~*~Chapter Twenty~*~

Duo sank to the ground in exhaustion. " Let's stop for a rest, Quatre. I'm really tired."

" Ok." Quatre passed his water bottle to Duo who gulped it down fast. But the water was not enough to satisfy his thirst.

" I think I better go look for water. Be back in a flash," he said.

Quatre bit into a pear. " Look for some fruits too."

" No problem."

With Duo gone, Quatre found himself daydreaming about their schooldays. It seemed like an eternity ago when they had teased him about being a 'playboy.' He smiled quietly, then began to chuckle. That incident seemed so funny now. He tossed his head skywards and closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the fresh breeze to wash his face.

After a while, he got up and walked to the edge of the cliff. The wind felt better there.

Unknown to Duo and Quatre, Wufei was nearby. Wufei did not know this either. He was much too busy glancing back at Sylvia Noventa to allow his sixth sense in him to work. Sylvia proved to be a fuss-free girl, and she was even skilled at catching fishes and building campfires. But there was one thing Wufei hoped fervently she could improve…

" Can you walk faster?" he asked, trying to be polite.

Sylvia was sweating bucketfuls. " Sorry but I'm trying. You are just so fast." Then she paused.

" What is it?" Wufei stopped too.

" I need, er…" She looked at the bushes and touched her stomach. " I…"

Wufei rolled his eyes and turned around. " Just be quick," he replied. " And I won't wait for you."

Sylvia dived into the greenery. She headed deeper into the trees, checking behind her to make sure Wufei had not followed her. She stopped under a tree, made another sweeping glance round the area and raised her hands to her temples.

Can you hear me?…

A woman answered her. Yes…

How is everything?

Everything is under control. What about your side?

Don't you trust my abilities?

Yes, sorry. Except for some unrest here and there, everything is okay. I have it all in my palms.

Good. I'll try to make contact to you again.

All right. Er…

What?

That girl escaped.

What?!

That boy Heero Yuy saved her.

…Forget it. We shall deal with her later.

All right.

Their transmission ended. Sylvia took one long breath to calm herself down. Damn that kid… She let out a laugh and covered her mouth quickly. Kids…I'm one too. We are more powerful than you adults think. She stretched her arms. Let that boy wait. It feels so good to be out of his shadow once in a while.

Her feet left the ground and she glided through the trees and started to do a little dance. It just feels so good to be a girl again! To be so free! I'm no one's follower but a master of my own! Her face lit with simple happiness.

Feeling someone else's presence, she stopped immediately and touched the ground again. Peering out from behind a large trunk, she spotted Quatre alone at the edge of a cliff. It was an opportunity not to be missed. Am I lucky…Rid the five of their weakest member first and claim a reward…his death.

She took out a handkerchief from her pocket and tied it round the lower part of her face. She stalked forward surreptitiously.

Duo sure take a long time…Quatre thought to himself. Anyone knows he likes to play. Suddenly, he felt uneasy. He took out his tablet, which was glowing unnaturally. There is no enemy around here, he and Duo had checked. So why does he have this feeling? This evil foreboding? And his tablet…

Sylvia fought the glee that threatened to burst out from her mouth. Only a few more steps and it would all be over…

Quatre turned around.

She pushed him.

Duo was on his way back with an armful of fruits and a dead rabbit. Thanks to my Twin-Beam Scythe, there is no way any rabbit can escape from my clutches. Lalalala….

Yells of distress broke the silence. Duo froze. This sounds like…. " Quatre!"

He dropped the fruits and rabbit.

Wufei was getting impatient. What is taking that girl so long? He folded his arms and started counting in his head. Before he had even gotten to ten, a boy's cries reached his ears. The voice sounded very familiar to him…

His legs took over.

Wufei and Duo reached the cliff at the same moment, followed by a surprised Sylvia. The three of them stood at the edge of the sharp cliff, looking down. Below, a small figure lay motionless.

" Quatre!" Duo shouted down. " Quatre!!!"

" Oh my god." Sylvia covered her mouth with her hands. " Those cries were…" She looked ready to faint.

The two boys looked at each other. 

" Talk later. Hurry!" Wufei led the way down the cliff.

The last thing that Quatre saw before he lost consciousness were three shadowy figures looking down at him.

*************************************************************

" Heero Yuy created a havoc and saved Relena Peacecraft. What are you going to do about it?" Lady Une asked.

" I didn't even know they caught her. It must be Master's idea," Treize said calmly. He took a sip of his red wine.

" It was."

" Well then, he would expect us to give chase to him. Get the troops ready."

" Yes!"

