Chapter 6: Reflections
//Look at me,
You may think you see who I really am
But you'll never know me
Everyday its as if I play a part
Now I see if I wear a mask
I can fool the world but I cannot fool my heart//
Duo is sitting, and shivering in the snow at the same place Heero and his troops abandoned her. Shinigami takes his blanket and wraps it around Duo with his mouth and sits behind her for warmth. Cri-Kee tries lights a fire with twigs but hen he doesn't get warm, he moves under the blanket wrapped around Duo. Shenlong approached Duo carrying a stick and a disappointed air over himself.
//Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me
when will my reflection show who I am inside//
"I was this close, this close to impressing the ancestors, getting the top shelf, an entourage. Man, all my fine work, ffft ----" . and picks up a dumpling with his stick, slumps down in front of the fire Cri-Kee made and begins to cook the dumpling over the fire, glancing up he said:
"--- Hi."
"I should never have left home." Answered Duo with a look of sadness,
//I am now in a world where I have to hide my heart
and what I believe in
but somehow I will show the world what's inside my heart
and be loved for who I am//
"Eh, come on, you wanted to save your father's life. Who knew you'd end up shaming him, disgracing your ancestors, and losing all your friends. You know, you just gotta, you gotta learn to let these things go." offered Shenlong looking as if he's about to cry.
"Maybe I didn't go for my father. Maybe what I really wanted was to prove I could do things right. So when I looked in the mirror ---" began Duo picking up her helmet and looking at her reflection,
" --- I'd see someone worthwhile. But I was wrong. I see nothing." and throws the helmet down while a tear runs down her cheek.
//Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me
why is my reflection someone I don't know
must I pretend that I'm someone else for all time
when will my reflection show who I am inside//
"Well that's because this just needs a little spit, that's all. Let me shine this up for ya ---"offered Shenlong picking up the helmet and spitting on it, then wipes the spit to clean the helmet and holding it back to Duo,
" --- I can see you, look at you, you look so pretty.---" seeing Duo is not cheered up by his actions, he sits back down with a look of sorrow on his face,
//There's a heart that must be free to fly
that burns with a need to know the reason why
why must we all conceal what we think
how we feel
must there be a secret me I'm forced to hide//
"--- The truth is we're both frauds. Your ancestors never sent me, they don't even like me. I mean, you risked your life to help people you love. I risked your life to help myself. At least you had good intentions." He confessed making Duo smile a little.
"Chirp, Chirp, Chirp. Bawl, Bawl." Added Cri-Kee jumping on top of the helmet beginning to bawl,
"What!? What do you mean you're not lucky? You lied to me? ---" yelled Shenlong while Cri-Kee nods, then turns to Shinigami.
"--- And what are you? A sheep?"
"I'll have to face my father sooner or later. Let's go home." Said Duo sadly getting up,
"Yeah, this ain't gonna be pretty. But, don't you worry, 'kay? Things'll work out. We started this thing together and that's how we'll finish. ---" Said Shenlong hugging Duo, who smiles in thanks
"--- I promise."
//I won't pretend that I'm someone else for all time
When will my reflection show who I am inside
When will my reflection show who I am inside//
A little further away of Duo's Position:
Lord Treize's falcon flies over the avalanche site. While Lord Treize's hand suddenly pops out of the snow. He gets up from under the snow and glances around. Then he screams in frustration:
"Rrrrrrraaaaaaaaahhh!"
Hearing their leader scream, 2 Bald Huns, 1 long haired Hun, 1 bulky Hun and their archer, pop out of the snow and join him. Looking over the cliff, they set off towards the Imperial City.
Duo who heard the scream, and went to investigate, saw everything and gasps realising what still could happen, turning she runs back, grabs her sword, mounts Shinigami, and heads out following the Huns to the Imperial City.
"Home is that way!" said Shenlong pointing to the opposite direction Duo is heading,
"I have to do something." Offered Duo quickly,
"Did you see those Huns!? They popped out of the snow, like daisies!" yelled Shenlong horrified,
"Are we in this together or not?" she asked raising an eyebrow,
"Chirp, Chirp." Added Cri-Kee emphatically,
"Well, let's go kick some Huny buns! ---" then jumps onto Shinigami and utters fighting words as they ride off to the Imperial City,
"--- Wu Hu Ha Ga, Wu Hu Ha Ga
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Meanwhile In The Imperial City:
Heero and his troops are being received as Hero's and the people present throw a victory parade their honor. It is really beautiful: fireworks go off, kites are flying, drummers march by, followed by the flutist who are followed by the acrobats. The Parade Leader slowly in the lead while Heero and his men sadly follow, with lion dancers in their wake.
"Make way for the heroes of China." Yelled the parade leader loudly followed by Heero leading the men on horseback, all have sorrowful looks on their faces. Duo rides up through the crowd and stops. She looks around and sees Heero in the parade and calls out:
"Heero!" before riding next to him,
"Duo?" questioned Heero surprised,
" The Huns are alive, they're in the city." Informed Duo,
" You don't belong here Duo, go home." Scowled Heero,
"Heero, I saw them in the mountains. You have to believe me." Pleaded Duo with a scowl riding Shinigami to the other side of Heero,
"Why should I?" yelled Heero angrily,
"Why else would I come back? You said you'd trust Solo. Why is Duo any different?" asked Duo riding ahead to block Heero's horse who turns and rides around Duo, ignoring her, going forward, Duo turns her head to Trowa, Wufei and Quatre and yells:
"Keep your eyes open. I know they're here. Hya." Before riding off and stops near the entrance to the palace, she dismounts Shinigami and runs into the palace yard,
"Now where are you going?" yelled Shenlong behind her,
"To find someone who will believe me." Said Duo calling over her shoulder and running into the palace yard.
