~*~*~Chapter Twelve~*~*~
A blast sliced through the quiet afternoon in a small prison on a beautiful realm called Earth. Do not be mistaken that Earth is the blue and white ball of planet I am referring to. The Earth realm here refers to a magical realm that was named after our planet because of its beauty. It is even more beautiful than Paradise, some claimed. How true that is, is up to the individual to decide.
Four prison guards died in the explosion when they happened to pass by that unfortunate point. A boy with platinum gold hair and blue eyes emerged form the gaping hole in the wall, carrying a backpack that hung loosely on his shoulder. An alarm rang and yells echoed throughout the place.
He adjusted his bag firmly on his shoulders, eyes darting around to make sure no one was approaching yet. Then, he bent down and searched the dead soldiers for the keys to the prison cells. He found it and smiled. At least I don't have to injure anyone else to get it. Looking down at them solemnly, he said, " Sorry, I didn't mean to kill you."
Quatre Raberba Winner hurried on with his task. Using the keys, he released forty prisoners from their cells. A man, who identified himself as Rasid, asked him, " Who are you? Why are you saving us?"
" No time to talk now. If you want to live, follow me! Don't worry, I mean no harm. I'm just saving people who share the same view as me of OZ," Quatre answered quickly.
Rasid smiled. " So you are the good guy. Ok everyone, hurry up and get out of here! Move it!"
They ran out of the prison with OZ soldiers hot on their trail. Quatre stopped and turned round. " Sandrock," he commanded his tablet and held it out in front of him. " Stop, turn back. I have no wish to kill anyone."
Recognizing the tablet, the soldiers paused. They looked at him warily. Rasid stared at Quatre too. He knew the tablet. " Gundam magic…" he muttered to himself. " Don't tell me he is one of that EverlastVille boy?" News of the discovery of the five chosen Gundam boys had travelled fast and wide around all the magical realms.
" I don't believe you are that strong!" one of the soldiers shouted at Quatre and charged forward. The others followed. Fire and lightning spells were thrown towards him.
Quatre frowned. " Shield!" he said and made a huge ball of cover for himself and the forty men he had rescued. The spells bounced off the shield.
" Cross Crushers!" A pair of scythe-like weapons appeared in his hands. Quatre hurled it at the soldiers. The Cross Crushers twirled in the air, passing through the bodies of every OZ soldier. It flew back to Quatre. Holding it out threateningly in front of him, Quatre raised his voice at the new batch of OZ soldiers who had just caught up with them. " Anyone else?"
Scared out of their wits, they scampered off. Quatre turned to the men with a reassuring smile. " You are safe to go now."
Rasid stepped forward. He was a tall man with thick, dark hair and muscular body. To Quatre, he looked like a giant, a gentle giant with a benevolent and loyal heart. " We, the Maganac people, thank you for saving us. Please accept our heartfelt gratitude, Master Saviour," he said and bowed. The others followed.
Flattered and startled, Quatre said hurriedly, " Please, you don't have to do this! And I am no Master Saviour! Get up."
" Master –" Rasid began then paused.
" My name is Quatre Raberba Winner. You can call me Quatre."
" Master Winner," Rasid insisted stubbornly. " You saved our lives and we don't know how to thank you. We, the Maganac people, have been living in the realm of Earth for centuries. Since young, every one of us has been thought the value of honouring our homeland and protecting the innocent and weak. And so when OZ took over Earth, we were furious. The atrocities they did! We become rebels and we fought against them. It is a shame that we were thrown into prison. They were just too powerful."
" No need to feel ashamed, " Quatre said gently. " You have done your part and I think you did it very well. I am proud to have known you."
Rasid turned to the men and began discussing something in low voices. Quatre was puzzled. What could they be talking about? Every one of them nodded in agreement to something that Rasid seemed to be suggesting.
Confident, he faced Quatre again and told him in a humble manner, " Master Winner, let us fight with you! Lead us! We shall serve you for as long as we live!" They bowed again.
" No, no!" Quatre said, unable to believe his ears. " I saved you because we are all fighting for the same goal. I have no other motive. I don't want you to serve me!"
A lanky man with black hair took a small step towards him. " We lack a good leader, one who will be able to make wise decisions for us. Since we are all fighting for the same thing, why not get together? We can help each other."
Rasid nodded. " Well-said. Master Winner, please guide us."
Quatre looked from Rasid to the lanky man to every pair of kohl-dark eyes that was pleading with him. After all, wasn't this what he had intended in the first place? To get more support from the people? Smiling widely, he extended a hand out to Rasid. " Call me Quatre, please."
" Master Quatre," Rasid corrected himself.
