The Other Side of Paradise
Part 2
Author: Nyneve (NIN-uh-vee!)
Hello, hello, hello. Well, are you satisfied now? The Gundam Pilots are alive. True, they now suffer through a fate worse than death, but we can't have everything now, can we? Well, just so you know I WILL NOT KILL ANYONE OFF AT THE END! So you can read in peace now. Well, just so you know, I don't own the anime. All for now!
-Nyneve
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Hecate paced the corridors of the temple. On the outside, the temple didn't seem small, but that was because it extended into the deep caverns of the mountain it stood on. Way in the back, there was a small, dank pool of Life Water, a substance that would award life even to the most ancient corpse. Or in this case, young bodies preserved by the lost love of five lonely women.
"Mama, why haven't you told me anything about your plan?" Janus asked as he crept beside her on his multiple legs. Hecate sighed sadly.
"It is not necessary that one so young know the evils of the universe. But I tell you this. A few lives must be sacrificed if peace is to remain for our kind," she explained.
"Lives? Whose lives Mama?" he pressed onwards. Hecate stared at him for a moment, wondering what odd thoughts were going through his head.
"The lives of those who would destroy us, my love. It is merely to punish the world for their sins. That is why those young men must follow my plans," she said.
"But Mama…" Janus was cut off by a cold stare from his mother, telling him the matter was closed.
"Now then, go back and wake them. Then bring them here, to me," she ordered. Janus nodded uncertainly then left her.
Meanwhile, in the main chamber the five resurrected pilots sat on the stone sarcophaguses, pondering their fate.
"So then, anyone have any ideas about how we're supposed to get out of here?" Duo asked boredly, knowing the answer.
"Not if you want to go deaf from screams," Quatre replied.
"Besides, aren't you a little concerned about that onna? And her creepy son?" Wufei pressed. Suddenly, a rumble shook the room. The five boys looked to see Janus standing in the doorway, glaring at them.
"It would be wise of you, as guests, not to speak of your hostess in that manner," he said sternly. "Now then, my mother is ready to speak with you. Follow me please. And be sure to follow directly behind me. Your boundaries are set off in the manners I'm sure you understand."
All of them nodded, understanding the torment that awaited them.
The corridor to where Hecate waited was long, dark, and tortuous. It gave one the feeling that you might turn a corner and find something one may not wish to see. However, when they finally did come to Hecate's chamber, a worse sight stood in front of them.
There was a small, dark pool of water. Reflected in it was the beautiful queen of Crystal Tokyo, along with her family and friends. Five of them stood out in particular: Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and Pluto.
Duo glared angrily at Hecate. "What twisted mind game are you going to play now? Are you going to show them dying in front of us for real?"
Once again, Hecate's bone chilling laughter echoed through the chamber. "Something like that. But right now, it's too early. No, right now, I have something else in mind. You see, I have a mission to accomplish. I must punish this world for their sins and set an example for others by killing their precious rulers."
"Rulers? What do you mean?" Quatre asked.
Hecate smiled wickedly. "Are you telling me you don't know? I'd have thought your lovers would have told you. You see, they're queens. Each of their own respected planets of course."
"Then why do you want us? What can be gained by killing them in front of us?" Quatre asked.
Hecate approached him dangerously, smiling the whole time. "You don't understand. You're going the be the ones killing them."
Silence. Shock, anger, fear, despair was never less audible.
"And," she continued, "since you seem to be so curious, I think I'll allow you to have the first reunion. But what's more, is you will be killing Mars to warn them of my threats."
Quatre's soft eyes turned hard and angry. "Torture me all you like. I will not hurt Raye in any way."
Just as he expected, in his mind, he heard Raye's sobs and begs for mercy, as she was burned alive.
"Stop! Please!" she cried.
Quatre hardened his will. "I…will not…kill her!"
Hecate took a step back and looked over the situation, then glanced at her son, who was slowly materializing out of the shadows.
"Mama, May I?" he asked, now next to Quatre, whose face was contorted in pain. Hecate nodded.
Inside his head, the images of Raye's torture ceased. Quatre blinked. "What in the…"
A presence interrupted his thoughts and his stomach lurched as he realized what was happening. Janus was possessing his body.
"Get out!" he cried, but it was no use. His eyes flashed the same eerie yellow of the boy's, and he grinned evilly. "My lady, what are your orders?"
