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 only own Faye Bloom, Chang Xiao Fao Lan and the Angels. You know the pairings, but just in case . . . You've got 1x2x1, 3x4x3, 5xMeirin, a dash of 6x9, a sprinkle of 13xUne, half a teaspoon of OdinxHelen . . . and may just a hint of DxR and Dr.JxProf.G . . . [grins] what can I say? I'm evil.
[rubs hands together] what else have we got?
Ah yes, mandatory thank you to Bluegoo, even though she is still my primary betareader, she won't be putting in as much of an appearance for this next year . . . yeah, I plan on keeping on and on for a while . . . anyway, Blue's off at uni, which is BRILLIANT! But means she won't have enough time to beta for me . . . but does that mean that I will go down hill? That my terrible typos and grammar will get out of hand?! [laughs] Oh ho, HO! No way . . . [holds up hand and falls silent] ladies and gentlemen, yaoi fan girls and guys – I know you're out there - . . . there's a new Beta reader in town. My gracious thanks go out to CLOW'D9 of Cardcaptor Sakura Fanfiction Fame, for her time and her patience in this.
//Thinking//
"Speaking"
*Stress/Emphasis*
Writing/Dream sequence
Telepathic thoughts
:: Lyrics ::
~*~
For The Grace Of Knights And Angels
By Doctor Megalomania
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Playing With Fire
After Colony Two-Zero-Zero . . . The year passed too slowly for some, for others it passed entirely too quickly . . . The former Gundam Pilots were called upon once more to save the Earth Sphere, this time not from itself and its inhabitants . . . but from a threat far greater then they could ever have imagined.
The Future and the Past were to collide in a fashion not seen for centuries.
Once more a dangerous foe, far too powerful in itself, was poised to destroy the Earth, and this time there seemed very little able to stop them from succeeding. While the five former Gundam Pilots training on a small island off the coast of China, Relena Peacecraft lead the Earth Sphere in creating their escape should the Gundam Knights ultimately fail in their duty. She, with the aid of the influential Dorothy Catalonia, the resources and man power provided by Lady Une and the Preventers, and the technical wizardry of the former Gundam Scientists, were prepared to leave the Earth to avoid the extinction of the Human race.
Precisely one hundred and fifty five days remained. . . A paltry five and a half months remained until the final battle was due to take place. Its location was undecided, the victor by no means clear.
Without Gundams, and the ancient power of the angels their only source of the power, perhaps this final battle was to be too much for the Gundam pilots.
With only four of the Tenants of Magic achieved, the five young men continued to push every day, harder and harder. . . knowing that not only was their planet's fate in their hands. . . but the lives of their families.
Knowing . . . that the end was to come soon . . .
"Do you guys honestly believe we could do it. . .?"
Duo stepped up hesitantly to the edge of the cliff. He stared down the ravine, and swallowed hard. He felt his stomach turn over at the sight of jagged rocks at the bottom, softened only by the rushing water. The waterfall beside them rumbled loudly, flowing constantly. They were on the other side of the mountain, water from deep within the mountain bursting out, and falling a disturbingly long way down. Duo swallowed again, and stepped back. He glanced at the other people gathered. Sister Helen smiled wanly, her nervousness showing, as she wrung her hands together. "Duo, please come back from there . . ." she called over to him urgently, "I don't want you to fall . . ."
Nataku huffed, and folded her arms. She raised an eyebrow, "like a baby bird, you must learn to fly properly, instead of those little tree jumps you do!"
"Little?!" Duo snapped back, "excuse me but I don't see you tree walking!"
Nataku growled and raised her fist, "kisama! Don't tempt my fury, Baka-onna!"
Quatre shook his head and glanced at his mother, she and Faye Bloom were sat on an outcropping of rocks, while Rashid stood behind them. The five former pilots had managed to bring them through the gateway. Odin chuckled as he watched.
