Chapter 5
Christian watched Duo as he slept and smiled again. He fought very well against the influences of Kek. Not that he had any doubt he could. He'd known Duo's since the day of his true birth thousands of years again. Only back then he was known as young Prince Allen Dumatre, not the Duo Maxwell of today. He remembered the day he was born, the day he was told that he's one day save his loved ones and the world, the day he learned his first spell and terrorized the servants, even the day when he was... cursed.
Christian frowned at the thought of that day. That was the day that he had been cursed with immortality and Allen cursed with eternal rebirth. He still couldn't believe how petty sorcerers could be. Jealous of young Allen's predicted fate, an evil wizard cursed him with the spirit of death and destruction to be forever imprisoned in his soul. And the curse could only be lifted if Allen completely defeated Kek, but even the demon himself didn't know how that could be done.
"You have to find that answer on your own, but you will not be alone. I promise." Christian placed a chaste kiss on Duo's forehead. He placed Duo back on the bed and stood up, preparing to depart.
Suddenly the door burst wide open, oddly not waking Duo, and all the other gundam pilots rushed in. They all had their guns aimed at Christian. He was getting that a lot lately.
"We will not hesitate to shoot you," warned Quatre.
"You already have," Christian said calmly looking over his shoulder at them.
Wufei sighed. "Just step away from him and come with us. We will not shoot a man in his back," he growled barely above a whisper.
Christian looked down at Duo, frowning. "So you will shoot me when I turn around?"
"You're being difficult," Trowa calmly stated, though those who knew him could tell he was getting annoyed.
Once again Christian looked down at Duo, this time smiling to himself. //Some friends you got here, kid. // he thought as he absently stroked Duo's cheek with the back of his hand.
There was a collective growl emitted from the group of boys.
Smiling internally, Christian stood straight and tall and raised his hands in surrender. Trowa and Wufei "escorted" him downstairs and into the basement where a nice, cozy cell was waiting for him. Heero and Quatre looked over Duo's sleeping form to check for any injuries the blond man may have caused to the young pilot. Once they came to the conclusion that due was unharmed they made their way out of his room and toward the basement.
All too soon Heero stood in front of the basement door. He pinned his mask of no emotion onto his face and opened the door. As he descended the stair he heard sounds of struggle. Fearing the worse of his comrades he jumped over the railing and came face to face with an... odd sight. Trowa was slowly approaching a scared and shaken Quatre who was huddled in a corner while Wufei seemed to be securing the last few restraints on the captive who was dangling from the ceiling by his ankles. He cleared his throat, drawing Wufei attention to him. He raised a brow, silently questioning the situation.
Wufei wiped his sweaty forehead and took a deep breath. If he hadn't seen it all with his own eyes, he wouldn't believe a single word he was about to say. "Pilot 03 and myself attempted to restrain the prisoner who, with some ancient skill, avoided our advances. 04 joined us, but once he touched the man, they both jumped back from each other, sort of repealing each other. Suddenly both became very weak and I took this opportunity to secure the man where he would be less dangerous." After saying all of that, Wufei flopped down on a cushion on the floor and sat cross-legged, appearing very stressed out and tired.
Heero's eyes traveled to Trowa to confirm this tale. Trowa barely nodded as he gathered the shuddering Arab pilot into a comforting embrace. It seemed to be working but Quatre was still shaking and mumbling. Blinking at the two, Heero turned his gaze to the upside down prisoner and narrowed his eyes into the Yuy Glare O Death(tm). The man merely smiled. It was one of those "I-know-something-you-don't-know-but-I'll-only-tell-if-I-get-something-in-return" smile, with a hint of "I'm-going-to-make-your-head-hurt" in his eyes. It looked so much like one of Duo's looks, Heero knew he was going to get a headache. But he was determined to get what he wanted, one way or the other.
"State your name," Heero ordered in his usual monotone. It was a tone that let the prisoner know how things were going to be.
