Author's Notes:
I managed to trim it down enough to fit reasonably within one chapter. Don't worry about missing out on anything, though. Most material was cut because I realized it would make more sense to put it in a later chapter. Next chapter after this is likely to take a couple of weeks, though, because of summer classes, job applications, and because it will be new stuff.
This chapter contains the tail end of a magic lesson (sorry if it wasn't as much as you were expecting, but there will be more to come, I promise), some fluffy cuteness, a mention of a new OC of mine, and of course some friendly jabs between bros (Baku's getting more and more leverage for teasing XD).
I'm having a lot of fun, and I hope you all are having just as much fun reading it! ^-^ Please leave a review after!
Disclaimer: SD Gundam Force is the property of Bandai and Sunrise. They created everything used in this fanfic chapter except for my OCs Aleda and Titan.
Chapter 7: Purple Roses
"Very good!" Zero praised as a glass vase formed in the air just above Aleda's cupped hands. "Keep molding it. Make it the most beautiful thing you can possibly imagine." The vase's surface began to morph, as if liquid, to form elegant grooves and patterns. Diamond-shapes and curved outlines etched themselves into the glass, and little dots beaded up to connect the patterns. Suddenly, the hue of the glass died itself to a deep blue. "The color suits it," Zero commented.
But then the glass form began to wobble as Aleda began shaking. Without taking her eyes off her creation, she said, "Zero, I'm starting to feel very tired."
"Hold on," Zero said, floating closer to her. He landed and cupped her hands. The vase stabilized as the knight's power came to her aid. "Go ahead and finish it."
The patterns settled themselves into solid forms. "I still feel like it's missing something," Aleda stated. "What do you think, Zero?"
Zero paused for a moment, then brushed his fingers delicately over the glass. The bead shapes began to shine, and hundreds of tinier, multicolored sparkling stones splashed neatly onto the patterns. Aleda beheld it with awe. "It's beautiful."
"I have only exposed the beauty you already carved into it," said Zero. The vase, finished, sank down into Aleda's hands, which were still gripped by Zero's. "Milady, let me carry it for you," Zero insisted. "I shall escort you back to your room."
"So, we're done for now?" Aleda said in disappointment as she passed the vase to Zero.
"Regrettably, yes. Your body isn't used to the strain of intense magic, and you are too tired to continue now. If I allowed you to go on, you could collapse from exhaustion and become violently ill, and it would be intolerable for me to allow that. We'll continue tomorrow, after you are well-rested."
"I can't wait." Aleda smiled.
"Your hand, milady?" Zero said, also smiling as offered her his silver, metal hand.
"Uh…sure…" Aleda gingerly placed her hand in his, and together they walked out to the hall.
A few minutes later, Zero noticed Aleda's hand trembled even worse than before. "Milady, are you alright?" he asked in concern.
The Lacroan Gundamess noticeably shook all over. "I…I think…" Zero set the vase down quickly, and sure enough, Aleda's legs gave way seconds after. Zero caught her before she could hit the floor.
"Lady Aleda! Are you alright? Can you speak?" Zero asked in alarm.
She raised her head. "Yeah. I'm fine, now," she said. She started to move her legs to try and stand, but Zero tightened his grip.
"No, do not try to move, milady," the knight objected. "You're more weakened than I thought. I'll carry you."
"You don't have to go through the trouble—" Aleda weakly began.
"Nonsense. You may faint again," Zero said. He snapped his fingers, the vase poofed into thin air, and his empty hands scooped her up.
"Thank you," Aleda said softly.
"It's no trouble, milady," Zero said. He took to the air, carrying her bridal-style to her room. When they arrived, Zero gently lowered the Gundamess's gold-edged feet to the ground. He still hovered worriedly behind Aleda as she quickly punched her password into the keypad beside the door, ready to catch her again should she have another dizzy spell. The door slid open, and Aleda turned to Zero.
"Thank you, Zero, for teaching me magic and for helping me back to my room," she said.
Zero smiled at her. "No need for thanks, milady. I enjoyed spending time with you, and I am glad to assist you in any way."
"I enjoy spending time with you, too," Aleda said bashfully. "I-I guess I'll go rest, now," she said, backing up into the room.
