30-Nov-2002
Title: House of Khushrenada
Author: bonnejeanne (bonnejeanne@yahoo.com) and von (sablexo1@yahoo.com)
Category: yaoi, AU, sequel, horror?
Rating: NC-17
Pairings: 1 + 2, 3 + 4, 5 + 6
Spoilers: None
WARNINGS: Darkish. Weird premise, AU, possible lemon later, knowing us.
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing characters and universe are the property of the copyright owners. Our stuff is ours. No money being made here.
Feedback: welcome.
NOTES: Another in the Classic Monster Series. Previous fics in the series are American Werewolf in Space, Bloodline, Broken (Silver) Arrow, and Name of the Pharaoh. All can be found at GWA.
The title is a nod to classic horror movies, 'House of Frankenstein' and 'House of Dracula'.
The sensation of being forced from the form of ethereal darkness back into his physical shape, through a will not his own, left Wufei feeling disoriented, in a kind of psychic shock. The first thing he became aware of was a strange bitter taste in his mouth, strange, but very familiar. It was the taste of defeat and despair.
Perhaps, a cool voice in his mind commented as he struggled to reconnect with his senses, perhaps the reason it had been so easy for him to learn to take the form of darkness was because he had always had darkness inside of him. In the beginning, it was a small darkness. It kept him aloof from those around him, and nurtured a kind of selfishness in his heart that he told himself was simply intelligence. He was too smart to get sucked into the idealism of his child-wife. When she died in his arms, it was nourished by guilt, growing a little bigger. For a while, it seemed to strengthen him, but that was the deceptive nature of darkness. It hid in his soul until the right time - until he confronted Treize, so confident that being right made him strong that he left his Gundam and faced the OZ leader in a personal duel. When he lost, it emerged, greater than ever before. It seemed to nourish on his shame and terror, as if sucking his blood right along with the abominable aristocrat. As his life grew weaker and weaker, it expanded to fill everything inside him. When there was nothing but darkness, no warmth, no pain, no hope, he understood what death was and why men feared it. He understood that what he'd thought of as his strength was simply his ignorance.
And when he found himself waking to a new existence, confined to twilight, he realized he would never ever be free of it.
For a little while, an unlikely ally and even more unlikely lover had come into his midnight world like a beam of white light. The light restored his courage, and created a new possibility of something like hope.
But, the darkness explained what he should have realized all along: that had never really been his to begin with.
When his mind began to accept messages from his eyes, from his skin, he realized he was looking at the floor, on his hands and knees.
What he didn't realize was that he should have been lying on his face. That his body had fought to its present position through sheer will and the refusal to give in, and that Treize was watching him with combined emotions of pleasure and pride.
Beside Treize, Otto was watching as well, his arms crossed over his chest. He really didn't understand his master's actions with regard to the Chinese Gundam pilot. He didn't question them, such was not in his nature, but the emotions and the tolerance he observed in Treize foiled his comprehension.
Wufei no sooner realized his position than he was standing, ebony eyes turning to red blazing orbs with a painfully intense glare leveled at the ginger-haired aristocrat who had 'made' him.
Treize simply looked back with a faint smile curving the corners of his well-shaped mouth.
"No matter what you do, you will never be my master," Wufei managed, through clenched teeth that were a little longer and sharper than a normal human's.
Treize shook his head gently. "No matter what you do, I will always be. Even in the unlikely event that you should some day find a way to end my existence, I will still be. No one else will ever be able to take that from me. Not even you."
There was a sense of appreciation, even a touch of something covetous in the tone and Otto glanced at Treize, feeling a momentary flicker of understanding.
It appeared to be lost on Wufei. He simply glared. Treize, however, could see into those crimson eyes and detect the agony within the boy. It was beautiful. So very beautiful.
"However, there is a way to free yourself of the compulsion to obey my will," he said, continuing to watch the changes in Wufei's dark soul. The sharpening of his attention was tangible, as was the instant rejection of anything resembling hope. He wanted it to be true. He dared not hope it was true. He needed it to be true. He refused to accept it because it came from Treize. The agony multiplied. Beautiful.
In time, of course, the boy's intellect rose and worked it through. True or not, this was what he had been brought here for. He didn't need to believe, but he did need to know the facade of the game.
Wufei's tone was sub-artic. "How?"
