Notes: I am happy I got this chapter done quickly. Like the last one, some of it is a bit choppy, but the reason I did that is to keep the story going at least some (and point out the slight differences due to changes I've made in the storyline earlier), but if you've seen the show you already know what happens. I hope this chapter pleases, but it's kind of an inbetween point of what happens before things get more intense. I hesitate to use the word "filler" because it does pertain to Duo's situation. Anyways...

Duo could hear a battle being fought throughout the Sanq Kingdom. He grew concerned when he heard the first shot, and then grew almost panicky when he sounds of fighting grew closer to the small house he occupied. Despite the week that had gone by and all his struggling, he had made no progress in loosening the knots. As he heard footsteps running down the street outside, he started struggling and pulling against the ropes so hard that his wrists bled. He nearly jumped out of his skin when the door to his room was kicked down. Shit! I can't even defend myself. Damn you, Heero! Two Oz soldiers came into the room and looked about when they looked at the pilot still tied to his bed.

"Inform the Colonel!" one shouted. "We've found him. We have 02 in our custody."

"Like hell you do!" Duo yelled, pulling even harder. Damnit!

"What can you do, 02?" one of the soldiers asked mockingly. He lowered his gun when several more soldiers flooded into the room, drawing his knife, and cutting the ropes on his ankles. He then cut the ones on his wrists and flipped Duo onto his stomach before he could react, and pushed his head down into the mattress. "Hurry, cuff him." Two more soldiers came up and wrenched his arms behind him and tightened the cuffs down until they pinched the already bleeding skin. His head was released when he felt an arm link through each of his and lift him to his feet. "As I said, gundam pilot…we have you in our custody." As they escorted him out to the street, several bullets came flying at them. In the panic, the two soldiers released Duo from their grasp. He moved his arms as much as he could, stretched his wings, and took off straight up and flew toward the area where he kept Deathscythe hidden. He had already unlocked his restraints by the time he got there, jumping into the cockpit, and fought off Oz mobile suits. It didn't take long before Relena surrendered to Oz forces to end the battle.

Colonel Une slammed her fists down against her table as the news came to her. "Damn that girl. Now we have to pull out our troops. And how could you let him get away? He was in your hands and all you had to do was bring him here to me. Get out of my office while I determine your punishment."

"Ma'am."

The monitor in Deathscythe flickered before Heero's face appeared. "Duo, what the hell are you doing?"

"Well… thanks to your not-so-brilliant idea to leave me trapped in my room like that, Oz got their hands on me. Thankfully, I managed to fly away and make it to my gundam and help with the battle."

"Get back to the house, now."

"You've gotta be kidding me! After what you did to me? I ain't going back there."

"Duo, don't make me repeat myself."

"Go to hell, Heero! I'm heading out to space. I'll take my chance fighting off Oz alone."

"Duo, no!" Quatre cried.

Before Heero could protest, Duo flew up in his gundam until he'd long since cleared the atmosphere. Sorry, Quatre. I can't Heero do that to me again. It's just too risky.

Sitting at his laptop, Heero discovered the location of Trieze Khushrenada and flew off to assassinate him, where he failed and encountered Epyon. Meanwhile, Quatre and Noin decided to take off back into space. Not long after they encountered Duo, who informed Quatre that he'd found Trowa.

"Really?" Quatre asked with tears in his eyes. "How is he?"

"He seemed fine," Duo responded. "But he has no memories of us or being a gundam pilot."

"What? I have to go find him."

Duo smiled at the kind heart that Quatre never failed to display. It was almost like Quatre released kindness into the air then it seeped into Duo. "Alright, I'll help you."

Now aboard Peacemillion, the five gundam pilots learned of the battleship Libra, that the White Fang had seized it from the Oz space force, and had since completed it. After the Oz space force took a colony hostage, the pilots went out to rescue the colony and its people. During this venture, Trowa thankfully regained his memories and was able to more actively participate. They were now faced with the task of fighting the White Fang head on to prevent them from firing at the earth with Libra's main cannon again, which would result in the destruction of the planet. Heero took off in Wing Zero to face Epyon, and the mobile dolls were getting the better of the other four pilots.

Reluctantly, Quatre activated the Zero system that Heero asked Howard to install in the Sandrock. As he directed them in battle, the Zero system showed him a vision he hadn't expected. First, he saw Duo captured and brought to Trieze…his wings the deepest black, his eyes hollow, his cheeks stained with tears… The world was in ruins, the colonies tyrannized, and Oz leading what remained. Next, he saw Duo living peacefully…his eyes sparkling with joy, his wings whiter than the purest snow… The world was peaceful and beautiful, people appearing happy. Is the prophecy he spoke of true? Is he really the key to achieving true peace? We have to protect him.

