FACING FATE
By: Alithiel

Disclaimer: Gomen ne, minna-san! I am SO sorry I haven't updated this one is so long! So many things have happened in the last few that I couldn't write. But, here it is!

I'm sick of beating around the bush.let's go! All standard disclaimers apply. I don't own them and they don't own me.

Alithiel

Chapter 12: Advance!

The surface of the water rippled, cleared, and exploded with lights. Tiny, infinitesimal points of light floated on the surface, shimmering with color as they whirled and gathered, separating themselves into two groups. Seven on one side, three on the other, those moving ever closer to the others.

Lady Une sighed, passing her hand over the surface of the water, extinguishing the lights and plunging her room into darkness. Her eyes stung with bitter tears as she poured the water back into the wash pitcher.

"It seems I am on the losing side."

*****

Duo wandered through the halls of the castle, his violet eyes taking in every detail. Even though, as a Sweeper, he had been hired to guard any an important person, and had been in much finer castles, he had never seen a place bustling with so much activity.

Except maybe the market.

As if to prove a point, a large contingent of elves rounded the corner. Plastering himself up against the wall, he stared open-mouthed at the mythical creatures walking silently down the hall. Relena was leading the group, and she waved quickly to Duo before returning her attention to the tall, handsome elf walking with her.

"King Legolas.I do not see how you do not know of the two female elves who told me of your arrival.they said they were sent by you."

The king shook his blond head as he spoke in a lilting voice. "Nay, princess.I know nothing of Alithiel Sunstar or Arlyssa Nighthawke.mayhap they were beings of another kind?"

"Nevertheless, if they hadn't warned me, I would have been ill prepared for your arrival."

Duo blinked puzzledly as the large group moved out of earshot. Elves.honestly. He turned the corner again.

SLAM!

The collision sent him sprawling, a heavy weight landing on his chest. He opened his eyes only to find himself looking into intense blue eyes. Familiar eyes.

His head pounded. "Hil..."

"Are you all right??" A female voice said. Duo shook his head, hard. He was looking at the face of a young woman, not his traveling companion. Her short, dark hair framed her delicate pixie's face, the crowning glory of it the enormous blue eyes.

"Fine." He grumbled, blinking when the girl blushed. She rolled her slim body off of him, rising to her feet and adjusting her violet gown. He grinned at her embarrassment.

"You should watch where you walk, sir."

"I'm very sorry, miss.?" He apologized as he rose.

"Hilde Shbeiker."

"Hilde." For the fist time he noticed something. "You're aura.You must be the Zero of Thunder."

Hilde was taken aback. He noticed! She simply nodded, then smiled a little. "You are the Zero of Wind?"

Duo nodded enthusiastically, just before all the questions came pouring out of him. "Who are you? Where are you from?? Did Brynn tell you what's going on??? And do you have a brother named Hildain????"

Hilde stepped back. His enthusiasm startled her. "I must go. It was wonderful to meet you, Duo." Then she did what only a coward would do.

She took off down the corridor at a dead run.

It took Duo a moment to connect what she just said. "I never told her my name.'

*****

As the woman backed slowly away, the tall man before her followed her movement exactly. His eyes were strange as he lifted the large sword, already dripping with the blood of their neighbors, above his head. The woman clutched her child closer to her breast as she wailed for him to spare them, their lives, at the very least the life of her child?

The dead eyes of the man revealed nothing as his blade fell, shearing flesh and bone to ribbons as his swing fell home. Leaving the bodies where they lay, he joined his other comrades outside. The massacre of the village had been successful, and those of their horrid number that had fallen to the rough weapons of the villagers remained where they lay.

The Catalonian soldiers lined up in a neat column, carrying their bloodied weapons as they resumed their tireless march.

*****

Heero glared at the soldier. "Aya, you need to put your back into your swing, or the only thing you'll be slicing with that sword is yourself."

The redheaded young man simply glared back, then returned his attention to his practice. With a weary sigh, Heero rubbed his eyes tiredly. Exhaustion threatened to creep up on him as he helped train the swordsmen for the upcoming battle. One of the Magic Knights, a tall girl named Umi, was speaking with Ryo and Sage, two of the Knights of Ronin. Curious, He approached them.

"I disagree with you. Rapier fighting requires much more skill." Umi said solemnly as she patted the dragon-shaped hilt of her sword.

"Yes, it requires more skill," Sage interjected, indicating the large sword at his side, "But lacks the power to take down strong foes swiftly."

"I disagree." Ryo said. "I think if you hit the right spot it's just as strong." The dark-haired young man grinned. "It helps to have two swords as well."

Heero couldn't help but smile a little. "Yes, but if you consider it, two swords is twice the chance to lop your own hand off."

Umi laughed, the guards of her blue armor shaking as Ryo blushed. Sage ran a green-armored hand through his blond hair, chuckling. "Lord Heero has a point."

Ryo's face was as red as his armor. "Stuff it, Sage!"

*****

Trowa watched the archers' practice. He had always been good with the crossbow, especially the heavy type. As he observed them, he was able to pick out several very excellent archers. A young man carrying a large bundle of arrows passed by, and Trowa called out to him. "Excuse me, boy."

