Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing...no matter HOW much I wish I did. T_T* Oh well...I can still dream. ^_~*

Author's note: I think you can kinda tell I don't like the 'blowing up the Gundams' ending of Endless Waltz. The Gundams are still here in this story. ^_^*

A boy with a long, brown braid sat down on the large, black piece of machinery that was his tool in war. He was staring off into the distance at the sunset. A thoughtful look drifted across his face. A voice called up to him. The boy just sat; not looking at the owner of the voice. The voice called again, this time louder. The boy slowly turned his head and looked at the old man who was calling him. A large smile spread across his face. The American pilot leaped down from his Gundam and walked over to the balding man.

"What's up, Howard?"
"Well, Duo....in this time of peace....I was thinking...what are ya gonna do?"
"Me? I dunno. I'll figure something out."

Duo winked at Howard and walked towards his Gundam. Howard sighed and shook his head. He was worried about Duo because the war was over, and Duo was a soldier. What happens to soldiers when the fighting ends? Do they just fade away? Where do they go? Howard sighed deeply and caught Duo's attention.

"Howard, are you worrying about me or something? You've been like that since the end of the last war."

Duo smiled broadly at Howard. Howard looked at Duo through black sunglasses. One of Howard's hands strayed to the back of his head and rubbed the growing bald spot. Duo knew that was a sign of intense worry for Howard. Turning around, Duo headed back to where Howard was standing.

"Listen Howard. You've done a heck of a lot for me through these years."
"It's been two years since I first met you, Duo."
"You know what I mean. I've caused you enough trouble already. Don't worry about me anymore. I can take care of myself. I always have."

Howard just nodded and walked away. Duo looked on as his friend went back into the hanger where he had plenty of other things to repair. The old man had helped Duo throughout the entire war, and was still helping Duo whenever he needed anything. Duo shrugged and ran back to his Gundam.

"Well, mate. What are we gonna do now? Relena Darlian is at the helm of the world again, and peace reigns. Wonder what the others are up to. hehe....I bet that Heero's having one heck of a hard time...no fighting and all. Hmph. Oh well...his problem. Quatre...business man. Easily answered. Trowa...probably back at the circus. I can't believe him! Such a wonderful pilot...and he becomes a clown?? And Wufei is now a happy Preventer....but then again....one never knows with him."

Duo let out a small sigh. He pressed several buttons in Deathscythe Hell Custom and a window appeared. In the window, he saw the face of Relena Darlian.

"...and this year, we will begin a new project. This project will be the colonization of Mars. Since times long past, man kind has looked at Mars.....wondering...always wondering...if life could be possible there. The time has come that man kind go there. We have the technology, the heart, and the spirit to go there. This new project is called the Red Planet Operation. Let us all join together and prepare for this great human achievement! This plan..."

Duo's finger pressed a button and the window closed. Duo opened his eyes and a smirk appeared on his face. A beep sounded in his Gundam. Duo pushed another button and Howard's face appeared. Duo laughed.

"Are you still worrying your head over me, old man? You've lost enough hair on me already...don't bother to waste anymore!"
"Very funny Duo. Look...did you just hear the announcement made by Darlian?"
"Yeah...what's your point?"
"Well. I'm not sure where she got my name, but she had one of her subordinates track me down. Darlian is in need of a bodyguard."
"....Howard....do I look like a bodyguard?"
"To tell you the truth, no....but...you're a Gundam pilot. I figured that you could do the job."
"...why didn't you go get Heero? I mean...that's the guy that Relena's in love with."
"I would....but...I just can't find the guy!"

Duo rolled his eyes. Figures...leave all of the fun stuff like bodyguarding to me. Howard cocked an eyebrow at what seemed to be an exasperated Duo. The American pilot finally sighed and made his decision.

"Fine. I'll take the job. Why the heck does Relena need a bodyguard anyways? Isn't the world supposed to be 'peaceful' and everything?"
"Rebels. What else?"
"...just what I need! Another Mariemaia! Anyways...where do I go now?"
"The guy told me to meet Relena in New York City. She's having a conference there right now."
"Ok. Time?"
"I think if you head over now...you should get there in time. Here. This is the exact location."

A window appeared on Duo's screen. It had the address, phone number, and a map of the place where he was the meet Relena. Duo nodded approvingly then smirked at Howard.

"You're making me feel like I don't know where I'm going."
"Well...you never know."
"Alright...I gotta go if I'm to pick up the most famous political figure on time. Wouldn't look to good if I was late the first time...bad first impression, ya know?"

Duo grinned and closed the tranmission. He quickly checked his Gundam to make sure everything was ok. After that, he launched Deathscythe Hell Custom into the air and blasted off towards New York City.

