heart of ice: Thankyou, and thanks for reviewing!

MiniMidget: Thanks, and thanks for your review!

Dr. Cricket: Thanks for reviewing!

minimerc: That was quite a review! Thankyou for bothering to make it so long, I appreciate it. It makes up for it, alright! Thanks for reviewing!



Damia: Thankyou, I feel better now :) Thanks for your review!

shi no tenshi/megami: Don't worry, Ami is still gonna kick butt! Thanks for your review!

DevilWench: Thanks, and I hope it will be!

who cares(really is my name): Thanks for yor review!

dragonmaster: Thanks! Yes, poor Duo. The reason i'm not planning any more GW fics is bacause i'm out of ideas for any more GW fics for now, and I wanna try something new. but don't worry, if an idea comes to mind i'll write another one*

Shadow Fox: Thanks, ans thanks for your review!

ShadoWalker: The thing about the granola bars was last minute, but I figured they'da have to have something* let's jut say Ami packed a few granola bars in her purse which she placed in her subspace pocket because she knew she'd be gone a few days. Thanks for yory review!

Chapter 12

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The next morning Ami woke up with a yawn. She looked herself over. As expected, all of her injuries were gone. She smiled. Standing up, she looked around. Where were the pilots? Ami felt her breath quicken. Did Julliana do something? She walked around. They were nowhere to be found.

"Duo! Heero! Trowa! Wufei! Where are you guys," she called. A small laugh reached her ears. It sounded distant. She walked in the direction she heard the sound from. After a minute, she came to a clearing in the woods. There was a little stream, with trees around it. The gundam pilots stood by one of the trees. Birds chirped. It was a peaceful scene. What was in Duo's hand? Fruit? Duo took a bite out of the blue fruit.

"Duo, NO," Ami screamed. Everyone looked up. She ran over and knocked the fruit from his hand.

"What's wrong with you," he told her.

"Don't eat anything on this planet. It's not real. Everything we're walking through is an illusion! That fruit could be set up by Julliana to poison all of you! I don't even recognise the fruit."

"You're over reacting Ames. The fruit must just have one day been native to mercury. I mean-," Duo was cut off as he went into a fit of coughs. Everyone looked down at the strange blue fruit on the floor. It slowly was turning black. Ami patted Duo's back as he continued to cough.

"Duo, are you OK," asked Ami, starting to sound panicked. Everyone stood around them. Duo started to take really deep quick breaths. He hit the floor. Everyone crouched down next to him.

"Is he...," Ami trailed off, not wanting to finish. Wufei reached for his pulse.

"He has a pulse, but he's out cold. Great," he said.

"Do you think he'll survive until we can get him some help," Heero asked Ami.

"I...don't know. This is terrible, you guys never should have come," Ami said.

"We can't change the past," Heero said coldly, sounding a bit angry. He grabbed Duo up off the ground.

"We already had so much to worry about. Now this," Ami paused. Heero looked up at everyone.

"Who wants to carry him," he asked. Wufei and Trowa stayed silent. Heero grunted.

"We're gonna switch off, he's heavy," he warned everyone. Ami threw her wand up in the air.

"Mercury Crystal Power!" She was covered in water for a moment before appearing in her foku. She opened up her mini computer and double clicked her earing, her visor passing over her eyes.

She started typing furiously. Turning to scan the tree Duo got the fruit off, Mercury sighed. The tree itself rippled of what Rei would call 'bad vibes'. It wasn't even a plant, but it was alive. She did not want to know what. As for the fruit, it seemed to be letting off evil energy. The reading were off the charts. Duo was in trouble. Energy. Mercury had thought of this before. How powerful was Julliana? Even though all the planets were alligned, it was not possible for history to repeat itself.

Not unless it had a boost. Maybe when the planets alligned Julliana's power was able to create these illusions. That must have been it. But...the amount of power it must have taken to create all of this. This unreal world. It was sad to think about what it must really look like now. Julliana must be at her weakest now, she realized. Her weakest, but still clearly much more powerful than herself. Still, she could use it to her advantage.

She turned to scan Duo. Whatever poison was in the fruit, it was certainly deadly. Mercury was surprised Duo was alive at the moment. Then again, he was stronger than he looked, she was sure. Hopefully Duo would last until they got to Julliana. Last until she convinced Julliana to help him. If she really had feelings for Quatre, could she be that heartless deep down?

