Title: Dragon Knights
Author: FalconIce
Pairing: 1x2, 5x13, 6+OC
Rating: PG
Genre:*sweatdrop* Fantasy, humor, Adventure…*scratches head* AU?
Warnings: TWT, Slight OOC…as of the moment may get really weird later. * Nod nod*
Disclaimer: don't own GW or any of its characters. Err…have no mula, money, cash nor dough so if you sew me you're liable to only get a few holes in my skin with your needle…* laughs at her pun* Sew…needle…You get? * Crickets in the background* Well, I tried. *Shrug*
Reviews: Is my food and my soul! Review to me so that this fic can be improved and if no one says there's nothing wrong then the mistakes will never be corrected, neh? ^.~ Or vice versa, if no one sez its good then it'll stagnate and I might never write again! * big wobbly eyes * You wouldn't want that to happen now would you?
2:00 P.M.
Saunq Province
Eternal Forest

Zechs didn't know what was worse: the hot humid weather or the torturously sexy yet sadistic young man before them. Burnt umber hair seemed like sparkling rubies under the filtered sunlight streaming from the high canopies as the young man named Locke made his bouncy happy way into the trail ahead of them…if it could actually be called a trail that is.
Either that or the platinum haired man was finally loosing his brain to the pickling process the forest deemed to bestow upon the two noblemen by means of extreme heat and humidity. His outer extremities were bruised and battered from the natural pitfalls and traps the forest hid under its dense undergrowth. Lashes as well as a few good bumps on his head were from numerous large branches which for some odd reason seem to appear out of nowhere with as many annoying springy twigs intent on whacking his formerly smooth and unmarred pale complexion. However, he couldn't boast of that now…red and blistered as they were.
Treize wasn't in much better condition than he was. In fact, it could be said that he was in an even worse state than the lieutenant. Ginger locks were practically sticking like glue to the wan face that seemed drained to exhaustion. The once brilliant shade of ocean blue glimmered no longer and seemed now an endless emptiness of despair.
Treize was a noble in and out and the fact that he was a top officer and commonly pampered gave to the fact that this little excursion in the forest was leading his body into shock; shock to the exposure of the wild realities of true fighting.
Of course, the fact that Locke was humming and signing cheerfully ahead of them as if this march of death was something as mundane as a an early morning stroll through the park wasn't helping much either..
"~it's getting hot in here. So hot! ~" The red head singsong-ed as he shook his hips jauntily to the song,"~so take off all your clothes. I am getting so hot I'm gonna take my clothes off~" As if to emphasize his point he breathily moaned with the song as he tossed his head to the side hair flowing like a cascade of autumn leaves.
No, Zechs thought, the man definitely wasn't helping at all. Those tight leather pants that bared every luscious curve and contour of the body wiggling invitingly in front of him didn't help the matter at all. For not only was he now walking through a forest of hell, he now had to walk funnily as the certain problem down under due to the redhead's jaunty saunter seemed to make the hike even more painful. How his life degraded to so much pain and agony he couldn't quite remember.
"Can't we please stop…"Came an eternally soft and sad whimper from behind Zechs. If the lieutenant hadn't been listening for it, which he was because Zechs was still a little paranoid of wild animals no matter what Locke said, that he wouldn't have heard the tiny plea from Treize.
Locke though having superior hearing spun around, the forest light dappling across his smiling features and highlighting red accents in his hair, and quickly turning his attention to the just-about-to-collapse-former-OZ-general.
"You know…" He started, amber eyes twinkling gold," you ought to have said that sooner…I've been waiting for you to tell me for quite some time now. If you had I would've stop anytime you wanted…" Cheeky grin graced slightly oriental features.
The platinum blonde couldn't' believe his ears. They could have stopped ANYTIME?!?
"You mean-"Ice blue eyes locked unto amber." -that we could've stopped anytime as long as we ASKED?!" The redhead blinked before nodding hesitantly although the amused twinkling in his eyes still didn't disappear.
The argument or what few words they exchanged stopped abruptly as a thud issued forth from behind them. Reflexes hoed to perfection allowed them to react and the unconscious body of Treize was cradled in the arms of the lithe Locke.
He looked up to the frowning countenance of Zechs." You should have asked you know. That is the first lesson in the warrior's way. Never let pride get over your head and seek aid when you need it."
Ice blued hued eyes blinked." True…Yet Treize was never the one to whom would give up until he was downright exhausted…" The smooth baritone trailed off thoughtfully.
This was followed by the tenor reply of the red head." Although I loathe admitting it to you…" The oriental looked up and frowned." We made extremely slow progress today. The others have no doubt gained quite a lead on us."
"What do you propose? I doubt Treize is in any condition to walk any longer. He seems very much dehydrated not to mention quite exhausted. I even harbor suspicion that his tender soles might be quite littered with blisters."
"True." Soft tenor agreed before continuing in the same small thoughtful voice." Then we must ride…"
Zechs was perplexed." Ride what?" He knew that he still had Miri cradled within him and just awaiting for his summons to come out but he knew the dragon's bulk would not fit through the sparse space in between the tall trees of the forest. No mount, even a horse could traverse such rugged wilderness not without suffering undue agony from various sprains and leg/feet related injuries.
Locke looked to Zechs smilingly." Promise not to scream and run away?" The odd teasing in the voice caught the older man off guard.
"Huh? Why?" The amber eyes crinkled in evil mischief.
"You'll see."
Cradling Treize's body with care, the young man placed his burden upon a dead tree stump before standing up and facing Zechs a small smile on his lips.
"No horse and no dragon can pass through here. This is the sole realm of the wolf." Gold eyes turned into feral slits and reddish fur dark fur burst through skin while long lithe legs turned into powerful haunches. The smooth curve of the jaw lengthened into deadly choppers containing row upon row of sharp dagger-like teeth.
"A wolf?" Zechs eyes were now literally popping out of their sockets. This was no ordinary wolf. Some would call it werewolf but Zechs found himself thinking to call it none other than beautiful.
Amber eyes twinkled within the canine skull of the horse-sized wolf before him. Reddish fur bristled as a long and fluffy tail lashed out in agitation behind him.
" Wild. Untamed. Free." Came the gruff voice into Zechs head as those golden orbs stared through him like he was so much transparent glass." This domain of Wolves." The penetrating gaze turned to the General's prone body." Bring him. We leave."
Blinking, Zechs went and did exactly what he had been instructed to do.

