Hey-o, and welcome to my Lil' World of Weirdness!!

I state for the record that I don't own Gundam Wing, or the wonderful characters that will be gracing this story. . . I do however lay claim to Ensign Saratone *again*, and I use him here purely as a replacement for your average Nameless OZ Minion. Other Characters I lay claim to are Faye Bloom, the wizened old man, Chang Xiao Fao Lan, and the Angels.

Let's just say . . . when my writer's block breaks, it's like a dam breaking . . . [shakes head slowly and winces]

Parings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3 . . .. Eh, heh, not that anyone reads up here, but I realised I'm giving away certain parts of my story with these!!

Okay, that's the legal stuff out the way!!

Please ENJOY AND PLEASE R&R!!! THANK YOU!!

Also, thanks to my beloved Bluegoo for her ever wonderful betareading, I thank her for the many hours that she has put in with me on this one, be it correcting my terrible grammar and spelling, or listening to me mumbling large chunks of it down the phone to her . . . You're great, Blue!! Even if you are Commander and Chief of the Apostrophe Gestapo . . . [ducks and runs off, screaming over shoulder] GO READ AND REVIEW HER STORIES!!

Thank you to Two-Mix for the lyrics, I don't own Just Communication!!

//Thinking//

"Speaking"

*Stress/Emphasis*

Writing/Dream sequence

Telepathic thoughts

:: Lyrics ::

~*~

For The Grace Of Knights And Angels

By Doctor Megalomania

Part Fourteen: Journey To China

"Store it in the aft compartment!"

He signed the clip board, "And make sure that all the ammunition gets aboard, it might look like we're preparing to take over a small country, but I don't want to take any chances . . ."

"Yes sir!" The lieutenant snapped a salute and turned to carry out his orders. Zechs glanced up at the Preventers' carrier plane; it was being stocked with provisions for the next three months, and enough fuel to take them to China and back, with some extra should they need to take any detours. He glanced at Noin as she stood with Otto and Walker, both men looked highly displeased at being separated from their friends, but even they had to admit, with the Knights training for a year, there would be little they could do.

He sighed, and wondered how he would help aside from piloting their ride there.

"Are you all right?"

Zechs smiled at the smooth tone and turned to Treize. "I'm fine . . . I just . . ." He looked up at the plane again, "I'm just wondering what's going to happen."

Treize smiled and looked over at the Gundam Pilots, with their families, and friends. The Gundam scientists were issuing last orders, Mrs Bloom looked ready to kill Doktor S, and Instructor H was keeping a healthy distance from Mrs Winner. Doctor J was eyeing Odin Lowe Senior every few minutes suspiciously, and Professor G was wagging a finger at Duo, while Sister Maxwell was wagging a finger at him. Meirin was scoffing at almost every second word that Master O said, and wrapping her arms defensively around her husband's neck. Wufei, surprisingly, was not objecting overly much.

"You wouldn't believe that grown, battle hardened men wet their beds, fearing those boys . . . If you saw this . . ." Treize chuckled as Heero folded his arms, and his father wrapped around an arm around his thin shoulders, declaring no doubt loudly, that he had been trained in the best techniques. Doctor J sniffed and continued to lecture the boy, ignoring the 'ignoramus of a fool' as J was once heard to mutter.

"They're acting like grandfathers . . ." Noin observed as she walked up behind the men with Doctor Sally Po, Sally wasn't going with them, but had come along to say goodbye, and to remind them that the Preventer doctor could be contacted at anytime.

"Are you kidding?" Sally raised an eyebrow, "These men have arguments over which boy is better . . ." She smirked, "You know, they do actually see the pilots as their grandchildren . . ." Sally chuckled at the general amount of surprise on their faces, "It sounds unbelievable, but it's true . . . especially G, S and J, they love their boys dearly . . ."

The small group looked over to the Doctors, as Professor G threw his head back and yelled, "I said it, and I'm going to say it again!!" He shook a finger at Duo, "Don't you dare get yourself killed!! I'm not attending any more funerals, I'm sick of them!" He growled and shook his finger harder, "If you get yourself killed, boy, then tough! Don't expect me to send any flowers! I didn't train you all these years, just so you could keel over some little thing!!" He started to shake a fist at Duo; "Do you hear me, boy, do you? Do not die!"

