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Disclaimer: I don't own this anime
Chapter Eight: Breaking the Ice
(A/N: Some events came after the "Endless Waltz" and "Blind Target")
(Relena's POV)
Since my proclamation as Queen of the World, I became a household name through out Earth and Space. I've captured a lot of the nations' attention on the abolishment of military force among each other. Since my intentions were to change the organization from within, the people were cleared of their minds about the why I became the chief representative of OZ. Inside the Romefeller Foundation, the other members challenged Dermaile. They say that now that I became more successful than him as a front, there was no need for Dermaile to remain in power. Dermaile said that it's not the right time for him to step down. But the other members decided to side on me and become good guys than Dermaile's dream of building an empire through world domination.
With the senior members' turn coating him, the Organization of Zodiac was standing on a tightrope. Dermaile strongly opposed their decision but the other executives are more pensive. Dermaile consulted with Dorothy on what he should do. Dorothy told him to go to space, that he can't do anything and can't win against me by arguing on Earth and he agreed.
The next day, I stood before the Romefeller Foundation executives to deliver my speech on changing Romefeller's vision. As I look around the people who are listening as I speak I saw him up above, on a balcony, Heero stood, his pistol in hand pointing at me, and preparing to assassinate me on the spot. Heero didn't know why I became the foundation's representative and must have misinterpreted my decision. He must have judged that this was the time we agreed. But I didn't do anything else but to continue. If he must shoot me then fine but as long as he hear me as well. When I finished my speech, I met with such approval to everyone that Heero decided not to shoot me and ran off.
It didn't take long and the rebels White Fang proclaimed war against Earth, by using the Space Fortress Libra and my brother stood they're as their leader. Inside the Romefeller Foundation, the executives were discussing what to do. They were distraught that the only surviving Peacecrafts were at war against each other. It's not like I am actually agreed on anything. I have nothing to do with violence and besides; I don't want to fight my brother. Suddenly, Treize walked into the room with some soldiers. He stated his intention to lead the final battle. Later on in the day, Treize confronted me and told me that I'm from my duty and Treize became the new representative for the Foundation.
So much for my proposal for disarmaments so I figured I tried my luck on the other side and talk sense out of Millardo. I flew off into space and headed for Libra.
When I landed on Libra, I went straight to talk to my brother aboard. Milliardo just said that he loves me and wished for me never to change but still stubborn enough follow my plead on stopping the war. Then he told Dorothy, who to my surprise was also on board, to take me to the officers' quarters and shut me there while the signs of the final battle were flashing outside my window.
Dorothy took me outside of the room and showed me around. Dorothy took me to a chamber where the Mercurius and Vayeate are stationed. She told me that the two mobile suits were going to become mobile dolls that will input off of the data gathered from Heero and Trowa. But I was confident that Heero and you guys would still win. When Dorothy left me there so came Hilde behind me, whispering to me that she knows a certain Gundam pilot.
Hilde infiltrated the Space Fortress and took a good heap of information about Libra so she could relay it to the Peacemilion where you guys where stationed at that time. But before she could go, I introduced myself to her hoping that she would also relay the information that she met me at Libra. Minutes later, I heard that an unauthorized mobile suit launched out of Libra and Mercurius and Vayeate were sent to destroy it. Then I knew that it must be Hilde. Luckily, Duo came as her saving knight in shinning armor.
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Duo: When Hilde came inside Peacemilion at that time, she said that princess here was on board Libra. I told Heero about that and returned my attention to Hilde. The next thing we knew, he disappeared.
(Backtrack)
(Inside a room, there are Trowa who is leaning on the wall reading a book, Quatre who is on the table sipping a drink and Wufei who is standing on the other wall exercising his arms with a bending coiled bar and Duo just floats in.)
"Man, where in the world has Heero gone?" Duo said guiding his way to his comrades
"Out on the Virgo Carrier we've recovered. You know where he's headed." Trowa said browsing his book.
"But how come did he left Wing Zero behind? What, he's gonna have a fist fight with Zechs?" Duo asked while scratching his head "Knowing him he'll fight whatever way he can." Wufei said still bending that coiled bar
"Well, I'm pretty sure that it's not the only reason he went out." Quatre said putting down his drink on the table.
"Wait a minute, you mean he went over there to save that girl?" Duo asked grabbing the bench where Quatre's sitting
"Yeah!" Quatre turned his head to Duo and smiled
"In that case, I was giving him too much credit. I have him figured as the most sane guy among the lot of us." Wufei commented
"Well, I'll tell you it's just to show you how powerful that girl is to be able to influence a guy like Heero." Trowa said flipping a page on his book
"Hmp!" Wufei shrugged
"Wufei, if Heero does bring Relena back at least welcome her here. Its so easy to hurt a woman's feelings." Trowa said laying down his book and looked at Wufei who is still going on with his exercise.
"Eh he he." Quatre chuckled and turned his gaze to Duo who sat beside him
"Hey Quatre, if were going after him shoulnt we get going?" Duo asked
"This isn't a time to be decreasing Peacemilion's defense. Besides, let's leave the two of them alone." Quatre complied
(End of Backtrack)
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It seemed that there was an intruder that got passed Libra's defense. I was there in my room glazing the serenity of the stars while the alarm was sounding off. Then a person just unlocked my portal and walked in. I turned around to see who it was and recognized the person who looked like one of the White Fang soldiers with a gun on hand.
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(Backtrack)
"I have nothing to say to anyone except my brother. I wish you could just leave me alone." She politely requested looking at her window.
"I can't do that." The person said in a monotone voice, familiar enough to be recognized by her causing her to turn around
"Huh?"
"Noin and the others are feeling uneasy with you still here."
"I... I never would have expected you to come for me Heero."
"Come on." He ordered turning his back away from her
"Huh? Wait I still need to talk to ..."