"My lady? Come on Q-man, what are you doing?" Duo whispered, not knowing the real Quatre was suffocating inside of his own body.
Hecate ignored him. "You are to go to the Crystal Palace. Find the Queen of Mars, and kill her. Then, leave her body where the others are sure to find her. Return to me when you're finished."
"Of course," Quatre bowed to her.
"What did you do to him?" Trowa asked, anger rising inside of him.
"I showed him the light. My son has quite an influence. Perhaps you'll be lucky enough to experience it. Now then, I have a surprise for you all, but that is later, for a full frontal attack. Quatre, this will have to do for now," Hecate said, tossing him a small handgun, which he caught and stowed away in his jacket.
"All right then, I shall return shortly," he said softly. For a moment his eyes flashed aqua again and a desperate expression crossed his face. But then, he was gone again, swallowed by the monster inside of him.
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Raye climbed the steps to the old temple. Since she had taken her position as queen, she hadn't been able to take care of it. No one had.
Now, weeds covered the hill and the buildings lay deserted for years. The concrete steps were dirty, and Raye's beloved ravens, Phobos and Deimos, were long gone. Or were they.
"How long do you think you can play this little game, Princess?" came a voice from behind her. Raye turned around to see two women a little younger than her staring at her. She smiled at them.
"Phobos, Deimos. So good too see you again," she said calmly.
"She asked you a question Princess," Deimos said sharply.
Raye pretended not to hear. Suddenly, Phobos marched over.
"Forgive me, Princess," she apologized, then slapped Raye across the face. "Do you think you're fooling anyone?"
"I-I don't know what you mean!" Raye stuttered, putting a hand to her face.
"Oh yes you do. You think that if you become this quiet, calm person, your hurt, whatever it's caused by, will go away," Deimos accused.
"Mars, you are our Princess. We've pledged our allegiance to you. You're supposed to be strong. We miss your willpower, and your fiery spirit," Phobos said.
"Don't you dare," Raye whispered dangerously, turning away. "Don't you dare accuse me of that. You don't know half of what I've been through. I would never change to heal my pain, because it will never go away. I've changed to honor someone."
"Who? Who could deserve enough honor to make you become weak?" Deimos asked.
"The one person I loved more than anyone. The person whose life I ended. Go away now, and leave me in peace!" Raye shouted. But to her surprise, her friends smiled.
"Well, I guess the real you still is in there somewhere. Just so you know, we're not giving up. We'll get you back, Princess. We swear it," Phobos whispered, then the two twins transformed into the ravens and flew away.
Raye watched as they disappeared, then collapsed on her knees crying. Moments later, she heard a startlingly familiar voice.
"Why are you crying, Firebird?" it asked.
She looked up into the face of the one person she never expected to see.
"Quatre?" she whispered. "Is that you?"
"Of course it is," he answered, helping her up. Then, he carefully took her into his arms. "Oh Raye, I've missed you so much."
But Raye was still wary. Then she noticed his eyes. They were an eerie yellow, like those of a cat. She remembered distinctly that Quatre's were a pale aqua blue. She pulled out of his grasp.
"Tell me, Quatre, how did you come back to life? I killed you," she asked, feigning innocence.
"Now Firebird, you of all people should know about Death and Rebirth," he answered.
That was it. The only proof she needed to support her suspicion.
"Mars Crystal Power! Make-up!" she cried, transforming. She glared angrily at him. "Who are you?"
Quatre stared at her in shock. But inside, as the real Quatre watched, he was smiling.
Good job Raye. You saw right through the lies, didn't you? He said inside.
"Raye, what are you doing? It's me! Quatre!" the body cried.
"Ha. There's no way you could be Quatre. You're either an illusion or a disguise. And I shall destroy you! Mars Flame Sniper!" she let the arrow fly.
Quatre barely had time to move out of the way. He glared angrily at her.
"Fine then. I will kill you now, as my Lady insists," he said, pulling the gun. Raye gasped as the bullet flew past and hit her in the shoulder.
"It's not over yet!" she panted, letting another arrow fly. This time, it managed to graze Quatre's size. He cried out in pain. Suddenly, they heard a voice.
"Quatre! Return now! You are in no state to continue!" the voice yelled.
"Yes, my Lady," he murmured, then glared at Raye. "This is far from over. I shall return." Then, he disappeared.
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Hm…Quatre. Attacking Raye. Odd. Very very odd. R+R everyone!