"Oh. Milady." Zero snapped his fingers, and Aleda's colorful vase appeared, again, in his hands. "Here is your vase."
"Oh. Thank you," Aleda said again as she took it.
"Should I fetch Kao Lyn to see you?" Zero said with a momentary crease in his digital eyebrows.
"No, that's okay. He can't do anything about magic, can he?"
Zero frowned. "It's only that I'm worried to leave you alone…" He suddenly brightened. "Aha! Here." He extended his hand, and a little light rose from his palm and floated to hover by Aleda. "If something happens to you, I'll know immediately, and I can come aid you."
Aleda nodded, watching the ball of light in curiosity. "My password is 8958, if you need to get in," she said. "Like if I pass out or something," she quickly clarified.
Zero bowed. "Your trust in me will not be misplaced, milady."
Aleda giggled and said, demurely, "You're a very sweet Knight Gundam."
Zero glowed under her praise, both literally and figuratively, as his face was practically glowing red. "Th-Thank you, milady."
"See you later, Zero."
"Y-yes."
The door slid shut, which left the Knight Gundam outside to ponder that interaction. What is wrong with me? Do I mean to court a lady during a war? Shaking away his uneasy thoughts, Zero drifted towards his room; he was sure Fenn would soon be waking from his nap.
...
Once the doors slid shut, Aleda set to work. She took the vase to the bathroom, filled it partway with water from the sink, and took it to the dresser where the three purple roses rested in a plain glass of water. Zero's little light followed her every move. Aleda transferred the flowers to the new blue vase and dumped the old water down the drain. Only then did she ease herself into bed, smiling at the sight of the beautiful vase, glittering in the little magic light, a creation shared by her and her knight in shining armor.
...
Kao Lyn excused himself a few minutes before the end of his break to visit Chief Haro's office. "Chief Haro, sir," he hailed, saluting.
"At ease," the Chief said from his desk. "Was there something you needed, Kao Lyn?" A pile of papers awaited him.
"I wanted to discuss Project Gundam."
The eyes of Chief Haro's mask blinked yellow. "Are you concerned about Aleda?"
"Not just Aleda. If she found us, then Titan may also come. He must have noticed the ruckus."
"Our trackers report that he is hundreds of miles away and has made no move to contact us or the Gundams."
Kao Lyn shook his head. "I think it's only a matter of time. My gut says so."
"What do you think I should do? We cannot violate the privacy of the people involved. If they're going to find out, it won't be from either of us."
Kao Lyn sagged. "I don't know what to do, sir, but I can't avoid Aleda forever."
"Would she even recognize you?"
"That's a good question." Kao Lyn circled his arms over his head and then slid his sleeves together comfortably.
"I think you shouldn't worry. Even if she finds out, nothing bad will happen."
"She might get angry."
Chief Haro leaned his chin on his knuckles. "I can't imagine she'll react violently. She might leave, and if she does, then it is an inconvenience but not a tragedy."
"And Titan?"
"He's no loose cannon, either. You are dismissed."
With another salute, Kao Lyn exited the office.
...
Aleda awoke to the sound of knocking. She pulled herself up, groggily. "Who's there?" she called as she slid out of bed and stumbled to the door. She failed to notice the magic light flicker a few times and then blink out.
"Captain Gundam," came the answer.
Aleda pressed a button next to her door, and it slid open to admit Captain in his dis-armored and unmasked civilian mode. "Hi," Aleda said, blinking in surprise. "You changed, again. How do you do that?"
"It is my civilian mode," Captain explained. "All of my weaponry and combat armor has been removed. It is a disguise I use in my interactions with the outside world, so that I can mingle with the civilian population without revealing the existence of the SDG."
"That's neat," Aleda said. "Are you going down to Neotopia?"
"Correct. Bakunetsumaru, Zero, Fenn, and I are going to relax at Shute's house. We were wondering if you would like to join us."
"Right now?"
"As soon as possible. Though, Zero mentioned that you might be too tired to go, and that if you are still feeling fatigued he wishes you to stay."
"I don't think he has to worry that much. I had a long nap, and I'm feeling better."
"He is concerned for your health, because you used a significant amount of energy while learning magic."
I kind of expected him to check on me himself, Aleda pondered. "Where is Zero now?" she asked aloud.