"You mean Zechs? Do whatever you want to. I've got to see him to." He cut her off and stepped outside. She followed him and closed the door.
"Heero I..."
"You said you weren't expecting me?" he cut her off again
"That's because I didn't thought you would come here so soon. Did Hilde give you my message?"
"She did."
"Is she alright?"
"She's injured but I think she's fine right now at Peacemilion."
"I see... The alarm sounded off because there's an intruder. It wasn't a Gundam so how did you got in here?"
"Does it matter?"
"No. Not really. You came here to talk to my brother?"
"Uhm."
(He took off with his lead and she followed him right away. But before they could go any further away from the room, she jumped forward and let the force of it float her closer to him. She extended her arms and slid under his arms to capture him in a gentle embrace. He stopped right there when her arms enveloped his mid portion. She felt his whole body tensed when she placed her face to the contours of his back.)
"Relena, what are you doing?" he said coldly
"Hugging you." She said
"I know that. Why?"
"I want to show you how glad I am of you being here."
"You could have just said it."
"I know. This is how I appreciate you for coming here"
"You appreciate me?"
"Yeah... for coming to see me first."
(She kept her hold of him and he didn't make any objections. She really is happy to see him there. Even though her brother is within the fortress' walls, she still felt alone. It's just so good to see such a friendly face... even if it is his. The face she hoped to see.)
"Relena... let's go before any body sees us."
"Embarrassed, Heero?"
"No. I just don't want to get caught. There are soldiers coming closing in at us."
"Oh... sorry"
(They made it inside a computer room. He sat on he on the controls and started typing to locate Zech's whereabouts while she stands beside him.)
'Heero what are you doing?"
"The girl named Hilde brought us this data about the Libra and it's really coming in handy." He said looking at the monitor showing pictures of the Libra's interior design
"Are you looking for my brother?"
"There are only a few places where he could be."
"Hmn... Heero I must admit. You really are quite amazing." She said after sitting at the panel
"Look who's talking." he said continuing his search
"No Heero. That's not true. You've given me both hope and strength to live. I'm sure that you make the others feel just the same."
(He stopped and looked at her)
"Don't make me repeat it." He said standing up then turned his back. "I am nothing compared to you."
"I just..."
"Come on. I just found Zechs."
(End of Backtrack)
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We came across a dark room and when the lights turned on we saw and confronted Milliardo. I tried to say something but my brother didn't even paid much attention to me. Milliardo stated that he wont change his mind battling the Earth Sphere and then offered Heero a chance to fight alongside him for the colonies. Heero declined and then left. I was left with him and he just said to me that he wished that I should make out of the battle alive. Then we found he was actually a holographic image.
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(Backtrack)
(They were hiding within Libra's chambers while the alarm still sounding off. Heero is sitting down with his arms folded while he keeps watch at Relena.)
"Heero?"
"I'm going to stay here until this battle settle"
"Huh?"
"It'd be hard for Treize to destroy Libra right now so when the time comes I'll do it myself."
"But I still think we have to stop this battle. Dictators are the only ones who sacrifice lives in order to achieve peace."
"But Zechs and Treize are ready to sacrifice their own lives. That's why I have no intention in stopping them."
"Yeah but..."
"You stay right here with me."
"Huh? You're going to look after me, Heero?"
"I just don't wanna feel like I owe Zechs something when we end up fighting."
"Hmm..." she sits a few inches beside him. "If this battleship really does go down there wouldn't be reason left for you to fight my brother."
"I will if I must. It couldn't be helped."
"How did it all come down to this, Heero?"
"Relena..."
"This war has done so much damage all ready to everyone... to my brother... to you... and to me. I've always blamed this meaningless war and how it changed us all. But, on the same time... I couldn't help but to think how it changed me... and also... if it weren't for this war, I would have never found my brother and... I would have never met you, Heero. Thanks to this war... you two, the most significant men of my life are always ending up going head to head with each other."
"It's inevitable, Relena. Try to understand."
"I know that. You know Heero; I wish that you two could have been good friends. You two are so alike."
"Me and Zechs are alike? How?"
"You're both pretty..."
"Pretty?"
"Yeah. Pretty Stubborn. And also... in your own ways, try to look after me."
"Zechs did allow you to come inside Libra. If he wants you to be safer why not here with him, right?"
"It's not only that. Remember the time when OZ's attacked my birthday party at Saint Gabriel?"
"Yeah?"
"Noin told me that it was my brother who requested Treize to issue the withdrawal of Lady Une's troops and canceled the order to eliminate me."
"I see. Zechs did tried to be a brother. There were a lot who wanted you dead after all."
"Like you didn't, Heero." She chuckled.
"I still do so don't push it."
(Silence...)
"I'm really getting tired of everything." She closed her yes. "From the moment I claimed my position as the Princess of Sanc Kingdom, I did nothing but to spread my father's principles. Then OZ tried to kill me and made me surrender my country. They also drove me in to a corner and made me their chief representative and ascended into becoming the Queen of the world. I thought that if I could changed the foundation from the inside better and quiker, perhaps things would have turned out differently, you know."
"You did what you had to do, Relena. It takes a lot of strength and courage for a girl like yourself to do all pf that reponsibility."
"I did it all by thinking what you could have done. By thinking of you, it helped me to get through and made my path not so bleak."
"Relena..."
"But no matter what I do, no matter how hard I try... I couldn't win on my own... because there are things, especially people who will always make things difficult."
"No one can make you feel inferior with out your consent, Relena. You're strong. Stronger than me." he assured
"No... I can never be like you. As much as I wanted to be, Heero, I just don't want you to be like them. I thought if I acted to be strong in front of you, you wouldn't look away from me."
"And why do you think is that so?"
"Because you cant stand the weak. Now that I became what I am now, I also became closer to you than I've could have ever imagined."
"You're just feeling lonely. That's natural. You could have chosen anybody than me."