Zechs moved through the hallway, his face set in a determined mask. Damn, he thought as he backtracked. This is my fault. I should not have asked him to do that, especially this close to Treize. Striding through the house, the Lightning Count cursed himself for his poor judgment as he came to fully realize the extent of his feelings. In the time that they had been together, Zechs found that he looked upon the Gundam pilot as something more than a comrade to be pitied. Though he knew little of Wufei's past, he did recognize a man of honor when he saw one. There was also a side to Wufei that resonated with him as well. It was the dark side. The side that loathed the self and what it had been made to become. The sudden separation had hurt in many ways. Together, Zechs had thought that they stood a better chance of combating evil forces against them. Now, he knew the futility and folly of his thoughts. He knew that he was no match for Treize and neither was Wufei. However, something perverse inside of him twisted and it actually helped to calm the rising fear in his chest for his lover. He knew that, come what may, neither he nor Wufei would be easily taken down.
Rounding a corner, Zechs stopped suddenly. Turning, he saw Noin close behind him. Ice blue eyes fell on the former OZ lieutenant and his friend. "Where would he be?" he asked.
Noin blinked, startled by the abrupt stop. "He? You mean Treize?"
Zechs placed his hands on either side of Noin's head against the wall. "Yes," he said, simply.
Her eyes widened at the intimidating position. "I don't supposed you'd believe me if I said I didn't know," she muttered. "He has an office. He sometimes goes to a room where there's a piano and plays. He's been spending a lot of time in the mobile suit bay..."
"Lead on," Zechs said, standing back from the wall. "First to the mobile suit bay."
"Alright!" she said, ducking under his arm to lead the way. Easy enough to do, they were already on the lower level. The hallway opened out into a wide, vaulted area. As she passed the elevator, it occurred to her to wonder how Zechs and his 'companion' had gotten down here since the upper entrance was concealed, but it was the least remarkable of all the things that had been happening. Absently, she glanced around, feeling that the area was somehow larger than she remembered, though in the reduced light it was hard to tell its exact size anyway. It did seem bigger... or something was missing... Shrugging it off, she turned to the left...
...and gasped as she was pulled against the wall, a slender but strong arm around her, and hand covering her mouth.
Seconds later, Zechs rounded the corner as well, his ornate gun pointed.
"Not today," Heero Yuy replied, gun aimed at the Lightning Count.
Quatre took a breath, seeing the tall man standing there. "Zechs Merquise," he said, recognizing the man from the vids.
Duo tilted his head. "He's cool... I think. Where's Wufei, Lightning Count?"
Zechs raised his gun up and then put it away. "He's been taken," he said, simply. "I'm going to find him." A stray thought flitted through Zechs' mind as he scanned the small group. Gundam pilots, he thought. They're all young.
"Heero," Quatre said, quietly.
But dangerous, Zechs thought, amending his assessment.
"Taken?" Duo's voice oozed incredulity. "By what? This is the same Wufei, right? The one that danced me around the room the last time we all met a little while ago? I'd have thought even that freak Otto would have his hands full..."
"He did," Zechs answered. "Treize is another matter entirely."
"Hn," Heero said, putting his gun away. "Hey, Zechs," he added, then nodded in Relena's direction.
The young woman blinked, looking up at the man. She had seen him on the vids as a part of OZ, but had no idea what he wanted from her. Nevertheless, Relena took a step forward. "Mr. Merquise," she said, "I'm told that you wanted to speak with me?"
Without missing a beat, Zechs moved forward and placed his arms around the young woman's shoulders. He pulled his sister against him, feeling old emotions move through him as well as the urgency of the situation. "Relena," he said, moving back, reluctantly. "I don't suppose you would remember me, but I'm ... I am Milliardo Peacecraft. I'm your brother."
Relena felt herself stiffen slightly as the tall man embraced her. When he told her his name and said that they were related, the Princess felt her knees weaken slightly. "You're... my brother?" she said, looking up at him.
Zechs nodded. There was so much he wanted to tell her and wanted to say. "I know this is awkward. I would like to talk to you about it later. We need to get you out of here and I need to find Wufei," he said.
Relena looked to the other pilots, and then back to Zechs. "Fine," she said. "We'll find Wufei and all of us will leave together."
Zechs opened his mouth to speak, but Heero placed a hand on his arm. "Just go with it," he said, "She's highly opinionated and stubborn, like you."
Trowa had dropped his hand from Noin's mouth as soon as Heero lowered his weapon. His other arm followed, a little slower. "No sudden moves, Lieutenant," he said quietly. Noin's head turned sharply and she looked at the young man, then her eyes darted to Quatre. It suddenly occurred to her where she'd seen these two before.