"Zero is at Sayla's house with Fenn, helping her to transport cake to Shute's house," Captain answered.
"Oh. Okay."
"Are you coming?" Captain asked, breaking her thoughtful look.
"Uh. Oh. Yeah, I'm coming."
"Are you sure? You seem to be unfocused and slow in the processor," Captain observed, as his scanning visor slid over his right eye.
"I'm fine, Captain," Aleda insisted, waving him off.
"My scans say that your systems are slightly below normal performance."
"Then I can go. I'll just take it easy."
"Zero is not going to like this," Captain said gravely, his scanner sliding up into his helmet.
Aleda raised a virtual eyebrow. "I'm fine. He's not my superior, right?"
"No, he is not, but he wants you to be safe and healthy, as do I and the other members of the SDG."
"Please let me come, Captain?" she begged.
"Why is this more important than your health?"
Aleda sighed. "I guess it's not. See you later."
"See you later, Aleda. I will tell the others that you miss them."
The Gundamess gave a small smile and retreated into her room. She heard Captain's footsteps clang away. Once they went out of hearing range, she slipped out the door.
...
Meanwhile, down on the surface, Zero cautiously set a swaying stack of ten boxes on the table on Shute's patio as Shute shouted directions. "That's it! You got it! Just lower them down!"
Sayla was beside him, cuddling Fenn as she watched her cakes land gently and safely on the table. "Wow, you're so strong, Mr. Zero," she said.
Zero puffed his chest out. "Well, I guess I am a little above the average," he gloated.
"Above-nothing," Baku countered as he strolled towards them. "Any robot can do that."
"Yes, but with my same grace?"
"Grace? Please! You looked like you were dancing a jig trying to keep them from tipping over."
Shute shook his head at them and stepped forward to carefully peer into a box.
Baku's eyes sparkled with delight. "Wait, are those cakes?" He pushed Shute aside, lifted 9/10 of the stack, and pried open the lid of the bottom box. "It is a cake!"
"Is that all that catches your attention? Food?" Zero taunted. "If you don't take care, you'll get a big belly to go with your big head."
"I have a high metabolism. There's no way I'm getting fat," Baku said. "Plus, you're one to talk. The only thing that catches your attention is a girl."
"Obviously, I have better taste."
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
Zero was about to retort when he felt a flicker in his GunSoul. His eyes snapped to the skies. "Lady Aleda."
"See? I told you he's obsessed with girls," Baku sneered to Shute and Sayla.
"My magic spell says that Lady Aleda has awakened, but she is still exhausted," Zero explained. "I'll go tend to her."
"Before you go, you think you can help divide the cakes first?" Shute pleaded. He pointed at Baku, who now drooled over all of the open boxes of cake set out on the table. "Baku's going to take everything for himself if we let him."
Zero sighed. "Captain is in White Base with her, right now…I guess I can stay a while longer."
...
Aleda panted slightly as she flew down one of the White Base's long launcher fingers. She lowered herself to the ground and sat near the tip on her knees for a few moments to catch her breath. Then she stood and peered over the edge.
"Aleda!"
The Gundamess turned to see Guneagle rocketing towards her. "Aleda, wait!" He touched down in front of her, causing her to step back, and then continued in a normal volume, "I don't know much about how you Lacroans fly, but I was watching you float out here, and it looked like you were 'running out of juice.' Your flying's all wobbly and unstable. Are you sure you should fly off?"
Aleda glanced down to the distant ground, covered partially by clouds. "I don't want to go back to bed," she insisted. "I want to get out with the others so I can know more about Gundams."
Guneagle put his hands on his hips. "If you get down there, you think you have enough energy to make it through for a few hours without passing out or hurting yourself?"
"Yeah, I think I could manage."
"I didn't ask if you could 'manage.'"
"Yes, it's fine. I can do it."
"I think you should go back to bed."
"No, I'm fine." Aleda crossed her arms.
Guneagle sighed. "Fine. Captain just left, so I'll take you down."
Aleda waited as Guneagle stepped to her and looped his arms around her waist. "Okay, ready?" Guneagle crouched down to leap off, and Aleda folded with him.
"Ready," Aleda answered.
"Then, here we go!" With a kick, Guneagle dove into the layer of condensation below.
...
