The dark of the night was the perfect cover as they made their way to the walls of the fort. Zechs used his experience with the layout of the structure to help guide them to the most vulnerable spots in the guard rotations. Heero hated accepting the older man's help with anything, but he was important to Relena and that gave Heero enough reason to give him a decent chance. And his information proved as true as it was useful. Heero secured his rope to the grappling hook and gave it a tug to check the knot. Each of the others did the same. There was no room for error.
"When I give the signal, we will split up and take on two sections of the wall. No killing if at all possible. Remember, RAT soldiers usually aren't serving because they want to." The others nodded. "When we reach the supply room, Trowa will keep watch while Zechs, Wufei and I gather what we need. Then we'll leave as we came."
"These bases all have the same layout. I'll lead you to the supply room where they keep everything we need. We'll have less than twenty minutes before the guards return." Zechs added. They all nodded in understanding.
As soon as the guards turned toward the tower, Heero gave the signal and all four grappling hooks landed successfully on the turret. They climbed with expert speed and topped the precipice. Wufei and Trowa snuck up on the retreating guards and put them in sleeper holds, lowering them down, unconscious but unharmed before binding their hands and feet. They waited on either side in the shadows for the new guards and took them out just as quickly in the same manner.
Zechs motioned to the right and Heero signaled the other two to follow. The stairway down was narrow and it would be hard to do combat within the small walls. A motion to their left. Shadows played across the wall. They took cover behind the gunpowder barrels and carefully slipped behind them, took them out, tried them up and hid them. Finally, in the center of the compound, was the supply room. The door was locked. Trowa shook his head, knelt down and pulled a few tools from his belt. With ease, he picked the lock and then left them to take his spot as the lookout.
The storeroom was well organized. Shelves lined the walls stacked with everything from weapons to uniforms with wooden crates labeled and stacked neatly in the middle of the room. Heero grabbed one of the rucksacks and began stuffing it with as many uniforms as he could. Zechs and Wufei followed suit. It occurred to him that they could try and take over the outpost, but the amount of work that would take for just the four of them could prove too risky. He promised Relena he'd be careful. He had no intention of breaking his word.
About three to four sacks a person were stuffed and ready with three extra for Trowa before the former Harlequin doll gave the warning signal. The four of them made their way to the wall undetected. Dermail would still be notified of the theft, but it hardly mattered. They would have what they needed. As they mounted their horses and rose away, Heero found himself actually hopeful, for the first time in his life, that they might actually be able to succeed.
The ride to the hidden enclave went smoothly. The cover of night in the forgotten pass was the perfect recipe for a successful journey. Duo smiled as he tugged the vine to open the passage. It wouldn't be long before the others arrived and their plan could get underway. He had no doubt that his friends would be successful.
"It sure will be nice to have everyone together again." Duo smiled.
"Yeah. I'll bet you'll be especially happy to see Hilde again." An ornery grin crawled onto his lips
"You know it!" Quatre laughed. "What about you, Q-man? You lookin' forward to seein' Cathy again?" Quatre felt his face heat ridiculously.
"Duo, it's not like that at all! Cathy is like a sister to me." It was true. He and Trowa became friends years ago. Catherine, while very lovely, had always been another older, supportive female in his life.
"Right, right, but you have enough sisters. Thirty, right?"
"Twenty-eight." Quatre smiled. "But Trowa is like my brother and Catherine is like my sister."
"Alright then! It confirms my observation that you and Brows have a thing goin'." Quatre knew his eyes had to have been wide as saucers and his face as red as roses. He and Dorothy? He could not deny something about the woman called to him. Strange eyebrows aside, she was, indeed, a very beautiful woman. He had sensed in her a deep pain of longing. Her life had been a hard one, of that, he was certain. Could she possibly see something in him as well? Either way, this was hardly the time to speculate such things.
"Duo, don't be absurd! I hardly know her!" His braided friend was having nothing of it.
"That doesn't matter! When ya feel it, ya feel it!" Maybe he had a point. After it was all over; after the kingdom was freed and the people saved, maybe he would try and press his suit. After all, he hadn't yet taken a wife…
"Master Quatre! Is that really you?!" Abdul ran up to him, a broad smile on his face. "You're human again!"
"Yes I am! It's good to see you, my friend! We've returned safely and with good news!"
"Yeah, we have!" Duo added. "Wait 'til we tell you all about it!" As they reached the inner enclave, the other maguanaqs approached and Quatre found himself surrounded by the men who once saved his life.
"Duo!" Quatre watched as the braided man was all but tackled by his girlfriend. He could not hear what was being said but, something told him it was better that way.
"Quatre." Cathy and Midie walked up to him, expressions serious. "Welcome back."
"Thank you, Cathy."
"Where's Trowa? Is he alright?" Middie asked. Quatre turned to Trowa's beloved and smiled. It surprised him when his friend came to him and told him of the blonde-haired girl that stole his heart. Middie had joined the circus a few years previous as an addition to the acrobatics crew. She and Trowa hit it off and were soon virtually inseparable.
