More Warnings: 1x2, explicit language, slightly supernatural element
.Scathed Light.
Clash of the Gods - Final Battle
The young man stood before Danfar in full uniform, clicking his heels before forming a deep bow. "Sir, we're detecting a target coming from the south shore in our direction, shall we attempt to intercept it?" "No, let it reach here. We have plans for it. Duo, did you hear him? You're having company, I believe your friend Heero is coming back to entertain you. Get up there. Don't disappoint him."
"Quatre! You can't go there alone dammit!" Called Trowa over the radio frequency. Quatre remained in his Gundam, fending off the fleet of mobile suits that launched at him. The blonde boy winced, his body being jerked about violently with each blast, "I have to! I have to help them!" "You could die out there Quatre! You're not prepared for this mission!" Trowa called more fiercely, his eyes visible in the camera screen view. A soft smile touched Quatre's lips, "Fuck the world if we're not aloud to fight for the things most important to us. We fight for freedom, but what is freedom without the people we love to share it with?" "Quatre!"
Over the horizon the ship came into clear view. The waves dancing widely about the ship, sending it in a tantrum of crashing waves and the spray of the salty sea. The lightening shooting sharply, the ship was going to be swallowed by the very sea. Floating in the sky above the ship however, was a large, dark Gundam. Death scythe. It's form welcoming Heero into the aquatic arena. Heero held more tightly to the control grips. He could hear a voice over the radio command. It sounded like Duo, only distorted. "I have waited for you Odin. I have waited, a very long time." "Shinigami, we finish this now!"
Duo stood within the void darkness, floating in a landscape of nothingness. His hair was free and flowing around him. His body felt light, and weak. All around him was black, inking movements in a blank world. "This feeling. This place. It is filled with hopelessness. The look Sister Mary once gave to me," Duo said quietly, his violet eyes gazing towards the space. "He doesn't love you Duo. It can never be. It never will be." "Then why... did he come back to save me?" "Save you? Hm. Silly Duo, have you forgotten the rules you were given? You are an information risk, you are now OZ property. In order to retain the colonies, they will order Heero to kill you." The space became the darken sky, and below he could see Heero's gundam moving across the waters. "See? He is coming to kill you. He will risk his life to do so. Let me guide you, and together, we will defeat our enemies."
What neither boy realized. Is that they both had the same questions. They both desired the same answers. 'Who am I truly?'
Neither boy knew of their past. And the future was uncertain. Neither boy knew of love, only of hate.
Neither boy knew of luxury, neither knew of happiness. They had never felt a parents hug,
or a tender affection. All they had was what they'd given to each other.
One moment.
One night of passion.
But was this love?
And now, with the energy of Odin and Shinigami welled within them.
The clash of the gods began...
Wing gained a white aura, the aura streaming force and pouring an electrical energy that cloaked the mobile suit, the white aura began to ink itself with streams of black, enveloping Wing in a symmetrical force. Hovering above the strong, angry waves. The storm yelling in its anguish above them as the heavy rains poured. Armed and ready, standing, mocking, and waiting was Wing. Deathscythe carried a black aura, bathed in neon green, the green becoming infectious and tainting the very scythe held in the mobile suits hands. The mobile suits were alive.
"Let's see what you are made of Odin, I will even give the first strike!" Deathscythe surged forth, swinging its gleaming blade in Wing's direction to try and slice through the suits waist. The swipe was swift, and made in a single blink. Some how the movements of the mobile suits had changed to an accelerated speed. Response time was faster, too fluid for the arms of a mechanical beast. Wing grasped hold to the end of the scythe before it could even make it's mark. It was a struggle of power. Clashing of balances. Deathscythe forced itself to fire it's boosters, further enabling the mobile suit to blast higher into the sky. Wing lost the grip, but pursued it's opponent.
"Fighting is foolish! It leads to nothing!" Heero growled loudly over the radio frequency. "Odin, are you perhaps becoming sentimental? You love the taste of battle. It's your job. You're job is to kill. All those people, Oz and innocents. You are the spawn of hell. Nothing more than a coward who follows without question. You never questioned your existence as I have! Do you even know who you are?" Duo's voice was a sharp, quick, tone, his fingers gripping to the controls. The thunder crashed fiercely, slamming only a few inches away from Deathscythe before it slammed down on the ship below.
Quatre slide across the smooth, black floors of the halls. Something had happened. It felt like the ship was attacked. Lights were flickering; he could hear the screams of the passengers on board and the flashing of red lights. He'd finally made it inside. He left Sandrock on shore and managed to steal a small, Oz model that allowed him to fly and land on the ship. Now that he realized the ships instability, it seemed more like a bad idea by the moment. Luckily, the blow to the ship distorted their computer systems. It was a piece of cake to slip through security. Foot steps! Headed this way! The loud clumping sound of boots rang throughout the hall, Quatre quickly turned to hide at a crossroad turn, slipping into the shadows as the uniformed men ran past. "Quickly! Everyone to the evacuation vessels! This ship is sinking!" The blonde haired boys muscles tightened. He couldn't evacuate. Not now. Duo and Heero depended on him. He had to get that remote from Danfar's office. The evacuation would make it much easier.