Helen tried to sooth Duo, while Wufei tried to hold back his wife. Quatrine smothered a chuckle, as Nataku tugged at Duo's braid. She glanced up, and stared at the sky. Only a few light clouds marred the pale blue. Summer was turning to autumn, and quickly. An impending feeling of culmination began to weave in her heart, and she knew the others like her, others that had been dead could feel it too. The end was coming, the battle would occur sooner rather than later, and it was becoming a reality. A sense of urgency, nothing too pressing, had established itself over them, and lead to encouragement—
"Wufei! Tell the little woman to let go, or you're a widower again!!"
"Little Woman?! I am no-man's little woman, Kisama!!"
--and some *heated* encouragement at that.
Katana was the reason they were up on the ledge. The angel had subtly suggested over dinner one night early, that the knights might like to try and expand on their various powers . . . that it would lead to them being able to conquer the mountain. Flying. They were up here trying to see if the former Gundam pilots could fly under their own power.
Trowa sighed and stepped up to the edge of the cliff. This was one of the biggest leaps of faith he'd ever considered. He glanced at Duo and Meirin as they continued to bicker darkly with each other.
"Do you think we can really do it?"
Quatre slipped his hand into Trowa, and sighed as he leant forward to see. "I don't know if I believe or not . . . part of me says take the chance, but another . . ."
"We have to conquer this, we have to." Wufei stalked over to the edge and stared down, "for the benefit of this planet we must overcome this . . ."
Meirin backed down as Heero pulled Duo away and she watched as the five knights stared at the edge of the cliff together. She pursed her lips, they didn't believe they were ready yet. "They won't overcome if they do not overcome the fear in their hearts."
Meirin blinked as Ogama stepped forward, and spoke quietly to the other angels. The five angels all stood on the outcroppings, and it was disturbing to see them all looking almost exactly like the five knights now.
Konbo shook his head, "we cannot do it for them . . ." he whispered back to Ogama, "there is nothing we can do to force them to advance . . ."
Meirin frowned as she saw Katana shake his head sorrowfully, "very well . . . we will have to try again another day . . ."
As Katana rose from his seat, Meirin flicked her head toward Wufei and his friends. The five knights glanced at each other and Quatre looked at Duo. The Knight of Death shook his head, and mouthed something that looked suspiciously like, "we're not ready." to Quatre. Meirin frowned, she wouldn't allow this, she just couldn't. She watched Quatre glance at the others to get their reactions. Wufei sighed heavily before shaking his head, Trowa squeezed his lover's hand and shook his head as well. Quatre leant forward a bit to get Heero's reaction. The intense blue-eyed knight glared down for a moment, before he too nodded his agreement.
She swallowed, knowing in her heart that if they didn't do it now, they'd never do it.
Katana glanced over at the gathered family of the knights, taking in their reactions. Everyone looked a little disheartened as side from the wife of the Knight of Warriors. Meirin was glaring at the backs of the knights, chewing on her bottom lip. She clearly didn't accept that the knights were about to give up. He smiled a little, as she looked up to stare intently at the knights. He followed her gaze and paused, she was staring at the two more powerful of the group. Quatre and Duo were looking at each other, talking quietly. They looked disappointed as well.
The remaining angels tilted their head as Katana sent a warm mental chuckle to them, and nodded his head in the direction of Meirin. Armbrust raised an eyebrow, as he leant forward to whisper into Konbo's ear, "are you. . .?"
"No . . ." Konbo folded his arms and sat back, "Meirin has made up her own mind."
Meirin sighed, breathing to clear her senses. If she were going to do it, she would have only one chance. She waited until all five of the knights were gazing downward before she started to run toward them.
Duo blinked as he heard Meirin's mind.
//only one chance – Wufei, I love you—only one chance//
"what the . . .?"
Quatre blinked and glanced at Duo, "what's wrong. . .?"
Duo turned slightly, "Meirin?"
Quatre turned as well, and blinked with surprised horror as Meirin ran toward them quickly, and wrapped her arms around their necks. It happened so fast, Quatre could barely believe it!!
Her momentum forced Duo and Quatre to fall backward.
The two knights mouths fell open as they felt themselves tip backwards. Heero's arm instantly snapped out trying to grab Duo's wildly flailing hands as the knight of death tried to hold on to Meirin and grab Heero's outstretched hand.
Time stopped.