"Christian McLowry," he replied calmly, crossing his now-free arms over his broad chest.
Heero eyes widened a fraction; he didn't expect an answer. And when did his arms get loose anyway? Wufei let out an exasperated sigh and shook his bowed head, mumbling that it had been the third time he'd done that tonight. Regaining his composure, Heero continued the interrogation.
"Why are you here? What is your mission?"
"Is that all you boys think about? This 'mission'? That's the fourth time I've been asked about that thing, and I'd like to know why. It seems pointless to ask someone about something they do not know about. It's down right rude if you ask me. But it seems all you guys ask me about is the "mission" so I guess my opinion really doesn't matter, does it...?" Christian rambled, buying time to loosen his other bonds. He did find it amusing they were so naïve as to think they could restrain him for long.
"Stop," Heero interrupted. //This guy even talks like Duo, // Heero thought. "Just answer the question and don't make this harder on yourself."
"As you wish. I am here to keep a promise."
"That doesn't explain why you were in 02's room."
"I did not harm the mast...man nor will I at all, but a promise is a promise."
"And what is the nature of this 'promise'?"
Christian sighed and repeated his well-practiced line he used in these situations. "It is the will of my lord and master that I do not discuss our purpose without his personal permission."
"And who, may I ask, is you master?" Wufei questioned, glancing up at Christian.
"Lord Dumatre," Christian answered casually as if they should already know, even thought he knew they didn't.
Each pilot took a moment to store that information away for later use. Neither of them recognized the name and began to wonder if this Dumatre person was friend or foe. Finally Wufei spoke up to clarify the matter.
"Who is..." he started only to have pilot 03 cut him off.
"At the moment, his master isn't important," Trowa said, the tone of his voice somewhere between annoyance and worry. "I'd like to know what you've done to 04."
Christian shifted his gaze passed Heero and looked at the shaking mass known as 04. He began to summon some of his power and probe the little blonde's mind, looking for the cause of his discomfort. After a moment he smiled and willed the boy to look at him. Quatre lifted his head and looked the older man in the eye. Once their eyes locked, Quatre immediately stopped shaking, much to the surprise of Trowa. The two just looked at each other; each searching the others eyes for something to answer their unvoiced questions. As each neared the desired answer, Wufei cleared his throat and the two broke out of their trance. With a new understanding, Quatre looked up at Trowa.
"I need some aspirin," he simply said starting to rise to his feet. Trowa half supported and half carried Quatre up the stairs, sending glances back at Christian, who only smiled as the couple left the basement.
Wufei and Heero watched the two; concerned for Quatre and hoping he'd soon be alright. Hearing the click of the door shutting they turned their attention back to the captive only to find him sitting in a chair, elbows rested on his knees and his hands propping his head up, smirking like the cat who caught the canary. He looked relaxed and rather bored.
"How'd you...? What the...?" Wufei stammered, as Heero took the more direct approach.
"Hn," Heero growled, moving toward Christian.
Christian was just about to dance out Heero's way and make his escape, when a voice spoken to his mind stopped him. It was the voice of his master.
Don't joke around with this one, Christian. It could be hazardous to your health, it joked, but still warned.
Just having a bit of fun, Master Allen, Christian answered back mentally. He allowed Heero to force him into a cell without the least bit of resistance.
Heero double bolted the locks and took some extra precautions with the cell. Something about Christian made him uneasy. It was the way he had touched Duo. He touched him with familiarity and like he wanted to protect the boy from any harm. It was the way that Heero longed to touch Duo. A voice from behind brought him out his thoughts.
"Will those locks hold?"
"Of course they will," Heero growled, turning around and being greeted by a pair of violet orbs. Both his eyes widened, which was the only way anyone could tell he was scared out of his skin. "Du...02, why aren't you in your quarters?" Heero stammered. //How in the world did he get down here without Wufei or I noticing? Duo's stealth skills aren't that good. // Something in the back of his mind reminded him he didn't know everything about Duo or his training.