Time! Quatre just needed more time and with every passing second it was fading from his fingertips. The first door he managed to reach had a number pad lock on it. He took a deep breath, raising his hand to tap at the keys. It was unlocked. Strange. He pressed the enter key. The door opened to reveal what must have been the troops sleeping quarters. That was perfect. It was completely empty, boxes were tossed about and items spilled to the floor from the violent ocean waves. The shades of the scattered uniforms strung over the rows of bunk beds. He grasped hold of a uniform and quickly dressed himself in the attire. It would be much easier to find his way around if he didn't stand out like a sore thumb.
He peered out from the door, making sure that he took all safety precautions on the matter. He may have had very little time, but he couldn't screw it up. He tapped the number pad on the door. I need to just run a search for Danfar's room. It should be here somewhere. "Error, System offline," the computer read. Quatre slammed his fists against the door, "Dammit!" "Excuse me.. sir?" Asked a soft voice. Quatre's heart skipped a beat. He turned slowly to face the one addressing him. It was a young girl, or so it seemed. The girl smiled softly, lifting her hand to salute him, "Didn't you hear the evacuation notice?" Quatre swallowed softly, "I- was asked to retrieve a device before I left." The girl motioned down the hall, "I see you were trying to access information on Danfar. Did he ask you to retrieve something for him?" "Yes! That's it!" "I have clearance to access his office, I'll show you the way there. By the way, my name is Jill Howard, I'm American, and you'll have to excuse my Japanese." That name.. sounds familiar. "Oh no problem, I have an American friend, I'm used to it," Quatre returned with a smile, following the young lady.
Wing fired a blast shot for direct aim at Deathscythe's arm. The missile shot out with searing speed, slicing through the wind and clouds effortlessly. The storm had become such a rage; it gave the image that heaven and hell were fighting around them with every advance they made. The endless battle of the heavenlies, bringing chaos to all of the earth. Deathscythe evaded the attack, slipping forward to slam into Gundam Wing. The two mobile suits were not gripping one another, hand to hand. Their grips were strong and demanding, crushing the metal alloy of their suits as they set in the pressure. Duo laughed loudly, his head tilting back, "Then we shall both die! A mutual kill, such a fitting end. You never could defeat me Odin!" Heero grunted. The pain inflicted to Wing, was actually hurting his physical body, bruising and impaling one another. "F-fuck you, Shinigami!" Duo quirked his brow, "Odin, you have not over come that boys mind yet? Duo was so simple to take over." "The remote chip is the only reason that Duo is submerged!" Heero hissed practically. "Duo is submerged because he is afraid of the truth, afraid of the questions. He cannot be or know anything until he knows who he is, and what he feels." Wing applied intense pressure to Deathscythes shoulder blade, the sound of the crushing metal ringing even when the thunder screaming in agony. Deathscythe threw his head back, the power to the suit weakened. It was enough to send the two Gundams falling towards the ocean. Still gripped to one another as they parted through the clouds. "Duo! DAMMIT! You come back to me! Duo! You're Duo Maxwell! You always take up the shower, you always steal food off my plate and you shake presents that aren't even for you! Stop being a damn coward and come out!" Heero shouted. Duo shook his head, "Odin! Why are you letting this boy control you? Come out and FACE me damn you!" The suits began to glow, the light produced was blinding, and only displayed for a second before they hit the ocean waters.
Duo's eyes softly opened. He was still within the dark void. He struggled to his feet, his body rigid and numb. His steps feeling no ground, and no balance. "Heero.. he is going to die.." Duo said the words softly. His hands clenched together tightly. "This isn't right. This isn't our fight. It's not supposed to be like this! Fuck! It's all my fault!" The American yelled out loudly, "Shinigami! I won't let you kill Heero! I refuse it! Because I.. I need him.. I need him! Fuck it! I have to fight it! Can't you understand? I NEED HIM!"
"This is Danfar's office," Jill said calmly, she opened the door with natural grasp, revealing an empty office. The desk had slid over to the corner, the plants had fallen, the papers were scattered. But no one was there. Quatre turned to face Jill, "Where is Danfar? Has he evacuated?" Jill shook her head, "He's preparing a mobile suit for take off, then he will return to get the remote key. It's in the safe. The circuits are fried, you'll have to shoot the lock off." Quatre turned his gaze to the safe, "How did you know I was after the remote?" "Now Duo and I are even. We saved one another," Jill whispered. Quatre quickly snapped his wide eyes to Jill, "Wh-" But the words were delivered to air. Jill was no longer at his side. She had just vanished. Instantly. Like a ghost.