Mercury had a bewildered look on her face as she scanned Duo. Heero frowned at her. She turned away and started to type on her computer again.

"Ok, I've located where we have to go," she told them, turning around, "and it's actually not that far away."

They walked east and found a path that lead them away from the forest, and into a giant flower bed which eased Mercury's nerves. There were flowers of white blue, green, pink, orange, red, yellow, black, & purple. All the planetary colors. It was only for a few minutes. Something hit the back of Mercury's head.

"Owww," she muttered, rubbing her head and turning around. A rock? A stone arrow head. It was sharp. She felt the back of her head. She brought her hand up to her face. There was a tiny bit of blood. Nothing, really. Who had thrown it?

One of Julliana's warriors jumped into sight. Only one.

"You destroyed my much weaker servents last night. Just barely," he observed with a smirk.

"There are more of you," Mercury said bewildered.

"Afraid so. You have to beat all of us to make it to your friend. Don't worry, i'll save you the trouble. You, and your weak friends won't make it past me. And he-," he ushered to Duo, "won't suffer from the poison anymore." A cruel smile crept onto his face. Everyone stood silent.

"Oh my, how rude of me. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Gedene. I must admit to you princess, that Julliana is surprised you've made it this far with four dead weights," he said with a smirk.

"They're not dead weights. Skip the formalities, I'm in a hurry," Mercury told him, getting in a fighting stance. She turned to look at the pilots and nodded. Wufei understood this as a sign to back away, and they did so. They backed far away into the flower beds.

"Someone else carry Duo," Heero said, getting tired. Wufei did not look like he wanted to, so Trowa took him.

The first thing Gedene did was send an attack her way. It didn't seem like anything much at first, it was just a little sand thrown from his hand. Then it turned into an ice shard, which Mercury just barely had a chance to dodge. That was strange. Mercury stood up.

"Alright, that should have killed you," Gedene said with a frown, "I'll give you a chance to back down, and i'll make your death quick and painless."

"That's not going to happen," Mercury said, opening up her visor.

"What is that," asked Gedene. Mercury didn't reply, so angrilly he started forming ice shards to throw at her. She got the hint and started to dodge. One of them hit into the ground next to Heero, making all of them jump and back up more. Gedene wouldn't give Mercury a chance to scan him, she had to keep running and dodging.

She decided to take a chance to stop and fire an attack. Hopefully she could dodge his at the same time and scan for a weakness. It would have to be powerful, but she couldn't waste too much power. She decided on one.

"Mercury Aqua Illusion!" Small droplets of water surrounded Mercury, and she spun around. The attack formed, and it was only about 10 seconds. She fired the attack, a split second before rolling to the ground to dodge two ice shards. Of course, the attack had no effect, she knew it wouldn't. Yet, in the moment he took to deflect the attack, Mercury was able to scan him. No weakness. No weakness, and nothing special.

He growled. "Enough playing around!" He seemed to glow black for a moment, reminding her of a shadow. Mercury's visor went wild with readings. Gedene returned to normal, but the readings all over Mercury's visor did not dissapear. He was different now. He certainly was more powerful, unlike what he had been a few minutes ago, with the strength of a youma.

Gedene smirked, bringing Mercury back to reality. He dissapeared for a split second, and re-appeared right in front of Mercury. He was so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. Mercury backed up just before he swung a hit at her, and he dissapeared again. How could she not have seen it before?

His newest advantage was his speed, but since it took so much power to use his speed, he now had a weakness. He could just depend on his speed so that he wasn't hit by any of her attacks, because now an attack used on him was the same as hitting a youma. A few hits and they were dead. Still, could Mercury land a hit with his speed?

He appeared behind her, and Mercury turned and swung her fist. She had missed. She turned but wasn't able to dodge his next attack. He stuck an ice dagger in her shoulder, which dissapeared and left the cut. Somewhat like what Zoisite used to use. She grabbed her shoulder, and backed away. She couldn't see him, he was too fast. Well maybe trial and error was the next best thing. Mercury walked foreward, and backwards again. She bumped into Gedene backing up, him at full speed rushing at her.