"Perhaps you're right. But I just want to have someone... who thinks that I am more than I think I am."
"For what it's worth, I don't see you like that, Relena."
"Oh..."
"Because to me...
(He raised himself from his spot and stood in front of her. She watched the guy who is now looking at her with such soft eyes and he gently extends his hand towards her.)
"I know... that you are more than you think you're worth."
"Oh Heero..."
"I will protect you, Relena."
(This wasn't the same guy who vowed to kill her. This is the same guy now who swore to protect her. It seems that she has also made her way to him. If the war didn't occurred, he wouldn't have met this girl at the beach then soon alter his whole being. His not pointing a weapon at her but a limb extended to lend her a helping hand to the most incredible girl he has ever met... the same girl who is such a miracle worker to the people of Earth and Space... the same girl who has made her greatest miracle yet... she has changed him. Coming with that realization, still he won't admit it to himself or to her, maybe not now. She looked at his eyes and saw his sincerity. Even if he doesn't really notice it, it's their little talks that give her the most strength. She didn't mean to sound whinny earlier but she needed someone there, just to hear her out. But no matter how alone they are, they managed to find great friends and comrades that surround them, not to mention, they found each other. Needless to say, who could tell that the war has changed everybody for the better? She gladly accepted his promise and placed her hand ever so gently to his and he helped herself to rise.)
"Thank you, Heero. I just need to get that out of my system. I feel so much better now. Ha ha ha." She giggled.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing. I'm just glad about those words of yours. I wonder when did you get so soft about me."
"I don't know. I ask myself that and I can't answer it."
"Does it matter now, Heero?"
"No, it doesn't... for now. Let's get moving. And Relena..."
"Hmn?"
"Just stay by my side where I can see you."
"Alright."
(End of backtrack)
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As Treize and Zechs made their move to counteract each other, we tried to escape Libra. Libra then changed its course and went straight to M.O.2 and Earth. We were looking for our way out when Heero stopped.
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(Backtrack)
"Get down now and cover up your head." He ordered.
"Huh?"
"Peacemilion is plowing into us."
(Before she could comply, the biggest collision in space occurred with Peacemilion crashing into Libra in order to destroy its main cannon. He covered and shielded her from the falling debris. After the collision, he removed a big piece of metal away and looked for the cost if its clear. She opened her eyes and looked at his protector.) "Hey, thank you Heero."
"Hmn?"
"Thank you for protecting me. Huh?" she noticed a bleeding wound on his right arm. "Heero, you're hurt!"
"It's not serious." He said looking at it like it's nothing
"But it's bleeding."
"Now Zechs wont have his victory." He changed the subject
"What do you mean by that, Heero?"
"Forget it. I'm gonna need Zero."
"Wait Heero."
"Hmn?"
"Here..." she took out a pink handkerchief and tried to wrap it around his wound
"I said it's nothing serious." He quickly jerked his arm away before the fabric could touch his skin
"Heero would you stop that. Sometimes you just accept it when good people wants to do nice simple gestures like this for you. Now don't move and let me cover that up." She yelled at him
(To her, she sounded like a caring mother. To him, she looked so hot right now ordering him like that. She just glared at him and he glared at her as well. She's just trying to be nice after all. To his surrender, he just looked away and grumped. She smiled and wrapped the cloth around his wound after wiping off the blood first. They made their way on Libra and found themselves inside the Changing Room for space suits. He let her suited up first. Then he slowly suits up because his wound does hurt a little with her pink handkerchief still intact around it.)
"Once were on Peacemilion, follow Howard's instructions and get your butt out of here."
"I want to talk to my brother just one more time."
"It won't help. Zech's decision is final." He grabbed his helmet and trails off then she followed after closing one of the lockers
"Besides..."
"Huh?"
"Have you not had enough talk for today?"
"Are you calling me a nag?" she grabbed his arm
"No, but yours sounds better." He smirked
(They arrived at Peacemilion's mobile suit hangar and he floated to Wing Zero. Before he could open the hatch, he took his time and looked down below to see her, looking at him. He opened his hatch and stepped inside. She didn't want him to just leave her there while he prepares for battle. With one fierce stomped on the ground, she propelled upward and floated closer to Zero's hatch. She finds him getting ready for dispatch.)
"I though you said I should stay close to you where you can see me?"
"Relena, go to the others now."
"Please, take me with you."
"You will be safer with Howard. Zech's now wants Libra and Peacemilion to plunge on Earth that will cause catastrophic damage. I gave him instructions to wait for you so all of you can evacuate to M.O.2."
"I wont be a burden to you so please I..."
"This is not about you being a burden to me, Relena. I need you to be alive. Go on. The others are waiting for me."
"Wait!"
"Hmn?"
"Heero, tell me why it's necessary for you to go too?"
"Huh? He smiled at her. "Hmn..."
"Libra is going down. There isn't any reason left to keep on fighting. My brother, Millardo Peacecraft and the White fang have been defeated."
"I'll make you a bet. Zechs doesn't think that his lost. What's more... I doubt him or Treize are ever going to allow this battle to end." He said still smiling at her
"What?"
"That's why I gotta go and fight them."
"Oh... do you really think if you go that the war is going to come to an end?"
(Then the unexpected happened. He raised himself from his seat, leaned closer to her, extended his arm to hold the back of her helmet and pulled it right in front of his. If it weren't for the headgears' they would likely be face to face right now. He looked at her ever so gently with eyes no longer carrying a dreadful look but eyes of compassion for the girl in front of him ever so closely. Prussian blue and Emerald blue has never been set glazed on each other for least four inches away.)
"I'll defeat Zechs then I'll go get Treize. Then the war will be over. Afterward, if you make it out of here, there will finally be peace." He voice sounding so gentle. "This is the only thing I can do for you."
"Heero..."
"I promise that I would protect you. But in order to protect you and the Earth Sphere, Relena; I have no choice but to fight."