Relena stepped out of the hotel and walked out into the street where she was to meet her 'bodyguard'. She glanced around hopefully for Heero to suddenly appear, but he didn't show up. A small frown appeared on her face, but she kept waiting.

"Relena!"

Relena turned her head in the direction the shout had come from. There she saw a familiar face.

"Duo?! What are you doing here?"

Duo ran up to Relena and smiled.

"Me? Nothing. Waiting on a certain 'bodyguard' to show, eh?"
"Umm...yeah....how did you know that?"
"It just happens that Howard told me...and guess what? I'm your bodyguard."

Relena's eyes narrowed with doubt. Duo sighed. He knew that Relena was having an extremely hard time believing him.

"Look Relena...I know you'd rather have Heero be your bodyguard, but he's nowhere to be found! The others have lives to live. I'm the only one who is able to do this...unless you'd rather have some person you don't know protect you...."
"Fine....I believe you. And you're not too bad I guess."
"Hey. Don't get all mushy on me, ok? Not good for the Shinigami to get too soft."

Duo winked and Relena smiled back. The two began walking towards the spaceport where Relena's shuttle and Duo's Gundam were waiting. The two were going off to Mars.

The shuttle began it's run down the runway. After a few minutes travel, it broke through the earth's atmosphere. Duo was already waiting in space for the shuttle. The shuttle then pointed itself in the direction of the red planet. The black Gundam followed.

Nothing interrupted the peaceful flight to Mars. The shuttle then docked at the brand new space station located there. Next to it, Deathscythe Hell Custom gently set down. The Gundam's hatch opened, and Duo stepped out in a black piloting suit. He then closed the hatch and floated over to the entrance of the space station. He had to be at the gate before Relena would be let off.

"Eesh....Duo...go over here....Duo....go over there....Duo...do this...Duo...do that...Duo Duo Duo! For crying out loud! I'm one person! And another thing...I'm not Superman!"

Duo shook his head as he continued to float over to the entrance. In the shuttle, Relena was waiting. Suddenly a explosion near the shuttle caused her to stare out the window. Duo too had seen the explosion and hurried over to the entrance of the shuttle. Running towards the shuttle, Duo pushed the people who had come to greet Relena out of the way.

"Watch it, kid!"
"Where do you think you're going? This place is off limits!"

Duo threw off his helmet and kept running towards the shuttle gate.

"Move outta my way! Relena Darlian is in danger, you fools!"

Mass confusion suddenly erupted. Everyone was concerned about the Vice-Foreign Minister; she couldn't be put in danger!! Duo cursed under his breath as he finally made it to the shuttle door. It was locked. Duo pounded his fist on the door, but to no avail. A scream came from inside the shuttle.

"Relena!"

Duo cursed some more. His mind was in a frenzy. What the heck am I going to do? Knock down the door? Guess that's the only choice...I knew I should've brought explosives with me. Duo backed up from the door slightly and took a running start. He slamed into the door with no avail.

"Yowch! Note to self: never try breaking down a shuttle's door with your body."

Duo glanced around him for something to perhaps pry the door open with. Nothing. Duo ran his hands through his hair. He ran back to where the crowd was.

"People who are concerned with Relena Darlian! Listen to me! Does anyone have the code to open the shuttle's door?"

There was no answer for a while. Duo slammed his fist into his other hand. Finally someone spoke up.

"I know the code."
"Great! C'mon! We've got a lady in distress!"

The man ran off with Duo as the rest of the crowd stood around with their mouths gaping.

The man pressed the code into the shuttle lock and the door slide open. Duo nodded a quick thanks to the man.

"Thanks. Now...I suggest you get outta here...clear this area, ok?"
"...sure...but...who are you?"
"Me? The Shinigami."
"Shini-what?"
"I'm a Gundam pilot. I'm Relena's bodyguard. I'm the God of Death. Got it? Now get outta here!"

Duo gave the man a slight push to get him on his way. Duo then drew out a gun and proceded carefully into the shuttle.

Relena glanced around her with a cool head. She was used to this being taken hostage thing by now. Four large men surrounded her with guns pointing directly at her heart. All four of them had been aboard the shuttle as either pilots or flight attendents.

"Alright Darlian. This is what we demand of you..."
"I'm not going to give you anything. Don't bother asking."
"Now now now...isn't that a little rude?? You wouldn't want your life wasted would you?"
"I believe that I'm not really needed to keep peace here. The people of the Earth and colonies know what they are doing."
"Fine. Once we get rid of you....we can begin the takeover of Earth and the colonies. His excellency, Ghrushchev, is ready to take his place as the ruler."