Zechs raised an eyebrow as the Professor turned and stormed away, the other scientists following him. Duo smirked and yelled after them, "Yeah, well, I love you too G!"

G stopped at that, and looked at Duo. The pilot cocked his head and folded his arms, staring after the professor. G looked at the tarmac and slowly walked back to Duo, whose expression was slowly turning into shock. G hobbled up to Duo, and hugged him tightly, murmuring something that only Duo could hear. Slowly, Duo's arms came up and he hugged the old man back. The other scientists smiled slightly, and J stared at Heero. Heero, still with his father's arm around him, stared back, until he gave one decisive nod. J smiled and nodded back.

For Trowa and Quatre, S and H waved and gave encouraging smiles. S walked over to Zechs and Noin, and leant close, handing them five scribbled numbers, "These are the numbers for us . . ." He looked over at Trowa as he picked up his bags and started to load them. "Our boys know them off by heart, and no matter where we are you can always contact us on them . . ." He nodded, and smiled slightly, "We haven't trained them for this . . ." He began to frown, "Please . . ." He glanced over at Trowa, who was staring at him, "Please don't let our boys die . . ."

Noin swallowed, the emotion in the cranky old man's voice was unexpectedly touching. "We won't." She promised him faithfully. The old man, smiled, and touched her arm.

"Thank you."

He walked away as Master O yelled something in mandarin, to which Wufei frowned and folded his arms, and yelled back something shorter, and Meirin raised her fist and yelled even louder, prompting a laugh from both Master Fao, O, and Sally Po. Zechs raised an eyebrow, at her, as she explained, "Master O had asked Wufei not to get killed, Wufei replied that he wouldn't do such a foolish thing, and Meirin had confirmed she wouldn't let him."

"They are very much in love . . ." She murmured, as Meirin squeezed Wufei's hand, as he led her onto the plane. She smiled and folded her arms, "It's about time Wufei had someone!"

As their small group laughed, Trowa bid Catherine goodbye, "Take care of yourself . . ." She murmured, as she looked from her mother to him, "Both of you . . . I don't want to lose you ever again!"

He nodded, hugging her tight, "Okay . . ."

"No!" Catherine frowned and pinched his cheek hard, "There's no 'okay' about it, Tro-*wa*! You *will* take care of yourself, you *will* protect mama, and you *will* return home in one piece!"

"Jaa, jaa, meine vielgeliebte Schwester . . ." Catherine's eyes narrowed as Trowa delivered the German in perfect deadpan.

"Don't mock me!" She cried out, pinching his cheeks again, before she let go. Trowa shook his head, as Quatre stood beside him.

"Are you going to do it now?" The smaller officer asked, Trowa nodded, as he reached into his bag, and pulled out the toy dove. It hadn't moved since the nurse had brought it in. Trowa stroked it once, "I don't know how to make you go but . . ." He stood and opened his hands, "Tell the Angels . . . we're on our way . . ."

There was a crackle of energy, green magic snapped around the bird, and the frightened dove took flight, hovering above them. "Thank you." Trowa spoke softly, Quatre blinked and glanced at the taller boy, as Trowa murmured, "He says we've made a good choice, and that they've prepared for our arrival . . ."

Duo, Wufei and Heero looked up as they came to stand with their friends.

The bird continued to hover above them. "He says . . ." Trowa whispered, "Not to be afraid . . . we have nothing to fear, if we are strong enough . . ." He blinked, as Quatre's hand slipped into his own. The bird twisted, as a strong green tinted wind blew it.

"We won't face this alone . . ."

And even Heero felt some fear, apprehension as it burst into feathers, and floated away.

". . . We will face it together."

When everyone was aboard, Zechs and Noin clambered into the cockpit. Noin looked up as Une and Relena opened a communication channel, Une was completely business-like as she spoke.

". . . This is an unusual mission . . ."

There was a crackle of green energy as the dove reappeared at the sacred temple. The five cloaked figures nodded, and turned away from each other. It was time. The Knights were on their way. Four of them returned to their holding places, as the Angel of Time stood, watching as the sun began to slip over the rim. She smiled gently, and reached out.

"And I wouldn't usually dream of sending my top men on such an unpredictable chore but . . ."