"Couldn't sleep," was Duo's short reply. He walked passed Heero, ignoring his and Wufei's stunned look, and crouched in front of the cell gate and looked at Christian. Once their eyes met, a small smile graced Christian's face that soon spread to Duo, which he quickly erased. He didn't need the have the others suspicious.
Do you know how much I just wanna break you out of here and hug you? Duo thought, his thoughts spoken to Christian as clearly as words.
I've missed you too, Master Allen, Christian chuckled mentally, Or should I call you Duo Maxwell?
I don't care. Both will be fine. You're looking well.
As well as immortals can be, I guess.
"02! Snap out of it," shouted a voice from the "real" world. It was Heero.
Duo blinked, ending his connection with Christian, who openly growled at the Heero. Duo told Christian to hold his tongue. Duo hadn't realized he'd spaced out for so long.
"I'm ok, Heero. Just trying to figure out who or what we are dealing with," Duo replied bringing his hands to his head. He was getting a slight headache. And not the natural kind either.
"Dammit Maxwell! Just give the man our names!" Wufei shouted, waving his arms around wildly. He was getting hysterical about the whole situation.
Christian came to the rescue. "Oh I already knew your names, Wufei. It's my job to know," he said smugly, repressing a grin.
Duo held in a chuckle.
"That just makes you a greater threat to us," Heero stated coldly.
Duo would have whipped his head around to glare at the stony pilot, but his head ached so badly he could barely see straight. He looked to Christian again, his eyes pleading for help. Christian had helped before, but now Kek was coming back with a vengeance.
Once their eyes met again Christian knew what was happening and he knew he was powerless to stop it. Yes, he could easy escape from the cell and help his young master, but that wouldn't help Duo at all. It would only make things more complicated. So he did all he could in his situation; he gave his support. Fight it, Master Allen! You have to fight him until I can help you. Don't let him gain control.
I'm trying, but it hurts so much Duo whimpered.
Keep trying. You have to.
"Duo!"
Duo heard his name called by one of the pilots. Heero again. Duo sighed at the thought of Heero concerned about him. Heero's voice could always bring him out of the deepest trance. "Heh, spaced out again. It's the guy's eyes, I tell you." Duo tried to sound cheerful, barley concealing his whimpers of pain.
"Yeah. He had the same effect on Quatre," Wufei said indifferently.
"Quatre?" Duo said looking at Christian bewildered. Why Quatre? , he asked telepathically.
"Yeah, he had Quatre looking like a deer caught in headlights, so to speak," Wufei continued.
"Oh," was all he said. If Christian had answered him, he wouldn't have heard. Kek was interfering again. "Hey Heero? I think I need you for a moment."
"What is it Duo?" Heero asked. His voice was his usual monotone but his eyes spoke volumes of concern for the braided boy.
Duo slowly stood from his crouched position and winced slightly. He couldn't see straight anymore; everything was a blur. He could practically feel Kek's grip tighten on his mind.
"Nothing much really, I just feel like I'm going to..." he tilted and caught himself," ...pass out." Duo collapsed backward and came dangerously close to hitting the bars. But Heero swooped down and saved him from that fate.
Once Duo was secure in Heero's arms, he checked his pulse and found it very weak. His temperature was also too high. Not good.
"Watch him!" Heero commanded at Wufei, indicating Christian. After Wufei nodded, Heero rushed his precious bundle up the stairs and into the living room, where Quatre and Trowa were.
During all this, neither Wufei nor Heero noticed Christian desperately clutching the bars of his prison, restraining himself from following. But he knew better than to do something like that. From the way that Heero was looking at Duo, he knew he was in good hands. So he relaxed from the bars and rested his back against the far wall of the cell, concentrating on the events occurring upstairs and trying to ignore the look the Wufei was giving him. His look said "I-know-you're-involved-in-this-somehow". Wufei didn't know how right he was.
