could pretend here on Earth that he didn't have Zeno's blood flowing through his veins. And yet he had to fight a strong surge of violence that ripped through him as he held Arora in his arms.
Trowa closed his eyes as another memory tried to take hold of him. Not now!
A soft moan drew his attention back to Arora.
Arora's eyes came open after a moment, and he saw that she was confused. He hated that confused look. Trey had not been confused where she was concerned, not since that agonizing moment when he awaited her answer. He had loved her, had probably always loved her, and she had never acknowledged his feelings. Even in the end she had tried to stop him from confronting Zeno when she knew it was the only way they could be together.
But now she reached up to run her fingers through his hair. "Trey," she whispered reverently as tears slipped from her eyes. "I was afraid."
He took her hand and turned it to kiss the palm. "You are safe now."
She didn't seem to hear him. "I was afraid that woman would kill me and I couldn't be here to protect you."
"Arora! I would rather die a thousand painful deaths than see any harm come to you." He lay beside her and pulled her to him. "I love you, Arora."
"Forgive me, my lord prince, if I shamed you." There were tears in her eyes, but she drew his head to hers. "I love you, Trey. Don't leave me. Don't ever leave me again."
The day wouldn't be a total loss, thought Relena as she made her way to the tents where the 'knights' had quickly disappeared after Dr. Stryfe, in an attempt to entertain, had started the head table on fire with a dramatic fireworks display. Fortunately, no one had been hurt, but the cleanup delayed the rest of the entertainment, and a short play had to be canceled because the lead actor suffered first degree burns. Miliardo had merely laughed about the incident. Were Relena leading the Cinq Kingdom, she would imprison Ivan Stryfe before he caused the total destruction of the kingdom.
Now that things were under control - many citizens chose to go home to watch the last event safely from their telecom screens - Relena wanted to personally ask the 'knights' to behave during the mock battle melee during which each would fight with the weapon of his choice. Of course, Relena knew that Lars Nelson would reign supreme at the end of the event. Then she would be forced to open the dance with him, and he would no doubt grope her, kiss her and try to shove his tongue down her throat again. Relena shuddered with disgust. Lars was one good-looking specimen, but he was a pig. He managed to make Wufei look good. Hilde and/or Dorothy were welcome to Lars. Since Hilde slipped away with Lars earlier and Dorothy refused to have anything to do with her whipped boyfriend, Relena really didn't know what was going on. Sally had asked Wufei assistance on something concerning the mission, and he left with her despite the screeching of princess Ryana who was being calmed by the Prince Trowa-less Apolo. Trowa and his 'imperial guard' were nowhere to be seen. What a joke! Relena was quite sure she knew what 'duties' Arora fulfilled for Prince Trey, and they had little to do with a gundanium-forged sword.
Smiling to herself about her thoughts, she headed toward the tent where she saw the banner of Deathscythe. Miss Stryfe was likely rolling around with Duo Maxwell, and Relena regretted interrupting them - not really - but she needed some assistance in getting the 'knights' motivated back onto the field. Trynity had a way with them. They liked and trusted her. After she had systematically shot their sorry asses out of the sky with the Shadowhawk gundam, Trynity still managed to earn their trust. Then again, that only seemed to raise their opinion of her.
"Why the glum face?"
Startled, she looked up to see Heero Yuy leaning against a tree, his arms folded over his chest. Relena tried not to blush as she looked him over. He wasn't as tall as Lars, not nearly as good-looking, yet he filled out his costume well. She'd done a damn good job of taking his measurements! Dressed in black, his dark eyes on her, he seemed like a panther ready to spring into attack. His shuttered gaze made her pulse race, and her lips tingled as she remembered the last time they were alone together. They weren't alone, she reminded herself. Duo's tent was nearby, and Trowa's wasn't far back, and she saw the banner of the Epyon ahead. But her face turned red as she realized they might as well be alone for what was likely going on in those tents.
"Is it because your big day is quickly becoming a disaster that will be spoken about for years and eventually printed in the history books of the Cinq Kingdom?"
He was mocking her! Relena frowned at him. "One minor setback, that is all. It isn't over yet."
"The spectators are leaving like rats abandoning a sinking ship," he pointed out.
Relena shrugged. "So?"
Heero stared at her. Relena's nerves were jangling. "You don't really care. You weren't doing this for them. As usual, you put your selfish needs above everyone else."
"That's not true!" And yet it was. How had he come to know her so well? Seeing herself in his eyes was not pleasant.