Guneagle made a few flirtatious twists and turns on the way, eliciting squeals and laughs from his passenger. As they neared Shute's house, Guneagle slowed and weaved into the trees behind the property.
Guneagle landed. "Here you are," he said as he released Aleda.
"Thanks, Guneagle," Aleda said, turning to smile at him briefly.
"No prob. See you later!" Guneagle's jet thrusters activated, discharging blue flames, and he roared away. Aleda walked sluggishly towards the house, and in spite of her fatigue, she grinned in anticipation of her new friends' company.
A rustle snatched the attention of the battle-experienced Gundams on the patio, and they turned to see Aleda emerging from the trees. "Milady?" Zero gasped. Seeing his stunned gape, Aleda's grin faded.
"That is odd. Aleda said she decided to stay in her room," Captain commented.
Zero snapped out of his stupor. "Here you go, Princess Sayla," he said, handing the girl a plate with a slice of vanilla cake and a fork.
"Oh, thank you, Mr. Zero," Sayla gushed.
"No problem, princess," Zero said quickly before flying to meet Aleda.
"Who is that?" Sayla asked Shute in a whisper once he was out of earshot.
"A girl robot named Aleda," Shute answered. "We met her two days ago."
"Oh, I'm excited to meet her," Sayla said.
Aleda saw Zero coming and hunched her shoulders.
"Lady Aleda, you still seem tired. Did you not want to wait for me at White Base?" Zero asked, with an underlying tone reminiscent of a scorned dog.
"You were coming back?" Aleda asked in surprise.
"Yes, milady, I was going to return to see you as soon as I finished helping with Princess Sayla's cakes."
Aleda briefly glanced at the only female she could see on the patio. "I thought…"
"You thought I had left you alone? Do not worry; in our team, we never abandon each other," Zero assured her. "Not even when we're just a bit ill."
Aleda nodded timidly."I'm sorry…"
"It's alright, milady. I'm only concerned for your health."
Fenn drifted over to Aleda and gently nuzzled her face. "Hey, Fenn," the Gundamess whispered briefly with a stroke to his fuzzy head. Then, she apologized again, "I didn't mean to bother you."
"You are no bother, milady, but Captain said that you need more rest. Let us return to White Base," Zero urged her. "I'll accompany you."
Aleda opened her mouth to protest, but Baku beat her to it. "Zero, she's already come all the way here. She might as well stay a while," he called from the patio, where he was seated at the table with a plate of ten cake slices in front of him.
Zero looked into the Gundamess's pleading emerald eyes and sighed. "I suppose for a while…Your hand, milady?" he added, softly.
"O-okay." Aleda placed her hand in his.
Zero guided her to the stairs, Fenn hovering close by.
"Hello, Aleda," Sayla said cheerily. "My name is Sayla. It's nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too," Aleda returned.
Zero pulled out the chair two places away from Sayla. "For you, milady."
"Thank you." Aleda seated herself and tried to swallow away the butterflies in her energy processor.
With the whole group seated around the table, they began to chat and take savory bites of Sayla's famous cakes. But Zero's blue eyes kept worriedly darting to the Gundamess, and Aleda had, in spite of her cheery smile, fuzzy-edged eyes, indicating that she needed time to recharge and reboot. Fenn sat on the table between the two Lacroans, looking back and forth from one to the other, as if unsure who he should cuddle first. Finally, he settled on floating around the yard.
"So I placed a strawberry at the top, and it looked fine," Sayla finished one of her long narratives about cake-baking.
"That was very clever of you, Princess Sayla," Zero said. "Your decorative taste is of the highest mark."
"Thank you, Mr. Zero," Sayla said sweetly.
Aleda sighed to herself. Maybe I should've stayed there. I don't know what to talk about, and we're just talking about Sayla. She laid her face on the table and thought sadly, Maybe Zero likes her.
"Well, enough about me. What about you, Aleda?" Sayla's voice said.
Aleda's head bolted up. "Huh?!"
Zero's eyes widened in horror at the sight of Aleda collapsed on the table. "Milady, are you well? Are you too tired?" he asked, hovering over her. "I should have noticed your fatigue!"
"No, I'm fine, Zero," Aleda asserted, sitting straight. "I was just thinking, is all. I'm sorry, what was the question, again?" she asked Sayla.