*~*~*
Christian watched Duo as he slept and smiled again. He fought very well against the influences of Kek. Not that he had any doubt he could. He'd known Duo's since the day of his true birth thousands of years again. Only back then he was known as young Prince Allen Dumatre, not the Duo Maxwell of today. He remembered the day he was born, the day he was told that he's one day save his loved ones and the world, the day he learned his first spell and terrorized the servants, even the day when he was... cursed.
Christian frowned at the thought of that day. That was the day that he had been cursed with immortality and Allen cursed with eternal rebirth. He still couldn't believe how petty sorcerers could be. Jealous of young Allen's predicted fate, an evil wizard cursed him with the spirit of death and destruction to be forever imprisoned in his soul. And the curse could only be lifted if Allen completely defeated Kek, but even the demon himself didn't know how that could be done.
"You have to find that answer on your own, but you will not be alone. I promise." Christian placed a chaste kiss on Duo's forehead. He placed Duo back on the bed and stood up, preparing to depart.
Suddenly the door burst wide open, oddly not waking Duo, and all the other gundam pilots rushed in. They all had their guns aimed at Christian. He was getting that a lot lately.
"We will not hesitate to shoot you," warned Quatre.
"You already have," Christian said calmly looking over his shoulder at them.
Wufei sighed. "Just step away from him and come with us. We will not shoot a man in his back," he growled barely above a whisper.
Christian looked down at Duo, frowning. "So you will shoot me when I turn around?"
"You're being difficult," Trowa calmly stated, though those who knew him could tell he was getting annoyed.
Once again Christian looked down at Duo, this time smiling to himself. //Some friends you got here, kid. // he thought as he absently stroked Duo's cheek with the back of his hand.
There was a collective growl emitted from the group of boys.
Smiling internally, Christian stood straight and tall and raised his hands in surrender. Trowa and Wufei "escorted" him downstairs and into the basement where a nice, cozy cell was waiting for him. Heero and Quatre looked over Duo's sleeping form to check for any injuries the blond man may have caused to the young pilot. Once they came to the conclusion that due was unharmed they made their way out of his room and toward the basement.
All too soon Heero stood in front of the basement door. He pinned his mask of no emotion onto his face and opened the door. As he descended the stair he heard sounds of struggle. Fearing the worse of his comrades he jumped over the railing and came face to face with an... odd sight. Trowa was slowly approaching a scared and shaken Quatre who was huddled in a corner while Wufei seemed to be securing the last few restraints on the captive who was dangling from the ceiling by his ankles. He cleared his throat, drawing Wufei attention to him. He raised a brow, silently questioning the situation.
Wufei wiped his sweaty forehead and took a deep breath. If he hadn't seen it all with his own eyes, he wouldn't believe a single word he was about to say. "Pilot 03 and myself attempted to restrain the prisoner who, with some ancient skill, avoided our advances. 04 joined us, but once he touched the man, they both jumped back from each other, sort of repealing each other. Suddenly both became very weak and I took this opportunity to secure the man where he would be less dangerous." After saying all of that, Wufei flopped down on a cushion on the floor and sat cross-legged, appearing very stressed out and tired.
Heero's eyes traveled to Trowa to confirm this tale. Trowa barely nodded as he gathered the shuddering Arab pilot into a comforting embrace. It seemed to be working but Quatre was still shaking and mumbling. Blinking at the two, Heero turned his gaze to the upside down prisoner and narrowed his eyes into the Yuy Glare O Death(tm). The man merely smiled. It was one of those "I-know-something-you-don't-know-but-I'll-only-tell-if-I-get-something-in-return" smile, with a hint of "I'm-going-to-make-your-head-hurt" in his eyes. It looked so much like one of Duo's looks, Heero knew he was going to get a headache. But he was determined to get what he wanted, one way or the other.
"State your name," Heero ordered in his usual monotone. It was a tone that let the prisoner know how things were going to be.
