Chapter Nine          

" Hurry up! Hurry all of you!" The vice-principal yelled to the students as she tried her very best to usher all the girls into one of the underground shelters.

" Where is Miss Po?" Relena asked.

" I don't know, I haven't see her since we left the hall," Catherine said.

Catherine, Relena and Hilde were all ushered down the stuffy, dull underground room. Besides the students, many of the women folk were already down there, all wearing worried frowns. The shelter was dimly lighted by some electric lamps and the air smelled of sweat and dust. Hilde coughed. Somewhere, a baby wailed, sending faint echoes into the girls' ears. A few muttered softly among themselves, terrified by the sudden turn of events. The three sat down gingerly on the rough ground. The vice-principal shut the heavy stone door, leaving the girls in darkness until their eyes became adjusted to the dark.

No one spoke. They just stared ahead at the old, hard wall. Then, an electric lamp was passed to them with the stern instructions of  " use it only when necessary." Relena could feel the warmth that Hilde seemed to be radiating. She took a deep breath and said, " Hilde?"

" Yes?"

" Tell me why."

" Why what?"

" Why you were in that organization."

There was a pause.

 " It wasn't my wish to be there," she whispered poignantly. " After my parents passed away, I was sent to live with a distant uncle. It wasn't until I arrived that I saw to my amazement that he was actually an OZ officer. He took good care of me and taught me a lot about magic. He told me about OZ, the vision this 'master' has about uniting the world. Though I was young, I could see the danger behind it all. This 'master' is an extremely cunning and devious person. Unfortunately, he is also charismatic. So I had a quarrel with my uncle about this and in order to make me change my mind, he forced me to join OZ as a soldier, hoping that I would be able to see things in a different light. But I was not able to and so I ran away to here, EverlastVille, and met the two of you. That's my story."

" Oh Hilde," Catherine said and took her hand. " I'm so sorry to hear that."

" Don't be. It'll only make me feel bad. I didn't mention that I was in OZ because it hurts a lot."

" That means you know about Treize and Zechs long before?" Relena asked.

" Actually I have only heard of them but never met them."

" What about your uncle?"

" I don't know. Maybe he passed away. He has an illness, you know, and so they never send him on any special operations. Perhaps that is why he thinks OZ is so good – he has never seen them in action before. But he was a loyal man."

Relena and Catherine placed their arms around Hilde and hugged her. She relaxed under their protection. The baby's wails had subsided and was replaced by the choking sounds of a girl diagonally across her. The girl sat huddled against the wall, trying to swallow her fears but it kept coming out in the form of tears. A teacher was comforting her, or trying to.

Hilde recognized the girl as one of Dorothy's friend. She was not fond of Dorothy. That blonde girl loved wars and fighting. She and Relena once had a debate about war and peace during a school assembly and she was very enthusiastic about troubling times. That girl sent shivers down her spine. And it isn't just that twin eyebrows she possessed. Speaking of Dorothy, Hilde had not seen her since they left the school hall. Where is she? As soon as she asked herself this question, she realized the answer. It was so obvious.

Suddenly, Hilde knew what she must do. " Relena, Catherine, I want to fight. What about you?"

" Huh? What do you mean?" asked Catherine.

" I want to fight against OZ to protect the people. Will you fight with me?"

 " Are you crazy Hilde?" said Relena. "You'll get yourself killed!"

" I don't care. OZ must be punished," Hilde said stubbornly and she got up.

" Hilde!" Relena grabbed her wrist but Hilde shook her away and headed up for the stone door.

" Hilde Schbeiker, what are you doing?!" The vice-principal exclaimed as Hilde pushed open the door and ran out. Catherine and Relena cried out for her but she did not stop and so they chased after her to the further dismay of the VP. But there was nothing she can do for she still has hundreds of girls to protect.

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Duo leapt out of the way of Treize's spell. " Flying Bat!" Duo aimed his arm at Treize with a closed fist and then open it such that the tip of his fingers were facing Treize. A bat-like shape escaped from his hand and flew straight at Treize. Treize countered it with a mighty Thunder-Ball Vibration. When the smoke cleared, he was gone.

" Come out you coward!" Duo hollered. Feeling an oppressive presence, he whirled round to see ten OZ soldiers charging at him. Reinforcements has arrived. With a shout, he sliced them up with his Twin-Beam Scythe. Duo glanced over at his mates. They were doing well but how long can the four of them keep up? Four against countless of OZ lunatics. They are only humans. And Heero, can he handle it by himself? The quicker they settle this, the quicker they will be able to join Heero.