The man was about to pull the trigger when he fell to the ground dead. His blood caused the back of his shirt to become a deep red in color. The other three men looked at person who had fired the shot. Relena's eyes also went to the owner of the gun.

"Duo!"
"Now....Miss Relena...you're not going to stop me from shooting this time, are you?"

Relena laughed as she remembered what happened last time Duo had shot someone around her.

"No."
"Then...I'll just finish these guys off!"

Duo fired another two shots. Those two shots hit true, but there was still one man left. The man proved to be a bit more agile than the rest, and Duo had wasted the rest of his bullets on the man. The man then countered with his firings, but they missed. Duo frowned. Both of them were out of bullets. This was going to come down to a fist fight. Duo took a quick glance behind the seat he was hiding behind at the man who was hiding behind another seat.

Something shiny caught the Shinigami's eye. A knife! Duo muttered a curse. The man stood up and walked over to Relena. Duo's eyes opened wide as the knife flew towards the Vice-Foreign Minister's throat. It stopped right underneath her chin. Relena was now worried. The man laughed in a rough manner.

"What now, boy? Make a move...and the lady's dead."

Duo was having a hard time keeping his mind straight. If Relena died, the whole entire universe would fall on his shoulders. It would be his fault that she had died. The thought echoed through his mind; each time getting louder. Duo clenched his fists and stood up. The knife moved closer to Relena's throat.

"Don't touch her."

Duo cast a dark glare at the man. The man quivered slightly, but regained his nerve. The knife moved closer. A thin trickle of blood ran down Relena's neck. Relena had her eyes filled with worry and she looked pleadingly at Duo. Duo looked away.

You can't do anything can ya, kid? Miss Relena...I don't see why the heck you chose him to be your bodyguard! Out of all people."

The man shook his head. Relena trembled slightly. Duo could only look on and grit his teeth.

"Take a step back, boy. And another....and some more....now get off this shuttle if ya want the lady to live."

Duo stepped off the shuttle, but he stuck his head back in. Relena looked at Duo with helpless look.

"Vice-Foreign Minister Darlian....I'll be back for you....don't you worry."
"Git outta here!"

The knife bit into Relena's throat further. She swallowed nervously as Duo ran off.

Why? Why did I leave her there? I'm not supposed to do that! I'm her freakin' bodyguard! Man...if that was Heero...he would've just stayed there....probably would've had more bullets on him, too. Duo...you are an idiot! Eesh....you aren't making a real good bodyguard. You might as well go protect a box of rotten cheese!

Duo ran through the spacesports hallways. As he was running he could see the shuttle lifting off. He cursed under his breath and ran faster. He found his helmet sitting on the ground. Duo picked it up and looked at it. He then slipped it over his head. Then he ran out the gate and floated off towards his Gundam.

Ghrushchev laughed coldly at the young woman sitting in front of him. She had a defiant look about her, but still had a tinge of fear in her. She sat in the chair, bound by foot and hand to the chair. Ghrushchev smiled wickedly at his captured prey. The room they were in was filled with soldiers armed with various militaristic devices.

"I don't care what you do with me! If I die...someone else will continue the democratic policies that I have started...I'm an useless hostage."
"That's where you are wrong, Miss Relena. Even young Mariemaia could see that....you have far too much influence to let people just pass your death by without notice....you've made quiet a name for yourself you know?"

Relena snarled silently and the man looked at her with cold black blue eyes. Come on Duo...hurry up....someone help!

"Duo!"
"Now what, Howard?"
"What's your situation with Relena?!"
"Look old man....she's been kidnapped ok? Sheez...if you didn't give me this job...and you got someone else...I'm sure this would've never happened."
"...well...I'm sorry. I'll remember that next time."
"Sorry Howard. I'm heading over there now to go get her....so don't interupt me....see ya!"

Duo ended the tranmission. He was approaching the area where Relena was being held captive. He had been following the shuttle at a distance for a while. Suddenly his radar beeped. Glancing quickly at it, he discovered a large number of mobile suits coming his way. He grumbled and readied himself for battle.

"Looks like there will always be a place for people like me.....c'mon! Show me what you've GOT!!"

Deathscythe Hell Custom blasted forward into the large amount of enemy troops.

The enemy troops consisted of mostly modified Virgos and a few Taurus suits. They all carried large beam cannons that delivered quiet a shock. A few of them carried gattling guns which would deliver an even greater pow to suits that they hit.