Before he could move away she grabbed his arm and flipped him hard over her and onto his back. She would have to thank Mako for that move. He growled and jumped up, dissapearing again. However, it was too late. Mercury had figured it out. Just before he attacked her, he would have to become visible for a second. It was in that second that she would have to attack, or she would lose.

Mercury stayed still, looking around her. She saw something out of the corner of her eye. Turning, she swung her fist. At first she thought she had only gotten air, but her fist connected with a jaw, and Gedene again fell back.

"This is insane! I never lose," he screamed angrilly. He got to his feet, but she was prepared.

"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!" She followed this directly.

"Mercury Ice storm!" Gedene fell to the floor, frozen solid. He seemed to be struggling for a bit, and the ice around tha area of his mouth cracked and broke.

"I poisened your friend," he gave a small laugh, pausing to take a breath, "My poison draws any human to it. Few can resist. He was an idiot, but you didn't think he was dumb enough to eat a strange fruit that was supposedly an illusion on his own, did you? He will die from the poison, and then my master will destroy mercury herself." Gedene had obviously been struggling. The ice around him had been cracking and breaking as he spoke, making each word more clear. Then he stopped struggling.

Mercury sighed. "Let's go. We can't waste time. I want to reach the Mercurian palace's fall first thing tomorrow, and we still have two more stops."



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They arrived at the next place they were supposed to be, and the area came alive. It was a meeting hall. There were about 50 royals seated around a giant table. The King, Queen, and Princess of Mercury were there. They were discussing what to do about the oncoming troups. Everyone spoke at the same time and nobody agreed on anything. It ended in huge arguement. The doors to the main hall flew open, and Malichite walked in, leading several troops. He smiled briefly at the royals, making a fake bow, and saying very calmly, "Attack."



Shouts filled the room. The women royals were lead outside quickly first, then the men. Some did not make it out. The king of Mercury was one of them. He was trying to make sure most everybody got out safely. A sword was dug into his side.



It was all coming back to Mercury. All of her memories were returning, one by one. Mercury leaned back and closed her eyes, trying to block out the image of her past fathers death. Soon the Mercurian troops had arrived, and started to fight, and everyone who was still alive was escorted out of the area. The queen of Mercury was making a scene, wanting to go back and check for her husband. Two guards escorted her away. Soon, the area was silent.

"Well, that was a fast one," Mercury said, clearing her throat and turning to them, "let's go." The pilots nodded.

"Mercury, where are we headed now," asked Trowa.

"Actually, the next stop is the same distance from here we walked from the last one," Mercury said. He nodded.

As they walked, Mercury analyzed everything. She remembered what Pluto had told her before she came here...

"There are several different demensions, not just this one. I watch over the time streams of all of them, not just this demensions. One of the demensions I watch over was filled with war. The Eve wars. But the war has ended now, and it is peaceful. or it would be , if it weren't for one of your mortal enemies from the silver millenium. I can't give you her name, but she hated you all the time you lived on Mercury. She was re-incarnated with all of you in that demension, having earlier made a deal with Beryl and gaining dark powers..."

Beryl's dark powers, Mercury remembered she had been told. Still, who was she to Beryl? Who was she on Mercury? Why DID she hate her, and why was Quatre so much more interesting to her than any other man? Why would Beryl hand over power to Julliana? It was all so confusing. So much left unexplained. Furthermore, Beryl was powerful, but not as powerful as Julliana. How did Julliana's power grow so much? Mercury was sure Julliana would have recieved just about the same amount as the generals, which wasn't much to work with.

Mercury had been in a daze, thinking while walking. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she only noticed that she was about to walk into a tree when Wufei grabbed her collar.

"Thanks," she muttered almost unaudibly, still trying to figure out the answer to all those questions. Before she knew it, her computer started to beat, making her jump out of her daze.

"We're here," she anounced. Trowa had gotten tired and passed Duo to Wufei, who at first seemed unpleased but carried him without complaints. Duo was starting to wake up, but he was in a daze and constantly coughing. Thinking scientifically, Mercury figured that this could be considered stage two of this poison. The first was passing out. She didn't know how many stages there were in this illness. Maybe her mother had taught her something.

"Mercury, look at this," Wufei's voice again interrupted her thoughts. Fireworks suddenly appeared over head. Humungous crowds were around them. It was night time. A large banner surrounded by colored lights read -Annual Celebration of The Kingdom of Mercury. 100th year-

"Oh no. So many people gathered," Mercury muttered. All attention was focused on the stage. Almost the whole kingdom was gathered there.