Treize hovered above the battlefield, admiring it. The struggle for life…ah, this is so beautiful, this is just the attitude humans should have. Not like all these lifeless MD soldiers. That's right, MD, Mobile Dolls, as the Master called them. These things are only puppets. He resented it but there was little he can do since he needed it to help him with this round. That's right, this round. These boys will have more future meetings with him, now that they have successfully mastered the Gundam Magic. He was deeply impressed by their prowess and could not wait for the next round.

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Dorothy stood outside the fence of Gundam Boys' School of Magic watching Mr J organizing the troops. She smiled widely, exhilarated. At last! War has arrived! She wondered if her relative, Treize K, would be there. They were distant relatives, cousins or something she could not remember, but she admired him all the same. She had met him once two years ago in a café and had recognized him immediately although they have never met before. The two of them had had a short chat. She had tailed him to OZ without his knowledge.

" War…" Dorothy said to herself. " You are so beautiful. I love you."

"…Is that understood? All right, make a move!" Mr J said to the men and they hurriedly rushed off to prepare. Hilde ran up to him.

" Mr J, let me fight with you!"

" Pardon?"

" I want to fight those morons!"

" Hilde!" Relena called from behind. She and Catherine had finally caught up with her. " Hilde, come back with us. You are being silly."

" I am not silly!" she protested fiercely. " I want to fight, it is what I must do as a citizen of Magic Town, EverlastVille. I know OZ, I can help all of you fight against them."

G came up to Mr J from his back. " OZ has arrived!"

" They are quick!" he said. " Everyone! OZ is here! Get ready! Hurry up! Are the kids gone?"

" Everyone of them."

" Good. Hilde, you go back. I can't risk losing such a nice girl. Listen to Relena."

" No!" A tear trickled down her right cheek. " I have a belief – if you can fight, fight. OZ is going to destroy my home and I'm not going to sit around doing nothing. Duo and the others are off somewhere else fighting for us too. I want to do something for them. Please, let me fight."

Mr J stared at her. " …You will be the backup at the back of the town. We do not know for sure which side they will come from. Move it!"

" Thank you, Mr J!" Hilde turned and dashed off to her appointed position. Mr J and G trotted off in another direction.

" What do we do Relena?" Catherine asked in a worried tone.

" Follow Hilde. I want to make sure she doesn't get herself killed."

Dorothy observed all these from a distant away, wearing a smile on her lips. She turned around abruptly and followed behind Relena.

" J, regarding one of the Gundam tablets, Wing Zero, I need to tell you something about it," G said to his friend.

" What?"

" Last night I was searching the books to find more information about OZ. By chance, I found something interesting about Wing Zero…Have you heard of the Zero System?"

J looked at him. " Zero System? Why, of course, it is rumoured that this system could enhance a person's magical abilities but there is a danger to it. It can only be found in two tablets, I don't remember which two…" he trailed off. " You don't mean that Wing Zero has it, do you?"

" That is what I mean," G said frankly.

" Shit."

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" Shield!" Quatre said as he drew out his hands to provide cover for himself. " Elements of Nature – Water!" As his Elements of Nature spell was now released under the magic of his Gundam Sandrock tablet, it became more powerful than usual. A large spray of water was Quatre's answer to the lightning spell thrown into his direction by two OZ soldiers. Upon being touched with water, a great electric current passed through the bodies of the two bad guys, killing them.

Quatre wiped the sweat away from his brows. He has started to pant and he knew that if they do not get rid of these lifeless soldiers soon, it would get rid of them. He glanced around and spotted Treize in the air. Before he could react, five OZ soldiers had already surrounded him.

Wufei noticed that Heero was missing. Where had that boy gone? Could he have chicken out? No, Heero does not admit defeat easily. Uneasiness built in him. Something did not feel right. Wufei did not know where he got this feeling from but ever since he possessed Gundam Shenlong, his senses have became more acute, subtle. Also, he seemed to have gained a sixth sense. He could feel things he had never felt before. This was scary, as well as thrilling. With a yell, he produced a Twin-Beam Trident, his magical weapon, and swung it round wildly. He must let these fools know not to fool around with a true warrior. He felt like Nataku, a Chinese god who too fought for the justice of the people.