"Trowa is fine. He went on a different mission with Heero, Wufei and Zechs."
"Zechs?" Cathy's eyes widened. "As in Zechs Merquise?"
"It's a long story, one the whole camp needs to hear as soon as possible. Gather them around the center fire. We have a plan." Cathy, though clearly unnerved by the news, did as she was asked. When he was certain everyone who could make it was present, Quatre stood up and addressed them.
"My friends, the RATs have terrorized us for years! They've forced us to work for them, driven us from our homes and punished us if we did not do all they ordered us to! Long have we waited for an answer!"He took a deep breath. "The princess has finally received the powers of the Sugarplum Fairy! And her brother, Milliard, the rightful king, has returned to join our fight!" Gasps of surprise gave way to cheers.
"We have a plan to bring all of you to the Sugarplum Castle safely where the final stages of our rebellion will begin! I have every confidence that if we work together, then we will succeed!" The crowd cheered again. He watched as the spirit of hope lit up the enclave. He relayed the plans in as much detail as he had and the people listened.
"Now that you know the plans, I ask that you stand by and ready yourselves. Pack what you need and be prepared to leave as soon as we're ready." Quatre smiled and looked over their hopeful faces. "Rest well and soon we will go to victory!" The people cheered again and the crowd slowly dispersed.
"Nice speech, buddy." Duo patted him on the back. "Maybe the Princess should give you an official position in the court." Quatre smiled awkwardly.
"I wouldn't go that far. I just felt like after everything these people have been through, they needed a bit of hope."
"You're right about that. But, hey! The guys should be here anytime with the supplies we need and then we can really give the people something to hope for."
"Yeah, you're right, Duo." Quatre smiled.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, there is a very special lady I gotta go see!" Duo winked and walked away, leaving Quatre to wait.
Relena sat in front of the vanity mirror. They had been gone two days already, but she knew they would be alright. Noin and Dorothy wasted no time in beginning her self-defense training, and-though her body ached all over- she honestly felt as though she was improving. The same could not be said of her magic.
The last two nights were the same. She would go to her room for the night and try her hardest to use the powers she inherited, but it was all for not. Try as she might, she could not seem to reach the power. She could feel inside her like a warm, flickering flame but had no idea how to harness it!
"Maybe I'm trying too hard." She stared at her reflection, aqua eyes heavy with exhaustion and concern for her friends stared back at her. The Sugarplum Fairy had shown herself at this very spot before, but now…
"Where are you when I need you?" She whispered and reached out to touch the glass. "I can't do this alone…"
Despite her pleas, only her reflection continued to look back at her. She sighed and reached for her brush to comb out her long hair. This was not good. If she couldn't find a way to use the powers before the final battle…
"No." she stated, pausing mid-stroke. "I will master it by then… I don't have a choice!" She resumed brushing her hair, trying her best to figure out the best way to reach the power within.
"Well, you've closed your eyes and tried to focus. What more can you do?" She asked, and her reflection stared back in silence.
"I can't give up! I have to keep trying! I know I can do this, right?" As she stated at her reflection, silence was her only answer.
Trowa grabbed the bags off the side of the horses. It was the following night before he and the other three finally arrived at the enclave. Hero and Zechs drove their pace forward like madmen on a mission. Trowa took a moment to examine his horse and ensure that the animal was unharmed from the constant ride. He patted the animal's neck and was rewarded with an affectionate nuzzle.
"We made good time." Zechs remarked, "But I don't know how stopping at a cliffside is going to keep that pace up if we want to reach the camp in time." Heero shook his head.
"We're here." Heero reached out, pulled the vine and the ground rumbled beneath them as the passage opened.
"Very clever." Zechs observed. "No wonder they never found you." He grabbed the reigns and followed Heero as the former Nutcracker led them in. They made their way down the stone corridor and Duo and two of the villagers met them half-way, weapons in hand
"Hey! You guys made it!" Duo yelled. "That was fast!"
"Of course, Maxwell." Wufei answered. "Now stop with your idiotic comments."
"Jeez, someone needs a nap." Duo quipped back. "Anyway. There's hot soup on the fire. You guys can rest up a bit before telling everyone what the full plan is."
They followed him back in toward the camp. It would be good to rest for a little bit. People began to assemble, observing their approach. They clearly were in shock. Most of them seemed to have their eyes on Zechs.
"It seems you have become the subject of interest." Wufei stated to Zechs.
"Are you going to tell them who you are?" Trowa asked.
"I suppose I must if I am to have any chance at leading them." Zechs looked across the gathered people. "I will do it gradually. No huge announcement needs made yet."
Trowa smiled as the faces of his sister and Middie came into view. Cathy enveloped him in a hug immediately. Middie hung back. She was always so shy…
"Welcome back, little brother!" Cathy smiled.
"Hi, Cathy."