Treize offered a glass of wine to Lady Une. " Bottoms up," he said.

*************************************************************

Relena could not take her eyes off the vast piece of land, especially the majestic palace that was erected in the middle of all the houses and buildings. " Magic Kingdom…" she whispered the two sacred words.

Heero was beside her. " Come on. Don't you want to be in it instead of looking at it?"

" This is my homeland, my true homeland. I really can't believe it."

" It is as true as the ground you are standing on," he said.

They went down and into the city. Compared to the other towns, this place is much more livelier. This is the central of Magic Kingdom, this is where all the actions take place. And the tragedies. Heero's expressionless yet handsome features and Relena's quiet beauty soon attracted the stares of the people. When they realized that the two were heading for the palace, cautious whispers grew to excited chatters. Who are these two children? Where do they come from? What do they want? Could they be royalties?

Heero ignored them as best as he can. Relena was more amused. She smiled and waved to the children and the people took an immediate liking to her.

" Must you do that?" Heero said.

" Do what?"

" Wave to the children."

" It is only a matter of courtesy and fondness. I find them adorable, don't you?" She smiled at him. Heero turned his eyes away from her to the palace.

The palace seemed deserted. No wonder the people took such an interest in them. Heero pushed at the heavy door. It opened with a creaking sound. " It's not locked." Relena was surprised.

Heero disappeared inside and reappeared. " It's safe."

Relena stepped in. This is my home. The place where I was born, the throne that my brother wants me to take over. She touched the wall. And it's clean! She had expected it to be in ruins. She ran ahead of Heero, up the grand stairs, straight along a corridor and burst into a room.

My room…it had not changed at all. I…I have memories of this place. Yes! This is indeed my room, my home, my realm.

Heero followed behind her, his eyes watching her every movement as she examined every object in her room. The room was left exactly the same way as it is when she left, he guessed. There was even a baby crib. Someone must have been looking after this place, praying for her return. Zechs? Could it be him?

" Heero," Relena said, her eyes sparkling with joy and wonder. " Oh Heero, this place…everything…I remember it now! I thought I have forgot about it but no! I mean I was two when I left here…I still remember my home." She was crying now, tears flowing down her smooth cheeks.

Heero brushed a tear away with a tender finger. " Don't cry. You should be happy."

" I am happy, just that…Oh! I don't know why I'm crying!" She stood still as he continued to soothe her tears away with his fingers. He then moved on to her hair, sweeping it gently behind her ears.

" Smile," he told her. Relena had never seen this soft side of his before. She hugged him, held him there. And he did the same back. Give her one tight embrace.

" Thank you," she whispered in his ears. " I…"

Heero jerked back and released her. " We are not alone." His sharp ears had caught on some footsteps. He held an arm out in front of him, a fireball ready in his palm. A shadow approached them, growing bigger by the second. Relena tensed.

An old man appeared in the doorway. He threw up his hands when he saw the fireball. " I mean no harm! I live here!"

" You live here?" Heero repeated his words.

" Yes, I'm the caretaker of the Magic Palace. Everyone in the city knows that. My name is Pargon. I…" He spotted Relena. " You are…"

Relena stepped forward. " My name is Relena. Relena Peacecraft."

The white, bushy-eyebrow man in a black butler suit raised his eyes. He began to tremble with excitement. " P-P-Princess…Princess!" he stuttered.

" Hello Pargon. I'm sorry I can't remember you but I was very young when I left the palace. If you want to verify my identity, you can do it with my brother or Mr Howard," she said confidently.

" No need." He shook his head, tears forming. " I recognize your hair, your eyes, your smile…I have after all looked after and played with you and your brother when you were young. How is your brother?"

" He's fine." Relena avoided telling him about his OZ identity. But Pargon only shook his head.

" I know he's in OZ. He came back here twice before secretly. We had a talk. The last time was two years ago. I do not blame him. Poor boy." Pargon cleared his throat and brightened up. " So who's your friend?"

Heero had put away his magical defense. " My name is Heero Yuy."

" It's a pleasure to meet you." Pargon shook his hand heartily. Though the man looked thin, his strength was not. " How about a tour round the palace, Princess? This is such good news. The people shall hear about it later."

" Ok." Relena and Heero followed him out of the room. " You have been looking after this place all these years, Pargon? It must have been very tiring for you," Relena commented.

" Not at all, Princess. All the people help out. We have all been waiting for you to take over the throne and lead us. This is the library to your left…"

Pargon went on explaining each and every single nook and cranny in the palace to Relena. Finally, they went into the throne room. " …And last but not least, this is the throne room." Pargon stopped.