5:00 P.M.
Saunq Province
Eternal Forest

Shadows were now beginning to settle across the forest. Although the sun still had an hour or so to set the tall trees already cloaked the entire forest in darkness as they stole the last remaining light out of the sky.
Duo looked around warily, eyes darting back and forth among the rustling leaves and the fleeting shadows of the forest. There was always something quite scary in being surrounded by a mass living entity that seemed to be staring at you from all sides.
"Are you sure we're following the right tracks?" Duo asked his eyes never shifting away from their scrutiny of his surroundings.
A muffled curse came from the Chinese boy ahead." Kisama Maxwell! Just shut up for once! We could do without the distractions of your irritating voice!"
The braided pilot winced. It seemed that he wasn't the only one whose nerves were frayed around the edges by the looming forest around them. Heero though, being the usual, didn't look an ounce disturbed by their shadowy environ.
"I can't see the bird." The small statement was said matter-of-factly and sent a shiver down the other two pilots' spines.
Frantic violet orbs seemed to twitch spasmodically as they set eyes upon the calm cobalt eyed pilot of Wing." You're kidding me right? Heero? Right? Right?"
They gathered around a shadowed clearing, the faint illumination of the remaining sunlight falling across the glade's center highlighting the three figures bent in discussion.
"This is no time for foolishness Yuy." Onyx eyes remained sharp and vigilant as the statement was said with barely checked irritation.
Heero's eyes were stone as no emotion filtered across the blue expanse." I do not kid Chang." It was said simply without a hint of inflection but the simple sentence only managed to irritate the Oriental even greater.
Duo's eyes widened. They were lost. It was that simple. They were lost in an unknown variable of time and space without knowledge of where they were or what they would face. This was a fear in itself and more so to a trained terrorist who is used to knowing everything about a mission.
It seemed like the most stupid question to ask but it had to be said." So what do we do now guys?" The braided young man asked his hands beside him in a gesture of helplessness.
The Pilot of Wing snorted and turned to the direction where they had been heading." We resume our previous course and hope we catch up with the bird."
"That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard Yuy!" Chang burst out his hands in the air from the extreme emotion radiating off of him." The night is descending fast and we have no information on our current location and I deem it close to impossibility to be able to follow that smidgen of a bird Locke gave us!"
Cobalt eyes narrowed as the side of Heero's tightly pursed lips twitched." And what do you propose to do Chang? Wait here?"
Duo knew without a doubt that the two would soon be engaged in an all out fight. Both men were sensible in a fashion but had never been in good relations with each other. Fact was they were never around each other long enough to actually know the inner person for Wufei preferred solitude too much and Heero computer more than his own life. In the American's case, Duo had to dig long and hard to have been able to squirm himself inside Heero's cold shell as much as he had now. It had been quite a feat truly but Heero still was a prick to most people.
"Guys!" Duo said placating as he separated both young men who had drawn closer in preparation for the grand fight." This isn't getting us anywhere!"
Wufei's head spun toward Duo's their noses almost hitting as furious onyx faced off with surprised amethyst." And YOU have a better idea Maxwell?" The words seemed almost like spit as they flew off the Chinese's mouth.
As Duo was about to retort a hand suddenly clamped on his mouth effectively shushing the American's words as a rustling sound reverberated across the quickly darkening glade.
"Someone's out there." Heero whispered his breath hot and moist against the side of Duo's face.
Scanning the forest line Duo eyes flitted back and forth nervously but found nothing. Wufei though, silenced and calm for once watched as well though his eyes seemed to have found something that the braided boy hadn't.
"It is too fast to be a man-" The Chinese said in a low voice the tone barely above the night's breeze." -yet too slow to be a creature of nature." Heero nodded in agreement.
Wide violet eyes regarded the two conversing men in front if him. It was as if the fight had been completely forgotten in place of this tenuous alliance in front of a higher threat than that of being lost.