The Gundam weaved around and around trying to avoid the enemy's fire. A few of the modified Virgos, which had their speed increased, gave chase. Deathscythe Hell Custom performed several acrobatic loops in space; creating extreme G's. The Gundam then turned and faced its foes, and it came to a sudden stop. The Virgos, their pilots having slower reaction times, failed to stop in time. The Shinigami's war machine had its beam scythe creating a wide arch of death when the Virgos ran into the beam of energy. The Virgos charged into their own death. A cold laugh rang through the Gundam's cockpit.

"Watashi wa Shinigami desu!!"

The verniers went full blast and the black mobile suit lurched forward towards its oncoming foes. Suddenly, a large ball of energy hurtled towards Duo's suit. The Gundam pilot lowered the right wing of his suit to take the heavy blow.

"Direct hit, sir!"

The soldier who had fired gave a loud cheer. Inside the Gundam, Duo wiped away a trickle of blood coming from his mouth. The blast had caused the armor on that wing to go down by twenty-percent. A few more hits like that....and I'll be a goner.... The exterior of the Gundam was now marred by the severely damaged wing; the wires sparked slightly. The Gundam then charged at the suit which had fired at him.

"DIE!!"

The Gundam rained down bullets on the enemy suit as it approached; it then finished the Taurus off with a quick swipe of the scythe. A orb of fire bloomed in the area where the Taurus once was. The orb quickly vanished and the black machine turned to face the suits that were showering bullets onto its back. The suit made a quick twist and cleanly sliced off the heads of four suits that had gotten to close. The body of the suits then exploded, creating a ring of explosions around the merciless Gundam.

Ghrushchev's mood had begun to foul with the arrival of the Gundam. He was yelling at men, slapping certain soldiers, and glaring menacingly at Relena. Relena could only look on.

"You, girl! It is all your fault! Your bratty 'bodyguard' is here....order him out of here before we have to kill him!!"
"Sir! A tranmission from the Gundam, sir!"
"What?!"

Duo's face appeared on the big screen. He had on a cold, heartless scowl on his face.

"Listen up....I'm not sure who you are...but you had best hand over Relena right now."

Ghrushchev laughed.

"Well, well, well...what do we have here?? Is it that Gundam pilot 02? Duo Maxwell...yes...that was your name."
"Huh?"
"You guys sure don't realize what big celebrities you are! Look Duo. I've got enough troops to wipe you out..."
"I doubt it!"
"Are you challenging me?!"
"Maybe I am...why? Would it make any difference to you? You...coward!"

The venom in Duo's voice hit Ghrushchev in the face like a pie would hit a clown. A deep glare of hatred crossed his features.

"Captain Hatur...prepare my mobile suit."
"But...but...but sir!!"
"No questions! Just follow my orders! I'll have this boy beat in no time."
"Sir!"
"And tell all of the soldiers to stop fighting him...I want him all to myself!"

Ghrushchev sent one last glare at Duo before walking off to ready himself for battle. Duo sat back as the enemy suits retreated; forming a circle around the Gundam. Relena just sat there with her mouth open with surprise.

A large crimson red suit appeared in front of Duo. Taking a look at it, the suit rang a bell in the back of Duo's mind. Where...where have I seen this suit before?? Where.... Duo narrowed his eyes as he tried to remember why this suit seemed so familiar. Then Ghrushchev's face appeared on his screen. The man noticed Duo's probing look and let out a cold laugh.

"Ring a bell, does it Duo?"

Duo only scowled in return.

"I'm glad you have something in that open cavity of a brain of yours. This....this is the modified Epyon. I prefer to call it Epyon II. Suits it well, neh?"

Duo's opened wide as images of Zechs' Epyon flew through his mind; he remembered the power, the speed, the agility, the pilot. Ghrushchev nodded as the memory came back to Duo. Ghrushchev then continued his explanation about the suit.

"This suit...was salvaged after Libra was destroyed by Heero Yuy, your friend. Curse that boy! As I was saying, we rebuilt it....transforming this already very powerful suit into something beyond a person's wildest dreams! Of course....I won't be telling you that....it wouldn't be right for my enemy to know everything about this suit, you know. But...enough chatter...I came out here to finish you off...and that is what I fully intend to do right...NOW!"

With that, Epyon II's vernier engines went full throttle and came at Deathscythe Hell Custom. The mobile suits collided causing Duo's war machine to reel backwards from the heavy hit. Duo snarled and let out a loud war cry. With the beam scythe in front of him, Duo charged at the enemy.