As Trowa fought, he watched. He now knew that everyone with a Gundam tablet has a spiritual weapon, something that can make the fight more personal, more primitive, like their ancestors in the early stage when they created and divided the magical realms. Magical weapons were special then, even more holy than the spells they wielded. So what was his weapon? An army knife, his tablet told him. This was not impressive, since his Heavyarms was based more on spells and that was to his forte. He held out his left arm. " Gatling Guns!" A long, greenish light glowed and a dark red coloured machine-gun appeared.

Trowa wondered why Gundam Magic is so closely related to the weapons people on earth used in battles and fights. Maybe because the words behind his Heavyarms, A Debt of Blood, refers to power and that power means fighting? He aimed his Gatling Guns with a silent face.

" Everyone!" Duo called to them as they got nearer to one another. " Treize tricked us! He has another troop invading EverlastVille! His main intention is to lure us away from EverlastVille and attack it! Heero has gone back and we must join him quickly!"

" What?" Quatre said in astonishment. " You mean he didn't want to attack Dragon Land?"

" I think he wants EverlastVille more," Duo replied grimly.

" Or he wants us dead," Wufei added.

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OZ marched towards Magic Town with Zechs in the lead. The citizens in there were ready and a line of young men stood at the gate in defense of their hometown. With a motion of his forefinger, the OZ soldiers attacked. Zechs watched as the men and OZ met in a head-on clash of magic, wooden sticks and daggers. With a grin, he vanished and reappeared in an empty street inside the town.

Hilde waited tensely along with other the back-ups at the back of town. The back-ups were mostly middle-aged men and some teenage boys who were keen on protecting their home. Relena and Catherine were beside her, hardly breathing. They were there to watch over her, making sure she does not get herself killed. Hilde almost laughed. She's a strong fighter, she will not die. Relena should be worried about herself. In terms of magical abilities, she was the weakest among the three of them, in fact, one of the weakest in the whole school. It was her theory exams that kept her in the passing range. For Hilde, it was the exact opposite.

A boy ran up to them. " OZ has attacked! They are at the front! They are sending another group from the back!" A double-attack, Hilde thought with anger. They knew that Magic Town though strong in magic has a rather small population. OZ intended to get rid of them quick and thus the sending of two forces.

" Get ready!" a bespectacled man shouted in a deep voice. The gate was closed and protected by magic but Hilde knew it would not hold OZ out for long. True enough, a thunderous explosion occurred a short while later and both sides charged. The back-ups stood at the back, firing spells at any OZ soldiers that managed to bypass the front line.

Relena and Catherine were drawn into the battle too. These OZ soldiers that were hit fell onto the ground bleeding, unlike those MD that the five boys were fighting against. These soldiers were real. They have life and blood, and Noin was leading them.

" Heat-Punch!" Hilde cried as she generated her fists with a radiant heat and punched the enemies. She was soon separated from Catherine and Relena. Noin appeared in front of her out of nowhere and sent a roundhouse kick onto her cheek and a simultaneous rain of yellowish Glow-Palms at the people. Glow-Palms differed from Heat-Punch in the sense that the heat generated was of a different colour. Other than that, both spells are the same and the intensity of the heat depends on the user. Heat-Punch is used generally as an attacking magic while Glow-Palms is more on the defensive side. For Noin's case, her Glow-Palms served both purposes.

Catching Noin unaware, Hilde threw herself at her and both fell onto the dusty ground. Immediately, Noin threw a Thunder-Ball Vibration at her. Hilde ducked aside and countered back with a fire spell. Noin did a somersault high over Hilde's head and landed behind her, promptly delivering a high-flying kick onto the girl. Hilde lost her balance and fell but managed to roll away just in time to avoid Noin's magic spell.

Relena fought for a while, until she killed someone. She did not mean to. It was an accident. She had seen this soldier rushing at her, seeing her as an easy prey to kill. Relena had been trying to avoid killing anyone, merely driving them back with small, innocuous spells. This soldier threw a powerful lightning magic at her. She could not dodge and in her fright, she released a much more threatening spell in his direction. Fear allows you to do things you may regret. It takes control of your mind and you lose all rational thoughts. You become a desperado, ready to try anything. That happened to Relena.

In her fear, she killed him.