"Ye b' nyew ta this place'n aren't ye strayngers?" The odd lilting voice came out of nowhere. It was disembodied as if it came from nowhere yet everywhere at once. " Ye bayter not b' talk'n ta loud or ye b' gonna bring'n the wrath'n of thee goyld yayd deymon on yer shoft hayds."
"Come out and fight like a man coward!" Wufei sneered, his hand twitching for the sword sheathed at his belt.
The odd singsong sang out again but betrayed not its source." Ya b' think'n offa me bein' stupid ayn all. Ya gotta do bayter than that ta get me in trowble with the goyled yayd deymon. Iama just warn'n yous ta not talk sow loudly or ya gonna be geyting us in trowble."
It seemed to Duo that the man, or whatever it may be, wasn't hostile. In fact it seemed more interested in its own survival than bothering the three Gundam Pilots. Then of course there was the fact that it kept mentioning this as it said 'goyled yayed deymon' which sounded if Duo were right in his assumption much like gold eyed demon.
Heero stood tense beside Duo and had finally released his death clamp of the other's mouth while Wufei was clenching and unclenching his hands repeatedly at his sides.
"We mean no harm." Duo started and hearing no complaints form his fellow pilots, continued on," We just got a little lost you see so if you'd give us direction back to Saunk we'd be out of your hair-" He hadn't been able to finish his speech as numerous gasps sounded around them.
"Yay waynt inta thee deymon's kayngdom?!" One choked out and was quickly drowned out by another.
"Yay be'n spies I knows it!" More disembodied vices sounded.
"Theys too stuypid ta be spies!"
"But theys waynt ta Saunk!" A high pitch screech.
"Maybes we's bayter just shove'm bayk ta that thayng's playce!"
"But yas gonna b' teyl'n it bout us and it yaynt gonna b' ta happy to b' hear'n bout oos bein hayr in yats fowrest!"
"I says wes just b' kill'n dem thayngs!"
Silence suddenly seemed to fill the glade shortly after that last sentence. Duo couldn't help but feel his spine tingle with fear at the thought that those things were gonna kill them. He could defend against a normal man easily enough or a wild animal but these things were clearly an unknown variable and he knew not their strength and if he would be able to counter the threat that met them now. His body was now split in between the urge to fight and flee and no doubt his tow companions were in the same boat as Duo.
A sigh.
"Wes can't b' kill'n im. Ya knyow weyl inof thayt he ain't b' lik'n killn in is fowrest."
"B' tru. But wes can't b' leyvn em ere to be cowsn no raycket and tracting ees aytention."
Another silence followed by a rustle from a nearby tree when suddenly a dark lithe form fell out form a tree's ranches and landed gracefully on two feet facing the three now stunned pilots.
The thing was human as they were; darker surely and a little mysterious but human like them. How they managed to make their voices come out like breathy ghost in the forest Duo would never know.
Shockingly bright emerald eyes under a limp shock of brown hair the young man in front of them stood no taller than four foot nine and seemed a little too young to be considered dangerous.
"Wes be tha bayndits of dis hayr fowrest and we gonna be hayppier if yays be leavn nows." A head cocked to the side in curiosity." Yays bayter follu dem thayngs ver dr. Grayn mowses!" The young man pointed to a few nearby trees with glowing green moss." B' leadn bayk ta Saunk…" The young man trailed off a shiver wracked it form." Aynt known whys yays gowna b' going thayr but ays hop'n the deymon won't kill wes. Fayr thay weyl." And he disappeared into the forest again.
A few moments in silence passed by before any of the three young men in the glade could find anything to say. "Well, it think wes-I mean, we better be our way." Duo said, his voice seeming to disturb the pregnant silence over them.
"Are we not supposed to find the tomb of Locke's supposed friends?" Wufei asked hesitantly as he eyed the glowing green path behind them.
Heero who was stroking his chin thoughtfully looked at his companions before deigning to speak." We have lost our way but this does not have to mean we are to return-"He paused, brows furrowed as if considering a questionable alternative. "Yet, he mentioned something about a demon which is most likely a threat…"
"Maybe we should camp here for now…you know wait for Locke and the others to catch up." Duo shrugged and plopped himself down on a nearby rotting deadfall.
Wufei turned his eyes around the glade before sighing and leaning against a tree." We wait a night and a day. If they have not caught up yet we follow the moss trail…" He gazed upon his two companions." Am I agreeable in this?" Duo and Heero nodded.
"Then we wait." A monotone nasal voice rang clear across the small clearing.