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The parade procession stops in front of Emperor Howard on the steps of the palace. Quinze is standing next to Heero and gives him Lord Treize's sword. The Lion dancers stop behind Heero when a palace man strikes a large gong and the people fall silent.
"My children, heaven smiles down upon the Middle Kingdom. China will sleep safely tonight thanks to our brave warriors." Yelled Emperor Howard while the crowd cheers.
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Duo in the meantime made it to the fringe of the crowd and approaches a man, laying her hand on his shoulder to get his attention,
"Sir, the Emperor's in danger!" began Duo but the man rips his shoulder away from Duo's touch and moves away,
"But the Huns are here! Said Duo agitated, walking up to another man,
"Please, you have to help me." But he too turns away from Duo who turns to Shenlong who is standing near her in the yard,
"No one will listen!"
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry, did you say something?" asked Shenlong looking bored,
"Shenlong!" yelled Duo irritatedly,
"Hey, you're a girl again, remember?" explained Shenlong.
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Standing before Emperor Howard, Heero bows and offers him a sword,
"Your Majesty, I present to you the sword of Lord Treize."
"I know what this means to you, Captain Yuy. Your father would have been very proud." Consoled the Emperor while Lord Treize's falcon swoops down and takes the sword as Heero is giving it to the Emperor. The falcon rises above the roof and drops the sword to Lord Treize who was sitting next to the gargoyles in the shadows blending in. He rises out of the shadows to catch the sword so that all the people can see his face. The masses of people gasp at the sight of Lord Treize.
Heero begins to draw his sword as all of Lord Treize's men jump out from behind the dragon knocking down Heero and grab the Emperor knocking off his hat. The two bald Huns carry the Emperor into the Palace, while the Long-Haired Hun and the bulky Hun close the palace doors as their archer knocks his arrow retreating into the Palace to threaten would be rescue attempts.
"No." yelled Heero getting up and running toward the closing doors,
"C'mon." waved Wufei beckoning to the other soldiers, Heero reaches the palace doors just as they close with all the Huns inside. They can hear Lord Treize laugh evilly,
"Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha." When Heero and his soldiers pick up a big stone statue and use it as a battering ram but they are unsuccessful at opening the door. Duo, who just arrived, sees what's going on and arrives at the steps.
"They'll never reach the Emperor in time.---" Duo mutters to herself looking up at the columns and runs near to the Heero and his soldiers. She whistles loudly catching the soldiers' attentions.
"Hey guys, I've got an idea." And Trowa, Wufei and Quatre run after her when she disappears around the palace to the right towards the columns. Heero looks on thinking.
//(Be a man)
We must be swift as
the coursing river
(Be a man)
With all the force
of a great typhoon
(Be a man)
With all the strength
of a raging fire
Mysterious as the
dark side of the moon//
Just around the corner Duo orders Wufei, Trowa and Quatre to take off their armor and dress as women. Once the transformation is complete, they take out their sashes and prepare to shimmy up the columns. Suddenly Heero arrives and taps Duo on the shoulder. He takes off his cape and wraps it around the column to signify that he's coming along. Giving him a big smile they shimmy up the poles together.
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In the mean time both of the bald Huns arrive with the Emperor and a high balcony within the palace, while Lord Treize drops down from the roof.
" Boo.---" and steps into the balcony next to Emperor Howard before ordering his men,
"--- Guard the door ---" and they walk off down the stairs that lead to the balcony, while Lord Treize paced around the Emperor,
"--- Your walls and armies have fallen, and now it's your turn. Bow to me."
In the mean both of the bald Huns arrive to the entrance of the stairwell joining the other Huns while Duo and company are around the corner.
"Okay, any questions?" whispered Duo after explaining her plan,
"Does this dress make me look fat? ---" asked Wufei and Duo slaps him,
" --- Ow." Then Duo, Trowa, Quatre and Wufei walk out smiling, giggling and trying to act lady-like including holding fans and waving them. Hearing something the Huns lift their heads,
"Who's there?" asked their archer, while the others pull their swords,
"Concubines. --- " Said The first bald Hun, putting down the second bald Huns sword,
" --- Ugly concubines." While Trowa waved daintily, speaking to Wufei,
"Oh he's so cute."
The second bald Hun smiles and waves back, while the other one elbows him. Suddenly a bitten apple falls out from beneath Trowa's dress. He pulls the dress out and turns so as not to expose the loss of figure.
"Aww." Muttered Heero from around the corner putting his head down into his hand, Lord Treize's Falcon sees Heero and starts to squawk. Shenlong, from above, singes off all his feathers with his fire breathing. Talking to a giggling Cri-Kee beside him, while the falcon is too stunned to do anything,
"Now that's what I call Mongolian Barbeque."
The second bald man picks up the apple and offers it back to Trowa when he, Wufei and Quatre. pull out the fruit they were using to simulate a woman's chest. Quatre takes his watermelons and smashes them on the heads of the two bald Huns. He then smashes their two heads together and they fall to the ground. Trowa pushes the apple into Long-Haired Hun mouth and kicks him in the stomach causing him to stoop over on the ground. Trowa uses his head to crack the man's back. The bulky Hun lunges his fist at Wufei and misses and again misses with the other fist. Wufei grabs the outstretched arm and flips him over onto his head, while Duo kicks away the archers bow and knocked arrow then avoids his strike by turning her back to the archer. She follows with a left elbow to the stomach followed by a left upper cut knocking the archer to the ground. She sits on his back and uses the bow to pull his head back.