Heero pushed himself off the tree and started towards her as if he were stalking prey. "I have been asking myself since this whole thing began what you hoped to gain."
Relena forced herself to stay still on the spot as he came to stand before her. They were so close he was almost touching her with his body. She would not let Heero Yuy intimidate her! She had come too far with this scheme to let it fall apart when she was so close to achieving her goal. "I hoped to gain the usual entertainment."
"Are you getting what you wanted?" His head was lowering to hers. His breath was warm on her face, and she detected the faint odor of alcohol.
"You've been drinking!" she hissed.
"Not enough to drown out this asinine debacle." He stepped back to both her relief and disappointment.
Relena clenched her fists at her side. "Why must you spoil everything for me?! You are the most aggravating man I know!"
He smirked at her as he ran a hand through his hair. "What's the matter, Miss Darlian? Can't handle hearing the truth? Or maybe you just don't know what it is like to be denied something…or someone."
Before she could respond to his outrageous implication, the flap to Duo's tent opened and Duo stepped out to yawn and stretch. He quickly became aware of the tension, and he glanced first at Heero before looking at Relena.
She took a breath to calm her nerves, then said, "I'm looking for Trynity. Tell her to get some clothes on and get out here."
"Hey!" He seemed offended as he glared at her. "Who do you think you are talking to?"
Relena made a sound of disgust. "The god of death. Now get her!"
Duo folded his arms across his chest. "The god of death doesn't take orders from Princess Pain-in-the-Ass."
Relena knew they called her that behind her back, but to hear Duo say it to her face made a lump form in her throat. She looked at Heero and caught him smirking. Noin was wrong! He didn't care about her! If the way he treated her had anything to do with love, then she preferred a bullet in her heart.
Turning, she picked up the skirt of her long gown and hurried away, then began to run when she heard Heero call her name. She didn't care! She hated him and wanted to put as much distance between her and him as possible. What had she been thinking? All these plans were a waste! Heero didn't have the capacity to care about anyone, not even himself!
She had to stop running when she reached the edge of a bluff overlooking the sea. Relena might have fallen had strong arms not reached out to grab her and pull her away from the edge.
"What you doing, you stupid bitch?"
Heero's face was blurry in her vision. "Let me go!" She tried to push him away, but he yanked her close.
"Don't be an idiot! You'll fall!"
"Why would you care!" She looked up at his face.
He was staring at her intensely, but he said, "You might take me with you, and I really don't feel like dying today."
"And you accuse me of being selfish! You are even more…" She had no chance to finish the thought before Heero was kissing her. Relena didn't fight it. She wanted this! If only they were near his tent!
"Well, well, well. Looks like I am going to have to teach the black knight a little chivalry."
Heero released her, and she was annoyed to see Lars standing nearby, reaching to draw his sword.
"Forgive me, princess, for my tardiness. Thou art safe now. Step behind me."
Relena frowned at him. She had some very choice words for the lummox, but if she used them, she might give Heero the impression that she did not like Lars. "Put your sword away," she said calmly as she stepped away from Heero.
Lars held out his hand. "I shall accompany thee back to safety."
Ass! But she smiled. "I thank you, Sir Knight." She didn't look at Heero as she went to Lars. She didn't want them fighting now. Heero wasn't even armed. And he was drunk!
"Later, Sir Heero of Yuy." Lars bowed to him, then put his hand on Relena's back to walk her away.
Relena heard Heero mutter, "Thine ass is mine."
They walked for a few minutes during which Lars tried to grab her backside, but she finally slapped his hand away. "Just what do you think you're doing? Didn't you get enough from Hilde or Dorothy or whoever you were with?"
Lars chuckled. "Just trying to help, Relena."
She glanced at him. "I've had to put up with your help all day. None of this groping is part of the plan."
"It's fun all the same. You have to admit that Yuy is more interested in you when he is threatened with losing you."
Relena raised a brow. "You are quite the judge of character."
Lars chuckled. "I'm a damn good judge of his character! Yuy almost killed me in the car the other day when I made some interesting comments about you."
"Dare I ask what you said?"
"You don't want to know. Let's just say, Sir Heero took offense."
They arrived at the grandstand and Relena saw Trynity leave the gigantic hanger where the mobile suit transport was kept. Her father was at her side and they were discussing something in-depth. Relena was ashamed to realize how insulting she had been to Duo and Trynity. While Duo was napping, she must have been doing some last minute preparations before their flight on the following noon.