"No..."
"Please let me fight." He inched away and actually asked her for permission
"No... No way! Heero, you're planning to die aren't you?"
(Deep inside, even if he asks permission and she refuses, he wouldn't listen. She can't stop him before and it wont change now. Before she could argue some more, her helmet closed off and covered her face.)
"Huh!"
"Believe in me." he said it kindly then pushed her gently and let her float away from Zero while he closed the hatch and took one last look at her.
(She continued to float until she stopped by grabbing the railing and looked back to see Wing Zero take off.)
"I believe in you... yes I do."
(Inside his Gundam, his eyes diverted at her direction and looked at his right arm where her handkerchief is still wrapped on.)
"Good bye Relena."
"HEERO!"
(End of Backtrack)
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(At the Bar of the Hotel, Zechs and Noin are were on a private table. The transmitter is on and they still keep listening to Relena's tale. I seems that every time he hears her speak about her and Heero's last moments back then, he takes a shot of his hard beverage. He already had three bottles already. Noin is just astounded that all of that booze hasn't affects his system. But she is not worried about his current behavior. He was just being a brother. She is worried that the booze might kick in when they are ready to go back home.)
"Zechs, would you please stop drowning yourself. You haven't even eaten a single morsel of your food ever since it got here."
"I told you I lost my appetite." He sips another one
"Are you still upset about him and everything?" she said spinning her folk on her pasta. "Although I must admit. She must really have strong feelings for him to even remember all of this by heart all the way from the past. And based on what I'm hearing, Heero does have a soft spot for Relena."
"Honestly, why did she have to talk all about this things now."
"If it bothers you so much then we should stop listening then." She tried to reach for the transmitter but Zechs hand holds hers halfway
"No... I want to know more." He said softly
"What's the matter Zechs?" she laid her hand and entwined her fingers to the hand that covered them a while ago. "Are you feeling jealous?" she said with concern
"No... it's just that... I never really knew she felt that way back then. How she felt so lonely and lost after I gave her the responsibility of the Sanc's rule and went through all of OZ's underhanded tricks. When I was away, all I could do is just watch her from every monitor that I came across, admiring how great of a Peacecraft she has become. But with all of the confusion of those times, I was so blinded and didn't realize, that she didn't need my admiration... she needed a brother." He said depressingly.
"We had our own ways back then. It wasn't really our wishes to turn out like that." She tighten her grip
"I know that. But now, after hearing all of this, it was he after all that took the time to actually listen to her. Of all people that time it was always been him. Hell, he was good at it too in his own way. She told him every thing and he was able to understand those things that I even failed to try finding out. I wish it was me... to able to hold her head on my shoulder and say it's all right." He said closing his eyes trying to avoid Noin's look.
"Oh Zechs..." her eyes watered
"I even made a hologram image of me to see them both back then. Could you believe that? I did that instead of seeing her in person and I actually kept on disregarding her worries." He tried desperately to keep it together. "It could have been me, Noin. I really wish now that it could have been me but it's not." He stopped for a couple of seconds. "Afetr all of what she'd been through I.... I'm still proud of her being so strong."
"It's not too late to change. You could be the man you wanted to be. Don't push your self in to the gutter like this."
"Your right." He took another shot straight. "I remembered that time when we fought inside Libra's falling block. We charged at each other and he managed to cut off Epyon's arm. I asked him why he didn't kill me and he said that he doesn't want Relena to be sad." He filled his glass. "I got to admit, he did made a great decision to protect her and pushed her away from Wing Zero. She can be very stubborn like me. "
"Yeah. You're both are. But you did your share of protecting her. She was able to realize it after all."
'Thank you Noin."
"It's okay, Zechs. You know aside of being proud of her strength, stubborn and trying to protecting her, Relena forgot one more thing that you and Heero share."
"Yeah? What is it?"
"That when it comes to your women, both of you can be so pretty..."
"Pretty?" he raised an eyebrow
"Pretty spineless." She giggled.
"Hmn. I remembered that." He smiled
"You better. You and Epyon almost killed me back there." she shrugged.
"I almost did, didn't I?" he joked while caressing her hand
'That's not funny, Peacecraft." She took her hand away.
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Then Heero fought my brother and fortunately they are still here and lived it, Peacemilion was able to change Libra's course to earth and as far as Libra's falling block was concerned, Heero blasted the darn thing out of the earth's atmosphere after the Colonies stated their withdrawal of the White Fang. The year was After Colony 195. On the eve of Christmas day, the formation of the new Earth Sphere United Nation was passed at the conference between Earth and the Colonies.
After the war has ended, every body has taken each of their own paths. How about Heero and me? Well, I renounce my title being the New Vice Foreign Minister Darlian while that guy didn't even bother to let me know his existence.
And then, it was my birthday once again. I was at a colony that time on my way back to Earth. Then one of the Colonies officials ran after me and said that they were planning to have my birthday there. I was flattered but I wanted to get back because I needed the ESUN delegates to review my Terra- formation project right away.
I was walking to my seat inside my shuttle when this guy from the launching dock accidentally bumped in to me. Well if you're walking into a narrow path with your head looking down with your eyes covered with a cap, you're bound to run in with somebody if you ask me. He did apologized though and I said it was all right. When I reached my seat, I saw a brown teddy bear with black button eyes and nose wearing a red ribbon on it's neck sitting there with a card sticking out of it's arm. I took the card out, opened it and read the words, "Happy Birthday" and signed with just an "H". I looked at the window and I tried to find the guy who I suspect it was. Then I saw the guy who bumped in to me holding his cap on his hand. I knew at that moment that it was him, and yelled his name. He stopped and turned his head around and looked at me. It was him and I was right. Just for kicks, I showed him the card and tore it in half and I said to him, "Next time hand it to me in person." After that stunt, he just smiled at me for a second and trailed off away from me once again.
