Wing Warriors

Author Abby Ebon

The poor Hawkbrothers of K'Chona were still reeling from one unexpected visitor, having four more, with two Companions, and a so-far unnoticed Firecat, just appear out of no-where was beginning to be too much for them.

Suffice to say they caused enough of a stir that Wufei came running. His fellow pilots watched and listened in baffled amazement as their friend explained the situation in a language they didn't know- but they knew the tone.

It was the 'Duo is doing something annoying- again' tone, much to the amusement of the braided pilot- and his fellow pilots, it wasn't being directed at Duo.

When the Hawkbrothers backed off, Wufei took the time to study his friends- and their 'pets'. He had a feeling they were as much pets as Jinni or his firebird.

"Good to see you again Wu-man. How you been?" Duo asked manic-cheerful his arm still around Sartra- consequently Heero still gripped the other boys braid. At Wufei's raised eyebrow, Heero seemed to realize this and quickly released the other boys braid.

"Fine, I believe we are in dire need of a meeting- preferably in a mixed language." After saying such Wufei guided them back to Darkstorm's 'tree-house' Duo and Quatre chatting over the 'tree-city' and musing over the building materials. As their Companions couldn't fit, they were to act as 'guard dogs'.

--

Once inside Wufei shooed Darkstorm out, and settled down to tell his end of the tales. Other then the memory swaps and getting a 'bird' instead of a 'horse' or 'cat', it was pretty tame.

Trowa confessed to knowing of White Gryphon- a legendary city likely a great distance away. He and Wufei told the others of the other sentient species of the planet, which didn't need much convincing.

Quatre and Heero confirmed that there were people in the surrounding lands who practiced 'magic'. At Duo's doubt Trowa and Wufei remind him of the way they had gotten here. When things started to die down and they spoke of the creatures that had bonded to them Heero brought up the last subject that he dreaded sharing- but the others had to know.

"This is our world." Heero stated, and glanced at Quatre, who bowed his head in agreement.

"How can you be so sure?" Duo asked, doubtful, and filled with a strange chilling dread. He felt Sartra trying to comfort him, but wouldn't allow her too near his feelings; he had practice with it because of Quatre's space-heart.

Quatre blinked back tears. "The colonies- they're up there, we saw them." Wufei stiffened his eyes hard. Huang cooed soothingly to him upon his shoulder, yet it did no good. Amensa from Trowa's tense shoulder looked at them with pity.

Duo's eyes were hidden by his fringe.

"Did you explore them? Could there have been…survivors?" Trowa set his had on Duo's shoulder. Heero shrugged, not looking at him.

"They were in disrepair. I do not wish to think of how well the Colonies would have fared without trading with Earth." Heero felt Duo's sorrow- they had known that while L2 had been a poor home, it was the only one Duo had known.

"So everyone in space, all those millions of people…" Duo started visibly shivering at the horror of the thought.

"N-no! Duo, don't think like that, they could have evacuated to Earth…" Quatre said, hugging himself.

"We'll never know unless…" Duo glanced at his fellow pilots- they were not the type to be content in not knowing something. Even so, hundreds, perhaps millenniums had passed…

: I am afraid you'll have to save you plans for self-destruction. : Amensa interrupted, blue eyes glaring into the pilots.

: We need you. Do you know, Braided-One, what happens to a Companion who loses it's Chosen to death? : Amensa started again, gazing at Duo, who shook his head.

"Though I don't think it's anything good…" Duo said, trying and failing at brightening the mood.

: Indeed. They die; if they die- and you somehow survive imagine life without her. : Amensa told them, paying especial attention to Duo- who paled distinctly.

: Exactly. Do not think Huang wouldn't be affected if you died Wufei…: Amensa added, taking no pity on the young warriors.

She left them reeling, and she was glad for it- it would do no good if their 'saviors' went to suicide over something they could do nothing about. There was no sense- no purpose in it. Trowa soothed her raising fur, and she needed his broad shoulders affectionately.

Heero heard it before he saw it. He automatically turned to the noise and ready for a fight.

Wufei tensed. He had told Jinni to keep hidden until he explained; apparently he had taken too long for the kyree's patience. So it was that the large midnight black and green eyed kyree set eyes on Heero and declared him her bonded 'cub'.

After promptly adopting him, she settled protectively on his lap.

Duo was most amused, and when Heero puzzled out what all this meant, he shrugged it off as a fate he hadn't been able to avoid. While inwardly he was relieved there was nothing wrong with him that the 'escorts' could sense.

Amensa favored the 'dog' with a glare, and with a flick of her tail and with and a : It figures…: dismissed Jinni and her obvious affection for her bonded if baffled cub from her attention.

: While it is nice that the Cub…: Amensa tested the word, and though Heero glared at the cat (much to Trowa's amusement) Amensa continued as if she hadn't paused. : Yes, the Cub, has finally bonded, with a 'dog' no less…:

: Kyree. : Jinni disagreed, interrupting, her green eyes flicking to the 'cat'. : Unless you want to be supper- you will call me what I am. : The kyree's jaws hung open flashing huge fangs and a mouth that looked to be able to swallow the 'cat' whole.

Heero's lips twitched, and Duo swore he was about to smile. The braided teen was grinning widely- which the cat was ignoring, while Quatre was holding a hand politely over his mouth- Wufei was carefully not looking at the firecat, preferring to pet a calm Huang.

Amensa showed no signs of being ruffled- though Trowa's shoulder would later show that she had been- though Trowa hadn't winched as the claws dug in, Amensa continued.

: None- the- less, the Sun-God has blessed me with the energy to continue. Let us go outside, the 'horses' are restless. : From outside came a horses whinny. : Shush it fur-ball, you shouldn't insult what's bigger then you. : Duo's Sartra rumbled. Amensa snarled, lashing her tail. Duo snickered, but obeyed Amensa- going to his Companion, and the other five followed his example.

: Now hold on, this may be…bumpy. : Amensa warned a worried note entering her voice.

The pilots found themselves in their collectively least liked place- the Moonpathes.

Amensa took the time to gaze into their eyes, especially Heero and Wufei, who regarded her coldly- angry at not having a warning at where exactly they were going.

: I am no threat to you young warriors. In fact I am here to help you…Let me show you…: Amensa nodded toward a 'star', obedient, if doubtful, they found themselves staring at it. It shifted, and focused, and they saw it as if it was a silver disk that they could not look away from.

They saw what the Companion's knew to be the past.

It wasn't pretty.

--

Meanwhile, just as K'Chona and Valdemar were starting to wonder what exactly they were going to do with the Gundams- or if the should hold them until the pilots came back- all five of the Gundam's disappeared...