AN: All for you Mercury Angel because you seem to be the only one reading. And thanks for the review once again. Makes me happy. Glad you enjoyed the last chapter. Here's your next one. You're almost done now. One more after this. Enjoy!
Chapter 12
"You must be Amelia. Pleased to meet you." Quatre shook Amelia's hand and smiled charmingly at her. Amelia actually found herself fighting back a blush. At the moment her, Trowa and Quatre were located at her secret place just outside Colony L2. Her home had been on L2, but at the moment they were still rebuilding. "Lily sent us to meet you."
"Yes, she sent me a message as she was headed to Mars. It's horrible what Koji has done to her family. I can't see how anyone can be so cold hearted. The Mars family was like my own family. I never knew a real family. They were the closest thing I had to that." Amelia served some tea to her guests and sat across from them at her table. "Lily and I grew up together. To see her in pain is to be in pain. I just can't stand it."
"We know what you mean," agreed Trowa. "Lily's emotions radiate off of her towards other people."
"I wish there was a way to help Lily," Quatre added. "For her to fight that war alone is insane."
"But she's not alone," Amelia easily responded. "Though you all are far apart, you're all still in her heart. Lily loves all of you and as long as she knows you all care then she has you no matter where you are. It's thoughts of her dearest friends that keep her going. You must believe in Lily. She will return to you."
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"Lily-sama?"
"Cinnamon, this war is dangerous." Lily looked down at the little demon child. "You can't stay here. I need you to go back to Earth. Deliver this message for me."
"Demo ne…"
"Hayaku!"
"…Hai." Finding it hard to turn away, Cinnamon did so anyway and forced herself to run far from Lily.
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"Soon a war much worse than this will break out," explained Amelia. "You all must stick together. You have more allies than you think. This war can not be won alone."
"Lily knew this, didn't she?" asked Trowa. "Before she left she gave Duo and Wufei a list of people to contact."
"Lily knows more than you think."
"Amelia, a message from Koji." Takuto walked into the kitchen. "He wants to know where you are and says that you should return soon."
"Where's Tai?"
"Gathering some materials for our return."
"Sounds good." Amelia stood from her seat. "Remember, this next war can not be won alone." That said Takuto and Amelia walked out of the room, leaving Quatre and Trowa alone.
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"I'm worried." Rose paced the TV room, unable to sit and relax while her friends were out in the war or doing missions. She more than just worried. She was scared for their lives. What if something happened to one of them? She couldn't live with herself knowing that she did nothing to help.
"Rose dear, sit down," Eric ordered her. "You have to trust them all. They can take care of themselves."
"Demo…"
"Rose."
Sighing, Rose sat down next to Eric. "How can you handle it?"
"I trust them."
"No, not that." Rose looked into Eric's eyes. "Your name."
Eric's eyes widened as he suddenly knew what she meant. "I have to Rose. Me and Erik, we were best friends. Knowing he's dead makes me sad, and yes it hurts, but I don't think anyone understands the pain as much as Lily does. That's not the only pain she endures. She's so strong. I admire her for that. That in mind, I can bear having the same name as Erik and thinking about him all the time."
Rose smiled and kissed her love on the cheek. "I'm so proud of you."
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"My people…" Sighing, Lily sat in her temple holding back the tears as she stared into the fire in front of her. "My friends, gomen ne. There is something I did not tell you as I was leaving. This is why I sent you on other missions. You can not come here, but yet I wish all of you were here." Lily closed her eyes and focused on the task at hand. "I can't forget my own mission." As her aura grew around her a red and black light glowed like a shield that grew from around her and then around the temple. Slowly it grew more as Lily concentrated on making it strong enough to protect her people.
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"That's all of them, I think," stated Duo.
"Then we head back," explained Wufei.
"Do you think they'll really come?"
"If Lily trusts them then I do. Have faith in her Maxwell."
"I do!" Duo explained. "But still…" Duo stared out into space as he thought about Lily. He could still feel her kiss. He still didn't understand. Did Lily feel the same way as he did?
"You love her don't you?"
"What?" Duo turned to Wufei. "I guess… I mean." But Wufei gave him this look that said 'just admit it' and Duo sighed. "Hai. I love her very much. I'm so worried about her. Something just doesn't feel right. I'm not sure what it is, but I know something bad is coming."
"You too?"
"I think when Lily contacted us that one day it opened up a small connection to her. It's not much, but I can feel her, right now at this very moment."
"Same here. I hope she's alright."
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"They don't know. They just don't understand." Lily stepped right outside of her barrier and looked back at her people who begged her not to go. They didn't have the power to leave the barrier. She either had to let it down herself or… She didn't want to think of the other possibility.
Taking a deep breath, she prayed that she would survive this. "Kami-sama, Onegai, tasukite. Please. Protect me, but most of all protect my people. Here goes." She then chose that moment to send a telepathic message to Koji, challenging him to a duel in mobile suits.
Looking up at the sky, Lily said to herself, "He's coming."
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"There. Take care of her Zechs," ordered Heero.
"Hai. Thank you for bringing her here, Heero."
"I only did it for Lily." Heero turned and walked back to the carrier.
"He didn't mean that Zechs," explained Nikki. "I think he did it for all of us to get rid of Relena. Actually, it's our job to protect her and what better way than to bring her back to her protective Oniichan?"
"Hm… are you guys sure you don't want to stay for a little?" Zechs offered.
"Iye demo arigatou. We have to return so we can be there to greet Lily," Nikki explained. "Gomen."
"Hai, daijoubu. I understand. I'd do the same if I were you. Take care though. Ja!"
"Ja ne!" Nikki turned and ran after Heero into the carrier.
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"You called for me?" Koji grinned at Lily. "I see you've been working hard for awhile now. Nice barrier."
"Urusai. I didn't ask you here to talk. I challenged you. Do you accept or not?" Lily's eyes were narrowed. Koji knew she was angry. That had been his plan. He didn't like that Lily had become so soft. He liked the cold hearted anti social part of her.
"Of course I accept, but do you really think that you can defeat me?"
"I can. I will. No matter what, I can't lose to you of all people."
"Come try it then beautiful. But if you lose I won't kill you. I'll make you mine."
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"It's been a week now," explained Rose.
"Everyone's back now," stated Duo. "We can only hope that Lily is alright."
"Duo…" Nikki sympathetically laid a hand on her friend's shoulder. "She'll be fine. It's Christmas Eve. Let's celebrate for Lily."
Duo nodded and walked to where everyone else was. Be safe Lily.