Relena could not fathom what had just happened. She just stared at the dead soldier, panting, sweat trickling down her face, fingers cold. Her whole body felt numb. What have I done, she thought. Slowly, realization came to her. I have killed a man, I have killed a man. These words rang in her, running throughout her soul, circulating in her mind, reverberating in the air. Panic seized her and her heart thumped faster.

Oh my god! Oh lord, no! Relena screamed silently. What must I do? What do I do now? I don't know…I really don't know…

Relena covered her ears angrily and knelt down, right in the middle of the battle. Stop, please stop, stop everything! Why are we fighting? Tell me why? Why must people, human race fight over silly matters? Can't they be contented with what they have? Why must I kill him? He has a life too. Perhaps his wife and children are waiting for him to come home in triumph, safe and sound. Maybe he has an old mother to take care of, maybe he has a handicapped brother to look after, maybe his girlfriend is waiting for him, or maybe he is an orphan with no family, but he must have friends, friends who care about him…

Relena started sobbing, fat tears raining down her cheeks. This is wrong, she has done wrong, OZ is wrong, everyone is wrong…But who is right? Peace…Only with peace can all of this be repelled. This meaningless and stupid fighting…This is murder.

God! Relena cried in her heart. I have killed someone! I have killed a man! I have taken a life away! This is all my fault! Someone help me! I'm in pain, I can't breath…Relena clutched her throat, as if strangling herself. Hilde, who happened to turn in her direction, witnessed her strange behaviour.

" Relena! Relena, get up! What are you doing?"

An OZ soldier heard this and with a smirk, aimed a spell in Relena's way.

" Relena!" yelled her friend. " Look out!" She was too far away to get to her in time. Relena stayed fixed on the ground, shaking her head, body numb. She did not notice the danger in front of her, did not hear Hilde screaming for her attention. But somehow, some instinct forced her to look up and she saw it. However, it was too late. She could not dodge, and she did not want to.

" Relena!" Hilde screamed.

A dark figure dashed out of nowhere and planted himself in front of Relena. He fired a spell back at the fast approaching one, swallowing it up and also the soldier. Relena stared at the familiar back of her saviour. Heero.

Heero turned round to meet Relena's eyes. Something is wrong with her, his senses told him. This girl, this trembling kitten, something has happened to her. " Stay where you are," he told her. " I'll kill them all."

No…Relena mouthed the word but no sound came out. She could only watched as Heero activated his Gundam Wing Zero Magic and began on a killing spree.

When Heero killed the OZ soldier that was attacking Relena, he was shocked to find that this soldier was real, not lifeless like the ones they had fought in Dragon Land. But this stunned expression did not show in his face. He remained calm. Whatever it is, they are the enemies, he told himself. My job is to destroy them. That white lady had once told me that I am to stay here to protect all the magical realms. The white lady…why am I thinking of her all of a sudden?

And he saw it.

He saw Relena standing in front of him, arms outstretched, releasing a lightning spell. But it was too late to stop himself, to collect back his Twin-Beam Buster Rifle spell. The strong beam enveloped Relena, killing her instantly. When the smoke cleared, he saw to his amazement that it was not Relena but a bunch of OZ soldiers, now dead on the hard ground. He spun back to see Relena still kneeling in the same position. 

What, what just happened?…

With a new group of OZ soldiers charging at him, he had no time to think. They are going to surround me and fire spells at me simultaneously, trapping me…his mind told him. Heero was surprised. How can he know all this? How can he know what they are going to do to him? Kill them…said his mind. And so he did, finishing them all with another Twin-Beam Buster Rifle. 

And he saw it again, yet another illusion. He saw Zechs and Treize laughing at him, pointing their fingers and sneering at him. Then, they vanished as quickly as they had appeared before him. Behind you, his mind told him. Heero turned and true enough, there they are. He hated being laughed at.

With a shout, he called upon his Beam Saber, his spiritual weapon, and flew straight at them, pushing the saber into their stomachs. He flew, he really flew at them. He was in the air, like a bird. Treize and Zechs changed into two OZ soldiers. Strange…It seems that whatever I am thinking is presented as an illusion to me. Why? How come? And this strength, I have never felt so powerful before! Just now, at Dragon Land, I did not have this feeling. How come? Why now? Funny…

Heero stared laughing. He just laughed and laughed for no apparent reason. He just felt like laughing! " Kill them all, kill all my enemies," he muttered to himself. His feet lifted off the ground, and he flew at the enemies with only one desire.

To kill.