" Heero GO!" she calls loudly while Heero runs out from behind the corner, charges through the door and runs up the stairs to the balcony to Lord Treize and Emperor Howard.
"I tire of your arrogance old man. Bow to me!" yelled Lord Treize and putting his sword at the emperor's throat.
"No matter how the wind howls, the mountain cannot bow to it." Said Emperor Howard proudly and wisely,
"Then you will kneel in pieces." Yelled Lord Treize drawing back his sword to strike the Emperor, but Heero runs up in time to block the striking blow of Lord Treize with his sword. Heero swipes with his sword, then Lord Treize grabs Heero's arm and throws him towards the edge. Heero quickly grabs onto a column and he flies over the edge and uses the momentum to swing back and kick Lord Treize, who falls to the ground with Heero on top of him. Heero punches Lord Treize who grabs Heero and rolls over forcing Heero to be on his back underneath him. Heero uses his knee to hit Lord Treize from behind as he uses his hand to hit him in the head. Heero forces Lord Treize onto his back and grabs his arm pulling it behind his back. Suddenly Duo, Trowa, Wufei and Quatre enter the balcony from the stairs.
"Quatre, get the Emperor." Yelled Duo quickly seeing an opening,
"Sorry, your Majesty." Apologised Quatre standing in front of the Emperor and bowing, then lifts up the Emperor and runs over to a rope attached to a column in the balcony. Quatre uses his sash as a pulley and rides down the rope to the ground. While Lord Treize watches the Emperor leave in horror,
"No! " then uses his free arm to elbow Heero in the face, gets up and head- butts Heero, who goes limp, and throws him to the ground. Duo watches Heero fall then she looks over the edge at Trowa and Wufei who were now on the ground, while Quatre runs off and out of sight.
"Come on!" yelled Wufei motioning her to follow, but she looks down at Heero with a worried look, when Lord Treize begins to approach Duo and the rope. Duo looks at the approaching Lord Treize and then down to spy his sword. Thinking quickly, Duo grabs Lord Treize's sword and cuts the taught rope. Lord Treize reaches the edge and grabs for the falling rope unsuccessfully as Duo leaves the sword embedded in the column and runs to Heero's position while the crowd cheers.
"No!---" yelled Lord Treize looking down at the crowd and realizes he cannot find the Emperor among the throng of people,
"Yrraaaaahhhh!" then turns and looks back and sees Duo looking concerned, holding up a dazed Heero. Lord Treize pulls out his sword lodged in the column and heads toward them. As Heero sees him approaching, he puts his arm in front of Duo to ask her to leave and takes out his knife while Duo slides away. An enraged Lord Treize comes up to Heero, knocks away his knife, slaps him in the face, and grabs him by the shirt collar getting in his face,
"You, you took away my victory." Suddenly Duo's shoe hits him in the head and bounces back to her feet. Making him turn towards her,
"No! I did!" yelled Duo pulling her hair back to look like she did when she was a soldier,
"The soldier from the mountains." Muttered Lord Treize looking at Duo, he drops Heero and starts going after Duo as she puts on her shoe and runs down the stairs and through the doors to the balcony. She closes the door with the latch falling in place right behind her. She leans against the doors but Lord Treize punches a hole in one door with his fist. Duo quickly runs away from the doors down the corridor when Shenlong catches up riding Lord Treize's falcon like a horse.
"So what's the plan?" asked Shenlong edging the falcon on,
"Ummmm." Bumbled Duo thinking,
"You don't have a plan?!" he yelled shocked,
"Hey, I'm making this up as I... -" paused Duo looking out a window and spies the firework tower,
"--- go. Shenlong?" she asked pointing at the tower,
"I'm way ahead of you sister. C'mon Cri-Kee." Yelled Shenlong back while he and Cri-Kee jump onto a kite and use the wings to soar over toward the fireworks tower.
Duo keeps looking when Lord Treize breaks through the doors and catches up to her swinging his sword wildly knocking down a support column with every swipe. Duo runs and ducks his every blow then quickly climbs up a column to get out of Lord Treize's reach, who slices the base of the column causing it to fall and break through the outer wall. Duo screams as the beam falls and comes to a stop. Getting up on the beam, she jumps up to catch onto the awning. She looks off to her right and spies Shenlong arriving at the fireworks tower.
"Citizens, I need firepower." Said Shenlong in a deep voice,
"Who are you?" asked the men working there, while Shenlong spreads his wings using the kite and Cri-Kee his own to look like batman,
"You're worst nightmare." He said loudly while they jump off the tower and plunge toward the ground. They could hear the people from the crowd yell loudly at the events taking place,
"On the roof."
"Look!"
Duo, whose standing on the roof, lines up where she is standing with the fireworks tower across the way. Suddenly Lord Treize breaks through the roof, sword drawn, behind Duo surprising her. Duo backs away and searches for something on her person to help her against Lord Treize. The only thing she finds is her fan, she takes it out, and opens it.
"It looks like you're out of ideas." Said Lord Treize not looking impressed before lunging with his sword. Duo dodges to her right and lets the sword go right through the fan. She closes the fan back up on the sword and twists the fan with both hands so that Lord Treize loses his grip. The sword flies toward Duo and she catches it by the handle slipping off the fan with her sword movement.