There was no time to speculate, he pulled out his gun, aiming it towards the safe lock. With one pull of the trigger the lock broke, his fingers clawing at the edges to pull the small metal door open. Inside was a small remote, which Quatre quickly took into his possession. It was rather easy to switch off, it was set up with easy access. "Who are you and why are you in my office?" A cool, voice asked. It sounded so much like Heero's. It almost fooled Quatre. His eyes lifted to meet the cold gaze of Danfar. His hair was pulled back away from his face. He looked less than pleased. Quatre slid the remote into his pocket and leapt up, trying to deliver a kick towards Danfar's side. The man without the slightest effort grasped Quatre's leg, tossing him against the wall. Quatre's back slammed against the wall, his back painfully cracking as he let out a yell. The desk crashed towards him, crushing the boy into a corner. Danfar smirked slightly, "Amusing, three Gundam pilots. I did not think the colonies would allow you to all work unified. Now I will take that remote back." His arm reached out toward Quatre. He defenselessly struggled, trying to wriggle form out of the desks hold. Quatre winced. A hand didn't touch him, it was blood. Blood dripping on his forehead. Danfar was grasping his shoulder before he fell and hit the floor. Standing there in the doorway as Danfar fell, was Trowa, holding up a gun with a solemn look to his face. Quatre widened his eyes, "Trowa! W-h- Why are you here?" Trowa spoke slowly, a slow, weak smile touching his mouth; "Fuck the world if we're not aloud to fight for the things most important to us."
Wing and Deathscythe hit the bottom of the ocean floor, the sand briefly scattering in the water. No sea life was in the area, it was barren, it semmed that no living creature lived in these depths. The gundams held no avail. Their grips were still as strong and durable as ever. The two mobile suits head placed faced to face. They were beginning to malfunction, bringing each other to their own self-destruction. The pressure of the water was leaking into the Gundams, it wouldn't be long before they were stalled suits forever to remain in the ocean bed. "ODIN! You fucking coward! Why are you hiding within that boy?!" Duo roared. Heero closed his eyes tightly, the pain was becoming unbearable, he had to fight it. "I am here, because Odin refuses to fight you.." Duo shook his head to this news, swallowed thickly, "Why? Why? Why won't he fight me?" "Because, he needs you, just as you need him. Shadows cannot be made without light. Just as I could not fight Duo." Duo's grip was slowly weakening, his fingers beginning to tremble. "Duo, I know the answer to the question, and I know who I am-
I am no one. I was trained with the purpose of completion to all my missions. I do not question my mission. I am the perfect solider. I do not question anything. I am to be efficient, and complete all tasks effectively. The lives of others are at no consequence. I will kill; I will assassinate to complete my task. I am nothing. I am the air; I have no name, no childhood, and no soul. I am a drone, and if you're in my path, I will kill you without hesitation. I am Heero Yuy. I cannot change who I am. I am Heero Yuy. I do not care about Odin, or Shinigami. If Odin is a part of me, then so be it. I am Heero, and I need my balance. You are that balance Duo."
Duo released hold of the controls, warnings flaring up on the screen. Their Gundams had taken in too much water, and there was too much damage of the system. Even now, at the moment of this gloom, Duo could care less. His fingers were sore. Everything ached. His head ached. His body ached. His mind was screaming, and ringing like a loud bell. He slowly parted his mouth, his lips moving gently, "I am Shinigami. I was trained with the purpose of passing judgment against those who opposed my authority. I am Death. I am the nothingness, the silence. I am the shadow that walks behind you. And you'll never notice me.. until my Scythe rests coolly against your neck. I am my own name, my own invention. I am Duo Maxwell." He was shaking all over. Either with joy or bewilderment.
"..Duo?" "Heero!" Duo called out with elation. On the screen Duo could clearly see Heero's face. It was still cold. Heero hadn't changed. The same Heero he had always wanted and needed. He had missed that brooding face and those stern lips. This was the face of someone he truly cared about. But now, Heero looked relieved. Duo touched the screen with his red, blistered fingers, pawing at the image of Heero's face. "Heero, we're locked together, the cockpits won't even open." "I know." "Deathscythe will loose power in five minutes, we will not escape." "I know." Duo formed a forced, wry smile, "Now that you have Odin, you've become a real know it all." Heero leaned forward, staring at the screen. Duo sighed, relaxing into his seat, the padding supporting his back, "I like it this time." "Like what?" "Dying. Last time I thought I was going to die, I remember I wasn't afraid, but I wasn't really ready to die." "Ah." "Are you Heero?" "From this point on, I do not care what happens." Duo smiled, tapping the screen, "Is that you're weird way of saying you missed me and you're glad I'm back?" "Hn." Duo smoothed his fingers over the screen, "I missed you too. Heero.. I'm glad, that the last thing I'll see is you." "Where ever we go, we won't be alone," Heero stated. "With you for all eternity? That's a scary proposition, but I'm glad."