"You," the word slipped out before she could stop it. The green-eyed boy inclined his head slightly.
"Yeah. Us." Trowa said nothing more because there was nothing more that needed saying.
Zechs gave Relena a small nod and then moved back to Noin. Let's go," he said.
Hearing Zechs' instruction to proceed, Noin gave herself a little internal shake. She tried to fight the feeling that it was happening again - that surreal feeling that this might be a dream due to its sheer weirdness. Turning on her heel, she moved down the hall, trying to find her old stride and decisiveness.
Reaching the entrance to the bay, she punched in her code. She realized that she might be bringing danger to Treize by doing so, but if anyone could deal with this group, it would probably be him.
Hanging back a bit, Duo found himself frowning slightly.
Heero stopped, noticing that Duo was not with him. Seeing that the longhaired pilot had dropped back, he moved to his side. "Little too convenient?" he said low enough for Duo's ears only.
Duo glanced at the Japanese boy. "Hm. That and a frontal assault usually works better with a Gundam. So he got us all here together. Maybe it's to take us all out with one blow."
Heero frowned. "Good thinking," he said, readying his weapon. Glancing at his lover, Heero nudged Duo with his shoulder. "Of course, we're just not going to let that happen, are we?"
A slow grin spread over Duo's face. "No, we're not." Leaning forward, he tapped Zechs on the shoulder.
Zechs turned around. "Yes?" he said.
"You're the brother, but I usually prefer non-coms out of the area," he said, with a meaningful glace at Relena. "You sure you want to take her in there?"
Zechs nodded to Duo. "You're right," he said.
Turning to his sister, Zechs said, "Wait out here."
Relena looked up at the tall man and then to the two pilots behind them. "I decline," she said. "I'm no safer out here than in there."
Zechs shook his head. "I disagree. You don't know... " he began.
"A lot of things, yes. But I do know you're wasting time. Wufei, remember," Relena countered. She had no intention of staying behind. My days of safety ended when my father died in my arms, she thought, steeling herself.
"Princess," Duo said, and it wasn't like an honorific. "You're in the way. You just met your brother, right? Want to see him get killed because he's trying to protect you instead of himself? So it's dangerous outside and in. Want to do something brave? Stay outside and protect *yourself*."
Relena blinked, looking down a moment. Taking a step back, she nodded. "I understand," she said, softly. Feeling mildly chastised, she realized that Duo was right.
"If anything happens to us, leave here and get back to Sanc. There are people who need you," Zechs said, touching Relena's shoulder.
The young princess looked up to the man who claimed to be her brother. "Take care," she said.
The conversation behind her caught Noin's ear. It troubled her. She was the one who had brought Relena to this place, at Treize's request. She did believe that Relena wasn't safe from Romefeller, but it was clear there was a lot more going on.
She took a few steps through the open portal and something else hit her. Stopping in her tracks, she took a deep breath and then turned to Zechs who was all but on her heels.
"Zechs," she said softly. "I can't go in here with you."
Zechs looked down at Noin. "I understand," he said. "No one can fault your loyalty," he added, touching Noin's cheek. "It's one of those traits about you that I've always admired."
She looked down. "I wish it were that simple. But it's not, I just..." she looked up and away from him, talking a tentative step further, and then stepping back as if experiencing something unpleasant. "I can't go in. I'm not... allowed." Her eyes dropped to her gloved hands. Then she forced them back up to Zechs. "I know you don't have much reason to trust me any more, but... I could stay with Relena. Now that I know what you want, I won't let anything happen to her, and I'll get her back... if you don't..."
Zechs took a deep breath. Placing his hands on Noin's shoulders, he shook his head, sadly. "It's not you, Noin," he said, pulling her against him again. "Thank you for staying with Relena."
Noin felt a sense of relief that blurred her vision for a moment. With a quick nod, she slipped back between the others and into the hallway as the four Gundam pilots moved inside. The door slid shut behind them, leaving the two young women together.
Noin wiped absently at the moisture in the corners of her eyes as she faced Relena.
Taking a deep breath, she said, "I know we didn't get off to a very good start, but I'm here to protect you now. I hope you'll accept me."
"You're very fond of him, aren't you, Miss Noin?" Relena said, looking at the woman.
Noin managed to smile slightly. "We go back a long way, Miss Relena. It was in trying to find him that I managed to get myself into this mess. If you are willing to indulge me, I think there are places we could wait in more comfort than the hallway - and possibly be of more use, as well. I'd like to check on the advance of Romefeller's forces, we can make contact with Sanc and let them know you are ok, and..." her expression shifted slightly, "I can get out of this damn evening gown, if you are willing to come with me."
