Final Act
"Someone get Sally!" one of the riders entering the town shouted. "A man fell off from his horse."
The women and some of the elderly remained at their windows and doors, just hoping to see that their own loved ones were alive. A couple of children scampered to their mothers' sides to see the rare sight, but were met with hands ushering them back to bed. "There's nothing to see," was the same reply in about each household with curious children.
A light went on the town's clinic and Sally came out in her nightgown with her hair tied up anyway she could. "Where is he?"
"Back there, miss."
She ran to the main town square and found the group taking Zechs off the horse. "Get out of my way," and forced herself through a bunch of onlookers. "Milliardo," a shocked look glazed on her face.
"We meet again, though the circumstances could have been better." he chuckled. "I'm perfectly fine, just bumps and bruises."
"We'll see about that," she eyed him cautiously and added pressure to his abdominal area. Milliardo took a deep breath in. "Well and you were saying?" She continued to apply pressure to the area over his sides, "You're not allowed to move for several days...you cracked a rib by the looks of it." She was about to get up from his side when a hysterical Noin came towards them.
"What in the world were you thinking, Zechs!" She cradled their son in her arms. "You could have gotten yourself killed and left this baby without a father," and glared at him. Everyone backed away from her, knowing she could become more violent if she had the chance.
"I know, but I had to help her...she's still out there, Lu." His words diffused her temper. "You can call me an idiot if you like."
"That might help...but you're my idiot husband," and kissed him on his forehead. "You better listen to Sally now."
"Hmph," trying to ignore his wife's demands. As the two were being escorted to the clinic, more onlookers surged onto the porches of the town's streets, waiting to hear if the madman was apprehended or not...they were all holding their breaths.
Hilde had finally made her way to the town square to see what the fuss was all about, earlier in the night she had heard the large bronze bells tolling in the quiet night. She was looking for someone particularly and caught one of his violet eyes. "What's going on Duo?"
"I don't know quite that much, but I hear William's back in town," his hands were in his pockets. He nodded his head towards Milliardo's and Lu's direction, "Relena's brother just came back...took a big fall off his horse from William." A fearful gasp escaped from his girlfriend.
"Is Relena all right?" She began to panic.
"We don't know yet." His brow became furrowed. "Something's not adding up," a crease became even more prominent. "I'm going out."
"What? Are you insane? There's a madman loose," she snapped at him, trying to bring some sense into her boyfriend.
"Heero's out there and he needs my help." Right by him, he saw someone armed with a rifle and took it from the bystander, making sure that he would return afterwards. "I'll be back, just wait for me okay?" She froze in her spot, not knowing if she should let him go. Duo walked her way and kissed her lightly on top of her forehead, "Don't worry."
His eyes grew colder with every passing second and this was it. Flashes of their moments together flew at a rapid rate and he didn't want them to disappear. Various scenarios played out and each one kept returning the image of her dying in his arms. He tried shaking them out of his head, but no matter how hard he shook, the dream that haunted him before manifested itself again. Could it be that all this time, it was a true sign of foreshadowing their destinies? I won't let it happen. He saw her pantomimed words...the feeling violently settled to the pit of his stomach with every fiber twitching at the madman for making him choose in this cruel twisted game of his. No, this had to be the last stand to rid him once and for all. The metallic trigger felt cold to his index finger and his breathing was becoming unsteady. "Focus...focus."
The beads of sweat pierced his outer skin layers and the cool liquid dripped down his temple and crossed under his chin. His Prussian eyes focused on her...he never knew how calm she could be in a state of terror. An earlier conversation with her somehow seeped into his inner thoughts, "Heero," her sweet voice drifted.
"Hm," he kept his eyes closed, as he was enjoying the shade's comfort. "What is it?"
She looked out into the lake, ignoring the light's reflections. "What would you do if William came back?"
"I would shoot him." He replied curtly. "Why do you ask?" Realizing that something was on her mind, he rose up from his lying position.