Epyon II drew a green beam saber out. Weapon met weapon as two clashed. Bright white light raced between the two suits. Duo was just beginning to have the upper hand when a bright flash of white light blinded him temporarily. When the light vanished, Epyon II had backed up away from him. That light...it came from Epyon! Once again, the light came, but Duo saw how it happened this time. The light was generated from the wings of the Epyon II. During this time, Epyon II charged Duo again, but Duo held up his scythe in the nick of time. The suits surrounding the two suits backed up a bit to provide more room for the battling suits.

Deathscythe Hell Custom jerked backwards and up. As it did so, it rained bullets down on the crimson suit. The Epyon II took the hits without even faltering. Duo's Gundam did a series of tight turns in order to avoid Epyon II's counter attack. As the Gundam was about to make a quick dash away from the Epyon II, the metal whip of the crimson suit entwined itself around the Shinigami's suit. Giving it a yank, Epyon II brought the Deathscythe Hell Custom back to where it was. Then another whip appeared and soon was lashing out at the black Gundam.

Each time the whip hit his Gundam, Duo was lurched about. Occasionally a few drops of blood would come from his mouth. After a while, Duo found himself to be drifting in and out of conciousness. Once again, Ghrushchev's face appeared on his screen.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I told you...this suit can't be defeated!! You die...and...so will Miss Relena...your attempt to save her has ended in vain."

Duo slowly lifted his head to face the man. He uttered one word.

"Die."

Deathscythe Hell Custom suddenly lurched upward and was released from the whip's grasp. Ghrushchev cursed and pursued the scarred Gundam. As he pursued, he made attempts to catch Duo in his whips' grasp, but failed time after time as Duo flew in a series of acrobatic acts. Then the black Gundam turned and rained bullets down on the crimson suit. The suit's armor was definitely not as strong as it was in the beginning of the battle, and the suit faltered ever so slightly. Ghrushchev was also shaken up a bit when the scythe ripped off one of his whips off of his mobile suit's arm. It seemed as if Duo was making a comeback.

Finally... Relena had discovered that the knots tying her to the chair were not very well tied; they were mere double knots. She had just untied the knots and she stood up. A few soldiers looked at her and told her to freeze. Taking no heed of their words, Relena ran forward and shoved a soldier aside. She pressed a few buttons and a transmission was sent out to the Preventers.

"Preventers! We need some help. Our location is....."

Her transmission was cut short by a soldier in a different area; she had guns pointed at her head from all directions. A soldier roughly grabbed her shoulder.

"What in the world were you trying to do?! You know very well that if those pesky Preventers do come, that our troops can easily take care of them."

Relena glared at the man. Before long she was retied up, this time with better, tighter knots.

The crimson suit had lost everything it could use as a weapon including its beam saber. By this time, Ghrushchev was deseperate and had called upon his troops to aid him. The suits came swarming around the black suit, but failed to stop its mad attacking. In Duo's eyes, there was only Ghrushchev; the suits around him were brought down only if they got in his way. So, one by one, the enemy suits were brought down until only Ghrushchev remained.

Ghrushchev's face was covered in nervous sweat. This time, it was Duo's face who appeared on his screen. The Gundam pilot was breathing heavily and his hair was soaked with sweat, but his eyes still had an evil glimmer in them.

"Looks like its over for you now....tell the keepers of hell that the Shinigami has sent you to their firely depths. Farewell!!"

Ghrushchev let out a scream as the scythe crashed down upon Epyon II. In a matter of seconds, the suit exploded and Ghrushchev was dead.

"This is Duo Maxwell...Ghrushchev is dead. I demand that you release Relena Peacecraft this very instant....or else you all will face a fate crueler than death...."

The soldiers were shocked. They didn't believe that their leader could be killed by a mere boy, but after a few minutes discussion, they found out is was true. They held up their hands in defeat and untied Relena.

Just then a Preventer battle cruiser appeared on the scene. A broadcast was sent out to the Gundam pilot and the soldiers of the late Ghrushchev.

"This is Preventer Water....we will be entering now to retrieve Vice-Foreign Minister Darlian. That is all."

The shuttle flew in. Duo sat back and relaxed after a long, hard battle. Then a window appeared on his screen. It was Wufei.

"You did a fine job here, Maxwell."
"Thanks. Eesh...I really hate this new job of mine...."
"Worry no more. From now on, the Preventers will be her 'bodyguards'. You have been released from this duty."
"Hey! Thanks for the treat...but don't you think you could've done it a little earlier?? As in...before this had happened?!"
"Forgive us, Duo."
"It's ok. I'll be leavin' now....have fun taking care of Relena!!"

Duo ended the transmission and blasted off toward the blue planet to meet up with Howard so that repairs could be done. Wufei looked on from the Preventer cruiser until the Gundam was a mere shooting star.