Summary: AC 202, Duo disappears. AC 204, a new artist called Violet Vendetta emerges onto the art scene. Will a newly identified threat reveal the connection between Duo's disappearance and Violet Vendetta's art?

Disclaimer: I don't own it. The end.

Violet Vendetta
CaramelAriana
Chapter 3

Duo sat on his porch and stared out over his yard. The full moon shone brightly over the desert, highlighting various shapes. Duo took no notice as his mind was elsewhere.

His lips tightened and he placed his head in his hands. He couldn't quite figure out what to do. He knew he should inform the Preventers of what was happening, but he didn't know how to do it without giving away his location. Any form of contact would be traced. Unless…Duo grinned as an idea suddenly hit him. He quickly left his porch and gathered his art supplies.

-o-

Wufei frowned over his cup of tea. Une had dragged him out of the office as soon as he had gotten in with no explanation. They were now standing in one of the largest agencies for emerging artists. After the reaction of Violet Vendetta's debut paintings, the Preventers had planted an agent in the distribution center. They were to be told of any potentially dangerous artwork. The agent had called Une this morning regarding five new paintings just in from Violet Vendetta.

The first painting was a flurry of white feathers against a sky blue backdrop. Each of the feathers was tipped in red. It looked like a sky full of bloody feathers. As customary, the painting had a cryptic line inked across the front of the painting. It read: "The Wings of an angel descend from heaven."

The second painting held a desolate graveyard under a darkened sky. The entire scene screamed death. In the sky among the stars was a green scythe. In fact, it was a scythe he'd seen before. Across the painting was the line: "While Death lay dormant, waiting."

A third painting depicted a faceless circus. Painted over the middle of the picture was a clown mask with a knife through it. The line across the mask read: "This world is but a Circus."

The fourth of the series was the most simple. The faint outline of a heart floated in the middle of what appeared to be space. A single colony stood in the background, not detailed enough to matter. The focus of the picture was the heart. The line on this simple painting read: "And the Heart of Space is weeping."

The fifth and final painting was of two swords clashing over a dark ocean. The line just below the swords read: "Until Justice rights its wrong."

The paintings were untitled, but the group was called "Shooting Stars." It wasn't unusual for an artist to create a group of paintings that belonged together, but it was the first time this particular painter had done so. Interesting that it was a group of five paintings that brought back very stark memories for Wufei. He refused to believe it was a mere coincidence.

Without looking from the paintings he nodded. "He was right," he said to his commander. "These do suggest the Gundam pilots. Wing was the Gundam piloted by 01. Death was a pseudonym for 02. As a cover, 03 worked in a circus. 04 has often talked about his 'Space Heart.' And justice was certainly an important concept for 05."

"It still is," Une muttered.

Wufei ignored her. "Even the title of the painting suggests the pilots. The first mission that sent the pilots to earth was Operation Meteor. A meteor is what the people of Earth call shooting stars."

Une nodded. "So what do you think?"

Wufei sighed. "Honestly, they don't depict any kind of threat, but rather a simple description of the Gundams. I also doubt the public at large would understand the implications. Still…" he trailed off. "Are they selling the paintings separately?"

Une shook her head. "The artist's agent has expressed that these paintings should be sold as a group."

Wufei frowned. "I think we should take them."

"You mean confiscate them?" Une raised an eyebrow.

"How much purchasing power does our agency have? I think we should buy them."

There was silence as Une thought it over. "So it's important enough that you think we should have them but not threatening enough to warrant taking them."

"Exactly," he replied. "I have a feeling the others would be interested in seeing these. Besides, my office is greatly lacking in decoration."

"You would choose such a cryptic artist," Une muttered. She appreciated having two of the former pilots working in her office, but she often wondered if it was worth the effort. "Should we call Yuy?"

Wufei shook his head. "These pose no real threat and we have no concrete evidence that they might in the future. He needs to understand the value of a vacation."

Une chuckled and was about to say something when the doors banged open. They turned to the sound and watched as a man stormed into the room. The man wore casual clothing and a frown on his face. He stopped a few feet from them and crossed his arms. "What are you doing here?"

"Mr. Matthews, always a pleasure," Une greeted politely.

He glared. "Maybe for you," he answered. "What business do the Preventers have here?"

"Now you know we like to keep tabs on everything going on around the world. We heard some interesting details about Violet Vendetta's newest work. Of course we had to come down here ourselves to see it."