Relena smiled. "Of course," she said. "I think we have much in common. Perhaps you can tell me about my brother as well."
Noin smiled, this time with genuine gratitude. She reached out and took Relena's hand. "I'll be glad to," she said, and led the way down the hall.
Inside the bay entrance, it was apparent that the facility was large and contained multiple areas where someone could be. Duo caught Heero's eyes and suggested with a glance that they recon to the right. Trowa caught the glance and tapped Quatre's shoulder, nodding to the left.
Zechs advanced forward. He kept his eyes and senses opened for any signs of Wufei or Treize.
The structure had apparently once been used to house Alliance equipment, to judge from the age and style of the construction and fittings. The first several ranks of bays were empty, and the dust in them had not been disturbed in a long time. However the path that Zechs walked was swept clean, indicating modern usage, and making it impossible to tell how recently others might have passed before him.
This part of the sub-level was not brightly lit, but there was more illumination than in most parts of the house. Most of it was coming from the interior of the bay.
Following it around a simple maze of empty mobile suit racks, Zechs found himself stepping out into a wide-open space. Here there were signs of modern equipment, live computers, the soft hum of processors and the occasional chirp of diagnostic tools on idle.
The open area was ringed with racks, these designed to hold something larger that the older Alliance Leos. And six of the racks were occupied. The one just ahead and to Zechs' right contained a very familiar sight, though one that was out of its place. Like a medieval giant of a knight, Tallgeese seemed to look down at Zechs as if silently waiting to be recognized.
Zechs frowned as he approached his machine. Tallgeese was supposed be outside, hidden away. He had a strong urge to climb aboard and check it out, but stopped himself. I'll know where it is if I need it, he thought.
Looking around the area, he confirmed the next odd fact. All of the Gundams were present, including Wufei's Nataku. "Treize, what are you up to?" he growled.
Quatre moved between the bays, checking each one. It became apparent to him that they were empty, though they at one time possibly held a contingent of mobile suits. "Trowa," he called out. "The fittings are for Alliance standard equipment. But I don't think..." he added, then stopped himself. "Trowa, look," he said, pointing down at the end of the racks.
Trowa scowled when he realized what Quatre was pointing to. Beyond the empty racks he could see the top of a familiar figure. HeavyArms was supposed to be concealed outside where he'd left it. His eyes darted around the area quickly, more than half expecting some kind of ambush. Unable to detect anything, he moved closer so he could approach the Gundams and get a look at the area they were facing.
Quatre moved down the bay. Looking opposite of where HeavyArms was standing, his eyes widened as he saw his Sandrock. "I guess they wanted to come inside," he said, softly.
Trowa shot the blond a look, but the corner of his mouth twitched in spite of his cool anger that someone had laid uninvited hands on his Gundam.
Heero moved around the area with the precision of a soldier. He checked each of the bays on his side, concluding that they had been abandoned. The next bay he came to, he stopped. "Hn," he said, with a frown. Before him stood a mobile suit that he was very familiar with. "Duo," he said, in the violet-eyed pilot's direction.
Duo slipped up beside him, his arched eyebrows drawing together. "I don't like this, not one little bit," he muttered.
"I guess we need to take this up with Treize. It's rude to touch a man's mobile suit without asking first," Heero said.
He got a somewhat rakish look from Duo for his trouble. "Rude, yeah, or just downright stupid," Duo's grin had dark undertones not intended for his partner. "Um, speaking of his lordship, do we have any real idea what exactly we're dealing with in that arena? He seems to know all about me, and he's chummy with Dr. J... but what... is he?"
Heero's eyebrow twitched at the mention of Dr. J. "Treize is... here and not here. Physically, he's strong, but he's got... abilities. He can become insubstantial at will. I found that out when I tried to choke him," the Japanese pilot said.
Duo nodded. "He smells funny," he said. "Wufei... smells a bit like that. But it's a lot more with Treize - or a lot less, - I know that doesn't make any sense but it's like he doesn't have a scent, except for something very faint, and very... well, it's not regular human." He thought about what Heero had said about Treize becoming insubstantial. "Hmm."
"I haven't had a chance to thank you for coming for me," Heero said, with a smile of his own, "But I will."
Duo's eyes flashed and his grin widened. "I'll hold you to that," he said.
Looking across the bay, Heero brought Duo's attention to Quatre and Trowa. "At least, we're not the only ones," he said.