Once the mobile dolls were defeated, they returned to Peacemillion for rest and repairs. Quatre approached Heero just outside the hangar. "Heero, can I speak with you?"

"Sure." They walked to an empty hallway on the other side of the ship. "What is it, Quatre?"

"The Zero system showed me something interesting…actually rather frightening. Apparently Duo really was telling us the truth. We can't allow Trieze to get his hands on him. He truly is the key to achieving peace."

"Zero showed me the same thing."

"So, what should we do? Can we allow him to go into battle and risk being captured again? They've already gotten him twice and he was lucky enough to escape, but that doesn't mean his luck won't run out."

"No. Zechs is piloting the Epyon, which also has the Zero system. I'm sure he is also aware of Duo's secret. I'm certain he would try to use Duo for his own agenda, as well."

"Yeah."

"Hey guys," Duo said, walking up to them. "Whatcha doin'?"

"Duo," Quatre started nervously. "We…uh-"

"You will not be fighting in the remaining battles. Trieze is coming to space to find you and to take out the White Fang, as they threaten his position as the leader of all people on earth and in space. It's too risky to allow you to fight."

Duo's smile slipped from his face and was replaced with a scowl and a piercing, angry glare. "You can't stop me from fighting. I have to be a part of this. I am a gundam pilot and it is my duty to protect the colonies. Who the hell are you to make this decision?"

"Duo, please," Quatre begged. "The prophecy is true. Can you really risk being captured again? If you did, we'd all be doomed."

"Oh, so now the truth comes out. Damn you for making me tell you about this, Heero. I'm sure you've already told Trowa and Wufei all about this too, right? Forget it…I'll decide how I'm gonna live my life, not any of you." His wings tore through the back of his shirt as he spread them and he flew away quickly.

Quatre looked at Heero somberly. "Maybe we need to let him fight. He needs to be happy. In my vision, when the world was at peace his wings were white and he looked truly happy. When we saw his wings last, they were mostly black. Maybe we are mistaken."

"Hmm…"

Trowa and Wufei were walking to the common room and they saw Duo fly past at the end of the corridor they occupied. Puzzled, they stopped and exchanged glances.

"Did I just see what I think I did?" Trowa mused.

I hope not," Wufei almost stuttered. "Maxwell can't have wings."

The four pilots sat around the table and Wufei told Heero and Quatre whey they'd seen. Quatre just lowered his head.

"You knew, didn't you?" the Chinese pilot fumed. "And you chose not to share this information with us? This is an injustice!"

Quatre explained the prophecy to them, what lengths Oz has already gone to attempting to apprehend him, and what he'd just discussed with Heero."We have to let him fight, but we have to protect him at all costs. He cannot be captured again."

The others agreed and Quatre stood to leave the room and search for Duo. When he found him the braided pilot sat with his back to him, his wings still exposed and as black as ever. Slowly Quatre approached him, stopping a few feet away. "Duo?"

"What?"

"I'm sorry, Duo. We made a mistake. Will you please fight with us? We need you out there."

"Really now? What changed?"

"Nothing. You're an excellent pilot and we need your skills to win this war. We will help make sure they don't capture you, but you are vital to our success."

Duo turned his head toward Quatre, his eyes softening. "Do you mean that?"

"Of course I do." Quatre's eyes wandered to the large wings still protruding from his friend's back, noticing several feathers turning white. "This may be out of line, but…can I touch them?"

Duo melted at the innocence in Quatre's blue eyes and smiled. "Sure…why not?" A bright smile covered Quatre's face and he reached out slowly and softly slid his hand over the feathers. Duo leaned his head back and purred at the sensation it sent through his body. Noticing Duo's approval, he continued to stroke the beautiful wings, seeing more feathers changing from black to white. A low, deep moan escaped Duo's lips and his wings twitched, causing Quatre to step back. Slowly, Duo stood and turned toward the other. "Quatre, I have to ask…do the others know?"

"They do now. They saw you flying through the ship earlier."

"Oh," he lowered his head. "I'm sorry I got so angry."

"No, I'm sorry. We were mistaken, but we want to make it right. Now come on, let's go get a bite to eat."

Duo looked up and smiled. "Sure. I am pretty hungry."

Notes: I hope it didn't come out bad. The next chapter might take a bit since it involves the final battle and the changes I will make ot it to serve the purpose of my story. Please R&R. Thank you. ~Duo