" What's wrong?" Relena asked. She saw it. She saw…her brother. And Noin. They were looking at a portrait of King Peacecraft, her father, hanging on the wall.

" Brother!"

" Relena! You are here." Zechs looked at Heero. " And so are you."

Heero prepared himself for a fight. Pargon cut in between them.

" Prince Milliardo! Welcome back!" He bowed.

" Hello Pargon. Long time no see," Zechs greeted him.

Noin extended a hand to Pargon. " My name is Lucrezia Noin. I'm a friend of Zechs, I mean Milliardo."

They shook hands. " Nice to meet you, Lady Lucrezia."

" Noin will do."

Relena interrupted them. " Brother, may I ask what you are doing here?"

Zechs turned back to the portrait of their father. He gazed at it for a moment, as if deciding how to phrase his answer. He then looked into his sister immaculate face. " Noin and I have decided to leave OZ. We found out something. I come back here to take a last look at this place before I decide my next move. Also, I hope you can take over the throne."

" What is it you found out about OZ?" Relena was pleasantly surprised. My brother is leaving OZ!

" OZ is making use of all of us – Treize, Lady Une, Noin, me…we are all that Master's pawns. After he accomplished his ambitions, he plans to eliminate us so as to preserve his standing on the world. He sees you five boys as threats, Relena too. Now, add the two of us to the list. I have written a letter to Treize, telling him everything, hopefully he would believe me."

" Brother, you have no idea how happy I am to hear that we are on the same side," Relena said, her face beaming. " The throne rightfully belongs to you. I won't take it."

" Pargon, tell her," Zechs said.

The old man cleared his throat. " To claim the throne of Magic Kingdom, one must be free from blood. In other words, unless the person you kill is evil, you must never fight for the throne. That is the rule of the Peacecraft."

" So you must claim it, no one else," her brother said matter-of-factly. " Case closed."

Heero spoke suddenly. " Now that you are restored to whatever that is rightfully yours, I have better leave."

" Stay, Heero!" Relena said. " Stay and help me please."

Zechs placed a hand on the shoulder of the Wing Zero boy. " Stay. We can work together. If you find it hard to trust me, then trust Relena. Surely you don't doubt her?"

The two former enemies regarded each other. A look of understanding passed between them. " Ok. I will stay," Heero answered. Noin and Relena smiled.

" I'll be glad to serve you, Princess," Noin announced to Relena.

" You don't have to…" Relena took her hands. " We are friends."

No one was more glad than Pargon on this reunion. " The people of Magic Kingdom shall hear about this!" He turned to go but suddenly remember something. " Princess Relena. I presume you have met Howard? May I ask how is he?"

" He's fine, in good health…He's in prison for holding a rebellion against OZ. But he's ok. I met him. You know each other?" Relena said.

" Of course. It was the two of us who worked together to save you and your brother out of here. That man never change, does he? Always so headstrong. I talk too much." He hurried away.

Zechs took charge. " I think it's up to me to make some snacks."

Noin rejected his kind offer immediately. " I'll make the snacks. You three take a rest."

" You don't trust me?" Zechs eyed her.

She shook her head quickly. " It's not that I don't trust you but you have never step into a kitchen before. I'm afraid you won't be able to cope."

Zechs smiled. " I was just joking. Don't take it too serious."

" I'm sure Heero can make better sandwiches than you," she joked.

" The best dish I can prepare is instant noodles. Want to try?" Heero commented flatly.

They laughed, including Heero. Relena had never felt so warm in her life before. We are just like a family.

*************************************************************

Lady Une passed the letter to Treize. He tore it open and pulled out the paper inside. He read it without a word, frowning now and then, as if he could not comprehend. Lady Une looked at him, puzzled. Treize put the letter down. His knuckles were tight.

" Who is the letter from?  What did it say?" Lady Une asked.

Treize inhaled deeply. " Zechs. He and Noin want to quit OZ."

" Why?"

" He wants to go back to Magic Kingdom. And he asks me to join him," he said and got up from his seat.

" What are you going to do about it?"

" I respect his decision, but the final word does not lie with me." He went out of the room.

Master read the letter carefully. Treize was apprehensive. Would he let Zechs and Noin go? Whatever they have said on the letter…is it true? " Can I be so bold as to ask a question, Master?" he asked aloud.

" Speak."

" Is it true?"

Master snorted. " Nonsense! It's just a stupid excuse they come up with! I have no such intention! Think Treize. Have I ever lied to you? Have I not treated you well? Even if they want to leave OZ for personal reasons, they should not come up with such a story! And for that…" He threw a sword down to Treize. " …They died."