Duo made a soft noise. "All of us, and the Gundams, here in one spot. If his lordship's resignation was a sham, we are not in a good place. Even if it wasn't, I don't like it. If Romefeller keeps piling mobile dolls into the area, they're going to get through."
"Perhaps that was the whole point," Heero said. "Maybe Treize wants Gundam protection."
"If he is what I'm starting to suspect, one wonders why he'd need it," Duo returned. He moved around the racks, looking Deathscythe over closely, as well as the rack it was in.
Zechs moved back down the bay, noticing that the pilots had found their Gundams. "I don't know what this means, but Treize isn't here," he said.
Duo tilted his head for a moment, then breathed in deeply, nostrils flaring.
"I'm not sure I agree with you about that," he said, as he began to study the area with particular attention.
"I don't know what this means, but as near as I can tell, Treize isn't anywhere else in the house. So it they've probably found him by now," Noin said, bending over the security console. The small room she and Relena were now occupying was one of those modern additions to the mansion, where a very up to date surveillance system had been put into place with cameras and motion detectors spread throughout the house. The bay was apparently excluded from the system, however, so they couldn't monitor anything that was going on down there.
"May I use this to contact Sanc?" Relena asked, finding a source out.
Noin nodded, looking over the communication console's settings. "Mm hmm, just let me set a little encryption code on it that will keep anyone intercepting the message unable to read it if they're not located at your assigned destination. That should do it, go ahead."
Relena nodded and then contacted Sanc Kingdom. Talking to Pargan, she explained the situation as best as she could, without being overly specific. The old retainer appeared to be relieved when he she told him that she had met Zechs Merquise.
When she told him her intention of remaining at the house, Relena received an interesting message.
"It's probably for the best right now," he said. "Members of Romefeller have been calling every hour or so to speak with you and ask about your welfare."
"Tell them that I am quite well and will contact them first thing tomorrow morning," Relena replied.
"Very good, Miss Relena," Pargan said.
Moments later, the call ended and Relena sat down next to Noin. "I just hope I'll make it until then," she said.
Noin finished buttoning her uniform jacket. It was her OZ uniform, but she had nothing else that would do any better and it was a vast improvement on the evening gown.
"I'm not going to let anything happen to you," she told the young diplomat. "Now, let's see what else is going on in the world, and if there's still fighting in this area." She leaned over the communications console and began intercepting area broadcasts, some of them from news media, others from the Treize Faction troops.
Her eyes widened as she listened and mentally collated the information and studied the video images. Startled at what she was seeing, she picked up a microphone and sent an urgent signal to one of the Treize Faction soldiers who were broadcasting.
"Captain Fidel, this is Noin."
The response was immediate, and the tone of the soldier's voice was barely controlled. "Lt. Noin? We've been trying to reach someone there for several hours! Are you with His Excellency?"
Noin's lips pressed together but she answered. "He seems to be engaged with something urgent, but I will try to relay a message if you need me to."
"You've got to, Lieutenant! The message is, get out! Our lines are breaking down. We're going to be over-run and we think, from intercepted broadcasts, that Romefeller has no intention of taking His Excellency back into custody. Do you read me?"
Noin's eyes widened. "How long?"
"No way to tell," the soldier answered with a bleak expression. "They keep sending in more of those mobile dolls. Tell His Excellency - we did our best, Lieutenant! Damn, they're coming in for another run... get him out of there!"
The communication was disrupted and did not reconnect.
Relena frowned, hearing the urgent communication. She understood the implications and wondered if Romefeller had the same tactic in mind for her and Sanc.
"We must alert the Gundam pilots as well, Miss Noin," she said.
"Yeah. I'm with you, Miss Relena. We need to let Zechs and the... the others know immediately. And then... we get you out of here," Noin said, feeling more collected than she had in months, for some reason. "Come on."
As Duo seemed to be testing the air, Quatre found his eyes drawn around the semi-circular display of the Gundams and Tallgeese. Everything had been arranged as if the mobile suits were guests that had been planned for and they faced each other around the open area. But they were not spaced to form a real circle, closer to three quarters of one, leaving the unoccupied quarter at the back of the facility. The light, he suddenly realized, was cleverly directed to leave that side in shadow.
Allowing his curiosity full reign, Quatre moved towards the shadowed area. As he approached, the tension became increasingly palpable.
Trowa noticed the blond's movement and his head turned sharply as he had a sudden sense of warning/danger. He caught up with Quatre and grabbed his hand, pulling him back.