Duo shyly pulled forward, he couldn't control his body, he wasn't even thinking, but if he was going to die, it didn't matter to him. He smiled, giving Heero the benefit of his humor for one more moment before he pressed his lips to the screen. Heero's eyes widened, staring at the image of Duo, the young boy who was gently kissing the screen. Affection. Love. For him. It made Heero desire him all the more, without further thought, Heero touched his lips to the screen. He wanted nothing more. There was some strange comfort found in the moment, a relaxation that seemed to calm, and coo them. Could heaven have mercy on them? These two beasts of darkness? It felt as though they were being granted towards death on angels wings. Was it they were ready to die? Or begin a new live, in a new realm, together? For this moment. This one, perfect second in time. Heero and Duo would live in this memory forever. Carrying this affection, this secret, this gift, to their graves. Their lives were complete.
Mission Completed..
"POWER FAILURE. CUTTING LIFE RESOURCES. OXYGEN DEPLETED. SY-Y-Y-Y-yy-y----"
I finally understand.. I finally, can see it..
I could cry! It's taken me so long to see it Heero! I'm so sorry!
If I had been stronger, we would be up above, you'd be angry with me,
we'd argue and then make up. We always made up. But right now,
I'm so content and happy that you're with me, you know?
Even as we're seperated by these sheets of metal, and waves
of salt water. I'm with you. I can die. I'll gladly die,
to be with you.
Duo, I should have reacted differently. I never know
what to feel or what to say around you. Somehow
you're able to understand and read my thoughts.
If you can read them now. Know that I will always
be here. I'm not going anywhere. Ever.
I can hear you.. I can hear you Heero..
Danfar grasped his bleeding shoulder, his teeth clenched tightly. He was alone in his office, the alarm was blaring, the ship must have been empty, he had to find his way to a mobile suit somehow. "I have worked too hard for this! I refuse to loose everything!" He could feel the heat of the bullet that passed through his arm, it hurt like hell to move it. He limped awkwardly, timidly regaining his footing as he began to hobble towards the door. I can still do this, I can revive the project. There will be another time, the answers are the keys to everything! "I refuse to loose this project. This is the discovery that could advance mankind! I don't care who must die!" Before he could reach the door, it closed shut. His blood soaked hands clawed at the door, but the attempts were futile. He slumped against the door, his back slicking against the thick liquid of his life force. His eyes staring towards the floor.
"Did you miss me?" A gentle voice asked. Danfar's attention snapped up to see Jill Howard staring at him with a bright smile. Her mouth holding a soft smile before she kissed his mouth. "You're.." "Dead? Yes, you saw to that Danfar. I loved you. Did you know that? I loved you very much. Enough to sell my own soul." Danfar's cold eyes for once were clamped with fear, his fingers grasping to his wound almost defensively. Her thin, cold fingers trailed along the side of his face, her voice releasing a soft laughter that melted into the air, "You see Danfar, when I died, I met shinigami. He told me that I still had a few.. loose ends to tie up while he dealt with other matters. So now I'm back in his place, I've come to escort you were you belong." Her small, frail fingers touched Danfar's wounded arm, turning into a thin cloud of black poison, the cloud seeping into his blood, spoiling it and shifting it form red to black. Danfar let out screams from the magnitude of pain being administered into his heart. The organ racing and screaming as the black acid devoured it. Jill smile gently, "Shh my love. Shinigami gave me all the time in the world. We'll be together, like this, here on this ship as it sinks to the bottom of the ocean, haunting it as ghosts. And you will relive this moment of pain, for all eternity." With her final words her mouth enclosed around the lips of her lover Danfar as he cowered in her grasp.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. (Except for a few originals like Sakura) This is strictly fan fiction on the televised series Gundam Wing. It is for non-profit and I am in no way affiliated with it. (duh!) Purely entertainment based here. The Lyrics are from 3 Doors Down's cd "The Better Life", the song this is from is called "Life on my own". Really loving that song.
Aurthor's note: It's DONE!!! Well I might do an Epilogue, but I'm SO done! I had to come back and edit this page! I uploaded the wrong version of this fic the first time. DOH!
AFTER THOUGHTS: Originally I wrote this where Heero killed Danfar. It was so cheesy. It just didn't fit. Danfar wasn't good enough to deserve the honor of Heero killing him. And I think it was a surprise, ne? IF! You want to just keep witht his ending don't read the Epilogue. There wasn't supposed to be an epilogue, but I had my angst fill, I wanted a happy ending. ;) If you like it this way, then just stop here. lol