Quatre's aquamarine eyes locked with Trowa's for what felt like an eternity. Wufei's face dawned with horror as the trio of his wife, and two of his best friends tipped backward over the edge of the cliff. Heero's finger tips brushed Duo's, so close and yet so far, Duo's hand slipping out of reach.
A breath later . . . Trowa, Wufei and Heero stared with abject horror at the empty space where their lovers had once been.
The winds whistled loudly.
Quatre blinked, they were falling . . . it didn't really register to him; it was a pleasant feeling actually. Free-falling from such a great height was actually very pleasant, he could breath fairly well because he was falling with his back down, and therefore the wind wasn't stealing his breath as much as it would as if he'd been falling on his front. He turned his head slightly, falling beside him was Meirin. Her long black hair streamed back from her face, as she fell forward on her front. Her cheeks were deathly pale, and tears fell from her face.
She opened her eyes and stared at him, her eyes were filled with tears . . . it was almost beautiful; the tears gave her eyes a glassy look, that emphasised the deep warm brown of the irises. The teardrops were pulled from her eyes and tangled in her hair before floating away from her. It was almost like they were in space.
Quatre blinked as he realised Duo was also falling with them. His hair was being pulled out of his braid, and strands of it whipped around his face painfully, his fringe obscured his eyes, and Quatre had a nasty feeling the other had past out.
"DUO!!!"
Quatre whipped his head up, as it began to dawn on him how close they were to death. Above him Wufei, Trowa and Heero were plummeting as well, their arms outstretched. Quatre lifted his hands up and reached for Trowa, //Trowa!!// He felt fear well up in his heart for Trowa, if they didn't do something, Trowa, Duo, Meirin, Heero and Wufei would all be killed. He closed his eyes; that was unacceptable. That was completely unacceptable! He couldn't loose Trowa! He wouldn't allow it!
"SHINIGAMI!!" Heero grinded his teeth as he tried to breath enough for another yell. It was making his lungs burn but he had to get Duo to respond, the long haired knight looked as if he'd passed out. And if they couldn't do something to slow down, Heero would never have a chance to catch up with him! He felt fear begin to build in his mind, he was scared to lose Duo like this . . .
Beside him Trowa closed his eyes tightly, trying to angle his body so it would fall easier, Wufei yelled out his wife's name, they were scared too.
They were all scared, scared because if they didn't do something, they'd all die! He shook his head; he couldn't acknowledge that, he wouldn't! He was the Knight of Mercy, he could save his partner!
He'd saved Duo from a heavily guarded OZ prison before, he could save Duo now.
Long white feathers exploded around them, Trowa whipped his head to the side as Heero sudden roared out loudly, "Shinigami!!"
Beside him, Quatre was surprised as Duo's body suddenly jerked, and long black wings ripped outward from his back. The long strands of hair that was obscuring his eyes fell away and Duo's wings suddenly expanded. Loose, long, black feathers were pulled away from the wings, as they spread and stopped Duo's descent. Duo's hand whipped out, as he tried to grab a hold on Meirin but she fell just past his reach.
He felt himself snarl darkly, as he watched Quatre and Meirin continue to fall. He'd awoken form his stunned state, and his wings were beating, very real, on his back. He blinked as Heero caught up with him, and fluttered in the air beside him for a second.
The two glanced at their similar but dissimilar wings for all of a heart beat before Trowa and Wufei plummeted past them.
Heero and Duo flipped over and chased after their friends, forcing themselves to fly faster as they saw the canopy of trees below rush up very really.
Quatre bit his lip and closed his eyes; he couldn't let Trowa fall any more!! He couldn't!! He could let Meirin beside him die, Heero and Duo were trying their hardest to fly to them but they couldn't fly fast enough! He could feel the air becoming more and more warm, more moist, telling him instantly that the trees and beyond them the ground was coming up very, very fast!
Trowa growled darkly, damned he would be if he let Quatre go. The feeling of their being attached by a small string tightened around his heart, threatening to kill him too if he let Quatre fall any further! He stared at Quatre's face, seeing small droplets of blood fall from his lips, where the little blonde was biting his lips so hard. He felt his back rip and tear open as his wings suddenly came into very real existence, but he kept his head above the pain. He knew the pain would be worse if he let Quatre go!