"Well you see...um...what happens if he takes me away?" A shiver went down her spine. "And you were forced to make a decision...to kill him or save me. What would you do?" She held her hand over eyes, trying to keep the blinding light away, but in essence she wanted to hide her reaction from him. He thought long and hard on her question, never realizing that it could possibly come true. He was about to answer, "Never mind that," she interrupted him. "I want you to promise me this, Heero...I want you to kill him if you have to, even if he's using me as a hostage." She clenched her fists on her sides, and directed her crystal blue eyes at him. "Please, promise..."
Seeing her plea for her wish, made him feel the need of protecting her more. A conflict of feelings and selfishness in him waged a battle, "I can't kill you!" He tore away from her eyes, noticing that she still was begging him to promise. "I just can't."
"Heero, please...a simple yes...would be enough." She egged him on, hoping to get a response. "He's still out there...just waiting for the right time...even if my memories of him are gone."
It was no use trying to fight against her, no matter how much he argued, he knew she wouldn't give up. "I promise," and took her in his arms, trying to forget this promise...he didn't want to kill the woman he loved.
"Thank you." His mind returned back to them. To William, he looked like a frozen statue, still believing that the man in front of him would shoot. "I remember, Relena."
His words traveled towards her and she felt their truth in them. "I knew I could count on you," and she steadied herself what could be her last breath. She took one more look at her first true love...the man that changed her summer forever.
I can't fail now. Years of practicing on shooting tin cans and hunting fowl were on the line now...he steadied the barrel.
BANG
The shattering sound ricocheted in the dark evening, awakening sleepy dwellers to a rude awakening. It was the moment of truth, he waited for the gray cloud to dispel in the cool air. What seemed like minutes felt like a thousand years to him, "Relena!" He charged through the vapor, refusing to give into his worst nightmare.
A small hoarse voice caught his attention, "I'm over here." To his amazement, he found her lying among some tall grasses on her side. "I knew you would make the right choice," she dazed up at him with the shot still ringing in her ears.
"Are you hurt?" He searched to see if there were any wounds on her. "Is this your blood?" He pointed to a patch above her right shoulder.
She swatted his hands away, "I'm fine...honestly...it's not mine. I only have a twisted ankle that's all." She shifted awkwardly and leaned on a small log when he wasn't looking. "He's around here still."
"Hn...it figures for him to sneak away." He reloaded the barrel with another heavy bullet and sat next to her. "Never make me do that again, you hear me." Before anymore words were said, he couldn't control his urge to kiss her and their lips met for the first time in a long while.
"I won't," she smiled meekly and kissed him again. "I'm sorry for not giving you the benefit of the doubt." She tried to apologize even more, but he hushed her...savoring their moment of togetherness in this chaotic night. "But..."
"Not now, it can wait later," he continued to kiss her, not caring what the night could bring. "I missed you." His strong arms enclosed her into a tight embrace and she didn't protest at all, releasing a sigh of relief. "We should be heading back now. William could be long gone from now, if he knows what's right for him."
"He might be," she adjusted one of the loose sleeves on her dress.
"Let me help you with that." The sleeve clung uselessly to her side, but he managed to knot it to keep it from falling off. At that moment, he noticed the bruises over her neck and gently caressed the area with his fingers, feeling her muscles trembling under his touch. "Does that hurt?"
"A little," the tingling feeling from his touch sent shivers throughout her body.
"It's going to be all right," he stared intently into her eyes. "I found your brother awhile ago. He's going to make it."
"I'm so relieved. I thought William killed him for sure." Tears began to fall to the ground. "It's happening again."
"Shhh now...it's all right." He pulled her into his arms, comforting her. "It's going to be fine," caressing her long honey blonde hair. "I'll still be your Pegasus, no matter what and I'm taking you away."
"I'm all yours then." Her dreamy eyes looked towards the stars. "Don't ever let me go." She felt his arms enclose her ever more and she could feel his heartbeat. The winds began to shift and it blew a few strands of her hair all around, the two stood there in the changing darkness. "Did you hear that?"
"Hm," Heero didn't take her eyes off of her, "What?"