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Disclaimer: I don't own this anime
Chapter Eight: Breaking the Ice
(A/N: Some events came after the "Endless Waltz" and "Blind Target")
(Relena's POV)
Since my proclamation as Queen of the World, I became a household name through out Earth and Space. I've captured a lot of the nations' attention on the abolishment of military force among each other. Since my intentions were to change the organization from within, the people were cleared of their minds about the why I became the chief representative of OZ. Inside the Romefeller Foundation, the other members challenged Dermaile. They say that now that I became more successful than him as a front, there was no need for Dermaile to remain in power. Dermaile said that it's not the right time for him to step down. But the other members decided to side on me and become good guys than Dermaile's dream of building an empire through world domination.
With the senior members' turn coating him, the Organization of Zodiac was standing on a tightrope. Dermaile strongly opposed their decision but the other executives are more pensive. Dermaile consulted with Dorothy on what he should do. Dorothy told him to go to space, that he can't do anything and can't win against me by arguing on Earth and he agreed.
The next day, I stood before the Romefeller Foundation executives to deliver my speech on changing Romefeller's vision. As I look around the people who are listening as I speak I saw him up above, on a balcony, Heero stood, his pistol in hand pointing at me, and preparing to assassinate me on the spot. Heero didn't know why I became the foundation's representative and must have misinterpreted my decision. He must have judged that this was the time we agreed. But I didn't do anything else but to continue. If he must shoot me then fine but as long as he hear me as well. When I finished my speech, I met with such approval to everyone that Heero decided not to shoot me and ran off.
It didn't take long and the rebels White Fang proclaimed war against Earth, by using the Space Fortress Libra and my brother stood they're as their leader. Inside the Romefeller Foundation, the executives were discussing what to do. They were distraught that the only surviving Peacecrafts were at war against each other. It's not like I am actually agreed on anything. I have nothing to do with violence and besides; I don't want to fight my brother. Suddenly, Treize walked into the room with some soldiers. He stated his intention to lead the final battle. Later on in the day, Treize confronted me and told me that I'm from my duty and Treize became the new representative for the Foundation.
So much for my proposal for disarmaments so I figured I tried my luck on the other side and talk sense out of Millardo. I flew off into space and headed for Libra.
When I landed on Libra, I went straight to talk to my brother aboard. Milliardo just said that he loves me and wished for me never to change but still stubborn enough follow my plead on stopping the war. Then he told Dorothy, who to my surprise was also on board, to take me to the officers' quarters and shut me there while the signs of the final battle were flashing outside my window.
Dorothy took me outside of the room and showed me around. Dorothy took me to a chamber where the Mercurius and Vayeate are stationed. She told me that the two mobile suits were going to become mobile dolls that will input off of the data gathered from Heero and Trowa. But I was confident that Heero and you guys would still win. When Dorothy left me there so came Hilde behind me, whispering to me that she knows a certain Gundam pilot.
Hilde infiltrated the Space Fortress and took a good heap of information about Libra so she could relay it to the Peacemilion where you guys where stationed at that time. But before she could go, I introduced myself to her hoping that she would also relay the information that she met me at Libra. Minutes later, I heard that an unauthorized mobile suit launched out of Libra and Mercurius and Vayeate were sent to destroy it. Then I knew that it must be Hilde. Luckily, Duo came as her saving knight in shinning armor.
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Duo: When Hilde came inside Peacemilion at that time, she said that princess here was on board Libra. I told Heero about that and returned my attention to Hilde. The next thing we knew, he disappeared.
(Backtrack)
(Inside a room, there are Trowa who is leaning on the wall reading a book, Quatre who is on the table sipping a drink and Wufei who is standing on the other wall exercising his arms with a bending coiled bar and Duo just floats in.)
"Man, where in the world has Heero gone?" Duo said guiding his way to his comrades
"Out on the Virgo Carrier we've recovered. You know where he's headed." Trowa said browsing his book.
"But how come did he left Wing Zero behind? What, he's gonna have a fist fight with Zechs?" Duo asked while scratching his head "Knowing him he'll fight whatever way he can." Wufei said still bending that coiled bar
"Well, I'm pretty sure that it's not the only reason he went out." Quatre said putting down his drink on the table.
"Wait a minute, you mean he went over there to save that girl?" Duo asked grabbing the bench where Quatre's sitting
"Yeah!" Quatre turned his head to Duo and smiled
"In that case, I was giving him too much credit. I have him figured as the most sane guy among the lot of us." Wufei commented
"Well, I'll tell you it's just to show you how powerful that girl is to be able to influence a guy like Heero." Trowa said flipping a page on his book
"Hmp!" Wufei shrugged
"Wufei, if Heero does bring Relena back at least welcome her here. Its so easy to hurt a woman's feelings." Trowa said laying down his book and looked at Wufei who is still going on with his exercise.
"Eh he he." Quatre chuckled and turned his gaze to Duo who sat beside him
"Hey Quatre, if were going after him shoulnt we get going?" Duo asked
"This isn't a time to be decreasing Peacemilion's defense. Besides, let's leave the two of them alone." Quatre complied
(End of Backtrack)
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It seemed that there was an intruder that got passed Libra's defense. I was there in my room glazing the serenity of the stars while the alarm was sounding off. Then a person just unlocked my portal and walked in. I turned around to see who it was and recognized the person who looked like one of the White Fang soldiers with a gun on hand.
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(Backtrack)
"I have nothing to say to anyone except my brother. I wish you could just leave me alone." She politely requested looking at her window.
"I can't do that." The person said in a monotone voice, familiar enough to be recognized by her causing her to turn around
"Huh?"
"Noin and the others are feeling uneasy with you still here."
"I... I never would have expected you to come for me Heero."
"Come on." He ordered turning his back away from her
"Huh? Wait I still need to talk to ..."
"You mean Zechs? Do whatever you want to. I've got to see him to." He cut her off and stepped outside. She followed him and closed the door.
"Heero I..."
"You said you weren't expecting me?" he cut her off again
"That's because I didn't thought you would come here so soon. Did Hilde give you my message?"
"She did."
"Is she alright?"
"She's injured but I think she's fine right now at Peacemilion."
"I see... The alarm sounded off because there's an intruder. It wasn't a Gundam so how did you got in here?"
"Does it matter?"
"No. Not really. You came here to talk to my brother?"
"Uhm."
(He took off with his lead and she followed him right away. But before they could go any further away from the room, she jumped forward and let the force of it float her closer to him. She extended her arms and slid under his arms to capture him in a gentle embrace. He stopped right there when her arms enveloped his mid portion. She felt his whole body tensed when she placed her face to the contours of his back.)
"Relena, what are you doing?" he said coldly
"Hugging you." She said
"I know that. Why?"
"I want to show you how glad I am of you being here."
"You could have just said it."
"I know. This is how I appreciate you for coming here"
"You appreciate me?"
"Yeah... for coming to see me first."
(She kept her hold of him and he didn't make any objections. She really is happy to see him there. Even though her brother is within the fortress' walls, she still felt alone. It's just so good to see such a friendly face... even if it is his. The face she hoped to see.)
"Relena... let's go before any body sees us."
"Embarrassed, Heero?"
"No. I just don't want to get caught. There are soldiers coming closing in at us."
"Oh... sorry"
(They made it inside a computer room. He sat on he on the controls and started typing to locate Zech's whereabouts while she stands beside him.)
'Heero what are you doing?"
"The girl named Hilde brought us this data about the Libra and it's really coming in handy." He said looking at the monitor showing pictures of the Libra's interior design
"Are you looking for my brother?"
"There are only a few places where he could be."
"Hmn... Heero I must admit. You really are quite amazing." She said after sitting at the panel
"Look who's talking." he said continuing his search
"No Heero. That's not true. You've given me both hope and strength to live. I'm sure that you make the others feel just the same."
(He stopped and looked at her)
"Don't make me repeat it." He said standing up then turned his back. "I am nothing compared to you."
"I just..."
"Come on. I just found Zechs."
(End of Backtrack)
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We came across a dark room and when the lights turned on we saw and confronted Milliardo. I tried to say something but my brother didn't even paid much attention to me. Milliardo stated that he wont change his mind battling the Earth Sphere and then offered Heero a chance to fight alongside him for the colonies. Heero declined and then left. I was left with him and he just said to me that he wished that I should make out of the battle alive. Then we found he was actually a holographic image.
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(Backtrack)
(They were hiding within Libra's chambers while the alarm still sounding off. Heero is sitting down with his arms folded while he keeps watch at Relena.)
"Heero?"
"I'm going to stay here until this battle settle"
"Huh?"
"It'd be hard for Treize to destroy Libra right now so when the time comes I'll do it myself."
"But I still think we have to stop this battle. Dictators are the only ones who sacrifice lives in order to achieve peace."
"But Zechs and Treize are ready to sacrifice their own lives. That's why I have no intention in stopping them."
"Yeah but..."
"You stay right here with me."
"Huh? You're going to look after me, Heero?"
"I just don't wanna feel like I owe Zechs something when we end up fighting."
"Hmm..." she sits a few inches beside him. "If this battleship really does go down there wouldn't be reason left for you to fight my brother."
"I will if I must. It couldn't be helped."
"How did it all come down to this, Heero?"
"Relena..."
"This war has done so much damage all ready to everyone... to my brother... to you... and to me. I've always blamed this meaningless war and how it changed us all. But, on the same time... I couldn't help but to think how it changed me... and also... if it weren't for this war, I would have never found my brother and... I would have never met you, Heero. Thanks to this war... you two, the most significant men of my life are always ending up going head to head with each other."
"It's inevitable, Relena. Try to understand."
"I know that. You know Heero; I wish that you two could have been good friends. You two are so alike."
"Me and Zechs are alike? How?"
"You're both pretty..."
"Pretty?"
"Yeah. Pretty Stubborn. And also... in your own ways, try to look after me."
"Zechs did allow you to come inside Libra. If he wants you to be safer why not here with him, right?"
"It's not only that. Remember the time when OZ's attacked my birthday party at Saint Gabriel?"
"Yeah?"
"Noin told me that it was my brother who requested Treize to issue the withdrawal of Lady Une's troops and canceled the order to eliminate me."
"I see. Zechs did tried to be a brother. There were a lot who wanted you dead after all."
"Like you didn't, Heero." She chuckled.
"I still do so don't push it."
(Silence...)
"I'm really getting tired of everything." She closed her yes. "From the moment I claimed my position as the Princess of Sanc Kingdom, I did nothing but to spread my father's principles. Then OZ tried to kill me and made me surrender my country. They also drove me in to a corner and made me their chief representative and ascended into becoming the Queen of the world. I thought that if I could changed the foundation from the inside better and quiker, perhaps things would have turned out differently, you know."
"You did what you had to do, Relena. It takes a lot of strength and courage for a girl like yourself to do all pf that reponsibility."
"I did it all by thinking what you could have done. By thinking of you, it helped me to get through and made my path not so bleak."
"Relena..."
"But no matter what I do, no matter how hard I try... I couldn't win on my own... because there are things, especially people who will always make things difficult."
"No one can make you feel inferior with out your consent, Relena. You're strong. Stronger than me." he assured
"No... I can never be like you. As much as I wanted to be, Heero, I just don't want you to be like them. I thought if I acted to be strong in front of you, you wouldn't look away from me."
"And why do you think is that so?"
"Because you cant stand the weak. Now that I became what I am now, I also became closer to you than I've could have ever imagined."
"You're just feeling lonely. That's natural. You could have chosen anybody than me."
"Perhaps you're right. But I just want to have someone... who thinks that I am more than I think I am."
"For what it's worth, I don't see you like that, Relena."
"Oh..."
"Because to me...
(He raised himself from his spot and stood in front of her. She watched the guy who is now looking at her with such soft eyes and he gently extends his hand towards her.)
"I know... that you are more than you think you're worth."
"Oh Heero..."
"I will protect you, Relena."
(This wasn't the same guy who vowed to kill her. This is the same guy now who swore to protect her. It seems that she has also made her way to him. If the war didn't occurred, he wouldn't have met this girl at the beach then soon alter his whole being. His not pointing a weapon at her but a limb extended to lend her a helping hand to the most incredible girl he has ever met... the same girl who is such a miracle worker to the people of Earth and Space... the same girl who has made her greatest miracle yet... she has changed him. Coming with that realization, still he won't admit it to himself or to her, maybe not now. She looked at his eyes and saw his sincerity. Even if he doesn't really notice it, it's their little talks that give her the most strength. She didn't mean to sound whinny earlier but she needed someone there, just to hear her out. But no matter how alone they are, they managed to find great friends and comrades that surround them, not to mention, they found each other. Needless to say, who could tell that the war has changed everybody for the better? She gladly accepted his promise and placed her hand ever so gently to his and he helped herself to rise.)
"Thank you, Heero. I just need to get that out of my system. I feel so much better now. Ha ha ha." She giggled.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing. I'm just glad about those words of yours. I wonder when did you get so soft about me."
"I don't know. I ask myself that and I can't answer it."
"Does it matter now, Heero?"
"No, it doesn't... for now. Let's get moving. And Relena..."
"Hmn?"
"Just stay by my side where I can see you."
"Alright."
(End of backtrack)
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As Treize and Zechs made their move to counteract each other, we tried to escape Libra. Libra then changed its course and went straight to M.O.2 and Earth. We were looking for our way out when Heero stopped.
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(Backtrack)
"Get down now and cover up your head." He ordered.
"Huh?"
"Peacemilion is plowing into us."
(Before she could comply, the biggest collision in space occurred with Peacemilion crashing into Libra in order to destroy its main cannon. He covered and shielded her from the falling debris. After the collision, he removed a big piece of metal away and looked for the cost if its clear. She opened her eyes and looked at his protector.) "Hey, thank you Heero."
"Hmn?"
"Thank you for protecting me. Huh?" she noticed a bleeding wound on his right arm. "Heero, you're hurt!"
"It's not serious." He said looking at it like it's nothing
"But it's bleeding."
"Now Zechs wont have his victory." He changed the subject
"What do you mean by that, Heero?"
"Forget it. I'm gonna need Zero."
"Wait Heero."
"Hmn?"
"Here..." she took out a pink handkerchief and tried to wrap it around his wound
"I said it's nothing serious." He quickly jerked his arm away before the fabric could touch his skin
"Heero would you stop that. Sometimes you just accept it when good people wants to do nice simple gestures like this for you. Now don't move and let me cover that up." She yelled at him
(To her, she sounded like a caring mother. To him, she looked so hot right now ordering him like that. She just glared at him and he glared at her as well. She's just trying to be nice after all. To his surrender, he just looked away and grumped. She smiled and wrapped the cloth around his wound after wiping off the blood first. They made their way on Libra and found themselves inside the Changing Room for space suits. He let her suited up first. Then he slowly suits up because his wound does hurt a little with her pink handkerchief still intact around it.)
"Once were on Peacemilion, follow Howard's instructions and get your butt out of here."
"I want to talk to my brother just one more time."
"It won't help. Zech's decision is final." He grabbed his helmet and trails off then she followed after closing one of the lockers
"Besides..."
"Huh?"
"Have you not had enough talk for today?"
"Are you calling me a nag?" she grabbed his arm
"No, but yours sounds better." He smirked
(They arrived at Peacemilion's mobile suit hangar and he floated to Wing Zero. Before he could open the hatch, he took his time and looked down below to see her, looking at him. He opened his hatch and stepped inside. She didn't want him to just leave her there while he prepares for battle. With one fierce stomped on the ground, she propelled upward and floated closer to Zero's hatch. She finds him getting ready for dispatch.)
"I though you said I should stay close to you where you can see me?"
"Relena, go to the others now."
"Please, take me with you."
"You will be safer with Howard. Zech's now wants Libra and Peacemilion to plunge on Earth that will cause catastrophic damage. I gave him instructions to wait for you so all of you can evacuate to M.O.2."
"I wont be a burden to you so please I..."
"This is not about you being a burden to me, Relena. I need you to be alive. Go on. The others are waiting for me."
"Wait!"
"Hmn?"
"Heero, tell me why it's necessary for you to go too?"
"Huh? He smiled at her. "Hmn..."
"Libra is going down. There isn't any reason left to keep on fighting. My brother, Millardo Peacecraft and the White fang have been defeated."
"I'll make you a bet. Zechs doesn't think that his lost. What's more... I doubt him or Treize are ever going to allow this battle to end." He said still smiling at her
"What?"
"That's why I gotta go and fight them."
"Oh... do you really think if you go that the war is going to come to an end?"
(Then the unexpected happened. He raised himself from his seat, leaned closer to her, extended his arm to hold the back of her helmet and pulled it right in front of his. If it weren't for the headgears' they would likely be face to face right now. He looked at her ever so gently with eyes no longer carrying a dreadful look but eyes of compassion for the girl in front of him ever so closely. Prussian blue and Emerald blue has never been set glazed on each other for least four inches away.)
"I'll defeat Zechs then I'll go get Treize. Then the war will be over. Afterward, if you make it out of here, there will finally be peace." He voice sounding so gentle. "This is the only thing I can do for you."
"Heero..."
"I promise that I would protect you. But in order to protect you and the Earth Sphere, Relena; I have no choice but to fight."
"No..."
"Please let me fight." He inched away and actually asked her for permission
"No... No way! Heero, you're planning to die aren't you?"
(Deep inside, even if he asks permission and she refuses, he wouldn't listen. She can't stop him before and it wont change now. Before she could argue some more, her helmet closed off and covered her face.)
"Huh!"
"Believe in me." he said it kindly then pushed her gently and let her float away from Zero while he closed the hatch and took one last look at her.
(She continued to float until she stopped by grabbing the railing and looked back to see Wing Zero take off.)
"I believe in you... yes I do."
(Inside his Gundam, his eyes diverted at her direction and looked at his right arm where her handkerchief is still wrapped on.)
"Good bye Relena."
"HEERO!"
(End of Backtrack)
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(At the Bar of the Hotel, Zechs and Noin are were on a private table. The transmitter is on and they still keep listening to Relena's tale. I seems that every time he hears her speak about her and Heero's last moments back then, he takes a shot of his hard beverage. He already had three bottles already. Noin is just astounded that all of that booze hasn't affects his system. But she is not worried about his current behavior. He was just being a brother. She is worried that the booze might kick in when they are ready to go back home.)
"Zechs, would you please stop drowning yourself. You haven't even eaten a single morsel of your food ever since it got here."
"I told you I lost my appetite." He sips another one
"Are you still upset about him and everything?" she said spinning her folk on her pasta. "Although I must admit. She must really have strong feelings for him to even remember all of this by heart all the way from the past. And based on what I'm hearing, Heero does have a soft spot for Relena."
"Honestly, why did she have to talk all about this things now."
"If it bothers you so much then we should stop listening then." She tried to reach for the transmitter but Zechs hand holds hers halfway
"No... I want to know more." He said softly
"What's the matter Zechs?" she laid her hand and entwined her fingers to the hand that covered them a while ago. "Are you feeling jealous?" she said with concern
"No... it's just that... I never really knew she felt that way back then. How she felt so lonely and lost after I gave her the responsibility of the Sanc's rule and went through all of OZ's underhanded tricks. When I was away, all I could do is just watch her from every monitor that I came across, admiring how great of a Peacecraft she has become. But with all of the confusion of those times, I was so blinded and didn't realize, that she didn't need my admiration... she needed a brother." He said depressingly.
"We had our own ways back then. It wasn't really our wishes to turn out like that." She tighten her grip
"I know that. But now, after hearing all of this, it was he after all that took the time to actually listen to her. Of all people that time it was always been him. Hell, he was good at it too in his own way. She told him every thing and he was able to understand those things that I even failed to try finding out. I wish it was me... to able to hold her head on my shoulder and say it's all right." He said closing his eyes trying to avoid Noin's look.
"Oh Zechs..." her eyes watered
"I even made a hologram image of me to see them both back then. Could you believe that? I did that instead of seeing her in person and I actually kept on disregarding her worries." He tried desperately to keep it together. "It could have been me, Noin. I really wish now that it could have been me but it's not." He stopped for a couple of seconds. "Afetr all of what she'd been through I.... I'm still proud of her being so strong."
"It's not too late to change. You could be the man you wanted to be. Don't push your self in to the gutter like this."
"Your right." He took another shot straight. "I remembered that time when we fought inside Libra's falling block. We charged at each other and he managed to cut off Epyon's arm. I asked him why he didn't kill me and he said that he doesn't want Relena to be sad." He filled his glass. "I got to admit, he did made a great decision to protect her and pushed her away from Wing Zero. She can be very stubborn like me. "
"Yeah. You're both are. But you did your share of protecting her. She was able to realize it after all."
'Thank you Noin."
"It's okay, Zechs. You know aside of being proud of her strength, stubborn and trying to protecting her, Relena forgot one more thing that you and Heero share."
"Yeah? What is it?"
"That when it comes to your women, both of you can be so pretty..."
"Pretty?" he raised an eyebrow
"Pretty spineless." She giggled.
"Hmn. I remembered that." He smiled
"You better. You and Epyon almost killed me back there." she shrugged.
"I almost did, didn't I?" he joked while caressing her hand
'That's not funny, Peacecraft." She took her hand away.
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Then Heero fought my brother and fortunately they are still here and lived it, Peacemilion was able to change Libra's course to earth and as far as Libra's falling block was concerned, Heero blasted the darn thing out of the earth's atmosphere after the Colonies stated their withdrawal of the White Fang. The year was After Colony 195. On the eve of Christmas day, the formation of the new Earth Sphere United Nation was passed at the conference between Earth and the Colonies.
After the war has ended, every body has taken each of their own paths. How about Heero and me? Well, I renounce my title being the New Vice Foreign Minister Darlian while that guy didn't even bother to let me know his existence.
And then, it was my birthday once again. I was at a colony that time on my way back to Earth. Then one of the Colonies officials ran after me and said that they were planning to have my birthday there. I was flattered but I wanted to get back because I needed the ESUN delegates to review my Terra- formation project right away.
I was walking to my seat inside my shuttle when this guy from the launching dock accidentally bumped in to me. Well if you're walking into a narrow path with your head looking down with your eyes covered with a cap, you're bound to run in with somebody if you ask me. He did apologized though and I said it was all right. When I reached my seat, I saw a brown teddy bear with black button eyes and nose wearing a red ribbon on it's neck sitting there with a card sticking out of it's arm. I took the card out, opened it and read the words, "Happy Birthday" and signed with just an "H". I looked at the window and I tried to find the guy who I suspect it was. Then I saw the guy who bumped in to me holding his cap on his hand. I knew at that moment that it was him, and yelled his name. He stopped and turned his head around and looked at me. It was him and I was right. Just for kicks, I showed him the card and tore it in half and I said to him, "Next time hand it to me in person." After that stunt, he just smiled at me for a second and trailed off away from me once again.
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