"Not quite. Ready, Shenlong?" called Duo loudly,
"I am ready, baby.----" yelled Shenlong behind Lord Treize and tied to a large rocket firework, then blows fire onto a stick and hands the stick to Cri-Kee who's standing on the rocket,
"Light me!" and Cri-Kee lights the fuse.
Lord Treize slowly approaches Duo. Using the sword as a lever, Duo lunges at Lord Treize kicking him in the face then sweep kicks him and he falls to the ground. Duo picks the sword back up and stabs it into Lord Treize's cape. Just as the rocket on Shenlong ignites and hurls him toward Lord Treize. Duo lies flat down on the left side of the roof as Lord Treize sees the approaching rocket and tries to run, but the sword has him pinned to the spot. The rocket hits Lord Treize square in the belly propelling him toward the firework tower. Shenlong quickly grabbed onto the sword as he went by letting the rocket do the work. While Cri-Kee hangs on to Shenlong's tail. Duo jumps back up to the crest of the roof and runs away from the fireworks tower grabbing Shenlong and Cri-Kee off the sword.
"Get off the roof, get off the roof, get off the roof." Chanted Duo running of the roof,
The rocket rides Lord Treize into the fireworks tower causing masses of explosions and fireworks to fly everywhere. Duo jumps near the edge of the roof, propelled by the explosion, she grabs onto a lantern that is hanging on a taught rope and starts to slide down. She looks down and releases her grip so that she lands on the back of Heero causing the two of them to fall to the ground. Lord Treize's sword follows and lands on the ground near by.
"Ah ha ha ha ha.--- laughed Shenlong landing and flying backwards on his butt a couple of times pointing at the fireworks, then catches Cri-Kee, with an antenna on fire, as he falls toward him,
"You are a lucky bug." He told him pinching out the fire on Cri-Kee's antenna, he turns his head to see Quinze walking down the stairs in a tattered outfit and slightly burned,
"That was a deliberate attempt on my life. Where is she? Now she's done it. What a mess.---" and stopped when Heero and his troops push Duo behind them to protect her,
"--- Stand aside, that creature's not worth protecting." He ordered Heero,
"She's a hero." Yelled Heero getting in Quinze's face,
"'Tis a woman. She will never be worth anything." Interrupted Quinze looking superior,
"Listen, you pompous-" yelled Heero grabbing him by the shirt collar,
"That is enough!" yelled Emperor Howard walking down the steps,
"Your Majesty, I can explain." Started Heero, but Emperor Howard motions for Heero to stand aside. Heero and his men part giving the Emperor a clear path to Duo who steps forward and bows before the Emperor. Quinze looks on with a sinister look waiting to write down the words of the Emperor.
"I've heard a great deal about you, Duo Maxwell. You stole your father's armor, ran away from home, impersonated a soldier, deceived your commanding officer, dishonored the Chinese army, destroyed my palace, AND... ----" paused the Emperor seeing Duo wince at his words,
" --- you have saved us all." He ended and Duo's head shot up to see the Emperor bow (1) to her, Quinze turns to look at the Emperor, looks shocked for a moment, then immediately falls prostrate before Duo. Heero, Wufei, Quatre and Trowa follow suit. Duo looks up then turns around hardly believing what she sees as the entire Chinese population within the palace grounds fall prostrate on the ground in a wave like pattern, bowing to her. Shinigami bows along with Shenlong and Cri-Kee on his back,
"My little baby's all grown up and savin' China." He sniffled,
"You have a tissue?" he asked Cri-Kee,
"Chi Fu," called the Emperor,
"Your Excellency?" bowed Quinze,
"See to it that this woman is made a member of my council." Emperor Howard ordered,
"A member of your coun... -" began Quinze muttering then realizing what the Emperor has said, stutters,
"What? But there are no council positions open, your Majesty."
"Very well then, you can have his job" said Emperor to Duo pointing out Quinze,
"What?...My..." wobbled Quinze back and fro before fainting,
"With all due respect, your Excellency. I have been away from home long enough." Said Duo smiling big turning to the Emperor and bowing,
"Then take this, so your family will know what you have done for me. And this-" said Emperor taking off his pendant,
" --- so the world will know what you have done for China." handing her the sword of Lord Treize, Duo takes the gifts and hugs the Emperor, who looks at her fondly.
"Is she allowed to do that?" whispered Wufei to Heero, Trowa and Quatre who simply shrug smiling, then Duo walks away from the Emperor and is embraced by Wufei and Trowa, then Quatre comes up and lifts all three of them off the ground in a big bear hug and puts them all back on the ground again. Duo walks toward Heero and stops in front of him. As Heero begins to speak Duo starts to smile anticipating something good,
"Um...-" he started while Duo grins,
"You... -" he began again Duo smiling the whole time,
"You fight good." He ended while Duo's smile turns into disappointment,
"Oh, thank you." and walks toward Shinigami mounting him while Heero turns towards Duo and grunts with disappointment in himself,
"Hn!"
"Shinigami, let's go home' said Duo tapping the side of his neck while she rides down the steps and gallops on the flat parts of the stair case back down to ground level. The crowd cheers al the while. Then Emperor Howard approaches Heero and clears his throat making him turn towards him,
"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." Said the emperor wisely,
"Sir?" asked Heero dumbfounded,
"You don't meet a girl like that ev'ry dynasty." He said simply and puts on his hat and walks back up the steps to his palace, while Heero stares after Duo thinking.
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(1) In those days when an emperor bowed to you, it was seen as a great honor. And since he was the leader, everyone present had to bow as well only deeper, hence the reason they were all on the floor.
Thank you for reviewing again Mako-Chan.