"I thought I heard something out there," the fear was growing inside of her, "like a trigger being pulled back." Her eyes darted to where they last sat and the weapon was gone. "Heero, the riffle! It's missing." Right then, they knew the scoundrel had made his way back to them.
Heero's eyes darted to the nearby bushes. How can I leave the rifle by itself? Something ruffled close to him, "Get down now, Relena!" He ran by her and pushed to the ground without a moment to lose. Within seconds, the bullet lodged itself into a scarred tree trunk. "Stay down...it's too dangerous for you to move." He peeped above the grass line and saw nothing again. "Just wait right here."
"Please be careful."
"I will." He slithered his way into the darkness, being mindful not to let William know where Relena was. "I know you're out there, William," he shouted. "I'm here all alone...leave Relena out of this."
An evil laughed escaped from the underbrush, "Feh...she'll always be mine." Sounds of reloading came over to Heero. "Once your gone, I'll have her." He fired one shot and missed his target.
"You're a miserable shot," snorted Heero. "From the looks of it, you're almost out of bullets," trying to invoke a response from him. He was about to duck towards the cover of another tree, but was met sideways with a sharp metallic object. Beginner's luck...here goes nothing. The run to the next tree over left him wide open for anything and he knew William was gunning for him.
Relena peered through the grasses and heard the random shots being fired, "What does he think he's doing?" The anxiety of not knowing if he was hurt or not just kept building inside her, she managed to pull herself up, ignoring the pain in her ankle. With every step she took, her spirits rose in trying to meet Heero. She didn't care if she disobeyed his orders, she wanted to be with him.
"Where are you running to, Yuy?" William revealed his location and had the long barrel aimed at his opponent. "Not so strong now, are you?" He kept driving the young man towards an enclosed area of tangled bushes. "You're trapped now."
"Why don't you fight like a man and drop that rifle." Heero stared the insane man down, trying to buy him some time to find an escape route.
"Or why don't I shoot you now?" He raised the barrel and without a single look again, he pulled the trigger.
"Heero!" The unexpected scream startled him. Relena ran with all her might towards her lover, her eyes wide with what the outcome could be, but she didn't want his death to be caused by her. Her hands reached out towards him and she pushed him out of the way. At that moment, her head jerked back in shock as the projectile tore through her flesh.
"But why?" His eyes grew in horror and he caught her before she collapsed onto the ground. "Relena, stay with me...come on hang in there. Don't you dare leave me now!" There was no reply from her. He noticed the change in her body color was becoming gradual, "NO!" He cried to the skies, "You can't take her, not now." He hugged her body against his, her blood mixing with his own clothes, staining the perfect white to the scarlet hue. "Look what have you done, Bennett!" With emotions running madly, he lunged at the mad suitor and threw him to the ground.
"I didn't know, honestly." William's eyes were shocked in their own right. Somehow the spell of madness lifted from him, but to Heero, he was still a murderer and a madman. "I didn't know!"
"You knew what you were doing all along," he grunted coldly and held Bennett by the neck. "Give me one good reason, why I shouldn't kill you."
The brown haired man was dumbfounded and looked blank at him. Seeing that this was a perfect opportunity to get away, he played on the situation. "Are you being generous...hah...if it weren't for me...you two would have never met." He felt the pressure off his neck and sprung at the moment to claw at Heero, forcing him to fall backwards. "Don't you dare mistake me for the fool," and kept his right foot over his competitor's chest with pressure increasing every second.
Anger fired in his eyes, "Why you bastard!" The two started their hand-to-hand combat and the two of them were dead even in their tactics. The terrain beneath the men became rocky all of sudden with jagged rocks scattered about. "Had enough?" Heero had the upper hand in blocking William's relentless attacks to his torso.