"I was wondering, what do you like to do for fun?"
"Oh. I like to draw," Aleda answered. "And, I like to cook for people, too."
"Yeah, she's good at that!" Baku said. "The cooking, I mean! I haven't seen your drawings, yet."
Zero nodded. "I agree. I enjoy Lady Aleda's lunches."
Shute whined, "You guys always get all of the food."
Aleda giggled and, almost at a whisper, said, "Thanks," at her lap.
They continued chatting together for an hour more. Shute excitedly informed Captain of the improvements he was making to his rocket skates, and Captain posed practical questions to help his human friend work out the details of maximizing maneuverability. Bakunetsumaru busied himself eating for a majority of the time: by the time an hour rolled by, he had consumed twenty pieces of cake. It was apparent now to Aleda just why Sayla had brought ten cakes. Speaking of Sayla…The blond related to everyone how she had recently had won first place at a pastry contest. "I can hardly believe it! It was my first time at the national level," Sayla beamed.
The Winged Knight responded, "Congratulations, Princess Sayla! You are most talented! I am certain that one day you will make a fine wife who will please your husband very much with your baking."
Aleda began to sink into the table, again. "Milady," a charming voice gently whispered into her audio receptor, causing her face to warm. "It is probably time we returned to White Base." Aleda, too tired to argue, silently nodded.
"Lady Aleda is tired, so I will take her home," Zero said to the group as he bent to gather her into his arms.
The Gundamess jolted once she realized his intention. "W-Wait!" She wriggled in his grip, burning bright red. "I can move myself—!"
"You cannot fly in this state," Zero argued.
Baku snickered into his hand.
"Care to share, samurai?" the Winged Knight said in a low tone.
"Share what?" Baku asked innocently.
"Never mind," Zero said, rolling his eyes. Shute raised an eyebrow.
Aleda stilled in the knight's arms and clung stiffly to his shoulder, her mouthguard still glowing like a lantern. "Are you comfortable, milady?" Zero asked her gently. She nodded, resigned to her fate. "Then, we'll be off. Farewell," Zero said to his friends, adding, "Come, Fenn." The little fluffball gurgled sadly, but he reluctantly left the wide open backyard to follow his caretaker.
"'Bye!" Shute called.
"See you, later!"
"'Bye, lovebirds!"
"Good-bye, Mr. Zero! Good-bye, Aleda!"
While she and Zero were in the air, Aleda weakly asked, "Why do you call Sayla 'princess'?"
"She carries herself like one of regal bearing, and her mannerisms remind me of Princess Relejimana," Zero answered.
"Why do you call me 'lady'?"
"All Gundamesses of Lacroa bear that title." He smiled down at her fondly. "So, you truly are a lady by birth."
"So Gundamesses in Lacroa are all ladies, and all male Gundams are knights?"
"Yes. All Gundams are of fairly high class."
Aleda pondered this for a moment. "I hope the other Lacroan Gundams are hiding somewhere. We can't be the only ones left…"
"I pray so, too. I miss my knight friends. But, they are fierce warriors who would give their lives defending their country rather than retreat." Zero's blue eyes dimmed somberly. "I doubt they live."
Aleda lifted her eyes to see the knight's depressed face, and the sadness in his eyes set off a painful twinge in her GunSoul. "They're really strong, aren't they?" she said.
"Well, yes, but—"
"Then they should be fine, right?" Aleda tried to lift his spirits by lifting the corners of her mouth in a sweet smile.
"But there were so many of the enemy…"
"Well, maybe they were just captured. Maybe they're sitting in a dungeon somewhere waiting to be saved. When we go to Lacroa, we'll go storm the castle and break out your friends. Sound like a good plan?"
Zero chuckled. "I approve of your tactics."
Aleda laughed with him. "Good."
"Fenn! Frrenn!" Fenn whined.
"I haven't forgotten about you," Aleda said to him. "You have two jobs: you'll barbecue all the Zakos, and you can find the key for the prison cells while we knock out the guards."
Fenn chirped in delight. "I believe Fenn concurs," Zero said.
"Yeah, I see," Aleda laughed.
...