Quatre felt blood seep into his mouth as he cried out with pain, the wings on his back flapped desperately as they came into existence. He blinked and turned slighting in the air, trying to reach out to catch the woman falling beside him, he managed to grab her shoulder, and flip her over but the air resistance on his wings cruelly slowed him down too much before he could get a better grip on her hand!
Meirin stared up as the five knights flew desperately toward her. She couldn't help her heart beating so fast as she watched Wufei, his arms outstretched for her as he plummeted. Where were his wings?! She wanted to cry, knowing he would die if he didn't bring his wings out soon. Meirin's eyes were so crammed with tears as she screamed out desperately, "WUFEI!! WUFEI, FLY!! WUFEI!! FLY, WUFEI!!"
A roar of pain ripped out of Wufei's throat as he heard his wife's desperate cries rush back to him. "NATAKU!!"
The four knights flew past the knight of warriors, a mixture of white and black feathers streaming away from them as Duo and Heero twirled around each other, desperately trying to fly faster. Trowa spread his arms widely, and the trees themselves began to bend forward. Quatre stopped mid flight and turned to the mountain, his face held in the strictest look of concentration, as he glared at the rock face. Behind them, the mountain started to rumble darkly, as an explosion of rocks flew away and water, gallons of water rushed out eagerly. Duo's flight paused as he looked up, and motioned sharply with his hand, the water twisted sharply, and crashed right past Wufei.
The Chinese former pilot shook with anger at himself, why wasn't he able to do it. He shook his head, and kept his eyes locked with Meirin. He couldn't let her go. No. He loved her too much to let her down again. "NATAKU!!"
She felt like screaming but she had no breath left, the branches of the trees slapped at her face, as she stared up. She fell through the damp canopy of the tallest trees, and began to close her tear filled eyes. "Wufei . . ."
WATCH OUT!!
Trowa and Heero winced hard as Duo's mental shout ripped at their minds; they stopped and looked up as a large mass of water crashed past them and into the trees. Duo was creating a pool of water for Meirin; he knew the speed of her fall would hurt her a lot but he—
Duo's head whipped up as a massive explosion of fire burnt the air. From it, like a phoenix, Wufei's blood red wings unwrapped and the fierce Chinese man flew fast after his wife. Quatre flew out of the way, as did Duo. Trowa and Heero peeled away as Wufei rushed past them, leaving a trail of fire in the trees.
They could only hold their breath and pray . . .
She opened her eyes, the last layer of the upper most trees rushed past her.
She wasn't afraid to die again, she only hoped that Wufei would find his wings and fly to safety. Was she regretful? No . . . she'd helped to save this planet a little. She smiled as a ball of flame burnt the trees fiercely, the trees themselves parting to allow the fireball to come toward her.
She thought it was a delusion, a beautiful delusion. She never wanted to die again in any other way. Honour. Fire was a honourable way to die. She opened her arms as hands reached out from the burning mass toward her.
It called her name.
"NATAKU!!"
She was answering.
"WUFEI!!"
She cried out as the fire suddenly disappeared, and she was jolted out of her shock. She stared at Wufei's pale features; his black eyes were wide and filled with so many emotions. She realised she was trembling, he was trembling, they were both trembling as they . . .
She glanced down.
Below her was a floating mass of water, it was so still and calm, it had been waiting for her body. Her reflection stared back at her, showing her to be teary eyed and her hair was wild. Holding her tightly around the waist, Wufei's reflection sported fiery dragon's wings, flapping slowly.
Meirin blinked, as she looked at her husband, "you're flying . . ."
"Baka Onna!" Wufei snapped, his fear finally turning to anger, "You realised you could have been killed?! You . . . what if I hadn't been able to . . . BAKA ONNA!!" He screamed into her face, "IDIOT WOMAN! I love you!! Damn it, I love you!!"
Nataku's tears overflowed as Wufei broke down and sobbed into her shoulder, "Wufei . . ."