"I'm just warming up," he spat out some blood and started another round of punches, forcing Heero backwards in his steps. One of the smaller rocks gave away under his foot, and he stumbled onto the ground. His eyesight faded in and out with a terrible pain in his temples. "Looks like I win," he was playing with a fist-sized rock in his hands. "It's a shame." Heero heard William's voice being muffled and he saw a faint object in his hands. But then, everything happened so fast that he didn't know what happened. The sight of William froze for a second...him standing with a look of defeat on his face and his eyes wide-eyed with despair. The man's last breath was slow and slurred, "I...I could of...had...it all," and collapsed onto Heero. The rock in his hands barely missed his own head.
"You all right, buddy?" Duo slapped him a couple of times to get his unconscious friend awake. "Hey you in there?"
To his amazement, he was shocked to see his chestnut haired friend there. "What...are you doing here?" his monotone voice was back.
"I'm here to save you, that's what." He went over to his other rifle, "You're lucky to be alive."
Heero looked to his side and found William pale as a ghost...a shot in the back finally did him in. "Thanks." The pain in his temples didn't go away, but he ignored them anyway, "I need to get back to Relena."
"You need to stay put," pulling his friend to stay in one place.
"Let go of me, she's in danger," he glared, "I'm sorry I have to do this," and grabbed Duo's riffle and bunted him in the head. The run back to Relena tortured him, the sights of dead people didn't suit him and he so desperately wanted her to be alive. "Please hold on, I'm coming for you," he whispered under his breath. After running through the underbrush of what the fog finally revealed, he found her still lying on the ground, barely breathing. He nudged right beside her, "Relena," he spoke softly, trying to gain her attention.
"Hi," her breathing was labored. "You came back," she weakly smiled and touched his face with her pale hands. "Is it all over?"
"It is," he grabbed her right hand, trying to comfort her. Times like these, he felt like he acted distant and cold, no one told him how to react to death especially when it came to loved ones. His father never told him personally that he loved him and as for his mother, he had no memories of her. If only someone had told him how to say goodbye, "Hold on, you're going to make it."
"You're lying." A violent cough ragged through her, causing more bleeding.
"Please...don't go...I can't live," he fought with the last words he was trying to say, "without you," his Prussian eyes held a glimmer of hope. "You're the one...I love you." He continued to hold her frigid right hand, squeezing it just to keep her awake. "You trusted me when no one else did."
She looked up at him with the last bit of her strength, "Heero," her voice transitioned into almost inaudible whispers, "I love you too."
"No...don't you dare go...not now." He lifted her into his arms, struggling to keep his tears from streaming down and to keep his nightmare from becoming true.
"You'll always be my Pegasus." She struggled to keep breathing, "Take me back to the lake, will you?"
Heero nodded and lifted her fragile frame off the ground. If was no use for him to stop fate's hands from taking her away, he looked towards the bullet wound and knew it had pierced her left lung. As he carried her, a brief hum drifted towards him, something he never heard before. The angelic notes were soothing and entranced him for awhile, making him forget that the night had ever happened. "Do you know what that was?" She looked up at him.
"No," he focused straight ahead of him, trying to keep his grief from spilling out.
"That was the song I was going to play," another cough ragged inside her, "at my wedding." She played with one of the buttons on his collar, "Canon." Her blue eyes glistened in the darkness along with a hope fading from her heart.
"Relena," he couldn't dare to look her in the eye and quickened his pace towards their final destination. The night's events replayed over and over again in his mind, and he doted on William's statement. It was true...if it wasn't for him, maybe none of this would have happened but who's to say if any of the events were to be repeated. The lake reflected a new aura of white ripples in the distant and his keen eyes picked up the sight. For some reason, the lake knew what was happening after all. "We're here now." He continued to carry her towards the shoreline, "There's a crescent moon still showing," he whispered.
"It would have been a perfect night," she tried to keep the pain from escalating. To keep her mind off the inevitable, she grabbed hold of his hands, "Do you see Pegasus up there?"
His eyes scanned the upper horizons all around, trying to find the familiar box she told him about. Where are you? Then finally in the east, he found the large winged horse still accompanying Andromeda. "There it is," he pointed his fingers in the direction. "The moon's making it a little difficult to find, but he's there."