Quatre doubted he would ever get them to change this ' Master' habit.
At Mountains of Dream, a magic realm, Wufei regarded a group of MDs with scathing contempt. Hovering in the air, he pointed an accusing finger at them. " You call out these dolls to fight me? Ha, a big mistake! Toys shall always toys. No big deal. To hell with you!"
He released his Gundam Magic and threw a Flamethrower spell at them.
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" Noin, do you know why I come back here?"
" No."
Zehcs and Noin were seated opposite each other in Zechs' office at Paradise. Zechs was looking straight into Noin's eyes and it was taking up all her energy not to look away in shyness. Instead, she returned him what she hoped was a sincere pair of eyes.
" Because of Epyon," he said.
" Epyon?"
" Yes, Epyon – A Gundam tablet. A Gundam tablet against another Gundam tablet. Fair and square. Epyon was created by WindSong, one of the – no, the greatest woman sorceress of all time. Later, to the playfulness of her two pupils, Black and Serena, they installed the Zero System in it. Have you heard of the Zero System?"
" Yes. My father once told me about it. It is said that with this system, you can bring your magical skills up to a new level that is considered invincible and unbeatable. WindSong even once said that the system was capable of destroying her."
" You save me a lot of explanation." He gave her a smile. Noin smiled back in response. " I have been studying some old papers and books. The conclusion I have come up with is that the Epyon tablet is hidden right here in Paradise."
" Are…you sure?"
" Very sure. Positive. No doubt. All clear. And you are going with me the first thing on Monday to look for it."
" Me?"
" Yes, you. Other than Treize and you, there is no one else that I trust so much," he said.
Noin was not one who loves flirting and so she stopped herself from batting her eyelids just in time. Instead, she grinned at him and then became serious. Something had struck her.
" Zechs, I've been wanting to ask you something."
" Speak."
" After this, after all of these, will you continue to stay in OZ? After all, your main intention is revenge. And you have almost accomplished that. EverlastVille just need one more attack to fall. What's next?"
" I actually have one more wish," Zechs replied thoughtfully. " That is to find my sister so that she can be the rightful ruler of Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom is now rising again and Master has promised to leave it out."
" Shan't you be the ruler?" Noin asked.
" I can't. My hands are stained with too much blood. Only she, only my beloved sister can claim the throne. My father was a man who ruled by peace. What I am doing now is totally against his teachings and beliefs." Zechs looked down at his hands, a pair of hands Noin found to be impeccable and strong.
She rose to her feet. " Rest assured Zechs. I'll find your sister for you."
" Noin…" Zechs began but his faithful subordinate waved his words aside.
" I shall find her for you. What is her name?"
" I don't know," he said in a small voice.
" I don't even remember what my real name is. Everyone in Magic Kingdom took up the surname of Peacecraft ever since my father took over the throne. It is a way of reminding them to build a world through peace and not violence. After the decline of the kingdom, most of the citizens went away to seek a better life. I was surprised to learn of Relena Peacecraft's name, which means she is supposed to be one of us. But a mission is a mission, I must kill her."
Noin thought for a while. " I promise I will find your sister, no matter what. Trust me."
Zechs studied her face and then rose to his feet. " Thanks, Noin. Now, let's find Epyon first."
Duo and Heero crouched behind a boulder, spying on Noin and Zechs as they went up a mountain. They had a pair of binoculars and Duo kept snatching it from Heero to take a better look at the two OZ members. In return, Heero snatched it back. Duo could not help grinning.
" What are you smiling at?" Heero asked him coldly.
" Nothing. Where do you think they are going?"
" No idea. We'll follow them."
" We? So you do know I'm with you. I thought you were blind and deaf," Duo replied teasingly.
Heero did not bother to answer him. Silently, the two boys tailed them.
Noin and Zechs stopped at a cave. Both were panting from the long climb.
" Is it in this cave?" Noin asked softly. She did not know why she was whispering but suddenly the task of searching for the tablet seemed so sacred to her. She was afraid that if she were to raise her voice, the tablet might somehow cease to exist. It was stupid but she just could not help feeling this way.
" I'm sure I'm not the first to be searching for it," Zechs answered. " It was mentioned in the books that several people have been into the cave to search for it but none has managed to find it. Black and Serena once had a fight over the tablet right in this cave and it was here that the tablet was lost. But I doubt it was lost. Serena must have hidden it somewhere in here."
Zechs entered the cave, followed by Noin. A little distant away from them were Heero and Duo. " Don't tell me they are looking for bears?" Duo mused seriously.