"Yessir?" The boy replied, blue eyes twinkling.

"Could you tell me who those archers are?" He asked, pointing. With a nod, the young man moved toward the fence.

"Sure. The blond girl in green is Fuu Hououji, from Cephiro. She's co- captain of the archers, along with the man in dark blue with blue hair. His name's Rowen, but we all call him "Strata". His arrows fall like stars!"

"Amazing."

The boy went on. "The tall, silver haired man is Yue. He's strange.like a sorcerer. He can make arrows out of pure energy. He's very quiet.we wonder if he's even human. The other girl over there is Kagome." They watched as the dark-haired girl fired a shot that went clear through the target. "She can fire spell arrows.and if she has you in her sights you're done."

Trowa nodded, his mind made up. "I would like to join the unit, if I may."

The boy looked unsure. "Are you positive?" He asked warily. Trowa just nodded again. "Alright.I'll take you to Captain Fuu.but let me warn you, she's not gonna go easy on you!"

"I assume that you are a member of this unit?"

"Yeah!" The boy grinned. "I'm Omi. I'm the trainer."

*****

Quatre, Wufei, Sally, and the Maguanac approached the walled city. Even from a distance, he could see the guards checking everyone at the gate. He sighed. At this rate, he wouldn't be allowed to enter the city before nightfall. Giving the signal to move forward, the riders wound their way out of the fringes of the forest.

Sally and Wufei had shared a horse, since there was only one extra riding mount available. Wufei rode forward, scowling grumpily ahead, Sally's arms wrapped around his waist. She was dozing; he could feel the soft pattern of her breath on his neck.

'Admit it.' He told himself. 'You like her there..'

"SILENCE!" He mentally roared to his body, even as he knew it was true. He started mumbling to himself. "Damn onna.OW!"

Sally smiled, moving her hand from where she had yanked on his ear. "Watch what you say."

Quatre shook his head. All conversation in the caravan stopped as they approached the gates. A young guard with brown hair and friendly green eyes smiled at them, and Sally gave a low whistle under her breath.

"Hello." The guard said. "What is you're business here?"

Quatre handed him a scroll. "We're here to meet with the queen. I am Quatre."

He looked over the paper, then looked over his shoulder to his fellow guard. "Hey, Yohji! Could you bring out the woman waiting for these people?"

The blond guard grinned, entering the guardhouse. Moments later, he emerged, escorting someone in a green cloak.

"My lady." Quatre bowed from atop Sandrock. "I assume that we were expected?"

"For longer than you know." An accented voice replied as she swept her hood back.

Quatre gasped as he looked down into the most beautiful face he had ever seen. Golden eyes, thickly lashed, looked up at him expectantly as the winter wind whipped her shining gold hair around her face. More amazing still was the blazingly white aura surrounding her. His aura leapt in response, as did Sally's and Wufei's, becoming blazingly bright.

"I am Brynn, Illiaria of Zero, and I welcome you, Fire." She turned her amazing eyes to Wufei, ".Ice." Her gaze shifted to Sally, " And...Light." She fixed her eyes on Quatre.

"Come, we have much to do." She said, turning toward the castle.

*****

She explained it all on the way. Well, as much as she could without being able to meet the others. She glided forward like a green specter, speaking in a soft voice that, nonetheless, reached their ears over the din and clatter of the city.

"Fire.great strength and power, but very unstable, and the color is red."

"Ice.healer and protector, but unapproachable, the color dark blue."

"Light.love of all living things, empathic, and pure of heart, the color is golden."

At one point, Sally had asked what she was. Brynn laughed. "I am Ether, the final Element, also called Akasha. From which all things are made, all shall return. I am the rainbow, white light." Quatre shivered. He was looking at a being of pure power.

Wufei was grumpy. Even he could see her aura. "What is an liaria?"

"Illiaria." She corrected as they entered the castle on foot.. "She is the Seeker, Teacher, and Guide. Her job is to find the other Zero's and bring them together."

"Oh." Quatre nodded. They group wound their way through twisting corridors. The Maguanac had agreed to stay behind, in the courtyard, to watch the horses and find barracks. But his mind wasn't on his friends; it was on the slim figure leading them to the council chamber. At the door she paused, turning toward the group behind her.

"Now it begins."

The doors opened.

*****

Alithiel- Hoooo, sheesh.finally some inspiration! Read and review!

Gundam Guys and Girls- *blinking*

Alithiel- I'm really sorry I haven't updated this one in so long. I hope you all can forgive me?

All- Yeah.

Alithiel- What's up with this?

Quatre- We're trying to figure out what to do with you.

Alithiel- NANI?

Duo- You eglected us.

Wufei- That's 'neglected', Maxwell.

Duo- Whatever.

Heero- You did.

Trowa- *nodnod*

Alithiel- *throws hands in the air* Alright. Tell ya what.to make up for my mistake, Ill cook you all a feast, ok?

All- OKAY!!!

Alithiel- Now I've done it.