"Huh?" Quatre said, looking over his shoulder. "Something's there," he said, softly, but stood where he was.
As the words came out of Quatre's mouth, the deep shadow was pierced with the sudden appearance of two green, almond-shaped, glowing lights. They were high above Quatre's head, but not as far up in the air as the faceplate of a Gundam would be. The impression of an enormous and supernatural being, looking down at Quatre with sudden interest, was too acute to escape.
Zechs watched the pilots with interest. He moved back down the bay to Quatre and Trowa, focusing his attention on the darkness. Nothing was visible to him at first, but after a few moments, he saw the glowing jade eyes.
Heero nudged Duo as he walked past him to see what was going on. Even as he was moving, his eyes were adjusting to the shadows.
"Now there's something you don't see everyday," Duo muttered as his eyes pierced a little deeper into the darkness than most of the other people in the room.
The sound of footsteps in the silence was deliberate. Moving out of the shadowed area beside the glowing eyes, Treize smiled slightly as he looked from one face to another, taking in their expressions.
"I'm glad to see you all here, together," he said cordially. "I have something to show you." Lifting his hand, he fingered a small remote control and a set of lights came up slowly on the hidden figure beside him.
At first glance, it looked like a huge, kneeling gargoyle, uncannily lifelike, resting beside its master until summoned to lay waste to the world on his order.
On second glance, it was clearly a mobile suit, but of a radical design never seen before. Its metal skin was painted crimson and its features conveyed a sense of menace unaccounted for by its mechanical engineering.
"It's a Gundam," Quatre said, looking over the machine. To his knowledge, Gundanium could only be manufactured in space. This machine was different indeed, but Treize had to have not told anyone of its existence for some time.
"What's that for?" Heero asked, looking the machine over himself.
Duo scowled. He didn't like the look of the thing. He liked Treize's presence even less, though having him in view had the advantage of forewarning.
"It is not a fighting machine," Treize said in answer to the question. "It is a tool for discovering, perhaps even changing, destiny. The cockpit includes a unique system, which eliminates distraction from the mind of the pilot, enabling him to see his future."
Zechs frowned deeply. "What's the catch?" he asked, "And where is Wufei?"
"There is no catch, my old friend," Treize said. "I would like one of you to pilot it. And so that you may consider it with a clear mind, he is here. He simply has not chosen to show himself for his own reasons."
"And what did you do to him?" Zechs asked. "He wouldn't... Why should I believe you?"
A few feet away from Zechs, another figure stepped out of the shadows. Wufei's body moved stiffly, but it was in reaction to his own emotions. He looked up long enough to meet Zechs' eyes for a few seconds and then he fixed his gaze on a spot on the floor between them.
"I don't need to lie to you, Zechs," Treize said.
Zechs' jaw clenched as he looked back up at Treize. Now was not the time, but he wanted to take Wufei out of there. "Have you flown your machine?" he asked Treize.
"Yes I have," Treize said. "But it seems to be waiting for another pilot. I realized that the pilot it is waiting for must be one of you. There isn't anyone else alive who could utilize its potential."
"So what was your destiny?" Heero asked, keeping his eyes on the former OZ General.
"Apparently, I have none," Treize said with no indication of humor. "Would you like to discover yours, Heero Yuy?"
A low growl came from Duo's throat but he stopped short of verbalizing what he was thinking. He didn't own Heero. As much as he might wish, at times like these, that he did...
"I'll go," Quatre said, taking a step forward.
Trowa's eyes widened and he looked sharply at the blond pilot.
Treize smiled. "You were one of the three I thought most likely to do so," he said.
"This is *not* a good idea," Duo muttered, feeling his hackles come to attention.
Looking up at Treize, the blond haired pilot nodded. "You've shown me some of my future already," he said, a little sadly. "I don't see how it could be any worse than it is now."
The words brought a sharp pain from somewhere that seemed to pierce Trowa's body. Should have known, he thought. Nothing lasts.
"You're going to trust what *he's* shown you?" Duo burst out, his voice incredulous.
A sudden realization hit Quatre and he looked up to the braided pilot. "I..." he said, then looked at Treize. "Was that real? On the vid, or was it manufactured?"
Treize shook his head briefly. "The broadcast from Colony L4? I'm afraid it was real. I don't need to manufacture such things. Humanity is capable of that kind of betrayal all on its own."
Trowa remain silent, the only sign of any reaction his hands closing into fists, but how tightly was not outwardly apparent.