Review please pretty please
//Look at me,
You may think you see who I really am
But you'll never know me
Everyday its as if I play a part
Now I see if I wear a mask
I can fool the world but I cannot fool my heart//
Duo is sitting, and shivering in the snow at the same place Heero and his troops abandoned her. Shinigami takes his blanket and wraps it around Duo with his mouth and sits behind her for warmth. Cri-Kee tries lights a fire with twigs but hen he doesn't get warm, he moves under the blanket wrapped around Duo. Shenlong approached Duo carrying a stick and a disappointed air over himself.
//Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me
when will my reflection show who I am inside//
"I was this close, this close to impressing the ancestors, getting the top shelf, an entourage. Man, all my fine work, ffft ----" . and picks up a dumpling with his stick, slumps down in front of the fire Cri-Kee made and begins to cook the dumpling over the fire, glancing up he said:
"--- Hi."
"I should never have left home." Answered Duo with a look of sadness,
//I am now in a world where I have to hide my heart
and what I believe in
but somehow I will show the world what's inside my heart
and be loved for who I am//
"Eh, come on, you wanted to save your father's life. Who knew you'd end up shaming him, disgracing your ancestors, and losing all your friends. You know, you just gotta, you gotta learn to let these things go." offered Shenlong looking as if he's about to cry.
"Maybe I didn't go for my father. Maybe what I really wanted was to prove I could do things right. So when I looked in the mirror ---" began Duo picking up her helmet and looking at her reflection,
" --- I'd see someone worthwhile. But I was wrong. I see nothing." and throws the helmet down while a tear runs down her cheek.
//Who is that girl I see staring straight back at me
why is my reflection someone I don't know
must I pretend that I'm someone else for all time
when will my reflection show who I am inside//
"Well that's because this just needs a little spit, that's all. Let me shine this up for ya ---"offered Shenlong picking up the helmet and spitting on it, then wipes the spit to clean the helmet and holding it back to Duo,
" --- I can see you, look at you, you look so pretty.---" seeing Duo is not cheered up by his actions, he sits back down with a look of sorrow on his face,
//There's a heart that must be free to fly
that burns with a need to know the reason why
why must we all conceal what we think
how we feel
must there be a secret me I'm forced to hide//
"--- The truth is we're both frauds. Your ancestors never sent me, they don't even like me. I mean, you risked your life to help people you love. I risked your life to help myself. At least you had good intentions." He confessed making Duo smile a little.
"Chirp, Chirp, Chirp. Bawl, Bawl." Added Cri-Kee jumping on top of the helmet beginning to bawl,
"What!? What do you mean you're not lucky? You lied to me? ---" yelled Shenlong while Cri-Kee nods, then turns to Shinigami.
"--- And what are you? A sheep?"
"I'll have to face my father sooner or later. Let's go home." Said Duo sadly getting up,
"Yeah, this ain't gonna be pretty. But, don't you worry, 'kay? Things'll work out. We started this thing together and that's how we'll finish. ---" Said Shenlong hugging Duo, who smiles in thanks
"--- I promise."
//I won't pretend that I'm someone else for all time
When will my reflection show who I am inside
When will my reflection show who I am inside//
A little further away of Duo's Position:
Lord Treize's falcon flies over the avalanche site. While Lord Treize's hand suddenly pops out of the snow. He gets up from under the snow and glances around. Then he screams in frustration:
"Rrrrrrraaaaaaaaahhh!"
Hearing their leader scream, 2 Bald Huns, 1 long haired Hun, 1 bulky Hun and their archer, pop out of the snow and join him. Looking over the cliff, they set off towards the Imperial City.
Duo who heard the scream, and went to investigate, saw everything and gasps realising what still could happen, turning she runs back, grabs her sword, mounts Shinigami, and heads out following the Huns to the Imperial City.
"Home is that way!" said Shenlong pointing to the opposite direction Duo is heading,
"I have to do something." Offered Duo quickly,
"Did you see those Huns!? They popped out of the snow, like daisies!" yelled Shenlong horrified,
"Are we in this together or not?" she asked raising an eyebrow,
"Chirp, Chirp." Added Cri-Kee emphatically,
"Well, let's go kick some Huny buns! ---" then jumps onto Shinigami and utters fighting words as they ride off to the Imperial City,
"--- Wu Hu Ha Ga, Wu Hu Ha Ga
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Meanwhile In The Imperial City:
Heero and his troops are being received as Hero's and the people present throw a victory parade their honor. It is really beautiful: fireworks go off, kites are flying, drummers march by, followed by the flutist who are followed by the acrobats. The Parade Leader slowly in the lead while Heero and his men sadly follow, with lion dancers in their wake.
"Make way for the heroes of China." Yelled the parade leader loudly followed by Heero leading the men on horseback, all have sorrowful looks on their faces. Duo rides up through the crowd and stops. She looks around and sees Heero in the parade and calls out:
"Heero!" before riding next to him,
"Duo?" questioned Heero surprised,
" The Huns are alive, they're in the city." Informed Duo,
" You don't belong here Duo, go home." Scowled Heero,
"Heero, I saw them in the mountains. You have to believe me." Pleaded Duo with a scowl riding Shinigami to the other side of Heero,
"Why should I?" yelled Heero angrily,
"Why else would I come back? You said you'd trust Solo. Why is Duo any different?" asked Duo riding ahead to block Heero's horse who turns and rides around Duo, ignoring her, going forward, Duo turns her head to Trowa, Wufei and Quatre and yells:
"Keep your eyes open. I know they're here. Hya." Before riding off and stops near the entrance to the palace, she dismounts Shinigami and runs into the palace yard,
"Now where are you going?" yelled Shenlong behind her,
"To find someone who will believe me." Said Duo calling over her shoulder and running into the palace yard.