8:00 P.M.
Saunq Province
Eternal Forest

Zechs really couldn't say if the ride was any better than a horse but he had to admit that it was faster as well as smoother although the sharp turns scored its own number of bruises on his body.
Muscles bunched up and released underneath him, the motion fluid and graceful as the wolf 'Locke' sprinted through the gaps in between trees. The turns were sharp and fast barely allowing the platinum haired man the time to clutch on for dear life. He'd been almost thrown clear across the other side of the forest the first time around.

* Flashback *

Tugadug. Tugadug. Oomph. Thud. Silence.
"Zechs? Daijoubu?" A whimper came issued out from the long furred muzzle as the large canine sniffed worriedly at the sprawled from of Zechs Marquise on the forest floor.
A few moments passed by and the large wolf was growing worried for his seemingly comatose rider. Locke loped nearer and began to nudge a hand trying his best to rouse the unconscious blonde.
Success surged through his veins as a twitch was brought about then a moan of pain.
"My head." Zechs groaned out before clutching aforementioned brain container. The blonde was still on the ground, his platinum hair spread out under him so much like a golden halo as he clutched his head.
"I would have thought you to hold on tight since deeming you noble you would have had experience with horses." The deep rumbling voice sounded guilty. Zechs ignored it, his head still at the forefront of his attention.
"We still have a ways to go. Can you ride?" The listener just groaned. After all, being slammed right across the head by an offending branch at a speed of thirty five kilometers an hour wasn't something you could recover swiftly from.
A deep rumble echoed in the forest its tone very reminiscent that of a sigh of exasperation." Very well. I will go slower next time."