"I see," Quatre said, settling things in his own mind. Turning to Trowa, he looked up at the green-eyed pilot. "I know this will be difficult for you, but you took on the last ordeal. I'll take this one on."
Trowa said nothing. If this was what Quatre wanted...
"No," Wufei said suddenly, practically snarling. "It suits me better than any of you. My honor is compromised and every time I face Nataku I am reminded of it. Leave the demon machine to a demon."
"I'm afraid you won't have any better luck with it than I did, Wufei," Treize said.
"Only because a thing such as you are, and such as you have made me, has no destiny and you know it," the Chinese pilot spat.
"And if I forbid it?" the former OZ General could not keep a slight smile from his face.
Wufei glared at him. Then he glanced at Zechs, his eyes never quite meeting the blond man's. "There is something I must do. I'd rather you didn't have to see it." Wufei didn't even attempt to acknowledge the other pilots.
Zechs took a deep breath, feeling torn. He didn't want Wufei or any of the other pilots to face Treize's machine. Watching the young man who had claimed his heart and who had proved to be honest, honorable and forthright, Zechs nodded. "I understand," he said, wanting to say much more. The time was not right to say how much it hurt or how frightened he was when he felt Wufei severed from him. It wasn't the time to let Wufei know what he had awakened in his heart. He only hoped that Wufei could feel some of it as well.
The two soft words caused Wufei to close his eyes for a second. Then he looked up at Treize.
The aristocrat was not hiding his smile any longer. "So you are going to try for your freedom, little warrior? And perhaps once again for your honor? Very well." He took the remote device and slipped it into his pocket. "Shall I have Otto fetch my foils? Shall we go out and fight in mobile suits, your Gundam against mine?"
Wufei did not answer. Instead, his features began to shift and his eyes began to glow blood crimson. Then he vanished, moving so fast that a sudden hard wind moved through the bay, rattling small objects and shedding a chill onto everyone present.
Treize's ginger hair blew back and his eyes flashed, his hand reaching out with barely to be seen speed of his own, fastening on a body that could only then be detected, and the duel was joined.
An appreciative grin spread across Heero's face as he witnessed the exchange. His gun, as if by magic, appeared in his hand.
Duo noticed the ordinance materializing in Heero's grip and made a soft, approving sound. His eyes were intense as he watched the two vampires engage in a bizarre and terrifying battle. It called to his feral nature. Part of him wanted to shift and join the fight, but he held back for now. He guessed that Wufei wouldn't thank him for interfering.
Trowa wrapped an arm around Quatre from behind and pulled him back and away from the battle.
Quatre felt strong arms around him and knew the touch. He shivered as his arms moved around Trowa, holding on for a long moment. "I'm sorry, Trowa," he said, feeling the darkness inside recede. Too much had happened too soon and the Arabian pilot felt the demons inside of him quiet.
Trowa felt something numb and cold inside melt at the sound of the three words. Without any idea where it came from, he bent his head next to Quatre's ear and said, "You'll have your punishment for it later."
Quatre leaned his face against Trowa's, closing his eyes for a moment. "Oh yes, please," he whispered back, as he felt his body flush and tighten.
Zechs became aware of someone standing beside him suddenly. He recognized Otto by stature from his periphery even without turning to look.
"Don't get involved," Zechs said.
"And if it goes against your friend, will you stay uninvolved as well?" Otto said softly.
"I will allow him his dignity," Zechs replied.
It was hard to see anything resembling dignity in what was taking place before them. It was hard for human eyes to watch at all, the combatants shifting from solid to shadow and from near-human form to variations that could have populated nightmares.
Treize was happy.
It had been so very long since he'd had a challenge. So long, in fact that he had let himself believe that his schemes and plotting, his creation of the Specials unit within the Alliance and the secret conspiracy that resulted in the Order of the Zodiac, his political manipulations and his grooming of Zechs were valid methods for dispelling his ennui. Then the Gundam pilots had come. And Wufei had followed him to his private carrier, accurately recognizing his ultimate responsibility for the deaths of the Alliance pacifists, and hence the end of hope for an agreed upon peace with the Colonies. This boy had somehow seen through all his careful manipulations and traced the event back to its true source, to demand an accounting to justice.
It was so unexpected that it drove a hard thrill through his body and shook his mind out of its careful calculations. Facing the youth, he gave in to a primal hunger he thought had been lost to him.
And gradually, as the consequences of his deviation from the plan piled one upon the other, he'd felt himself coming... ironically enough... alive.
At this precise moment, he was more alive than he had felt in centuries.