Inside the cave was a total darkness. Calling up a fire spell, Zechs held a ball of orange flame on his left palm. The cave was an ancient one with jagged walls and rocks all over the place. The floor was sandy. Noin sneezed once, producing an echo in the cave. Both froze for a few seconds before continuing exploring the cave. It was huge and on the walls were evidence of the fight left behind by Black and Serena. Zechs touched the scratches on it and closed his eyes, envisioning the last fight between the two friends turned foes.
Reopening his eyes, he turned to Noin. " Blast every rock you see in here."
" Why?" Noin asked in curiosity.
" I believe the tablet is hidden in one of the rock here," he answered.
" Hidden in a rock? You mean Serena had hidden Epyon inside a rock itself? But how can it be?"
" Serena had reached here first before Black. That means she has the time to hide the tablet in this cave. Other than rocks and sand, there is nothing else in this cave. For years, people have travelled to this cave, believing that the tablet was hidden under a rock. Every piece of rock in here must have been turned at least half a dozen times. So the only reason I can think of is that it is hidden inside a rock and not under it as many claimed," Zechs explained.
" But can't it be buried inside the sand?"
" If so, it would have been found quickly. The sand is not that deep in here. There is a spell you might not have heard of. Even I have not heard of it till two days ago when I was checking up on spell books and an old man in a book store told me about it."
" So that's where you'd been! No wonder I couldn't find you," Noin interrupted and nodded her head for Zechs to continue.
" There is a spell that some jewellers use to make bigger jewellery, especially precious stones like diamonds and rubies. Let's take diamonds for example. If a jeweller wants to have a big diamond but do not want to purchase one, he can actually use a spell called ' Jeweller's Rogue' to merge many small diamonds into one huge diamond. So I believe that Serena used the same method to hide the tablet."
" Incredible," Noin muttered in a quiet tone and then straightened herself up. " Ok, let's start blasting every single rock we find in here."
" What the hell – " Duo said as the blasts in the cave rang loudly in their ears. The ground shook and birds flew away screeching in terror. " What are they doing? First I thought they were having a tryst but now it seems like they are trying to blow up the whole cave!"
Heero frowned, and his lips tightened.
Noin and Zechs aimed their spells at a similar piece of rock, shattering it into infinitesimal pieces. They shielded their eyes from the powerful explosion. There, on the ground, shining refulgently in the colour of crimson blood lay the magical tablet Epyon.
Zechs picked it up carefully, slowly. He could not take his gaze off it. It was beautiful. He has never seen anything so beautiful before. Noin drew in her breath sharply, heart thumping intensely against her chest. She was awed. She had witnessed the prowess of the other Gundam tablets and wondered what this one could do. Zechs turned the tablet over.
There was only one word on the back and it wrote: Future. He held the future of the realms. This tablet can create a future for them, a future they can live in. How he uses it is all up to him alone. The tablet continued glowing. He faced Noin.
" We found it," he croaked.
" You found it. I only helped a little," she said, smiling happily for him.
" It's time I go confront him."
" Who?"
" Duo Maxwell. He must be tired of waiting already. I bet the suspense is killing him."
"He was following us?" Noin widened her eyes. She had not felt his presence at all.
" Yes, I didn't know it at first too. But I caught sight of his braid from behind a tree."
Finally the two walked out of the cave. Zechs was holding something, something very similar to what they have. He was holding a Gundam tablet.
" How…" Heero faltered upon recognizing what Zechs had in his hand.
" What?" Duo asked him, frustrated. " What?"
Zechs held out his tablet. " I know you are there, Duo Maxwell. Come out."
Duo appeared from behind a boulder, followed, in slow motion, by Heero. " So you are here too, Heero," Zechs greeted him good-naturedly.
" Where did you get that?" Duo demanded.
" From this cave. We found it in there. This is Epyon. I don't think I need to elucidate about its power to you." The Epyon tablet glowed.
Duo felt his blood ran cold. Another cursed tablet with the Zero System. He stole a glance at Heero. Apart from a quick and obviously surprised expression, nothing much could be seen from his face. But Duo knew he was preparing for a fight. He reached for his Deathscythe tablet.
" I want to have a fight with you again. Since we both possess the Gundam tablets now, we can have a fair duel. And this isn't about OZ or you fighting for your rights. This is a primeval battle which will determine who is the stronger one," Zechs announced.
" Wait a minute." Duo held up his hand. " What do you mean 'both'? There are three of us here with the Gundam tablets."
" Your Deathscythe can never win against Zero System," he answered plainly.
" First, how do you mine is Deathscythe and second, WHAT? What do you mean by me being a loser?" Duo fumed and one can imagine smoke curling out from his flared nostrils.