"Christian McLowry," he replied calmly, crossing his now-free arms over his broad chest.
Heero eyes widened a fraction; he didn't expect an answer. And when did his arms get loose anyway? Wufei let out an exasperated sigh and shook his bowed head, mumbling that it had been the third time he'd done that tonight. Regaining his composure, Heero continued the interrogation.
"Why are you here? What is your mission?"
"Is that all you boys think about? This 'mission'? That's the fourth time I've been asked about that thing, and I'd like to know why. It seems pointless to ask someone about something they do not know about. It's down right rude if you ask me. But it seems all you guys ask me about is the "mission" so I guess my opinion really doesn't matter, does it...?" Christian rambled, buying time to loosen his other bonds. He did find it amusing they were so naïve as to think they could restrain him for long.
"Stop," Heero interrupted. //This guy even talks like Duo, // Heero thought. "Just answer the question and don't make this harder on yourself."
"As you wish. I am here to keep a promise."
"That doesn't explain why you were in 02's room."
"I did not harm the mast...man nor will I at all, but a promise is a promise."
"And what is the nature of this 'promise'?"
Christian sighed and repeated his well-practiced line he used in these situations. "It is the will of my lord and master that I do not discuss our purpose without his personal permission."
"And who, may I ask, is you master?" Wufei questioned, glancing up at Christian.
"Lord Dumatre," Christian answered casually as if they should already know, even thought he knew they didn't.
Each pilot took a moment to store that information away for later use. Neither of them recognized the name and began to wonder if this Dumatre person was friend or foe. Finally Wufei spoke up to clarify the matter.
"Who is..." he started only to have pilot 03 cut him off.
"At the moment, his master isn't important," Trowa said, the tone of his voice somewhere between annoyance and worry. "I'd like to know what you've done to 04."
Christian shifted his gaze passed Heero and looked at the shaking mass known as 04. He began to summon some of his power and probe the little blonde's mind, looking for the cause of his discomfort. After a moment he smiled and willed the boy to look at him. Quatre lifted his head and looked the older man in the eye. Once their eyes locked, Quatre immediately stopped shaking, much to the surprise of Trowa. The two just looked at each other; each searching the others eyes for something to answer their unvoiced questions. As each neared the desired answer, Wufei cleared his throat and the two broke out of their trance. With a new understanding, Quatre looked up at Trowa.
"I need some aspirin," he simply said starting to rise to his feet. Trowa half supported and half carried Quatre up the stairs, sending glances back at Christian, who only smiled as the couple left the basement.
Wufei and Heero watched the two; concerned for Quatre and hoping he'd soon be alright. Hearing the click of the door shutting they turned their attention back to the captive only to find him sitting in a chair, elbows rested on his knees and his hands propping his head up, smirking like the cat who caught the canary. He looked relaxed and rather bored.
"How'd you...? What the...?" Wufei stammered, as Heero took the more direct approach.
"Hn," Heero growled, moving toward Christian.
Christian was just about to dance out Heero's way and make his escape, when a voice spoken to his mind stopped him. It was the voice of his master.
Don't joke around with this one, Christian. It could be hazardous to your health, it joked, but still warned.
Just having a bit of fun, Master Allen, Christian answered back mentally. He allowed Heero to force him into a cell without the least bit of resistance.
Heero double bolted the locks and took some extra precautions with the cell. Something about Christian made him uneasy. It was the way he had touched Duo. He touched him with familiarity and like he wanted to protect the boy from any harm. It was the way that Heero longed to touch Duo. A voice from behind brought him out his thoughts.
"Will those locks hold?"
"Of course they will," Heero growled, turning around and being greeted by a pair of violet orbs. Both his eyes widened, which was the only way anyone could tell he was scared out of his skin. "Du...02, why aren't you in your quarters?" Heero stammered. //How in the world did he get down here without Wufei or I noticing? Duo's stealth skills aren't that good. // Something in the back of his mind reminded him he didn't know everything about Duo or his training.