Relena forced her blue eyes to open and caught a brief glimpse of the mythical creature. "He's beautiful." She raised herself to Heero's face and kissed him one last time. Her cold lips felt his warmth, "We'll meet again...someday." She continued to gaze up at him, trying to hold on whatever time she could.
"Look there, Relena...there's a shooting star crossing Pegasus." His attention was thwarted back to her when he felt her weight back on his arms. Death's cold touch had wiped away the familiar blue hue and left her eyes glasslike. A single tear trickled down on both of his cheeks and their final resting place was on her face. "RELENA!" All of his emotions bottled up were finally released into the early dark morning, thinking that she could still be alive, he pounded on her chest, hoping that it would start her heart, but it was futile. "Don't go," the last pound was the weakest and he withdrew his final attempt. A salty torrent flowed and he pulled her body into his, trying to hold onto what precious memories he had of her.
"Oww," Duo groggily got up from where Heero had bunted the rifle at his head. "I'm going to kill him once I find him." He whistled for his horse to come. For a minute, his surroundings swirled into a vortex of black and rubbed his sore spot, "I'm really going to give him a piece of my mind now," he growled. He clamored onto his horse, ignoring William's body that lay still on the moist ground, and began to search for his renegade friend. In the end, he crossed the trail by the lake and something caught his eye. The way he saw Heero sitting still with Relena on his lap, gave it all away that something terrible had happened. Words didn't come easily to him and so...the comic friend remained quiet and placed his hand onto Heero's shoulder, letting him know that he was there. He cleared his throat, "We should head back. They're all waiting for us." Heero mechanically rose from the ground with her in his arms. His eyes had lost the dark hue in them and were mirrorless in emotions. "I'll take her," Duo offered to help.
"No," a sharp denial came from his best friend. "I'm going to hold onto her."
Seeing there was no use in arguing, Duo thought up another solution, "Why don't you ride on my horse with her then? That way, you won't be easily exhausted." Heero obeyed and slid into the saddle with Relena still in his arms. With that, Duo took control of the reins from the ground and the lead them back to town. It was the one ride that they all wanted to erase from their minds.
The skies began to morph into the early daylight with the town still holding its breath, their final hour of truth arrived. Hilde was the first one to witness the small parade and when her eyes turned towards Heero, her heart sank deep within her chest along with the hope of seeing her best friend alive.
TBC
I would like to thank all of my reviewers from last chapter:
Sanoske, Shinchirko and Katsumi: Thanks you three. I'm glad everything worked out for all of you. Thanks for reading. By the time you all read this chapter, you'll be like WHAT! Heero and Relena are one of my favorite couples in GW, but please hang in there for the last chapter...okay?
PureAngelEnchantress: Don't shoot the authoress yet...please...just wait till the last chapter. I know how much you wanted Heero and Relena together. Thanks for your well wishes from chapter 17's review too. And don't worry about reviewing late, it's understandable that we're all busy in our lives. I truly appreciate that you took the time to review.
Ladybug: I think this is the last of my cliffies...hehe...crossing my fingers.
Shao Jiang: Thank you.
Sailor J-chan aka Luna Weasley: Thanks for your input...I'm glad the characters are in-character more...the first time I wrote fanfiction, boy was I off...like my English professor said, "Writing is a never-ending process." As for the imagery, I'm glad you like it...maybe that's why I'm a little wordy at times...lol, but it helps paint a better picture and does more showing than telling. Hopefully I'm improving on that aspect.
Kiri-san, Sanoske-sama, Jaro-chan, Tesume-kun: That's so cute to have your relatives named after the characters especially Heero and Duo. I'm glad that you're all enjoying this fic. By the way, I also loved it how your names correspond to the four seasons...I learn something new everyday. Take care you guys.
Sakura123: Yup, the revelations have finally ended for now...well sort of...there'll be more in the next chapter, but dealing with certain objects (a picture and a necklace)...hint...hint.
Well, I'm off to finish the last chapter...so don't go crazy on me yet! Thanks for reading and please review, thank you. Take care now.