* End Flashback *

Zechs groaned and clutched his throbbing head. He'd just awakened with the worst headache in his life a few moments ago and the jarring ride, although slower, was still a bit too much fro his injured head. Knowing though that they couldn't go slower than this he just hoped to high heavens that he'd be bale to survive this nightmare of a ride, Zechs sighed.
"How is your cranium?" Locke inquired worriedly." Tell me if you cannot hold on though I am sorry that this is about as slow as I can get and still arrive at the tomb on time."
Zechs winced at a particularly sharp bank to the left right then, his head only an inch away from hitting yet another branch." Just try to be more careful. I almost got brained by another branch that time."
"Sorry." The voice replied truly apologetic."-I" The word was never finished as the body beneath him jerked.
"Locke?" The form lurched before beginning to topple sideways. Zechs was surprised but acted quick enough to grab Treize and jumping clear of the body as it slumped to the ground with a mighty thud. It seemed that the world was against their mission.
He laid Treize gently on the forest floor before sprinting to the side of the heavily breathing body on the other side.
Rust red fur stained dark as blood seeped out sluggishly from an arrow wound on the chest which was unerringly dead on target to the large beast's heart. Rasping hot breath washed across the platinum blonde's face as Locke slightly dazed looking eyes looked to him.
"If this didn't hurt so much…It would be funny." Amber eyes blinked in pain. Unable to find anything suitable to say, Zechs remained silent within the state of indecision upon what to do." Of all thi-"The huge snout suddenly lolled to the side as Locke feinted.
A couple of minutes passed by without a sound being uttered in the immediate environ before a sudden rustle alerted the pilot of Epyon to the arrival of the arrow's owner. Zechs tensed and slipped into a defensive position over both Locke's and Treize's forms. What surprised him immensely at the Hunter's face were the familiar cobalt blue eyes and the messy brown hair. It looked like Heero's twin…only archaic.
"Not again!" came the slightly nasal voice which was uncharacteristically emotional for once. Zechs could only crouch and blinked at the unexpected event unfolding before his dazed blue eyes.
Clad in a dark brown hunting vest and white inner shirt, the Heero twin made his way sure footedly towards Locke's heavily breathing body. The Twin barely even looked at Zech's direction and the blonde couldn't decide if it was good or bad.
"I told him not to go roaming about unexpectedly and what does he do? He ignores me!" The young man sighed." He's impossible! I swear! If I hit him one mor-" As if noticing him for the first time, twin Heero looked at him and glared. The glare though was so reminiscent of the Yuy he knew that the Pilot of Tallgease== is this the right spelling? ] couldn't help but feel cowed. The previous happy-go-lucky nature had vanished before his eyes and here was this young who now not only looked like Heero but was now acting like him: patented stony glare and all.
"You Locke's friend?" He gruffed crossing his arms in front of his chest and glaring penetratingly at Zechs who stood up to face the young man with a glare of his own.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, and how about you? Do you know Locke?" He inclined his head towards the panting form before looking to Heero twin again." Form the sound of things…you do this fairly often?" The lieutenant's tone was a mix between indignation and curiosity.
They were both stilled as the familiar rough voice of Locke's wolf form arose to answer them." Often enough that I'm particularly used to it by now and it's not only in this sadly…" They both looked at the semi-seated form of the wolf whose tongue was now lolling at the side in a doggy version of a smile.
"Heero Koryu Quinn, to what pleasure do owe you from meeting with yet another one of your arrowheads." Zechs looked at both amused expressions form the men in front of him. He couldn't believe the gall of both at treating such an extreme situation as if it was just a chat between friends.
The remarkably stoic young man grinned then proceeded to laugh." Another hunting trip you've ruined for me Unc'a Locke!" He slapped a hand to his thigh." The year that I don't hit you will be the year that I die…"
The great muzzle frowned but the amber eyes continued to twinkle." Oh and I suppose that's a good thought?" Locke growled showing an array of long pointy white teeth.
The young man only laughed more." And what adventure are you engaged in now?"
"Do I always have to be in an adventure?" The youko harrumphed before turning away guiltily. Zechs could only blink at the implication. Did the redhead do this…whole quest thing fairly often? Was he just playing with the lives of the Gundam pilots? Was he even serious about anything? Countless questions floated to Zechs mind.
"I think you know the answer to that one Unc'a Locke." The young man chortled before embracing the large canine head warmly." I missed you greatly! You haven't visited the Palace for awhile."
A rumbling laughter more beast than man." Too true yet I have a few things to take care of before I can go. Do you mind lending a hand to this little project of mine?"
Cobalt blue eyes looked piqued." Of course! You knew I could never turn down a challenge." Both eyes met and equally evil grins arose.
"Too true my dear Heero. Too true indeed."
TBC…

FalconIce: Well…not exactly the torture session I planned since my sadistic side kinda went off frolicking and left me with my serious brain cells. But I'm still thinking of putting one soon so don't worry! I'm gonna have a lot of fun with Heero, Wufei and Duo next chappie! Nyukie! Maybe fit in a good Zechs and Treize bashing fic!!! NYUKIE!!!