" He's right," Heero said unexpectedly. " You will never win against the Zero System. It's him and me. Zechs, are you aware of what the Zero System can do to you?"
" I have studied it and have also carried out some practice on my own. You do not need to worry," he said.
Duo intervened, " Heero, you don't know what you are doing."
" Stand aside," Heero ordered.
" Heero – "
" Stand aside."
Reluctantly, Duo obeyed but he clutched on to his tablet tightly, ready to spring into action any moment should his friend needs help. Noin eyed him.
" Epyon," Zechs said, activating the Gundam magic.
" Wing Zero," Heero followed suit.
Both lifted their feet up from the ground. They hovered steadily in the air, facing each other with a defiant gaze. Heero's weapon, his Beam Sabre, formed in his hand. Zechs has one too.
" So we both possess magical swords. Duo, about how I know what is your tablet, it was Lady Une who told us. We really should thank her for this," Zechs said with a small smile.
Heero attacked and Zechs barely ducked his Beam Sabre. The two swords clashed together and the ground shook under their powers. Being the older of the two, Zechs has an advantage in physical strength. He managed to push Heero aside whose fall was stopped painfully by a rotting tree trunk on the ground. Using magic, he threw the tree trunk into Zechs' direction. Zechs neatly cut it into two equal halves. Heero flew at him again and the two began pitting skills.
Duo was itching to join in. He moved a step forward and so did Noin. He glared at her and she glared back. " No you don't," she told him.
" But what if I want to?"
" Then I'll have to stop you."
" Ok, then let's see who's stronger!" Duo charged at her.
Zechs was fighting his best against Heero. " Looks like it will be a tough one," Zechs said to his opponent, sounding somewhat satisfied.
" Cut the crap!" Heero answered and fired a spell at him. Zechs retaliated with another spell. Both boys were careful of each other, each knowing what the other can do – kill him.
" Heat Rod!" Zechs changed his sword into a red-hot whip-like weapon that can burn a person if he is not careful. Heero could not dodge it fast enough and the whip sliced into his upper left arm. Blood trickled down. He bit his lip from the burning sensation and fought back with a shield in hand.
Suddenly, Duo came flying towards Heero. Heero could not dodge him in time as Duo was propelled to him by a fast, powerful spell with the courtesy of Noin. Further more, he was absorbed in his battle with Zechs. Duo has underestimated his opponent.
Both boys were sent knocking near the entrance of the cave, with Heero cushioning Duo. The impact fractured Heero's arm and a rib. He could feel it and was aware of his injury. But he did not care. Pushing Duo to a side, he again charged back at Zechs.
" To hell with you!" Duo said in anger and released his Flying Bat spell at Noin. Fuelled by his humiliation and resentment, he was suddenly capable of beating Noin. Upon realizing that, Noin took on the defensive side. Though she has the experience, he has the power.
Zechs was breathing hard. He realized that Heero was hurt. And badly. Heero's left arm could hardly move but he forced it to fight. And the willpower was amazing. Zechs could not believe that this was a human fighting him. Heero went on as if he was not injured, and he hardly bat an eyelid as each left arm movement brings about the feeling of knives cutting into it. He tried to keep his breathing constant.
" Twin Beam Buster Rifle!" Heero shouted aloud, as a way of releasing his pain.
Even with his injury, both were still an equal, or at least, Heero was trying to make it even. Zechs knew Heero could not hold out much longer but he wondered how long he could hold out. An hour? Two? Three? Slowly, Zechs was gaining the upper hand but he still could not defeat Heero. Not yet. But soon.
It was only minutes later that the OZ soldiers, MDs, came rushing at them. Duo was taken by surprise and he alone could not outfight forty or more of them. Heero heard his cry of surprise and with this as distraction, Zechs dealt a final blow on him with his whip, sending the boy backward into the trees. There was a soft thud and the urgent chattering of a startled animal which had been courageous enough to watch them fight. From a distant of course.
Quickly, the MDs surrounded Duo and one aimed a spell at him from the back. Before he could react, another spell was thrown at him. Overwhelmed with pain, he fainted. Noin immediately instructed him to be taken back.
" Zechs," she said, turning to him and was relieved to see him basically unharmed, except for some minor, superficial wounds. " Where is he?"
" There. But I did not defeat him. He was injured. Noin, I did not need your help," Zechs said.
" I'm sorry but I was worried. He is a powerful opponent. I apologize."
" Go find him."
" Yes!" Quickly, Noin directed the MDs to look for Heero. However, they could not find him. He was gone. Vanished.
" Hang in there, Heero," a soothing voice said to him. Heero struggled to open his eyes, to move his limbs but failed. Sub-consciously, he knew this voice. And he knew he was safe.
