Author's Note: Okay, I've added a little bit to the previous chapter, so basically all the information in this chapter has been played out for the Knights and Ronins in a dream, courtesy of Dais. As well as the entire Gundam Wing plot. The boys just don't realize they know what they know yet. I hope that makes sense so you don't have to reread the last chapter, if you read it before 11/25/04! Thank you, enjoy!

Before Shooting Stars

Where are we? Mia asked, prying a trembling Tatsumi from her arm. Apparently the larger man was not fond of teleportation.

You are on MOIII, the base of the Preventers. And you would be? The voice belonged to a male. It was rather throaty, but had a definite chill to it. Baldie gulped audibly before turning to face the blond man with handgun pointed at the body guard.

Put it down, Zequs, you'll scare them. They're not our enemies and you know it. They're here to help. This time it was a woman who spoke. She was leaning in a corner, rolling her violet eyes. Her hair was black, and she wore a tan shirt beneath her black uniform.

You always were too trusting, Noin. The man now established to be Zechs spat back at the woman, but put his gun away all the same.

No better way to start the day than with a lover's quarrel. Dais smirked, gaining a half hearted smile from Noin and a glare from Zechs. Well now, I suppose we should get introductions over with, then get back to killing time. It seems at least you two have accepted there's nothing you can do. The Warlord continued, ignoring them both, and strangely enjoying himself.

Huh, don't think they were always this calm. The first six or eight hours, I thought Miss Noin was going to have a nervous breakdown, and Mr. Milliardo was going to break down something in his nervousness. Another woman forced a laugh, straightening a forked eyebrow while stepping from the shadows in a flowing black dress.

And Lady Une hasn't taken this well either. A little girl added rather morosely from where she sat behind the Warlords and their charges.

No, Lady Une does not take well to being unable to do anything when there is so much to do, and neither does anyone she knows. A brunette woman with a completely black uniform added looking up from her paperwork through shoulder length, slightly waved locks that perfectly framed her face.

Fair enough. Why don't we pass the time by sharing stories? Dais snickered. The blond woman cocked a parted eyebrow, the man turned away with a look of disgust, the black haired woman in the corner smiled softly again, and the lady behind the desk merely ignored him, continuing to rearrange papers.

What kind of stories? The red haired child asked with some interest. Mia walked over to the child, her maternal instinct kicking in. That's when she noticed something.

You're. . . you're in a wheelchair! The professor exclaimed, gaining the attention of all of her companions except for the Warlord of Illusion.

Yes, I can explain why she can not walk, and why we are here, if you will listen. Dais spoke more softly now. He seemed more reserved now, his mirth diminished greatly. There was a man in this dimension known as Dekim Barton. He had an insatiable appetite for power and was not entirely stable. In other words, he would have made an excellent Warlord. Dais began, smiling sadly at the self deprecation of the comment. One of his many projects was to harness a power he had come across, something that was not contained within this dimension, but had leaked into it. He only found traces, but it intrigued him enough to want to know where it came from. I don't know precisely when it happened, but somehow, a kind of tear developed here, allowing traces of the magical powers to enter this otherwise untouched dimension.Hold the phone, magical powers? We're dealing with fairy tales and pixie dust now? Milliardo rose in disgust, then turned to glare out the window.

No, you're dealing with magical armor and deities now. Kayura smiled, nodding to the Warlords. Momentarily the lights dimmed, and with the returned luminescence came four very imposing armors around the four men.

How. . .but. . . Dorothy took a step back, her gloved hand going to her mouth, her blue eyes wide with disbelief. Marquis finally turned back to see what was going on, and promptly went for his gun.

Put it away, Zechs. Lady Une commanded. Her brown eyes were also very round with surprise, but her voice was totally controlled. She remained seated and motioned for the man to lower his weapon. Dumbly, he obeyed, though it was plain he was still very much on edge.

Marimea mouthed, a small, childlike grin stretching across her delicate, wondering features. Kayura winked at her, banishing the last of the girl's fear.

We have maintained a small portal since coming here back to our world so that our own powers can be utilized here. The Empress explained, nodding once more so that the men stood in only subarmor once again. We intend to use our abilities to keep her from escaping as best we can.So, this power that Dekim found, is that what he was researching in the lab we found? Another woman asked, stepping from the doorway she'd been standing in. It seems she was about to enter when they appeared, and decided against proceeding. She was in a uniform almost identical to Noin's, but slightly paler. Her pale brown hair was pulled down either shoulder with a twisted pattern.

