A rotting stench of leaves and sweet flowers clung onto their nostrils and garments as the four them trekked away from the secret compound. It was hot and humid, making it more miserable as they were used to regulated temperatures and air conditioning. Birds screeching, insects buzzing, and the rustling of leaves as animals hid away scurrying around them.
The two boys had gotten tired easily due to their weak nature. Selena carried both of them. She had one on her back while the other was carried in her arms. Canard was shocked, as her strides never faltered. He felt a little jealous too.
"As I said before," Selena called back to him in that sweet voice, noticing his jealousy. "My limit is two without help. You're able to endure, they cannot. Continue on. I'll let you know when we can rest." Canard hated the feeling of his body aching but if she could lead them to safety, he would have to continue to endure.
He didn't want to estimate how long they walked but it was finally nightfall. Selena set down the two. The two headed for bathroom breaks, while Selena walked off into the forest alone. Canard sat down at the base of a tree. He closed his eyes, not caring anymore of the world around him.
A while later he heard whispering from the two boys. He had been sleeping nicely until then.
"What is it?" He didn't open his eyes when he asked them.
"Um, um," The brown haired boy started to mutter out. "Don't freak out, but I think there is something above you."
"There is something above you," the green haired boy mentioned. "It's a snake most likely by the shadow."
Canard's opened his eyes to see the faint silhouette of snake's body hanging down in front of him. As Canard was about to move his arm into it, trying to throw it to the side, it was snatched away by the small figure who had become their leader.
"Ah!" The brown haired boy jumped.
"You're back," the green haired boy could faintly see her.
"Only a python," her sweet voice commenting on the slithering creature made Canard's skin crawl. He could make out that she was allowing the creature to wrap around her arm. She dropped some fruits she had gathered. "I went foraging. All edible." She walked away with the snake curling up on her arm. "Still only a little thing."
Canard couldn't watch her anymore. He grabbed one of the fruits, trying to figure it out. When his stomach was satisfied, he fell back to sleep. Later, he felt a kick at one of his feet.
"Let's go," the sweet voice called to him. He rubbed his eyes to see that she was looming over him with the two boys in the same position that they were. "We need to keep moving."
Canard stood up and stretched. He watched her walk away. "How long of a rest did we get?"
"Two hours," she replied. Canard kept up with her. "This is an endurance test. They have machines. We don't. Soon, we'll change tactics. There should be a small town coming up."
The sun started to rise when they reached a small town. Selena stopped in the forest. She placed down the two boys, taking in consideration of them still sleeping. She told Canard to stay and watch over them. Canard sat down next to them; he dozed off.
Selena came back with clothes draped over her arms to three men sleeping. She didn't let the sleep. She kicked Canard's foot to wake him up while she tapped the other two awake. All three woke up. Selena explained the next attire they will be wearing. The two boys didn't find fault as it made it seem more comfortable for them. The four left to change clothes and come back.
Canard was surprised to see the three come out with a cloth covering the head down to the torso, that had a small rectangle mesh for the eyes to see out. He then understood why he came out in a tunic shirt, pants, and a head covering. He had a sash belt.
"So, we're pretending to be foreigners," Canard mused.
"How many languages do you speak?" Selena gathered all the garments from them.
"A few," Canard handed her the clothes.
"You're going to need to cover your mouth with some of cloth covering your head," Selena informed him. "I will be speaking for you then."
"Huh?" Canard was taken aback. "How can you speak for me?" He did as she said though. He took a piece of cloth to place over his nose and mouth. As he did that, Selena threw her voice. Her voice was no longer sweet and a pitch that was obvious of a woman's. It had become deeper, similar to that of the country they were pretending to be from. "W-Who are you?!" Canard scrunched his eyebrows as it sounded as if it was coming from him.
"Not the point of the matter," Selena explained. "You will be the one leading us, but I will guide you. Since we have taken on another identity. We must act accordingly. We'll travel by the means of our economic state." She handed over a small bag full of money. Canard was about to ask she attained it, but it had more than enough. "Lead us into town, from there, we will need tickets for the railway or by bus. We want to head to the coast lines."
Canard nodded. He started to walk after given orders. The three followed behind them. Canard didn't see where she had placed the clothes they once wore. Selena never displaced the clothes. She had them with her under her garments in a small bag. When the time was right, she would discard them.
At the Kingdom, Sven was in high spirits after getting an update. He met Yzak in the training room. Sven saw that he was finishing his stretching. He knew all about Yzak. Sven had an extensive file on him, due to several reasons, but the most important one was about Selena liking him. A brother couldn't help but be interested in his sister's life. Especially when he had become so protective of her.