Odin smiled at Sister Helen as she sat in the next seat; he leant over the aisle and grabbed her hand, and smiled encouragingly. Her worried look began to fade, as she tried to smile back for him. Duo and Heero shoved their bags into the hold above their heads, and got into their seats, either side of their adopted parents.

". . . But we have no choice . . ." Relena's blue eyes, even through the grainy image, were still wide, and imploring, "Please . . ."

The sun reflected off the magic as it started to gather in front of her hand. Beneath Time, a circle of gold light began to form, some nameless breeze blowing her cloak around her. Her shadow began to disappear, as she faded from reality, becoming her other form. Her light chuckle filled the air musically, as she stared at the beautiful sunset. "So wonderful . . . you'll be here so . . ."

". . . Please . . ."

The heat rose off the tarmac, making it seem shiny in places. Professor G pressed his hand against the window and stared out as the plane began to taxi down the runway, preparing to take off. The other doctors were behind him; each worried about the pilot that they had become so attached to. The plane began to prepare its take off run, and G closed his eyes as J squeezed his shoulder with his good hand. "There's nothing we can do now for them . . . we can only help as best we can . . ." the short, old scientist growled quietly, "Call me an old codger if you must, but . . . Damnit," He clenched his fists, "This gets harder each time."

"We trained them." Doctor J muttered quietly, "We trained them to be the best . . . and the best they are at that. Stop worrying."

G shook his head, and opened his eyes again. The plane's landing wheels began to leap off the ground, once, twice . . . and then the plane was flying.

". . . Take care, Earth depends on you once again."

Her robes, her very being, all became as light as the air. Her hand, the point of gold tinted magic began to disperse, as Time whispered to the sun to guide them well, "You'll be here so . . . so very soon . . ."

"Soon . . ."

Quatre shivered, absently touching his heart, "Soon . . . we'll be there . . . so very soon."

He was staring out the window, his mother fast asleep beside him. They had been travelling for nearly four hours now. He stared out as they fled the setting sun, the water beneath them a shimming mass of gold, the clouds tinged red, and the sky rapidly darkening from orange to blood red, to purple, to midnight blue. He stared out the entire time.

Time seemed to lose meaning, and he found himself looking to the earth, to the sky as an indicator as to how much time had really past. He yawned tiredly, feeling a little glad that he was flying . . . not nearly fast enough but still . . . flight was . . .

"You too?" He blinked and looked up as Trowa leant over, his jade green eyes displaying an unusual amount of excitement, "it's good enough . . . it's not under your own power, but this is good enough . . ." He smiled slightly, "You too . . . you're beginning to feel it too."

Faye was asleep in her seat, covered by Trowa's uniform jacket. He was leant over and staring intently at Quatre. The golden-headed boy nodded, "We are getting close . . . we'll be there by nightfall."

Zechs looked over at Noin, she sighed and looked out as she flew. He flicked some switches, and also looked around. To him, it looked like they're were running away from the sun, and flying into the night. The coastline was beginning to come into sight; they were running ahead of schedule. "Good weather . . ." Noin murmured, "Easy winds . . ."

"Hmm . . . It seems the Angels want their passage to be as easy as possible." Zechs smiled and glanced over at his pilot, she was beautiful in the light, the endless golden sea framing her profile. Zechs nodded, and glanced ahead, "I don't know what we will find, Lucrezia . . ."

Noin's hand shifted off the gear stick, and she reached across to grab his hand.

The flight was easy, so very easy.

They arrived at the location, circling it once. The mountain, an extinct volcano, was surrounded with dense forest, on the top really very bare of foliage. There were a few other exposed patches . . . one a small village, a small meadow filled with summer flowers, and a few cleared spaces for farming. There were paths leading up and down the mountain. A short way away from the village was a landing strip clearly marked and near the sea. Noin was a bit concerned that they were being forced to leave the plane, and travel away from it, but Master Fao insisted that they trust the angels.

Zechs sighed as he shouldered his backpack and checked his guns again. He would trust the angels when they earned his trust. He glanced up as the three Maganac Corps attempted to wrestle the Winners' bags from them. Quatrine batted away Abdul's hand, "I can carry it!" She frowned warningly, as the man looked at her, "I'll pull my own weight!"