"I love you, don't you ever do this to me again! I love you!!" He shouted to her shoulder, "I won't let you go like this!!"
Meirin wrapped her arms around Wufei, as she too cried, "Wufei! I love you!" She held him as tight to her body as she could, squeezing her arms around his neck, "I knew you wouldn't fail me! I knew it!"
Above them, the foliage crackled as the four other knights crashed through the still burning branches. "Wufei!!" Called Quatre, "Wufei!!"
Husband and wife looked up, as the four others arrived. Quatre clutched his heart and gave an explosive sigh, "Thank Allah! He has been merciful!" The blonde bent over double; as relief threatened to over take him, "thank Allah!" He called out again, "He has been gracious and kind to us, the most undeserving!"
Trowa flew over to his side, and held him tightly. He was silent as he pulled Quatre tightly, Quatre looped his arms under Trowa's and held his shoulders tightly, his small face upturned as he continued to praise his god. Beside them Heero and Duo panted and flew close together. Duo raised his hand to his collar and pulled out his cross, he held it tightly in his hand as he kissed it reverently. The braided knight blinked, as Heero's hand shot out and grabbed his braid tightly. Duo gave a little cry of pain as Heero quickly wrapped the long length of hair around his fist, and yanked Duo close. Their huge white and black wings mixed as the two embraced tightly.
Meirin kissed her husband hard, "I knew you wouldn't fail me Wufei . . . I knew it, look . . . all of you . . ." she smiled brightly, her tears receding, "see what a little faith can do!"
The five knights pulled away from their loved ones, and took stock of what Meirin was saying. They blinked and stared at each other. Together their magic had saved themselves and Meirin. Together they had controlled the very elements of the Earth. Duo swallowed, raising a hand to wipe the sweat from his brow, and the small trace of spit from his lips. He breathed out, his heart still hammering in his chest, behind him his wings fluttered restlessly.
They were flying.
Duo smirked; Trowa and Quatre looked like Pixies . . . Giving their ethereal wings, all they need were some bright pixie clothes and those curling pixie boots, the ones that curled at the toe. Duo snorted as the image refused to leave his head and he began to laugh.
The feelings of panic receded from the others as Duo's infectious laugh caught Quatre, and the small blonde's praise broke up as he laughed happily. "What . . ." he chocked on his giggles, "what are you laughing at Duo? We could have . . . could have been killed!!"
"I know!!" Duo held his stomach as he doubled over in the air, "but you two look like . . ." he shook his head unable to continue for his laughter. Heero fought valiantly against the smile breaking out on his lips, Duo was fine, he looked around and surveyed the others, everyone seemed to be fine. Wufei's eyes were a little red, but his fierce expression receded as he leant over and kissed his wife possessively.
"What . . . ?" Trowa swallowed as he tried to contain his own mirth, "what do we look like?"
"PIXIES!!" Duo hooted loudly, "you look like god damn PIXIES!!" He leant back and laughed against Heero's chest helplessly, as Trowa mockingly raised a fist and shook it at him. Heero gazed fondly at the top of Duo's head for a moment, a soft kind of love breaking through his stern eyes for a moment. Quatre laughed even more as Trowa pretended to be angry, calling over, "Well, if we're pixies what do we do about you two angels?!"
"I don't know!" Duo snorted though his chuckles, and shrugged, "who cares?!"
The relief in the air was palatable, as the six all began to give into their laughter. Ogama smiled slightly as he descended through the trees. "Good."
Duo blinked and grinned at Ogama, "well . . . that's one way this little birdy learnt how to fly . . ."
Ogama nodded and glanced at each of them. "Are you all, all right?"
Duo grinned at his angel, "we're fine!" He breathed deeply, "we're doing just great!"
Ogama glanced up; the other angels were making their way down just as easily. The five angels faced the six humans, and it became rapidly apparent that something had happened. Heero's grip on Duo's tightened slightly as the humans' mirth died away and was replaced by awe.
The five angels' ages looked to be exactly like the Gundam pilots now.