Sven sauntered towards an area. He opened a cabinet, drawing out a sword used for fencing. Sven glanced at Yzak. "Why don't we have a friendly spar?" Yzak paused his stretching. "I think we'll be at the same level. Both you and I have been weakened." Yzak got up, nodding to him. Sven smirked. "Good." He threw the rapier over to him. Yzak caught in his hand. Sven grabbed a ribbon placed inside the cabinet. He tied his hair back with it. It was a yellow ribbon. Sven then took off his satin robe. This time he was in a lavender. He took off his button shirt as well. Sven grabbed another rapier for himself.
Yzak headed over to that area, getting into placement. He saw Sven had a lean figure but his muscles were detailed. He could see the outlines of a toned body.
"Don't be fooled," Sven called out to him. "This may look all astonishing, but I hate it." He closed the cabinet, before turning around. "This is the reminder of what I have been through. What I put my sister and cousin through. Unfortunately, my diet is similar to yours. I cannot have anything that is beyond nourishment and easy on the stomach. How I wish to have the traditional dishes of my land! I'm stuck with porridges or chicken with rice!" Sven walked over to set himself in place. The two started the formalities, before starting to move.
As Sven spoken before, the two were at a similar level due to the disadvantages placed on them. The rapiers hit against one another, clanging throughout the room. At times, the two would need a bit of a pause to regain stamina before striking again.
"For someone who came in second a lot," Sven commented. "You have such ferocity." Yzak almost nabbed him. "However, I believe we both are in the same league." Sven countered his rapier against Yzak, almost touching him as well. "Both of us, ending up second for far too long. Sometimes I wondered if my parents ever did the heir and the spare." Yzak was shocked to hear that but he was almost hit. He had to ignore Sven's words in order to not lose. It was becoming a draw match. "Anything I did, Selena did it better. Anything Anita did, Selena did it better. This ribbon in my hair, is her token to fighters. It was only given to me and Anita. Sometimes Mikael if he joined." Yzak didn't know where Sven was taking this. "The thing I want out of this whole ordeal, is for my sister to have a life. Her life."
Yzak started to think that maybe this was Sven's way of burning off some steam. It helped him as well. He had some anger about not knowing anything, and being stuck here without a word of when he would be released.
The two paused, gaining some rest. The relaxed their rapiers, panting. "Selena deserves to have a life she wanted." Sven continued. "She deserves happiness. She deserves to make her own choices. I wish my sister could make her own choice when it comes to aspects in her life, but she cannot." Sven looked over to Yzak who nodded. The two raised their rapiers again, going back at it.
The match was still a draw. The two didn't hear that Mikael had walked in. Sven spotted him while heated in the match. He made the sign to pause. Yzak relaxed.
"I have special news," Mikael spoke. "It deals with going below."
Sven couldn't believe what he heard. Good news upon good news. He let out a laugh. "Alright! You came just in time. Wait!" He turned to Yzak. "I'm in a good mood today, would you like to see a magic trick?"
Mikael rolled his eyes. "Sir, we do not have time for that?"
"Shh," Sven held up a hand to him. "I'm asking Yzak. Eh?"
Yzak was confused but he saw Sven so eager. He couldn't help but be reluctant in indulging him. Yzak nodded.
"Yes!" Sven let out another laugh. He went over to the cabinet, opening it up, to place the rapier back in. He put back on his shirt while Yzak walked over to place the rapier back in the cabinet. Sven grabbed his satin robe but didn't put it own. "Stay there Mikael." Mikael let out a sigh. "Watch this, Yzak." Sven held up the satin robe. "Now you see him." He moved the robe higher, so the two of them couldn't see Mikael at all. Sven shook the robe for effect, before dropping it to reveal that Mikael was no longer there. "Now you don't!"
"Are you done, Sir?" Mikael was behind them. Yzak flinched a bit, as he didn't know he was that close.
"Ho-how did you do that?" Yzak couldn't hear Mikael leave or even see Mikael leave to walk around them.
Sven put his robe back on. "A magician never reveals his secrets! However, what is really a magician but a man of illusions, mirages. Smoke, mirrors, slight of hand, a bit of a con man." Sven started to chuckle. "Was Andrew ever a man of the arcane?"
"Huh?" Yzak couldn't believe the last sentence.
"I take that as a no," Sven tilted his head. "He still is a man of alchemy though. Still trying to get the perfect combination of coffee. I'll see you again later." Sven headed out the door with Mikael following behind him. Yzak wondered if Sven was always this illustrious.