She looked at Lars. "Be careful. I don't think Heero intends to lose the last event."
Lars chuckled. "I know for certain he doesn't." He started to walk away, but he paused and looked back at her. "A heart is an easy thing to break. Be careful with your own and with his."
Trynity came to her as Lars left. "There has been a security breach on the transport."
Relena tried to look concerned. "So?"
"Fortunately, my father and I managed to restore the system. It's locked tight as a drum. I don't know if someone was planning to plant explosives to destroy the gundams or if someone wanted to stop my father's research. Either way, there is no threat now. No one is getting on that ship except those of us with the correct genetic code."
Relena bit her lip to keep from shouting at Trynity with frustration. Everything was ruined because of the meddling red-haired witch! Why couldn't she have been entertaining Duo Maxwell like she should have been instead of unraveling a well-thought out plan. "I'm glad to hear it. The god of death must have been disappointed that you spent the afternoon working."
Trynity laughed. "He was complaining of a stomach ache anyway. I told him not to eat those eels, but he just had to try them. I gave him a little pepto and tucked him in. I just hope he feels up to dancing tonight. I'm looking forward to it."
On a signal from Benton, trumpets blared, waking Miliardo who was snoozing on his throne, his snoring so loud that Relena couldn't believe Noin, who was draped over him, could get any rest. Upon waking, Noin ended up hitting Miliardo with her elbow, and Miliardo dabbed at his bloodied lip after shooting Noin an angry glare. Few people remained to watch the final event. Relena sat down with Trynity at her side, and she drummed her fingers impatiently as the knights – all two of them, the red and black knight – rode across the field to pay homage to the king. They were dressed in full armor, their faces hidden inside helmets.
"This is moronic," remarked Miliardo as he glanced around. A Styrofoam cup rolled across the field with a few event programs, and there were already raccoons foraging amongst the burned out banquet area. He started to get up. "Well, let's call it a day and get home."
"Brother!" Relena implored him with her eyes as she nodded toward the field.
Miliardo glanced at the two knights dressed in armor, then to the television camera and he realized they were on the air. "Damn! All right!" He held out his hand. Noin slapped a speech into it. Miliardo flipped through the pages before speaking and he was only a couple of minutes into his diatribe about honor and glory when a slight breeze suddenly made the papers fly out of his hands. Relena realized he had actually thrown the papers, but his acting was superb. Noin even hid her laughter behind her fan and Benton almost cracked a smile.
He cleared his throat. "Well, anyway, to the winner of this event, the right to escort my sister, Princess Relena, to the ball." He waved his hand regally. "Let's get this over with!"
The black knight shifted uneasily. Relena frowned. So Heero didn't want to escort her! She hoped Lars pounded him into the ground!
The event began with a joust, but this time they held shields and lances and raced their horses at each other. The first pass they both missed each other. Relena didn't see exactly what happened on the second pass because a worker picking up trash got in her way, but the end result was that both knights needed new lances. Trynity informed her that the black knight threw his lance at the red knight, and the red knight dropped his when he was trying to avoid the projectile.
"Did anyone bother to tell those buffoons how to joust?" wondered Noin aloud.
Relena watched as the knights charged again. Now they looked ready for business! The black knight hit the shield of the red knight, and his lance snapped. The red knight managed to maintain his seat. They returned to their ends of the field, the black knight receiving a new lance. Lars was swaying in the saddle, and Relena just knew that Heero was going to knock him from the horse. She held her breath as they charged each other. This was so romantic! They were fighting for her!
"Excuse me, princess, but could you hand me that empty bottle under your throne?"
"What?" Relena tried to shove the worker out of the way. A gasp from both Trynity and Noin made Relena realize she had missed the action again. "Benton! Get this man out of here!"
"Only doing my job," grumbled the maintenance employee as he crawled past picking up trash.
"You shouldn't have made such a mess in the first place, Miss Relena," commented Dorothy.
Relena ignored her as she watched Lars in his red armor, raise himself from the ground. The black knight was on his back flailing like an overturned roach, not that Relena had ever seen a roach in her life. Finally he managed to turn over. How humiliating, thought Relena. She imagined Heero to be stronger than that.
Lars lifted his heavy sword and swung at his opponent, and the ringing of metal hitting metal reverberated around the stadium. Lars was merciless in the onslaught. Of course his weapon wouldn't do anything more than stun the opponent. The 'knights' hadn't been issued real weapons.
One final blow to the head dropped the black knight to his knees.