Yes. He was trying to harness it and find a way to get more. The white-haired Warlord turned and nodded to the woman in the door while he spoke. To reopen the tear that had allowed it in but is now closed. He created a creature in the process that took on many of the qualities of it's creator. It's ambition was absolute, so he named it Magaera, the Fury of Jealousy, because it was so difficult to control and sought out other power sources and took them over. Much like he had done most of his life. However, he was unable to control it, and so tried to eliminate the project and turn to other things.Those other things were the boys, weren't they? Noin asked softly. Her voice was also rather strong with mixed emotion

Right again. When he turned his attention fully to them, that was when his creation escaped and began causing trouble, taking over the other dimensions. He was unaware of this, believing he had destroyed it, and thus became fully absorbed in his other plots for world domination. Dais finished. He walked to the back wall behind Mia and Marimea to lean against it, then closed his eye.

And there you have it. Once Megaera failed to get me, she turned her attention to Sienna, the woman she has kidnapped that we have come to get back. Kayura agreed, kneeling to the right of the child, opposite Mia.

So, what do we do with her now? How do we defeat this thing? Milliardo asked, plopping down in his chair again and rubbing his temples. Noin silently moved behind him to massage his shoulders. Dorothy took the seat opposite the two, cocking her head and examining the man sympathetically.

We trust them, and wait until there is anything for us to do. Cale answered as gently as he could, shrugging his shoulders helplessly.

No, there is something more they can do. Dais interjected. When she returned to this dimension, for we'll just call Megaera a she after her namesake, she took over a computer, did she not?She did. It was the old base in which she was made, from what you've told us. Sally agreed, entering the room at last and coming to lean against the window behind Lady Une. Wufei and I found it, buried in one of the colonies Dekim took over. We had just converted it's technology into scanners and were using about to use it for a new base. Miss Relena was there for a kind of christening. The pilots were called from their civilian lives to be her body guards one last time. We didn't fear the base, we feared the nut cases that might show up for the party. Pacifists make dangerous and persistent enemies in this dimension. Noin, Milliardo, and I were supposed to be the only ones actually working, since we didn't even really expect that to be a problem. We thought we were being too careful. I guess we were wrong. She turned away to stare at the sleet outside the window, biting her lip.

The point is, she took over a computer. So, why don't you hack into it? Dais asked innocently, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. The room fell into a shocked silence as most present watched the Warlord of Illusion with an interesting mix of feelings. Milliardo and Dorothy seemed somewhat disgusted. Noin and Sally were more curious. Marimea; Mia, and Tatsumi looked rather hopeful. Lady Une, however, was very doubtful. The rest of the Warlords and Kayura were just confused.

It's the most advanced computer on the planet. . . The former prince began bitterly, but was cut off by a smiling white-haired Warlord.

So it will be a challenge. Mia can help you, she's good with computers, and so is Tatsumi, believe it or not. His world has rather advanced technology as well, and he was surrounded by the most sophisticated systems in his world. So, the sooner you put your heads together, the sooner you can get in and be of some assistance. The reason you couldn't get through before is because it wasn't just technology you were dealing with, miss Catalonia, Dais cut Dorothy's protest off. We will be able to keep her from shielding herself with magic, now. You should be able to get through, if you're willing to try.I'll help! Miss Koji and Tatsumi chorused enthusiastically, seizing the opportunity to do anything.

Then I suppose it's worth a shot. What have we got to lose? Lady Une mused, nodding in agreement and motioning for those under her command to take their stations.

And, we can share stories while they work. Anubis smiled and winked at Marimea, making the girl giggle a little.

Yes, it wouldn't hurt for us to get to know one another. Who knows how long this will take. Sekhmet growled, rolling his large, colorless eyes, but smiling all the same.

-----------------

I'm afraid I have no head for numbers and don't know the locations of the colony clusters in comparison to each other or where they orbit above earth, so if my writing seems sketchy on the subject, that would be why. I hope this little plot twist makes sense with the manga, I have never read the official version, if there are inaccuracies that must be addressed PLEASE tell me!