Sven and Mikael headed down in the special elevator that brought them down to the lower levels. Mikael didn't say anything further but disappeared once they reached a certain level. Sven picked up the pace as he moved through corridors and rooms. He finally stopped when he saw the familiar hospital bed.
"It's been a while Your Highness," the battered and beaten Mikael had finally woken up from his long slumber. Sven rushed to his side, tears running down his face. "Sir! Don't cry! I should be crying." Mikael started to have tears running down his cheeks. "I have failed your command. I couldn't protect Her Highness. I couldn't follow through with your command!" Mikael broke down.
Sven grabbed his hand. "When have we ever had these formalities!" His smile wavered through his sobbing. "Mikael, that was in the past. I was an idiot for giving you a command that couldn't be fulfilled. I am to blame for the state you are in. Only me!" He was so happy to see his friend alive and functioning. "Have you not seen yourself? You have a clean slate!" He was referring to all the scars that were on his body made by Selena due to the state she would become in, as well as all of the past orders Sven had given him.
Mikael was happy just as well to his friend and the royal who was over him. Mikael had been tasked to become Sven's bodyguard while growing up. Sven had taken a liking to him more than just someone who would protect him. The two became close friends. Whatever Sven commanded; Mikael would follow through with everything he had as Mikael trusted Sven that much. Sven commanded him to look after his sister while he tried to save her in his own way, but ended up failing. Mikael thought he had failed both of them since he had woken up.
The two reconciled for a while. Sven caught Mikael up on everything so far. Mikael had wondered how Selena was doing, and what had happened to her. He asked about how Sven woke up. Sven even explained about a guest staying at the mansion, and how Mikael was the one watching him. Mikael understood the notion.
On the Minerva, Shinn was angry at himself as he rewatched the fight scenes between ZAFT and the newest enemy. Each time he saw the blasts and machines exploding his anger rose in level.
Lunamaria came in while he threw papers to the side. Shinn was trying to take down notes of how to become a better fighter against them.
"What's the use!" Shinn roared. "I didn't press that ejection button." He looked over to her. "Did you press the ejection button?!" She shook her head to him. He turned back to kick a chair. "Then how did we lose that battle?! I have been in many fights, battles, a war; and I have come out on top most of the time. I am an ace pilot!" Lunamaria let out a sigh. She locked the door behind her, so that no one else could see Shinn break down. I've even taken down Kira! Single-handily!" Lunamaria crossed her arms, leaned up against the door. Shinn let out a growl before yelling a bit. He was panting. "I was so humiliated! I found out my weakness was mobile weapons. The DRAGOON system has got me stumped a few times. I will admit that. But I am an unstoppable force once I reach that berserker state. Not even Kira or Athrun could stop me. So, tell me why, this silver Zaku kicked both our asses and humiliated us!?" He pointed to the screen. Shinn had it paused where the beam from that mobile armor was coming directly at his mobile suit. "I have defeated several vessels and ships. Close range is my forte, but this machine and that pilot!" He dropped to his knees. His face still full of anger but his eyes started to water. "We could have died all because of my arrogance. Because I told you not to worry about some insignificant ZAKU that stayed behind on the Archangel." He looked over to Lunamaria. This battle had opened the wound of losing his family and Stella. "All due to my stupid arrogance." He bowed his head. His body resting on his calves. He brought up his hands to hide his emotions.
Lunamaria looked back at the screen. "It's not like you're going to let this battle stop you." She reminded him. "Each time you get defeated; you bounce back. You learn, and on the next battle you win almost every time. How is this any different?" Shinn looked up at her. "We've been lucky a few times already. This time, we know more about our opponents. We may be placed on the bench for a while until we can get back to where we were but that doesn't mean we can't figure them out." She walked over to rewind the film. "So, we lost. We didn't lose our lives. Next time, we'll make sure they know who they are dealing with. We fall, we get back up, and we knock them out." Lunamaria pushed play. "Let's find a way to knock them out."
Shinn let out a laugh. She was right. He could wallow or he could work past it, and find a way to beat them. He had the skill, he just needed to find a way to take them down.
At Orb, Andrew was rewatching the same footage of the fight between the Minerva and the new Archangel. He watched the battle several times. It didn't matter if he already knew the sequence and the strategies by now, he was looking for something that would give Selena away. "A mongoose is a mongoose is a mongoose." He would repeat to himself while watching it. He finally saw what he was searching for. He paused it a frame where the red ZAKU was still in the way of the beam from the silver ZAKU. His mouth gaped open. "Well, well, well. A mongoose is a mongoose." His lips forming a smirk. "We're following you little mongoose, show us the way." He pushed play to continue watching it.