" Master, please spare them!"

" My decision is final."

" Master! I beg you."

He did not answer.

Treize got up and went out, disturbed and depressed. Left alone, Master mumbled to himself, " So Noin you are not dead yet. But this time, you shall."

Lady Une was waiting outside the compartment. " Treize." His face told her the obvious. He handed her the sword.

" I'm leaving it to you," he told her softly. " But Une, if you can, let them go. Tell them to flee to a far away and unknown land and never return."

" Treize, how can you…"

" If you understand me, you do as I say." He walked off.

Lady Une was left on her own. Treize had clearly defied Master's order. What should she do?

" No, they must die," she decided.

*************************************************************

Duo paced the room. " Who could have done this? Who?!"

" I swear I'll kill the person!" Rasid vowed. Duo had earlier informed him about Quatre's misfortune and he had rushed here. It has been more than two days and Quatre was still unconscious. His breathing had stabilized, thanks to the doctor.

Whether he lives or not depends solely on him and his will, the doctor's words rang in their minds.

Quatre himself was restless. His lips moved, but no sound came out. He groaned and wrung his body, sweating profusely. He refused to drink any water or medicine. They had to force it down his throat. He looked so wan and small on the bed that Rasid had broke down and sob when he first saw him. It was the first time Wufei and Duo had seen a grown man crying and both were at a loss. Sylvia had calmly taken Rasid aside to comfort him.

Wufei and Duo had had a talk. Both of them agreed that Quatre must have been pushed down from the cliff. If he had jumped off himself, for whatever reason, he would not have screamed in shock and distress. Furthermore, they could see no reason for him to commit suicide. Something must have happened. Someone must have pushed him. Or lure him to jump.

" Sit down, Duo. No use pacing up and down," Wufei said. He was sitting on a chair, staring into space.

" Two days! No, close to three days! And Quatre is still unconscious! Aren't you worried at all?" Duo was edgy. And angry.

Wufei turned his head towards Quatre. He was sleeping more peacefully now. No movement at all. Sylvia brushed his fringe aside and placed a towel on his forehead. " Do I have to wear a worried look on my face? I suggest you spend your energy on prayers instead," he said.

Sylvia froze. " Wufei. Wufei, look."

Wufei, Duo and Rasid rushed to the bed. " His eyes…" Sylvia whispered.

Quatre's eyes were open. Wide open. His fingers twitched.

" Master Quatre!" Rasid cried in relief. " You are awake!"

" Quatre! Are you okay?" Duo dug his nails into Wufei's shoulder. Wufei tried not to shout at him.

" Quatre…" Something's not right, Wufei thought. His eyes are…cloudy.

Slowly, the blond boy turned his eyes to them. " Master Quatre!" one of them called him. Who is he? The big man moved closer. He jerked backwards and clutched his blanket to his chest, trembling.

" Who are you?"

The rest were stunned. " What do you mean who are we?" Duo demanded. " Don't you recognize us huh?"

" Duo." It was Wufei's turn to dig his nails into Duo's skin. " Quatre…" he stopped and forced himself to go on. "…He lost his memory."

" What?" No one could believe it.

" Who are you? What do you want?" Quatre asked again, his eyes fearful. And confused. He was panting, his eyelids heavy.

" I'm Duo! Wufei and Rasid, we are all here. Quatre…" Duo tried again.

" Who? Who?!" Quatre yelled and buried his head with his hands. " My head hurts! I don't know! I don't know!"

Wufei held him by the shoulders. " Calm down, Quatre! Calm down! We are not going to hurt you. It's ok if you don't remember. It's ok. We won't hurt you, I promise…"

Quatre eyed him from the corner of his eyes. Wufei continue to talk soothingly. " I promise none of us here is going to hurt you. You just rest and get well. We'll help you. Everything's fine…"

Quatre looked at each one of these 'friends' carefully. " You…are friends?"

Wufei nodded. " Just believe us," he replied firmly, with no hesitation.

Quatre blinked once, twice, and fainted. Wufei caught him and lay him gently back down on the bed, adjusting the blanket on him.

" Master Quatre…who? Who have done such a unscrupulous thing to you?" Rasid muttered hoarsely with watery eyes.

Duo looked away, his fists closed murderously. Sylvia covered her mouth with her hands. Seeing all their anguished looks, she could not help but cry too.

Wufei's eyes burned with rage. The feelings in him tumbled about, indescribable. " Duo, find Trowa and Heero. We need to tell them."

" Me? Won't you be better? They might thought I'm just joking," Duo said.

" I want to have another talk with the doctor."

" Ok."