"Trowa…" he turned to Middie and reached out for her hand. She took his and smiled, allowing him to pull her close. He rested his forehead on hers.
"I'm back."
"You're you again." She whispered happily.
"Mmhm."
"I'm glad." He let himself hold her; feel her warmth joining his own and her breath on his skin for the first time since his transformation. "Are you hungry?" Middie's question made his stomach protest. He hadn't eaten anything since they had left the castle. He nodded. "The food is ready by the fire. We'll sit and eat and then you can tell me all about your adventures!" Trowa smiled as he took her hand in his and they made their way over to the fire.
Heero, Zechs and Wufei sat together with Duo and Quatre, bowls of soup in hand. Trowa helped himself to some and listened to them talk while Middie sat next to him, head resting contentedly on his shoulder.
"So, you're saying we let most of the men put on the uniforms and pretend to lead the rest of the group as prisoners across the land to the castle?" Quatre asked.
"That is the idea, yes." Answered Zechs.
"Well, that's all fine and good, princey, but how are they going to possibly be able to fool the actual RATs? They aren't soldiers and they haven't been trained in military practices."
"But I have. Do not forget who I am."
"You think you can believably train them to stay in the proper formation in a few days?"
"No." Heero interjected. "A few hours."
"Huh?!" Duo's jaw dropped, eyebrows pitched high. "You can't be serious."
"I think it's a good idea, Duo." Quatre added. "Our people are smart. It won't take them long at all. I'm sure of it."
"You're forgetting one thing." Wufei added. "Do you think the people will follow you when they realize that you are the dreaded Zechs Merquise?" Middie tensed next to him. He reached over and grabbed her hand.
"That's something we're going to find out."
"The people are tired of the RATs. I think that when they realize that this is their best chance, then they won't have a problem." The campfire became quiet again as the six men continued to eat. It did not take long before Trowa heard the whispers behind him. The villagers were walking closer, apprehensive, but determined.
"Hey!" One of them called out. "Is it true?"
"What?" Another villager stepped forward, barely concealing the fact that his body was trembling.
"Are you Zechs Merquise?" Zechs stood, face tight, eyes of steel.
"I was, yes."
"You let him come here?!" Another called at Quatre.
"We did. But there is a good reason-"
"Tell that to our burned villages! Tell that to our dead and to our missing!"
"Enough!" Quatre stood up straighter. "Call everyone around the main fire. We will explain everything, including our plan." Unhappy, the villagers nodded and began the process of spreading the word and assembling. Trowa didn't know how this was going to play out. The people were tired and angry and those factors were recipes for disaster.
"I can't believe you brought him here." Middie was still beside him, but her voice was low and cold. "You know what the RATs did to my family."
"I know, but he wasn't one of them." Trowa squeezed her hand. "Zechs is a very important part of our plan and I know for a fact that not everything that is said about him is true."
"Are you saying you trust him?" Her eyes locked with his, begging and searching to understand.
"I think we can." He answered. "He has a very good reason for wanting to help us."
"How can you be certain that he won't betray us to the RATs?"
"Because, Middie, he wants Dermail dead more than anyone."
"I don't understand." Their conversation was interrupted as the crowd gathered. Quatre and Zechs stood on in front of everyone.
"My friends, I thank you all for assembling." Quatre began. "By now, many of you have, no doubt, heard of the identity of our newest recruit. I assure you, there is no need for alarm. This man you see here is perhaps the most sympathetic to our cause of any I have ever known. Please, hear him out." The crowd rumbled low with response. Zechs stepped forward, head high.
"I joined the RATs when I was very young; a child who lost everything to their cruelty and ambition." He began. "I worked my way up through the ranks, using my position to try and help people in secret with the end goal of getting close enough to Dermail to kill him with my bare hands." More mumbling rumbled through the crowd. "He killed my father, my mother, and for the longest time I thought my younger sister to be among his victims. But she survived as I had, and has returned to take her place as the new Sugarplum Fairy." Gasps echoed through the room. "I am Milliard Peacecraft, back from the dead to avenge my family and reclaim the kingdom stolen from us! My question is this: will you help me?" At first the crowd was silent, but one of the Maguanac men stepped forward.
"I will follow you!" The crowd gasped.
"Me too!" Another voice came. After a while, the whole crowd roared in agreement.
"Then hear me now, for our plan is simple but the execution of it will take skill." As Zechs began to explain the plan to the crowd, Middie turned to him, brows furrowed in question.
"Is he really the prince?" Trowa looked down at her and nodded.
"Yes, the five doctors confirmed it." She looked over at Zechs. He was a natural-born leader.
"You know you can count on me to fight by your side." He looked deep into her eyes and smiled.
"Of course." He smiled and leaned down, pressing his lips to hers in a soft, brief kiss. "Come on. Cathy will want to check our knife-throwing skills before we leave." Middie nodded and walked with him to their wagon even as the crowd cheered their prince.