Zero still would not set Aleda down when they arrived at White Base, and Aleda's attempts to convince him were—politely and sweetly—brushed off, so she gave up, stayed silent, and hoped that no one would see them and start made it to Room 346, and Zero punched in the key code, which opened the door with a ping.
"Zero, you can put me down now," Aleda said, with a hint of laughter. "I can make it from here."
"But you may stub your toe, princess, and that is impermissible," Zero jested, which sent Aleda into a fit of giggles. He floated the rest of the way and finally set Aleda on her bed. Fenn peered into a particular blue vase curiously.
"Is it really like that? With the princess, I mean?" Aleda asked as Zero pulled a chair to her bedside.
"Almost," the knight replied, settling down into the seat and brushing his cape out from under him. "The princess prefers to levitate with magic rather than walk on rough terrain."
"Oh," Aleda said. "She can use magic, too?"
"Yes, all humans of Lacroa can. Their souls come through the Spirit Tree, as ours do." Then, Zero prompted, "Are you going to lie down?"
"I guess," Aleda sighed. She slid under the covers and laid her head on the pillow. "Zero, thank you for doing this for me. I really appreciate it."
"No thanks is necessary, milady."
"If you want to go do something else, that's fine. I don't need you to stay here keeping boring company."
"Boring? Nay, I am having a wonderful time. I'd like to remain here, milady."
"Thanks." Aleda smiled sweetly.
Fenn sulkily drifted over to them, drenched in water. "Fenn, what mischance has befallen you?" Zero said in surprise. He cupped his precious little spirit. "You're wet."
Aleda apprehensively glanced at the vase on the dresser for a split second. "Aw, poor Fenn," she said. "Want me to dry you off?"
"You should not have to trouble yourself with this," the Winged Knight protested.
"It's okay." Aleda reached out a hand. "Here, Fenn, let me take care of you."
"Fenn!" Fenn cheered and gave a little bob of joy before sailing straight to her arms.
"Good, now hold still a moment…" Aleda took a corner of the blanket and began to rub it against Fenn's dampened hide.
"Milady!"
"It's fine. It's just a bit of water. It won't get the blanket very wet."
"B-But—!"
"Relax, Zero," Aleda said reassuringly. "I'm fine." She gave Fenn a last scrub and then ruffled up his fur. "There you go. Happy now, Fenn?"
"Fenn~," Fenn purred, nuzzling Aleda under the chin affectionately. His dried fur flared out, making him look even more like a fuzzball than normal. The Gundams laughed at his static-struck appearance.
They conversed for an hour, about Lacroa and the finer points of magic, until Aleda began yawning. "Lady Aleda, you are tired; you should sleep, now," Zero said gently.
"No, it's okay…I don't want to…" she trailed off into a yawn.
"I won't force you," Zero said. "But if you are so inclined, sleep. Don't try to stay awake for me. I'd rather you rest."
In spite of her insistence that she would not sleep, Aleda's eyes soon closed, and her breathing deepened. "The lady is asleep," Zero whispered softly. "We should leave her to her rest. Fenn?"
"Hrrrm?" Fenn said questioningly from where he was snuggled on Aleda's chest.
Zero noted how cozy his little spirit seemed, and sighed. "Well, if you promise to be quiet and still, then you may stay." Fenn smiled up at him and gave an affirmative mew. "Very well." Zero rose and slipped out the door with a last look at his sleeping beauty and his little puffball.
Author's Notes
Sappy fluff is fun ;) Everybody let me know if Aleda still seems to be a plausible, consistent character and if Zero is still in his character. Guneagle, too, actually, because I wondered about that one scene with him. He seems like the kind of fun-loving guy to want to jump into situations and maybe bend some rules, but somehow I thought he might give a bit of pushback when someone was trying to over-extend him/herself. Put in your two cents in a review, so I can know if I guessed correctly.
Next chap will have a ton of new stuff for me to write, so as I mentioned before, it will take a while. But, once it's done, I think you'll really like it. Trust me, all the stuff I've taken days and days to rework has put out something SO much better than what I had before! Next up: Aleda settles into a groove at the base, Guneagle gets himself in trouble, and Zero struggles with deep-seated fears of personal loss, while everything starts sliding into place to reveal a big secret of the SDG.
See you guys in a couple of weeks! Please review! It's really encouraging when I get reviews, so I know people are really reading. :)
-Penelopi