They looked like tall, healthy eighteen and nineteen years olds. The only differences were their pupil-less eyes, and their ears. Ogama's hair was a little longer than Duo's and kept in a loose style. The Angel of death's cloaks swirled around him as he slowly flapped his wings; he smiled and glanced at Katana. Katana looked a lot like Heero, his hair perhaps a little shinier and sleeker, but kept in the same messy style. His white feathered wings beating in time with Heero's own wings. Behind him Konbo folded his arms, his loose black hair floating slightly as his blood red wings swung back and forth leisurely. He nodded approvingly at Meirin, "you would have made a good knight . . . your bravery's only fault is your impulsiveness." He shook his head and glanced at Wufei, "keep her only by your side . . . she will prove to be a great asset to you in the future . . ."
Wufei swallowed, and Meirin leant her head on his shoulder as his arms tightened around her waist. Quatre glanced from the couple to his own angel. Jikan looked almost exactly like him now, his hair perhaps catching the sun light a little more, making it take on an almost glowing look. The angel smiled at him, his expression warm and his deep fathomless aquamarine eyes narrowing fondly. "Well done . . ." Jikan murmured to him, he tipped his head toward Armbrust as the taller angel folded his arms, their gossamer wings twitching slightly, as they hovered together in the air. Armbrust sighed sharply, as Jikan teased quietly through their telepathic link, ::still, you do not believe . . .::
Armbrust glared at his companion for a moment longer, before closing his eyes and announcing softly, ::the final tenant of magic has still to be achieved . . .::
Jikan shook his head, and looked at the knights.
"Congratulations . . ." Jikan smiled happily as he raised a hand, and motioned around, "you have achieved not only control over your elements, Quatre, Duo and Wufei . . . but all of you have achieved the capability of flight . . ."
The five knights glanced at each other, each unable to think of anything to say. Duo winced as Heero pulled his braid, making the braided boy fly closer to him, Quatre blinked as Trowa resumed their embrace, uncaring of who saw them now. He closed his eyes, and dipped his face into the crook of Trowa's neck and shoulder. Wufei dipped his head and looked down at the reflection of his wife and he flying. His mind barely able to comprehend what he saw. Years ago, he and his companions were fighting with the strongest machines known to mankind, together they fought the Wars on behalf of Justice.
Now . . .
Now he and his friends, with his wife and their families, were fighting with the strongest magic they'd ever known to protect the Earth from a foe even more powerful than they'd ever known. They were fighting to protect the Earth; they were fighting to protect their very own existence from extinction.
Wufei stared at the reflection of his friends and breathed quietly, "by the gods . . ."
Meirin blinked and looked at her husband, "Wufei . . . what is it? Wufei . . .?"
The other knights glanced at him, and looked at the fifth with concern, "Wufei . . ." Quatre asked quietly, "what is it?"
Wufei looked at him, and nodded down to the reflections, "look . . ."
The four others looked down and stared at their reflections in the still water. The sight that greeted them surprised them all. Five knights stared back at them, Quatre let go of Trowa and floated as low as he could to the water, his reflection stared back at him as he knelt in the air.
They were wrong; the angels didn't look slightly different from them.
The angels looked *exactly* like them.
Trowa's eyes were just as mysteriously emerald as Armbrust's, Quatre's hair did look as if it was pure light spun as hair, Ogama's beautiful grace now stole over Duo's eyes and movements, Wufei looked just as fierce as Konbo and Heero's dark blue eyes were piercing even in the reflection.
Wufei was the only one to break the silence that had befallen them.
"We are the Knights . . . we've always been the Knights of Earth . . ."
---------
And Now It's Time To LEAVE IT TO DOCTOR MEGALOMANIA!!!
DrM: ah, it's good to be back, thank you very, very, very, very much for all the lovely reviews!! Only a short AN tonight, since I'm leaving for Germany tomorrow for a whole two weeks of holiday! I GET TO SEE MY FAMILY!! YAY!! [does a happy dace] the next chapter is actually my favourite chapter, so, I can't wait to get and post it! in the meantime, I hope you've enjoyed this chapter, and I hope you find enough time to review. . . yes, I know, obsession with falling . . . [see Tainted Soul series] anyway, please have a Merry Christmas and a happy new year!! Bai bai!!