"Ouch!" remarked the worker leaning against his push broom standing beside Relena's throne. "That had to hurt."
Relena gritted her teach. This was humiliating!
"Has anyone seen enough?" asked Miliardo, bored. "Noin, are you sure you aren't feeling sick or anything?"
"Not at all, loverboy! Feeling fine for the first time in a long time. Don't spoil it!"
Miliardo sank in his chair. "Benton, is there anything to drink around here, and I'm not talking about tea."
"I had a bottle of brandy stowed away for just such a request." Benton turned to forage behind him, then turned around empty-handed. "Seems to have disappeared, Your Excellency."
Relena watched the black knight trying to crawl away from the onslaught of the red knight, her lips pursed in a straight line. She knew exactly where that bottle of brandy had gone! Heero Yuy! No wonder he was embarrassing himself and her! The red knight booted the black knight in the backside.
"Wouldn't want to be in his armor," commented the custodian. He walked past sweeping. "Excuse me, your majesty Mr. Merquise, but do you mind getting your pointy shoes out of the way."
"Where did this guy come from?" Miliardo glanced at Benton who shrugged. "Are we still broadcasting?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
Miliardo hung his head as he looked back at the debacle on the field. "To think I thought Heero Yuy was ready for command training."
Relena shot to her feet. "Heero! Get up Heero!" she shouted. "Fight!"
"That's it Miss Relena!" Dorothy clasped her hands to her bosom. "Pacifism is dead!" she shouted passionately.
Miliardo frowned, obviously realizing that the citizens of the Cinq Kingdom had likely heard her proclamation. "Please, lord, let this nightmare end." He looked at Noin. "I hope you know I am holding you responsible."
She patted her belly. "And I am holding you responsible for this!"
"Benton, if you have a gun, put it to the back of my head and pull the trigger."
"Unfortunately, Your Excellency, that has disappeared also."
The black knight was trying to rise, but the red knight whacked his head one more time with the sword. The helmet of the black knight rolled off and a long braid spilled out.
"Duo!" cried Trynity, leaping off the grandstand and running across the field to save her beloved.
"What the hell is going on?" demanded Miliardo. "I thought Heero Yuy was wearing black."
A sudden rumbling drew their attention to the hanger where the gundams were stored before being loaded on the transport the following morning. The building shuddered and the top flew high in the sky. Relena stared with her mouth open as a gundam unfolded to stand. Relena knew even before the wings spread out and the gundam shot up like an avenging angel that it was Heero Yuy.
"Bravo!" cried Dorothy with excitement as Heero aimed the beam cannon towards the red knight.
"Exit, stage left," mumbled the maintenance worker as he hurried away.
"Benton, get a car! I'm getting the hell out of here." He hoisted Noin over his shoulder. "Oh, and see if you can order up some mobile dolls to distract Heero Yuy."
The voice from the gundam was undoubtedly Heero. "Say your prayers now, traitor."
Relena closed her eyes as the beam cannon fired, and when she opened them, hearing Heero's maniacal laughter, she saw Lars crawling away from a crater burned into the ground nearby. Trynity and Duo had made their escape. Benton was trying to shove Relena to the waiting car, but she shook him off and ran onto the field.
"Heero! What are you doing? Stop!"
The gundam lifted off, and she watched as it did several amazing maneuvers during which it slashed away three of the mobile dolls sent out by Benton. "I shall end this farce now!"
Heero dived the gundam, and Relena's heart stopped, fearing for Lars. But the gundam landed, squared itself, raised it's cannon and proceed to obliterate the base gymnasium where the dance was to have been held. With the heavily decorated structure in flames and soldiers running from all directions to contain the blaze, Heero dropped the beam cannon to the ground.
The door to the wing gundam opened, and Heero lowered to the ground on a cable.
Relena moved towards him.
Heero met her gaze, smiling smugly. "So much for the Knights of the Round Table."
She balled her hand into a fist and struck him. As he fell back, soldiers seized him and hauled him away. Relena could still hear him laughing drunkenly.
"Wonderful!" cried Dorothy.
Relena spun, and although her hand was still aching, she planted her knuckles in Dorothy's face. The blond witch fell flat on her back.
"Beautiful!" she whispered before her eyes closed.
"You have a nasty right cross, young lady," remarked another voice.
She turned to see the custodian. She didn't give him a chance to make another remark.
"I have a nasty left cross too!" As he dropped to the ground, she turned to look up at the wing gundam. Her eyes went to the cable, then followed it up to the open door.
And she smiled.