Abdul shook his head, "You are as bad as Master Quatre . . ." Ahmad nodded his agreement, as Auda tried to relieve Quatre of the heavy backpack. Quatre batted away the man's hands, and chuckled, "You worry too much!"

Rashid frowned and looked around, the jungle approach seemed so dense. "Are you sure we must take this way . . .?" He called back to Wufei. The black haired officer nodded as Master Fao stepped forward, "This is the only way indicated."

Trowa smiled slightly as he spotted the white dove. "Hello again . . ." The dove cocked its head, "Are you here to guide us?" It picked at its wings as Trowa approached it. The bird hopped onto his outstretched arm, and fluttered its wings as if getting comfortable. Its talons bit through the cloth of his jacket, but did not pierce his skin, the bird was a comfortable weight on his arm. Trowa tipped his head, "Thank you."

Faye shouldered her backpack uneasily, "Do you understand what it's saying . . .?"

Trowa shook his head, "No . . . it's not saying anything . . . it's just the impression I get from it." He glanced over, as the branches moved and swayed, "The bird can't lead us through the jungle . . ." 

"Why not?" Heero asked as Trowa began to move toward the shifting branches.

Trowa laughed quietly, "It only knows how to fly over the forest . . . it doesn't know how to *walk* through it . . ."

Noin sighed as she pulled off her heavy-duty jacket, and revealed her vest. Zechs smirked and did the same, "We're in for a long walk, aren't we?"

"I don't think so . . ." Trowa reached out and touched a tree. The vines near it, everything around it crawled back suddenly, tinted with the green energy. Trowa nodded, as everyone gave a sound of surprise. Quatre frowned and stepped forward, grabbing Trowa's arm, "How did you . . .?"

"I didn't . . ." The taller man answered, "The trees . . . the trees will lead us to safety." 

The walk was easier than they thought it would be; it was little trouble to them.

They didn't have that far to go, before the first compound came into view. The small village that was afforded to them was little used but still habitable. It had a decent well for fresh water, a hot spring not too far to gather hot water from. Leading from there was a small pool and waterfall. There was a small well-tended garden with fresh vegetables, and on further searching, a small orchard. The homes were very traditional, paper walls, and futon beds. Each kitchen was well stocked, and each home filled with many necessities.

There were four homes, each with enough beds for the guests of the knights, meaning everyone had a bed except for the five chosen ones. Duo kicked at the earth, and glared up at the massive gate that would lead to the sacred temple of the angels. "Mighty convenient." He motioned around, "Everything basically provided . . . except electricity, communication panels . . ." He folded his arms, "And cable TV."

Sister Helen laughed quietly, "There's more to life that the creature comforts . . ." She admonished gently, "You know that Duo . . ."

He nodded, "Yeah, I guess . . . but when we're up there . . ." He jerked his thumb, "Training and stuff . . . what are you meant to do?"

"We'll find entertainment . . ." Helen smiled sweetly, "We always do . . ."

Master Fao hobbled over, "What makes you think you are training up in the sacred temples . . .?"

Duo frowned and glanced over to the man, Wufei was stood nearby, "According to that sign . . ." He nodded his head back to a small notice board near the gate, "The training grounds are near here. We will probably have to travel up and down on foot from the temple to train . . ."

"Man . . ." Duo groaned, "This is gonna be so harsh . . ."

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

And Now It's Time to LEAVE IT TO DOCTOR MEGALOMANIA!!!
DrM: [beams happily] hello and welcome to—

Duo: [runs up and kicks DrM in the back of her chins]

DrM: OWW!! What the hell was that for?!

Duo: isn't enough that you are giving me mental trauma in Gundammit?! But you have to make me climb a MOUNTAIN in this?!

DrM: [folds arms and pouts] I can make you do what ever the hell I want. . . [bends over and rubs the back of her chins] And for that I think I'll make the Angel make you run up and down the mountain twice a day!

Duo: [smirks] this is all just because you have to move in a few months time isn't it?!

DrM: DAMN RIGHT!! I was planning of staying here for the three years of my uni! Damned landlord!! [sulks]

Duo: Well, looks like she's going to be in a bad mood for a few more days, at least until her next house is sorted out. . . good news for the humour fic, bad news for anyone who knows her in Real Life . . . anyway, Please R&R and we'll see you next week!!