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The parade procession stops in front of Emperor Howard on the steps of the palace. Quinze is standing next to Heero and gives him Lord Treize's sword. The Lion dancers stop behind Heero when a palace man strikes a large gong and the people fall silent.
"My children, heaven smiles down upon the Middle Kingdom. China will sleep safely tonight thanks to our brave warriors." Yelled Emperor Howard while the crowd cheers.
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Duo in the meantime made it to the fringe of the crowd and approaches a man, laying her hand on his shoulder to get his attention,
"Sir, the Emperor's in danger!" began Duo but the man rips his shoulder away from Duo's touch and moves away,
"But the Huns are here! Said Duo agitated, walking up to another man,
"Please, you have to help me." But he too turns away from Duo who turns to Shenlong who is standing near her in the yard,
"No one will listen!"
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry, did you say something?" asked Shenlong looking bored,
"Shenlong!" yelled Duo irritatedly,
"Hey, you're a girl again, remember?" explained Shenlong.
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Standing before Emperor Howard, Heero bows and offers him a sword,
"Your Majesty, I present to you the sword of Lord Treize."
"I know what this means to you, Captain Yuy. Your father would have been very proud." Consoled the Emperor while Lord Treize's falcon swoops down and takes the sword as Heero is giving it to the Emperor. The falcon rises above the roof and drops the sword to Lord Treize who was sitting next to the gargoyles in the shadows blending in. He rises out of the shadows to catch the sword so that all the people can see his face. The masses of people gasp at the sight of Lord Treize.
Heero begins to draw his sword as all of Lord Treize's men jump out from behind the dragon knocking down Heero and grab the Emperor knocking off his hat. The two bald Huns carry the Emperor into the Palace, while the Long-Haired Hun and the bulky Hun close the palace doors as their archer knocks his arrow retreating into the Palace to threaten would be rescue attempts.
"No." yelled Heero getting up and running toward the closing doors,
"C'mon." waved Wufei beckoning to the other soldiers, Heero reaches the palace doors just as they close with all the Huns inside. They can hear Lord Treize laugh evilly,
"Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha." When Heero and his soldiers pick up a big stone statue and use it as a battering ram but they are unsuccessful at opening the door. Duo, who just arrived, sees what's going on and arrives at the steps.
"They'll never reach the Emperor in time.---" Duo mutters to herself looking up at the columns and runs near to the Heero and his soldiers. She whistles loudly catching the soldiers' attentions.
"Hey guys, I've got an idea." And Trowa, Wufei and Quatre run after her when she disappears around the palace to the right towards the columns. Heero looks on thinking.
//(Be a man)
We must be swift as
the coursing river
(Be a man)
With all the force
of a great typhoon
(Be a man)
With all the strength
of a raging fire
Mysterious as the
dark side of the moon//
Just around the corner Duo orders Wufei, Trowa and Quatre to take off their armor and dress as women. Once the transformation is complete, they take out their sashes and prepare to shimmy up the columns. Suddenly Heero arrives and taps Duo on the shoulder. He takes off his cape and wraps it around the column to signify that he's coming along. Giving him a big smile they shimmy up the poles together.
************************
In the mean time both of the bald Huns arrive with the Emperor and a high balcony within the palace, while Lord Treize drops down from the roof.
" Boo.---" and steps into the balcony next to Emperor Howard before ordering his men,
"--- Guard the door ---" and they walk off down the stairs that lead to the balcony, while Lord Treize paced around the Emperor,
"--- Your walls and armies have fallen, and now it's your turn. Bow to me."
In the mean both of the bald Huns arrive to the entrance of the stairwell joining the other Huns while Duo and company are around the corner.
"Okay, any questions?" whispered Duo after explaining her plan,
"Does this dress make me look fat? ---" asked Wufei and Duo slaps him,
" --- Ow." Then Duo, Trowa, Quatre and Wufei walk out smiling, giggling and trying to act lady-like including holding fans and waving them. Hearing something the Huns lift their heads,
"Who's there?" asked their archer, while the others pull their swords,
"Concubines. --- " Said The first bald Hun, putting down the second bald Huns sword,
" --- Ugly concubines." While Trowa waved daintily, speaking to Wufei,
"Oh he's so cute."
The second bald Hun smiles and waves back, while the other one elbows him. Suddenly a bitten apple falls out from beneath Trowa's dress. He pulls the dress out and turns so as not to expose the loss of figure.
"Aww." Muttered Heero from around the corner putting his head down into his hand, Lord Treize's Falcon sees Heero and starts to squawk. Shenlong, from above, singes off all his feathers with his fire breathing. Talking to a giggling Cri-Kee beside him, while the falcon is too stunned to do anything,
"Now that's what I call Mongolian Barbeque."
The second bald man picks up the apple and offers it back to Trowa when he, Wufei and Quatre. pull out the fruit they were using to simulate a woman's chest. Quatre takes his watermelons and smashes them on the heads of the two bald Huns. He then smashes their two heads together and they fall to the ground. Trowa pushes the apple into Long-Haired Hun mouth and kicks him in the stomach causing him to stoop over on the ground. Trowa uses his head to crack the man's back. The bulky Hun lunges his fist at Wufei and misses and again misses with the other fist. Wufei grabs the outstretched arm and flips him over onto his head, while Duo kicks away the archers bow and knocked arrow then avoids his strike by turning her back to the archer. She follows with a left elbow to the stomach followed by a left upper cut knocking the archer to the ground. She sits on his back and uses the bow to pull his head back.