"Now anouncing Queen Lia Mercury," a man at the stage said. The place grew dead silent abd everyone bowed. Queen Lia emerged wearing a gown of black.

"Princess Ami of Mercury." Everyone again stood silent. Princess Ami also wore black. They waited, but no one else was anounced. The queen motioned for everyone to stand. She cleared her throat.

"Good evening. As many of you don't know, this gathering in celebration of Mercury's 100th birthday under rule was to be canceled. Since we had such a large crowd, almost the whole kingdom, we could not miss this opportunity. I regret to anounce, that my husband, your good King Jeremiah the third been killed. Please everyone, may we have a few moments of silence." Everyone stood silently, some people looked shocked, others looked terrified and upset.

Princess Ami stood silently, looking down at the floor. Many royals came to her and her mother, apologizing and offering empty words. Groups stood talking, speaking of how this was the end of Mercury.

In a darker corner, about 20 people were gathered. They were listening to someone speak. "The end is at hand," a young man screamed at the crowd of people, "Now that our King is gone, and Beryl's troops all over this planet, we are sure to fall. The other planets will not send their help, they have their own problems!" Who was that young man? He had deep green eyes and brown hair. Standing on a stool in front of everyone, what appeared to be a duchess stood by him, holding his hand. She had dark hair and big brown eyes. Julliana!

The man kept gazing at the princess of Mercury, who kept her eyes on the ground.

"Who are you boy? Who are you to speak of an end that is not certain," an older man called from the back of the crowd listening to him.

"My name is David of the Kano family. I speak only of what I see," he called to the crowd. Princess Ami escaped the mourning crowds and approached the area. A few people bowed when she approached, but she quickly ushered for them to stand and went to the center where David stood. Julliana gazed at her with hatred, but Ami ignored it.

"Get off the stool David! Stop scaring everybody," Princess Ami told him.

"Ahh, Princess Ami. So kind of you to join us,' he said, reaching to kiss his hand. Ami pulled away. Julliana was glaring daggers at Ami.

"I said get off the stool, before you are arrested for disturbing the peace," she said coldly.

"You should watch what you say Princess. All your troops are gathered around the Queen," he said in an icy tone.

"Boy, watch what YOU say in the presence of the princess," another elder said from the left of Ami.

"I think you should be careful of that you powerless old goat," David said, turning to the man. Him and the man started to argue, until David reached out to push him.

"David don't," Ami said, grabbing his arm. He shoved her away. Everyone reacted at once.

"Leave," one young man instructed him.



"Ofcourse," he said coldly, getting off the stool and walking away with Julliana.

"Are you alright Princess," the old man asked.

"I'm fine. They're just bitter. Julliana's family has always taught her to hate the royals in charge now. As for David, he's just blowing off some steam," Ami told them.

"We are lucky to have such a gentle princess," one old woman said. Ami smiled at them.

"Our apologies about your father Princess, now if you'll excuse us I believe you are being called," the old man on her left said, tipping his hat towards Princess Ami and walking away. Princess Ami looked up to see her mother ushering for her. Her and her mother were leaving the celebrations early.

She walked off, giving a curtsy.

Mercury and the pilots stared at the scene, before hearing shouts.

"It's started," she said. Terror swept through the area quickly. Duo's coughs were the only sound that came from their group. This group was led by Nephlyte. The troops were the first to be wiped out. Followed by any civilians that were still there and hadn't yet run away from the area.

The area around them fell.

"You've seen all four stops. Tomorrow morning the Mercury palace will fall, and if you are to understand everything, be there," Julliana's voice boomed over the area.



"We'll be there, but first cure Duo," Mercury called back.



"Don't make me laugh," Julliana responded, and it got silent.

Mercury settled back against a tree.

"I predict a long day tomorrow, get some sleep," she told the pilots. She double clicked her tiara, and detransformed back into her t-shirt and long jeans.

The Gundam Pilots soon all fell asleep. Ami stayed up still, unable to fall asleep. She had too much on her mind. A few questions had been answered, but now there were even more questions added on to the list. Who was David? What did he mean to Julliana?

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That chapter was A LOT longer and harder to write than to read, so please cut me some slack*