"Couldn't sleep," was Duo's short reply. He walked passed Heero, ignoring his and Wufei's stunned look, and crouched in front of the cell gate and looked at Christian. Once their eyes met, a small smile graced Christian's face that soon spread to Duo, which he quickly erased. He didn't need the have the others suspicious.
Do you know how much I just wanna break you out of here and hug you? Duo thought, his thoughts spoken to Christian as clearly as words.
I've missed you too, Master Allen, Christian chuckled mentally, Or should I call you Duo Maxwell?
I don't care. Both will be fine. You're looking well.
As well as immortals can be, I guess.
"02! Snap out of it," shouted a voice from the "real" world. It was Heero.
Duo blinked, ending his connection with Christian, who openly growled at the Heero. Duo told Christian to hold his tongue. Duo hadn't realized he'd spaced out for so long.
"I'm ok, Heero. Just trying to figure out who or what we are dealing with," Duo replied bringing his hands to his head. He was getting a slight headache. And not the natural kind either.
"Dammit Maxwell! Just give the man our names!" Wufei shouted, waving his arms around wildly. He was getting hysterical about the whole situation.
Christian came to the rescue. "Oh I already knew your names, Wufei. It's my job to know," he said smugly, repressing a grin.
Duo held in a chuckle.
"That just makes you a greater threat to us," Heero stated coldly.
Duo would have whipped his head around to glare at the stony pilot, but his head ached so badly he could barely see straight. He looked to Christian again, his eyes pleading for help. Christian had helped before, but now Kek was coming back with a vengeance.
Once their eyes met again Christian knew what was happening and he knew he was powerless to stop it. Yes, he could easy escape from the cell and help his young master, but that wouldn't help Duo at all. It would only make things more complicated. So he did all he could in his situation; he gave his support. Fight it, Master Allen! You have to fight him until I can help you. Don't let him gain control.
I'm trying, but it hurts so much Duo whimpered.
Keep trying. You have to.
"Duo!"
Duo heard his name called by one of the pilots. Heero again. Duo sighed at the thought of Heero concerned about him. Heero's voice could always bring him out of the deepest trance. "Heh, spaced out again. It's the guy's eyes, I tell you." Duo tried to sound cheerful, barley concealing his whimpers of pain.
"Yeah. He had the same effect on Quatre," Wufei said indifferently.
"Quatre?" Duo said looking at Christian bewildered. Why Quatre? , he asked telepathically.
"Yeah, he had Quatre looking like a deer caught in headlights, so to speak," Wufei continued.
"Oh," was all he said. If Christian had answered him, he wouldn't have heard. Kek was interfering again. "Hey Heero? I think I need you for a moment."
"What is it Duo?" Heero asked. His voice was his usual monotone but his eyes spoke volumes of concern for the braided boy.
Duo slowly stood from his crouched position and winced slightly. He couldn't see straight anymore; everything was a blur. He could practically feel Kek's grip tighten on his mind.
"Nothing much really, I just feel like I'm going to..." he tilted and caught himself," ...pass out." Duo collapsed backward and came dangerously close to hitting the bars. But Heero swooped down and saved him from that fate.
Once Duo was secure in Heero's arms, he checked his pulse and found it very weak. His temperature was also too high. Not good.
"Watch him!" Heero commanded at Wufei, indicating Christian. After Wufei nodded, Heero rushed his precious bundle up the stairs and into the living room, where Quatre and Trowa were.
During all this, neither Wufei nor Heero noticed Christian desperately clutching the bars of his prison, restraining himself from following. But he knew better than to do something like that. From the way that Heero was looking at Duo, he knew he was in good hands. So he relaxed from the bars and rested his back against the far wall of the cell, concentrating on the events occurring upstairs and trying to ignore the look the Wufei was giving him. His look said "I-know-you're-involved-in-this-somehow". Wufei didn't know how right he was.
*~*~*