If the man were an animal, Wufei was sure he would have growled. When Violet Vendetta had first emerged Une had gone to investigate it herself. This man must have been the artist's agent, so naturally he would not be happy about seeing her again. Wufei felt a touch of sympathy as he further observed the man. The art agent had obviously not planned on going into work today.

Une turned back to the paintings. "We're interested in buying these."

The man's frown was replaced by a look of confusion. "What?" he asked.

She faced him and smiled. "We have a great interest in these paintings, but we don't want to confiscate them."

His frown returned. "You have no right to hide free expression away from the public."

"But we do have a right to appreciate it."

The man sighed and thought deeply. "You want them all?" he asked.

Une nodded. "Just name a price."

He looked to the ceiling and back at the Preventers. "I'm not sure how my client will feel about this, but alright." He groaned. "This was supposed to be my day off," he grumbled. "Well come on, we can't complete this transaction down here."

-o-

It had only taken a few hours for Quatre and Trowa to find Wufei in his office. Apparently Quatre had been taking care of some business not too far away. Trowa of course had been with him. The two friends were inseparable, and Wufei never questioned it. Some things just did not need to be discussed.

Quatre took in every detail of the paintings with an unreadable expression. Finally he spoke up, putting the lines of the paintings together. "'The Wings of an angel descend from heaven, while Death lay dormant waiting. This world is but a Circus and the Heart of Space is weeping until Justice rights its wrong.' It's very poetic."

"And slightly discomforting," Trowa added.

Quatre nodded. "I have no doubt these paintings refer to us. Every piece details one of us perfectly."

Trowa frowned. "What worries me is the intimate detail. The artist would have to know us all personally."

"That was my analysis exactly," said Wufei. "I know of very few people that know these things about all of us. Separately, perhaps, but not the entire group."

"The only people who would know all this would be one of us," Quatre agreed.

"Or Relena," Trowa quipped. Wufei snorted.

When Duo disappeared Quatre had a feeling he knew why. He had shared his speculations with Trowa and Wufei. Now all three of them held a bit of a grudge against Relena, though they hid it well. It was heartbreaking to watch Heero search for his friend, knowing Duo would not be found unless he chose to be. The three of them had all tried to tell Heero that, but he refused to listen. He had often asked Quatre why Duo would leave, but Quatre couldn't betray Duo's trust by disclosing his feelings.

"Does Heero know about these?" asked Trowa.

Wufei shook his head. "He's on vacation. They're not urgent enough to interrupt his time off."

Trowa nodded in understanding.

"I understand why you took these," Quatre said, "but I wonder if it would have been beneficial to disclose them to the public. Maybe Duo would reveal himself if he knew someone had painted these with such detail. He never did like people knowing more about him than they should."

"Unless he's the painter," Trowa said.

"The thought did cross my mind," said Wufei. "The only problem with that is why would he risk being found? And why would he reveal himself in such a cryptic way?"

Quatre sighed. "I agree. Duo would be more likely to walk into Preventers Headquarters like he'd never been gone and demand his next assignment."

"I suppose," said Trowa, but Quatre could tell he hadn't dismissed the possibility.

"Well, whatever the case, Une has allowed me to keep these in this office. I'm sure I'll have a thousand questions to answer when Yuy returns, but it can't be helped. I felt I should tell you since these seem to concern all of us." He paused and looked at his friends. "Do you feel any action is necessary?"

Quatre thought before he answered. "We should all just keep our eyes open. For all we know this could mean absolutely nothing, though I sincerely doubt it," he finished quickly, seeing Wufei about to protest. "If it is Duo, it could just be one of his many jokes. Someone could be trying to threaten us, warn us, or simply get our attention. All we can do is wait and see if anything comes of this."

Trowa nodded. "I agree. We should also find whatever we can on this Violet Vendetta."

"We're already on it," said Wufei. "There's not much. Mr. Matthews is very loyal to his client and won't reveal anything about the artist."

"You could put a trace on him," said Trowa.

Wufei shook his head. "We can't do anything so blatantly illegal. Mr. Matthews has every right to protect his client's identity as long as there is no illegal activity. Unfortunately creating paintings that we find uncomfortable is not considered a crime. For now we'll just have to do as Quatre suggested and wait."

-o-

A/N: Oooh... Will the former pilots figure out who Violet Vendetta is? What is the meaning behind these strange photos? More importantly, what is Heero going to do when he finds out Wufei redecorated their office? Find out next time on...
Sorry, couldn't resist. n.n

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