" Heero GO!" she calls loudly while Heero runs out from behind the corner, charges through the door and runs up the stairs to the balcony to Lord Treize and Emperor Howard.
"I tire of your arrogance old man. Bow to me!" yelled Lord Treize and putting his sword at the emperor's throat.
"No matter how the wind howls, the mountain cannot bow to it." Said Emperor Howard proudly and wisely,
"Then you will kneel in pieces." Yelled Lord Treize drawing back his sword to strike the Emperor, but Heero runs up in time to block the striking blow of Lord Treize with his sword. Heero swipes with his sword, then Lord Treize grabs Heero's arm and throws him towards the edge. Heero quickly grabs onto a column and he flies over the edge and uses the momentum to swing back and kick Lord Treize, who falls to the ground with Heero on top of him. Heero punches Lord Treize who grabs Heero and rolls over forcing Heero to be on his back underneath him. Heero uses his knee to hit Lord Treize from behind as he uses his hand to hit him in the head. Heero forces Lord Treize onto his back and grabs his arm pulling it behind his back. Suddenly Duo, Trowa, Wufei and Quatre enter the balcony from the stairs.
"Quatre, get the Emperor." Yelled Duo quickly seeing an opening,
"Sorry, your Majesty." Apologised Quatre standing in front of the Emperor and bowing, then lifts up the Emperor and runs over to a rope attached to a column in the balcony. Quatre uses his sash as a pulley and rides down the rope to the ground. While Lord Treize watches the Emperor leave in horror,
"No! " then uses his free arm to elbow Heero in the face, gets up and head- butts Heero, who goes limp, and throws him to the ground. Duo watches Heero fall then she looks over the edge at Trowa and Wufei who were now on the ground, while Quatre runs off and out of sight.
"Come on!" yelled Wufei motioning her to follow, but she looks down at Heero with a worried look, when Lord Treize begins to approach Duo and the rope. Duo looks at the approaching Lord Treize and then down to spy his sword. Thinking quickly, Duo grabs Lord Treize's sword and cuts the taught rope. Lord Treize reaches the edge and grabs for the falling rope unsuccessfully as Duo leaves the sword embedded in the column and runs to Heero's position while the crowd cheers.
"No!---" yelled Lord Treize looking down at the crowd and realizes he cannot find the Emperor among the throng of people,
"Yrraaaaahhhh!" then turns and looks back and sees Duo looking concerned, holding up a dazed Heero. Lord Treize pulls out his sword lodged in the column and heads toward them. As Heero sees him approaching, he puts his arm in front of Duo to ask her to leave and takes out his knife while Duo slides away. An enraged Lord Treize comes up to Heero, knocks away his knife, slaps him in the face, and grabs him by the shirt collar getting in his face,
"You, you took away my victory." Suddenly Duo's shoe hits him in the head and bounces back to her feet. Making him turn towards her,
"No! I did!" yelled Duo pulling her hair back to look like she did when she was a soldier,
"The soldier from the mountains." Muttered Lord Treize looking at Duo, he drops Heero and starts going after Duo as she puts on her shoe and runs down the stairs and through the doors to the balcony. She closes the door with the latch falling in place right behind her. She leans against the doors but Lord Treize punches a hole in one door with his fist. Duo quickly runs away from the doors down the corridor when Shenlong catches up riding Lord Treize's falcon like a horse.
"So what's the plan?" asked Shenlong edging the falcon on,
"Ummmm." Bumbled Duo thinking,
"You don't have a plan?!" he yelled shocked,
"Hey, I'm making this up as I... -" paused Duo looking out a window and spies the firework tower,
"--- go. Shenlong?" she asked pointing at the tower,
"I'm way ahead of you sister. C'mon Cri-Kee." Yelled Shenlong back while he and Cri-Kee jump onto a kite and use the wings to soar over toward the fireworks tower.
Duo keeps looking when Lord Treize breaks through the doors and catches up to her swinging his sword wildly knocking down a support column with every swipe. Duo runs and ducks his every blow then quickly climbs up a column to get out of Lord Treize's reach, who slices the base of the column causing it to fall and break through the outer wall. Duo screams as the beam falls and comes to a stop. Getting up on the beam, she jumps up to catch onto the awning. She looks off to her right and spies Shenlong arriving at the fireworks tower.
"Citizens, I need firepower." Said Shenlong in a deep voice,
"Who are you?" asked the men working there, while Shenlong spreads his wings using the kite and Cri-Kee his own to look like batman,
"You're worst nightmare." He said loudly while they jump off the tower and plunge toward the ground. They could hear the people from the crowd yell loudly at the events taking place,
"On the roof."
"Look!"
Duo, whose standing on the roof, lines up where she is standing with the fireworks tower across the way. Suddenly Lord Treize breaks through the roof, sword drawn, behind Duo surprising her. Duo backs away and searches for something on her person to help her against Lord Treize. The only thing she finds is her fan, she takes it out, and opens it.
"It looks like you're out of ideas." Said Lord Treize not looking impressed before lunging with his sword. Duo dodges to her right and lets the sword go right through the fan. She closes the fan back up on the sword and twists the fan with both hands so that Lord Treize loses his grip. The sword flies toward Duo and she catches it by the handle slipping off the fan with her sword movement.
