Chapter 37 / 37
Written by Jessi Maxwell - send C&C to Megami_no_Remon@hotmail.com
After they got Quatre back into the truck and tucked in so he could relax and recover from his near heart attack, they resumed their journey with Heero at the wheel. Duo had to have Heero pull over once more before they arrived. The entire time the braided teen was absent, Zechs gave Rook a dark look, silently blaming him for the suffering his lover was going through.
Rook finally straightened his spine and spoke in a terse tone. "Master Merquise, do understand that I am aware that you blame me fully for what your beloved is going through. And I accept your blame, as it was my doing. However, it was his choice and was not forced upon him, and you would do well to remember that. You should be aware by now that I am not your enemy and have nothing to visit harm upon you or yours. I facilitated your return to this world at great personal risk and the consequences will be long-reaching for me once I return. So please keep your dark looks to yourself or confront me openly."
Zechs blinked and then looked away, swallowing hard. "...I'm sorry."
Rook nodded once in acceptance of Zechs' apology. Both looked up when Duo returned and slid into his seat next to Zechs. The boy was pale and looked drained, and he leaned heavily against Zechs. Zechs frowned a bit and slid his arm around Duo.
They rode in silence until they were near the base. Quatre had more or less recovered, though he was still somewhat shaky. He pulled out his com and punched in the code to contact Wufei. