Guardians of Life Chapter 1: Default Chapter, a gundam wing/ac fanfic

Guardians of Life – Fragments of Memories

This is kind of a Final Fantasy style story, so I'll be using various locations, monsters, and plot devices from various Final Fantasy games. I don't own Final Fantasy, or Gundam Wing. // denotes flashback scene. I warn you, the flashback it pretty darn long, and very disjointed. Most Weaponry, Armory, Relics, Monsters etc. are from Final Fantasy 6 because, well, I know all about all of them.

"Yeah, an' soma them are really big an' covered in slimy tentacles! An' if they grab ya, it's Game Over!"

"Really? Why?"

"Well, they squeeze all the life outta ya! Some of 'em live real close an' all! So if you leave the town at night, you might meet one…"

This comment received a thwack with a rolled-up newspaper. "Duo! Really! You'll scare the poor boy! Don't tell such ridiculous stories!"

Rubbing his head, Duo responded "But Ma, it's true! If ya go too far from the town at night, they really do jump out at ya!"

"Yes I know that's true, but it's such a rare occurrence that I don't see why you bother explaining! And you wouldn't be leaving that town without being a little more trained! Or with someone who could fight off a monster, if one ever DID 'jump out at ya'!"

"But Ma-a! It's just stories! They're for fun, okay!"

Sighing, Mrs. Avery Maxwell returned to her cooking. Hmm… was it really appropriate to karate-chop bread or not?

Grinning, Duo returned to his explaining of monsters. "And soma them can shape-shift so they look like regular old folk! There was this one kid, Bob Doe, that was real close when I was at the tender age of seven! He used to tell me stories, like I'm doin' now, about how he could beat up all these monsters, 'course I never believed him coz he was just seven, like me, an' then one day he's totally freaking me out and trying to kill me!"

"Really?"

Avery smiled, and called from the kitchen, "He was a shape-shifter, Bob Doe. He was trying to live a normal life, but his instincts took over. He'd tried so hard, and had become such a part of our village, that no one could bear to kill him, and instead we took him to a mountain that had plenty of resources for him to live a happy life. You see, not all monsters are bad. In fact, most are quite nice. But at times, something takes over them. Sets their instincts off. It's only happened twice throughout the world as long as you two have been alive. Once here, and once somewhere quite far away. So don't you worry about things like that." Once more returning to her cooking, she smiled, and listened to her son talk animatedly about the monsters of the world to his curious friend.

Some days later, a traveler followed the route to the town of Jidoor, coming from the lost Kingdom of Tycoon[1]. The attack five years ago had devastated the lands, and killed almost the whole population of the once prosperous kingdom. The journey was a long one, and much more treacherous then it would have been for the Imperial Knights of Tycoon, five years ago. Of course, this could be purely down to the fact that there were so much more of them, even though none of them ever returned. The errand they had to run – and an imperative one at that – would surely (or rather, hopefully) have been completed. Otherwise, this journey was pointless…

It was a beautiful, sunny day in the bustling town of Jidoor. Life was routine, as usual, for Quatre. Drop off at Hilde's shop to pass on a box of baked goods for sale, and not forgetting to get the necessary supplies for home from Hilde, then drop those off at home and pick up the small box of new goodies for Duo to test-run, and then listen to the bizarre stories of the world beyond Jidoor from the good man himself (even if he was 15, Duo was still a good man) play obscure games that not one of the other town kids could grasp, then go home, make a start on tomorrows wares, read, and sleep. However slowly they were cropping up, he was starting to notice slight inconsistencies in the routine. As the days went by, it was getting harder and harder to sleep, and the sense of restlessness had long since stopped threatening to set in, and had. Quatre wanted to see the world, basically. He wanted to see what he was missing in the great blue yonder. He wanted to have an adventure. He wanted find out about himself, more than anything in the world. On odd days, he'd remember brief things, things that were unimportant. Places he didn't know, faces he didn't recognize… never once was there anything important. No family, no home… just brief things, like playing by the lake one day and remembering a river. Or hearing the strains of a tune and remembering a song. None of these things ever added up. It was just plain frustrating. Some days Quatre would feel immensely jealous of Duo. He had a past, and most probably a great future ahead of him. He had a family, and he had amazing stories of their pasts to tell, as well as his own. He wasn't missing ten years of his life. Then Quatre would feel immensely guilty, because Duo was always nice to him when no one else would be, and did tell him wondrous stories even though he could tell none in return. So he'd make extra things for Duo the next day, even though Duo didn't really know why. So he stopped thinking about it, went to Duo's, handed over the box of goodies, and sat down on the floor to listen to Duo's Story Time. Today, the topic was the future.

"Well, when I'm done with my training, which will be really soon, ya see, I'm gonna go see the world! I might even go find lost worlds and cool stuff like that! What about you?"

He smiled. "I'll most probably stay here and bake."

Duo seemed almost taken aback by that response. "C'mon, Q! Don't you wanna see the mysteries of the world? I was kinda thinking we could go off adventuring together, ya know?"

"Duo, you're the adventure type. I'm probably not even cut out for it. I mean, you've been training for three years already, and once you're done, you'll be able to advance so much more! You wouldn't want me tagging along and holding you back…"

"Well sure I do! And you wouldn't 'hold me back'. It's not like I'm gonna finish my training and go running off! And you can always learn to be a Mage or something, then you'd be REALLY helpful! I mean, you're smart! And you're my best friend, I wouldn't wanna leave you here all bored and lonely! So, what do ya say?"

"…I'll think about it, okay? I'd love to go with you, but… you're you. You've probably got some great future cut out for you. I'm just… well, me."

"What are you talking about?" Duo was positively fuming by now. "If I've got some great future ahead of me, then so have you! I ain't going it alone, and I can't think of anyone I'd rather take with me! Please, learn magic or something like that. You'd be good at magic, and then you'd be able to… Q? Hey, you listening? Hel-lo? Anyone in there?" To all appearances, Quatre seemed to have fallen asleep. How could he, when it was such an important conversation? After first feeling a bit insulted, he was starting to get worried. Unsure of what to do, he did the best thing he could.

Get help.

Jumping up faster then any usual person would, he ran into the kitchen, where his mother invariably was.

No luck there.

Feeling stunted by his lack of success he did the next best thing.

"MA-A!!!"

He received his mothers head poking through the back door as an answer. "Duo, there is no need to shout so loudly!" she reprimanded, before re-entering the house and scuffing her shoes on the mat. "Now, what is it?"

Unsure of what to say, Duo blurted off a stream of consciousness. "He just fell asleep! We were talking, alright we were arguing a little I guess then he just was asleep and I can't wake him up and I don't know was wrong and I was hoping you would but you weren't in the kitchen and that's why I had to shout so loudly! Now come on!"

//It was the river bank again.

The same one from many dreams, many brief glimpses of the past. It must be important.

The sun was setting, the orange-pink light casting it's glow across the many houses of the city he called home.

What city was it?

The sun reflected over the gently lapping waters of the river, and he felt the flow over his toes. He felt the way his loose shirt draped over him, how the rolled-up ends of his dark trousers, now wet and a little heavier, hung against his legs as he slowly moved his feet back and forth in the water. The water was quite high up on the bank. There had been a lot of rain, recently. He was with someone else, someone in whose presence he felt safe, and loved.

It was almost like stepping into someone else's memory, complete with all senses.

"You'd be good at magic," the soft, lilting female voice stated.

He found himself looking up into kindly jade eyes, and a pale, but lively face, framed by long golden curls.

"Do you really think so?" he found himself asking in a childish voice.

"I do believe so, my little one. You must learn some skill, so you may go out into the world."

"But I don't want to leave, I want to stay here. It's safe here."

The woman's expression saddened deeply. "I'm afraid not, little one. Wherever you are may be safe, but not for long. You must learn this."

"But if it's not safe here, I shouldn't leave. I should stay with you and Father. That makes sense, doesn't it?"

"We may not always be able to protect you, little one. You need to learn how to defend yourself in the event no one else can help you."

He felt himself lean into a warm embrace, which banished his doubts and fears, and gave him strength.

"I… I understand, Mother. I'll learn, so then I can protect the people I love, if it ever comes to that."

"Good. Now come along, before you fall asleep, or you'll end up catching a cold again… you can start learning magic in the morning, if you're up to it, the first spell you'll probably learn is Fire…

"Firaga!"

…because it's the easiest element to manipulate. And if you have the skill, you might be able to learn some Healing magic as well, maybe even summons… listen to me, I'm getting ahead of myself. You're only small, you wouldn't need to learn any advanced spells till you're older…"

That natural sense of curiosity kicked in. "What's the strongest magic, Mother?"

"Ah, now that's simple. It's a tie between the elements of Darkness and Light. Without that balance, the world would fall to pieces. Always remember that…"

"Isn't the city pretty like this, Mother?"

That beautiful city in flames, the tower crumbling, the screaming, the air think with smoke,

"Someone once told me the crystal was the most important thing in the whole kingdom. Where is it kept?"

"With the other most precious thing in the kingdom, of course!"

"Find the Crystal!"

"And what's that?"

"Oh I can't tell you! You never know who could be listening! But it's safe, don't you worry."

"There's a town not too far from here! If we hurry we might be able to-"

"Mother! MOTHER!!!"

"FIRAGA!"

"The more powerful Light Magic does great damage to the user as well, you know. It shouldn't be used lightly. It causes great damage to those it is used on, also…"

"B-Blizzard!"

"How does one learn Light Magic if it causes damage every time you practice it?"

"The same way one can use Dark Magic. It cannot be learned – it is a power deep inside only the few…"

"The Crystal cannot be found! It must have been entrusted to someone!"

"But who? Who would they trust with something so precious, if they cannot trust the greatest of safe holds?"

"K-Keep back! Please! Leave me alone!"

"The Crystals are Pure Magic. They keep the world harnessed, with their power that shines across all distances!"

"Mother, the chain broke. I don't know how it did that, it just – snapped. You can fix it, right? Or get a new one?"

"Of course I can! Don't worry about it, my little one,"

"Only it's such a pretty stone… I couldn't bear to part with it, and I've no idea why!"

"Well… then we'll see what we can do about it, eh?"

"It shines such a pretty light when I touch it. The instructor says it's a trick of the light, but it never does that with anyone else…"

"We've found the Crystal, sir!"

"Then smash it! Turn it to dust!"

"I'll see you again, won't I, my friend?"

"Of course you will. I'll only be gone a little while, after all,"

"What would you do if you could lead a normal life?"

"Well that's easy! I'd bake!"

"MOTHER!! FATHER!!"

"There's a legend that speaks of these really cool warriors or something! Wouldn't it be so cool to be one?"

"You're the one who's better suited to the life of a warrior. But yeah… it's would be amazing…"

"Cure! CURE! Somebody, wake up! Please! Where are we going?"

"Our orders are to protect the kid! So just do it!"

"Sir, look out!"

"Flare! FLARE!!!"

"We can't hold them off much longer! There's too many!"

"Where are they all coming from?"

"Listen to me… you must… leave… go with the soldiers, they'll… take you… somewhere safe- go!"

"LIFE!!"

"Uhn… Thanks, kid. Now run…"

"GET AWAY FROM ME! FIRE!"

"Have I always lived here?"

"No, you haven't."

"When did I get here?"

"Can't say for sure. Don't you remember?"

"No, it's like this… block, in my mind… I can't remember…"

"The monsters are multiplying in numbers every day. I want to go and find out why."

"But you might get hurt… I don't want you to be hurt…"

That feeling. The most bizarrely comforting feeling…

"It's a pain more than it is a gift, you know… I don't think you'd want to have gotten it from me, dear…"

"Go!"

The feeling of…

"GO!"

"But it makes you different from everyone else, Mother. I would have liked nothing more then to be like you!"

…Water. Dry Water.

"You are so much more like your mother then you believe, little one. You don't take after me one bit."

"There's a reason for that! There can only ever be one of you at a time! If there weren't you wouldn't be as special to me! Or to Mother!"

"GO, QUATRE!"

Power. Raw Power.

"I never once believed such a mighty kingdom could fall… come along, little one. You must get to safety. Those were the last wishes of you parents…"

Pure Magic. The Crystal.

"This is… not the time to get tired, you… need to look after yourself… get to… the next town… Fira!"

No, not just the Crystal… My Power.

"Bolt-Sword!"

This Power. Not just mine…

"Kid, are you okay?"

"C'mon, talk to me, kid! Do you know how you got here?"

The power of…

"Do you know where you came from?"

"Well, do you at least have a name?"

The power of…

"Ka-Ka-"

"Never mind, kid… you're obviously exhausted. Did you get jumped by a monster?"

The power of…

"I'll take you back to my town. Don't worry about it, kid. Just… sleep, for now. You might be able to talk once you've rested up a bit…"

"C'mon, wake up! Don't do this to me, man!"

"Ka-to-ru…"

…Us…

"What was that, kid?"

"Ma, I don't get it… why isn't he waking up?"

"Quatre… my-my name, that is…"

The power of Us.

"It's okay, kid… just sleep…"//

"WAKE UP DAMMIT!"

Those were the words that he did just that to – wake up.

It was then he noticed he was lying on the floor, curled in a ball. Stretching out slowly, he looked up at Duo, confused.

Duo, in return, breathed a sigh of relief, before looking ultimately worried.

"You alright Q? It's not every day you pass out in the middle of my talking. Are ya sick or somethin'?"

Breathing shakily, Quatre sat up properly, and smiled. "No, it was just… something you said… I think I… was… remembering something…"

"Really? Well, spill!"

"There was a river… and a city… my parents… and then…" he hugged himself tightly, as though warding off some chill. "Then… fires… and… they destroyed it, the crystal… the screams… I-it was… terrible…"

Duo seemed set to press on, but was stopped by his mother.

"Go on, go home. You certainly look like you could do with a decent nights rest… have you been sleeping at all?" The motherly concern in Avery's voice was comforting, as though everything were the same as it had always been. Well, not always. Nodding, smiling, standing, leaving. Routine.

Avery sighed, and looked to Duo, and sighed again.

"Duo, do not ask that boy of his past again. It is bad enough to relive it once…"

Once outside, Quatre breathed deeply, willing himself to regain control, then noticing an unfamiliar figure surrounded by about seven townspeople. More then a little intrigued, he went to find out.

The traveler finally arrived in Jidoor, and though he did not like the suspicious looks the townspeople gave him, he ignored them, and headed to the Item store for some real food, after having to survive on rations for days now. Nodding his greeting to the store owner, he eyed some yummy looking pastries. The owner seemed to notice this, and couldn't help but add her two gil.

"Those there have to be the best things you'll ever taste, I guarantee it! A friend right here in town makes them for me, real sweetheart!"

He didn't doubt it, Cyan[2] had already told him. He left the shop with some basic items for the road, not forgoing a box of the pastries. After all, they might be useful.

Time was finally catching up on him, and the traveler felt terribly tired, and decided that the best course of action was to have something to eat. There was still so much to do. Acting 'decisively', he pulled out a pastry and ate it, smiling as he noticed he was feeling better already. Deciding there would be more time for eating later, he went over to the nearest person who happened to be walking around.

"Excuse me sir, but could you direct me to Mrs. Maxwell's house?"

The old man, who seemed particularly disagreeable, gave him an odd look. "And jus' what would you be wantin' going there?"

"I need to see Mrs. Maxwell, sir. Could you tell me which house it is, please?"

The old man gave him a suspicious look. "Never seen your sort around here." He sniffed distastefully. "Don't like the look o' ya."

"Sir, I really need to talk to Mrs. Maxwell. If you would just-"

"We don' like strangers here, son. I'd best be on my way, if I were you."

Some people were already starting to gather round.

"It's very important I speak to Mrs. Maxwell. Please tell me which house she is in."

"And why d'you need to speak to 'er, eh? Any business in this town can be shared with all o' us!"

"It's not of your concern as to why I am here, now if you could kindly point me in the direction of her house-"

"Trowa!!"

The traveler looked up, startled, only to almost be barged over by a young boy. The villagers were already looking at the two of them oddly.

"Oh it's so good to see you again, Trowa! Why haven't you visited in so long?" The boy grinned at him, the meaning simple. Play along, he was saying, and I'll take you where you need to be.

"Ah, I have been busy, little one. Though it is a shame I have not seen you in so long – look at you! Next you'll be as tall as I am!"

"I highly doubt that, Trowa," the boy said shyly, "because I have only grown a little, and fear I shall grow no more!"

He smiled easily as the boy indicated for him to follow. "Come along, Trowa! I'm sure Mrs. Maxwell will be as pleased as I to see you!"

The villagers dispersed, the old man grumbling. Once sure they were away from the crowds, the boy bowed apologetically. "Sorry about that, but you picked the wrong person to ask. Mr. Dermail is not the most trusting nor the most trustworthy of men in this town. And I'm also sorry for acting so silly, sir."

He simply waved off the apology. "Hardly, young sir, you saved my neck so to speak. I must talk to Mrs. Maxwell, it's rather urgent, I fear."

The boy looked tense for a moment, before asking, "It- It's not Cyan, is it?"

"No, of course not. I have seen him rather recently, and he is fine and well, and says he'll be coming home soon."

"Oh, Miss Avery, and Duo will be so pleased to hear that! Only he's been away a while now, and Duo will be leaving soon, so Miss Avery would be all alone, and she's such a nice lady. Oh, I apologize again!"

"No need. I have heard much about them from Cyan. I don't think he'll want to stay from home much longer. I do have one question for you, young sir, as to how you knew my name…"

The boy smiled again. "Oh, I didn't! Only I had to help you out somehow, and the first name that came to mind was Trowa. I hope you don't mind having to use that name for the remainder of your time here…"

"It's no problem, young sir, as you must be either psychic, or have extremely good instincts, as that indeed is my name. Thank you for helping me out, I am in your debt. Can I interest you in a pastry?" He took one out of the box, almost reluctantly, not wanting to give up good food too easily. "They're really quite good, and I'm SURE have some kind of healing properties."

The boy was once again grinning. "I should hope they're good, I make them! Anyway, we're here."

The Maxwell House. It looked familiar. Well, it should, considering one fateful day five years ago he had been here, at dark. His 'savior' was already going into that house as if it were his own home, and was motioning for him to follow. Even the inside looked the same. The only thing different was the look of the second boy who stood in front of him. Five years ago he had been quite a bit shorter, and the braid not quite as long, but now he looked older than the fifteen years he was. Training to be a swordsman like his father, I see…

The first boy, the one who instinctively knew his name, was still a bit of a mystery to him. But… he looked familiar.

Duo was grinning at him, obviously not remembering him but not finding him a complete stranger. Avery came down, looked him once over, and embraced him.

"Trowa! Five years… five years is much too long a time! Why, pray tell, are you here?"

He sighed. "I bring news from Cyan in Tycoon." He sighed, pulled out a pendant, a translucent prism that looked like a small version of the great crystals that stand proud in the shrines of the world[3]. It emitted a faint green light.

"I have become the Guardian of this once great Crystal that was shattered, much like the one in Tycoon. We are running out of time, Avery." He pulled the pendant under his shirt once more. Out of the corner of his eyes, the mysterious youth was clutching something through his own shirt. Avery looked at the two boys, and waved them off.

"Go on," she said, "This discussion is not for you. Wait outside." They did as told, though he was sure they would be hanging on every word at the door. It seemed Avery knew this too.

"Trowa, who is the Guardian of the Tycoon Crystal? And why have you come to tell me?"

He smiled a little, saddened. "This has been protected by Cyan," he spoke, handing a small box to Avery, which had a note on the top. "Does this answer your question?"

She opened the box, after briefly reading the note. Inside, was a small fragment of crystal, fashioned into a pendant. She closed the box, sighing.

"You are right – we are running low on time. He must go, I suppose?"

"He must…"

Duo leant against the door, desperately straining to hear the quietly spoken words from inside.

"Duo-"

"Shh! I'm trying to hear! They're talking about some place called Tycoon. You ever heard of it?"

"Duo, I don't think you should listen. It could be private…"

"Nah, Ma knows I'm listening."

"Well… I' going to go home, Duo. See you tomorrow?"

Duo looked around at the growing darkness. Everyone else had already gone in.

"Ah, okay Q. If I find out anything good, I'll tell ya tomorrow." Waving nicely, he returned to listening at the door.

"Duo…"

Looking back, he felt annoyed. "What is it NOW, Q?" It was then he noticed the odd spindly-like shadow. Wait… that was no shadow. That was…

"Areneid!"[4] He drew his daggers from their hiding place in his boots. "Shit! Run!"

But Quatre seemed frozen in place, even as the spider-like Areneid advanced on him.

Duo did the first thing that came to mind – run at the monster. His sword was inside, and running to get it wasn't really an option at the moment. Calling for help wouldn't be any good either – he was by far the strongest person in town. He slashed his daggers, trying to make some mark on the monster, only to be tossed aside, the Areneid's sole attention on his defenseless friend. That was unusual… when attacked, monsters focused their attention on the threat. Placing it in his mind for later thought, he rushed the Areneid again, only to be tossed to the ground once more. He could feel himself weakening. It seemed the Areneid noticed his presence as a threat, and suddenly he felt as though he couldn't move.

Paralysis, he thought desperately. Run dammit!

But no, his friend wasn't running.

"Duo! Duo are you alright?"

He couldn't respond, but looked to his friend, hoping the message to run was clear enough. He mentally applauded himself – he could tell he'd done SOME damage to the Areneid, but not nearly enough to stop it. He looked again, to see if his friend was running. What he saw was not what he expected.

Something was glowing faintly under his friends shirt, and he seemed to be… chanting?

Not really being able to do much more, he watched as the ground surrounding his friend began to glow a blue light, as droplets of water were pulled up into some kind of spherical shape.

The wind seemed to be picking up also, drawn into the water sphere from all direction. He heard the slam of the door to his house being thrown open. He felt his strength returning, the paralysis lifting. His friend was a glowing figure. And still, the Areneid was advancing.

Slowly, he sat up, and saw his mother, and the man named Trowa, frozen in place outside the door. He got up, and ran over to them.

"Ma… what's happening, Ma?"

She said nothing. There was nothing to say.

The sphere of water seemed complete. The air seemed to pulse. The barely whispered words echoed all around.

"Water..!"[5]

The sphere turned into a almost lance-like shape, and cut straight into the Areneid. It screeched, and fell, turning to dust that was swept away by foreign winds.

Running to the once glowing figure, Trowa remembered that this boy was still a mystery. It seemed he may have been just in time, as the boy fell in the boneless style of the truly exhausted. To use Water in its most basic state… he picked a small vial from his belt.

"Drink this," he said, as he tilted the vial to the boys lips, satisfied that his command was being followed. Once it was finished, he tucked the vial back into his belt – it would be very useful to refill it later. He knew the effects would hardly be instant – but the boy might be coherent enough to answer some questions. The boy shifted a little in his hold, some chain moving to full view.

On the end of the silver-link chain, was a crystal the exact size and shape of his own, the indefinably colored light fading into nothingness.

Pushing his questions to the back of his mind, he asked, "Are you alright?"

"Mmm… tired…"

"I know… but do you think you'll be alright tomorrow? I wont be able to watch over you, I have to leave the village with your friend."

"Really..? Duo..? Does he… have some kind… of destiny?"

Trowa smiled gently at the boy. "Yes, yes he does. He is the guardian of a Crystal, of which Element I do not know…"

"…but not Earth, of course… that's your Element…"

Trowa frowned. He had not once mentioned his Element. One could never truly tell, unless they were another assured Element, or part of Life…

"How did you-"

"Never you mind…" the boy slowly moved out of Trowa's grasp, and stood. Avery was handing the box to Duo, who opened it with surprise at the 'gift'. More like a burden… He stood next to the boy. As Duo slipped the pendant over his neck, a bright azure light shot down from the sky, and straight to his very soul. Trowa's own Crystal flashed it's emerald color in reaction. The Winds blew from all directions subtly.

"The Crystal of Winds was guarded by Tycoon… but… weren't all the fragments destroyed?"

Trowa looked to the boy, who seemed confused.

"No… the soldiers… they had one last piece… and they –" A look of comprehension crossed the boys face. "They gave it to me when they died, and told me to look after it until it's owner came, and I gave it to Cyan… and he gave it to Duo…"

The day five years ago was slowly coming back to Trowa.

After a night of talking with Avery and Duo, Trowa was rather tired. But now the morning had come around, and though he had not slept much pondering over many questions, he was to set off today. He came down from the graciously borrowed room to find Duo with the boy from yesterday. He wondered what time it was, and if it was just normal for them both to be up at this hour. But it sounded as if they were arguing.

"But I want you to come!"

"Duo, I don't think you understand just how important this is for you! You don't want me interfering with it!"

"But after seeing what you can do lat night-"

"I didn't do anything on purpose! It just – happened, it's not something I can do at will! And what does that have to do with ANYTHING?"

"Well you are a Mage! That means you use magic! That means you can help!"

"Duo, I am no Mage!"

"Oh yeah, well prove it!"

"Aren't I proving it to you right now by NOT doing anything?"

Trowa felt a slight heat on his chest, and pulled out his Crystal only to find it pulsating an angry green. That's odd…

"And anyway, I'm sure that other guy doesn't want me interfering either! So just leave me out of it!"

There had to be a good reason why this conversation was angering the boy so. Any other person surely would have been swayed by the arguments of a friend wanting company he knew well on a trip that may change the lives of them both. But this boy, whose name he still did not know, was adamant about staying home. Was he afraid? Could that be possible? He didn't seem like the type to be afraid No… there must be some other reason.

Even from this distance he could see the purple light of Duo's Crystal pulsating much in the same way as his own, and couldn't help but feel confused and a little worried. What if the Crystals were trying to warn something? But the light was almost angry… maybe they were trying to break? He kept his thoughts to himself, his presence still unknown.

"I can't leave you out of it! You're my best friend and I don't plan to be going anywhere without my best friend!"

"But Duo..!"

"You have all this power in you, I know it! Can't you just accept that and come with me!"

"Duo – AHH!" The boy cried out just as Trowa noticed that his Crystal was shining a light that was barely green in it's brightness, but still contained only in the stone itself. The same thing seemed to be happening with Duo's Crystal. Trowa wondered if this was some kind of phenomenon.

"Dammit! Why do you have to be some damn adamant that you're useless? Damn you!!"

The boy whom Duo was addressing seemed not to have heard the curses at all, instead a look of fear had come over his features. He fell to his knees, crying out once more, covering his ears as if trying to block out some terrible sound. Duo's conviction lost it's strength at the sight.

"Quatre..?"

So he does have a name-- oh damn.

//"You have so much power, child, and you don't even know it!"

"Get away from me or I swear I'll-"

"Use your little spells on me? Won't work. You have so much power in you, I know it. Just accept it and come with me. Then I can teach you of these powers, how to control them…"

"FIRAGA!"

The powerful Fire-Magic bounced off the demonesque form in front of him. He laughed.

"Your efforts are well-noted, little one. But you do not seem to understand – Magic does not harm me. Nor does physical harm. In fact, I'll let you in on a little secret. The only thing that could hurt me right about now would be pure use of an Element. And you and I both know that's only possible by a Crystal. And no Crystal is about to get up and come help you, little one. So stop trying."

"Get away from me! Please… just leave me alone, please!"

"No."

That made him angry.

That made him very angry.

And there was that beautiful feeling washing over him, the feeling of being drenched, but not… Dry Water. Power. Power from The Crystal. Washing over him and giving him strength.

He narrowed his eyes at the demon-like monster. The demon smirked back.

"What the matter? Not getting your own way like you usually do?" He laughed. A terrible laugh that would never be forgotten, and always associated with hate.

"I need to go now. You're in the way. Leave me alone."

"Ha! Am I right?"

"I asked nicely. Now get away from me before I do get angry."

The demon just laughed.

"Leave me alone NOW!" he swept his arm in a motion away from himself, and the dust kicked up. The demon smiled more.

He calmed himself with death breaths, not letting his anger get the better of him. He could only fear what would happen if it did. He called the power to himself. Though the demon would never notice, the fire spells he'd been casting had caused more damage then spells of the other three Elements. He would cast light or darkness spells if he had the energy, but he'd spent the last of his MP with the last fire casting. This was ultimately dangerous, since it seemed he was risking his life to save it.

He rose one hand high in the air, chanting softly as one would for a fire spell. From the ground, a quick flame circled up to his outstretched hand. As the fireball hung there, he swung his arm down, pointing to the demon, while whispering the temperamental Element's name. The demon laughed all the way until the fireball hit, powerful though small, reducing him to ashes. But he had the time to call to the unsuspecting child, "This is not the end, Life…"[6]//

End One

[1]Yes, I know Jidoor – 6, Tycoon – 5! But I like the kingdom of Tycoon, but the town names are better in 6

[2]No, not Cyan from 6. Just happens to be Duo's dads name

[3]So it's the shape of the Crystals in 5, before they break apart…

[4]6 buffs will know Areneid's don't look like spiders. I didn't remember what they look like, or their attacks, and the name sounds like Arachnid

[5]I'm well aware Water is never cast in that form, it's usually cast as Ice, or things like Tidal Wave. But that was supposed to signify the importance of Quatre's rather different casting abilities, and we'll go into that another time

[6]This is another one of Q's odd flashbacks, so the monster guy IS talking to him. As for why he is being called Life… that's another matter entirely. As is his Crystal. We'll get to it later.