"Not quite. Ready, Shenlong?" called Duo loudly,
"I am ready, baby.----" yelled Shenlong behind Lord Treize and tied to a large rocket firework, then blows fire onto a stick and hands the stick to Cri-Kee who's standing on the rocket,
"Light me!" and Cri-Kee lights the fuse.
Lord Treize slowly approaches Duo. Using the sword as a lever, Duo lunges at Lord Treize kicking him in the face then sweep kicks him and he falls to the ground. Duo picks the sword back up and stabs it into Lord Treize's cape. Just as the rocket on Shenlong ignites and hurls him toward Lord Treize. Duo lies flat down on the left side of the roof as Lord Treize sees the approaching rocket and tries to run, but the sword has him pinned to the spot. The rocket hits Lord Treize square in the belly propelling him toward the firework tower. Shenlong quickly grabbed onto the sword as he went by letting the rocket do the work. While Cri-Kee hangs on to Shenlong's tail. Duo jumps back up to the crest of the roof and runs away from the fireworks tower grabbing Shenlong and Cri-Kee off the sword.
"Get off the roof, get off the roof, get off the roof." Chanted Duo running of the roof,
The rocket rides Lord Treize into the fireworks tower causing masses of explosions and fireworks to fly everywhere. Duo jumps near the edge of the roof, propelled by the explosion, she grabs onto a lantern that is hanging on a taught rope and starts to slide down. She looks down and releases her grip so that she lands on the back of Heero causing the two of them to fall to the ground. Lord Treize's sword follows and lands on the ground near by.
"Ah ha ha ha ha.--- laughed Shenlong landing and flying backwards on his butt a couple of times pointing at the fireworks, then catches Cri-Kee, with an antenna on fire, as he falls toward him,
"You are a lucky bug." He told him pinching out the fire on Cri-Kee's antenna, he turns his head to see Quinze walking down the stairs in a tattered outfit and slightly burned,
"That was a deliberate attempt on my life. Where is she? Now she's done it. What a mess.---" and stopped when Heero and his troops push Duo behind them to protect her,
"--- Stand aside, that creature's not worth protecting." He ordered Heero,
"She's a hero." Yelled Heero getting in Quinze's face,
"'Tis a woman. She will never be worth anything." Interrupted Quinze looking superior,
"Listen, you pompous-" yelled Heero grabbing him by the shirt collar,
"That is enough!" yelled Emperor Howard walking down the steps,
"Your Majesty, I can explain." Started Heero, but Emperor Howard motions for Heero to stand aside. Heero and his men part giving the Emperor a clear path to Duo who steps forward and bows before the Emperor. Quinze looks on with a sinister look waiting to write down the words of the Emperor.
"I've heard a great deal about you, Duo Maxwell. You stole your father's armor, ran away from home, impersonated a soldier, deceived your commanding officer, dishonored the Chinese army, destroyed my palace, AND... ----" paused the Emperor seeing Duo wince at his words,
" --- you have saved us all." He ended and Duo's head shot up to see the Emperor bow (1) to her, Quinze turns to look at the Emperor, looks shocked for a moment, then immediately falls prostrate before Duo. Heero, Wufei, Quatre and Trowa follow suit. Duo looks up then turns around hardly believing what she sees as the entire Chinese population within the palace grounds fall prostrate on the ground in a wave like pattern, bowing to her. Shinigami bows along with Shenlong and Cri-Kee on his back,
"My little baby's all grown up and savin' China." He sniffled,
"You have a tissue?" he asked Cri-Kee,
"Chi Fu," called the Emperor,
"Your Excellency?" bowed Quinze,
"See to it that this woman is made a member of my council." Emperor Howard ordered,
"A member of your coun... -" began Quinze muttering then realizing what the Emperor has said, stutters,
"What? But there are no council positions open, your Majesty."
"Very well then, you can have his job" said Emperor to Duo pointing out Quinze,
"What?...My..." wobbled Quinze back and fro before fainting,
"With all due respect, your Excellency. I have been away from home long enough." Said Duo smiling big turning to the Emperor and bowing,
"Then take this, so your family will know what you have done for me. And this-" said Emperor taking off his pendant,
" --- so the world will know what you have done for China." handing her the sword of Lord Treize, Duo takes the gifts and hugs the Emperor, who looks at her fondly.
"Is she allowed to do that?" whispered Wufei to Heero, Trowa and Quatre who simply shrug smiling, then Duo walks away from the Emperor and is embraced by Wufei and Trowa, then Quatre comes up and lifts all three of them off the ground in a big bear hug and puts them all back on the ground again. Duo walks toward Heero and stops in front of him. As Heero begins to speak Duo starts to smile anticipating something good,
"Um...-" he started while Duo grins,
"You... -" he began again Duo smiling the whole time,
"You fight good." He ended while Duo's smile turns into disappointment,
"Oh, thank you." and walks toward Shinigami mounting him while Heero turns towards Duo and grunts with disappointment in himself,
"Hn!"
"Shinigami, let's go home' said Duo tapping the side of his neck while she rides down the steps and gallops on the flat parts of the stair case back down to ground level. The crowd cheers al the while. Then Emperor Howard approaches Heero and clears his throat making him turn towards him,
"The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all." Said the emperor wisely,
"Sir?" asked Heero dumbfounded,
"You don't meet a girl like that ev'ry dynasty." He said simply and puts on his hat and walks back up the steps to his palace, while Heero stares after Duo thinking.
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(1) In those days when an emperor bowed to you, it was seen as a great honor. And since he was the leader, everyone present had to bow as well only deeper, hence the reason they were all on the floor.
Thank you for reviewing again Mako-Chan.
Review please pretty please