The boy was terrifying. He'd already mastered powers it had taken Treize decades to discover. As they grappled, Treize knew the fledgling vampire couldn't be remotely considered his match, for the centuries had built within him an unshakable strength. And yet... and yet...
In the first few moments, he fended the boy easily. In the next few moments, he found himself being forced to exert himself a little. And then a little more....
And then, far sooner than he expected, it was time to use his first trump. He'd never needed to go beyond the first, not for anyone. And Wufei was so totally susceptible to it.
Tearing through Wufei's half-solid flesh, he used the agony to mask the slithering of his will into the boy's mind. Then he stabbed into the weak points, the unhealing scars: shame... despair... unworthiness... You are nothing. You are weak. You are defeated.
The emotions that welled up were so profoundly pure, so completely black, Treize lost himself in them for a few seconds, knowing that it would be enough to twist the boy against himself until his attack faltered and was broken.
But it wasn't.
With a sudden shudder of surprise, Treize felt the razor sharp points graze, and then savage his skin, jerking himself out of physical form too late to stop the immediate and forgotten sensation of his own physical pain from dancing across his undead nerves like sweet acid.
Arriving at the closed door to the bay, Noin punched in her code hurriedly.
[Access Denied.]
"What?" Frowning, she punched the code in a second time, convinced she'd somehow messed up a number.
[Access Denied.]
"No way!" One more time she tried the code and then banged on the device with her fist. "Son of a bitch!"
"What's wrong?" Relena asked, concerned.
"I can't get in!" Once again she banged on the lock.
"The code has been changed," Relena said, thinking aloud. "Use your side-arm to bang on the door," she offered.
Noin scowled at the door. "This was designed to withstand explosives," she said. "Even in a mobile suit, I'd have trouble getting in there." She wanted to scream with frustration.
Then there was a soft click as the lock disengaged.
The door opened only a little at first, and a face that Relena immediately recognized from her and her father's last, ill-fated visit to the Colonies peered out through google-lensed eyes.
"Don't come in if you're squeamish," Dr. J said. "And be careful about bursting into the middle of things, for the sake of your own safety."
Relena nodded and held her hand out for Noin. "Let's go, Miss Noin!" she said. "Thank you," she added as she passed the old man. "I owe you once again. You have to leave this place immediately. The Alliance will be attacking this house shortly."
"Of course," the scientist said with a slight smile, as he stepped back to allow them to pass.
Otto's hands clenched into fists as he realized that the Gundam pilot had somehow managed to harm his master. He hadn't believed it possible. He was there to keep Zechs from interfering when the *boy* lost the fight. He took a step forward almost before he could help himself.
Zechs moved to block Otto's way. "Stay... away," he growled. "This is not your fight."
Something like a small explosion of power broke the clench between the two combatants, throwing Wufei several feet away. He rolled to his feet but did not re-engage immediately. Instead he licked his lips, taking dark crimson back into his mouth with his tongue.
Treize straightened, the air of control and superiority returning almost instantly... but not before he had to raise his hand to cover a savage wound in his neck which dripped a dark, thick fluid sluggishly.
"Good one," Duo murmured approvingly.
"Hn," agreed Heero. "Now, it gets really interesting."
As if in answer to Heero's words, they heard footsteps and several figures emerged from the direction of the entrance.
Noin stopped short, eyes widening as she saw Treize.
Spotting Heero, Relena moved quickly to his side. Glancing towards the two combatants, she stopped as her eyes widened. She saw Zechs standing in front of someone, but her focus returned to Wufei and Treize. Finally, she took a breath, pulling her attention back to Heero. "Heero... The Alliance is sending troops to attack this house. You have to leave!" she said, urgently.
Heero frowned. "Hn," he said, as Relena's words and presence penetrated. He had been watching the old scientist who had entered the room just behind the two women. Ignoring the girl, he raised his gun and aimed it at Dr. J. "Mission accepted," he said, squeezing off a shot.
The gunshot caused heads to whip around throughout the room.
Dr. J stumbled, and reached his hand up to press against a red stain that blossomed on his white coat.
"Good, Heero," he said, his voice faltering as he stumbled to his knees.
Duo's eyes widened and he stared at Heero, searching his expression.
"What the hell?" Noin exclaimed, and then broke out of her momentary shock. "Zechs! Did you hear Relena? Everyone has to get out of here now! The Treize Faction have been overwhelmed."
End of Part Five
TBC
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sablexo1@yahoo.com,
bonnejeanne@yahoo.com.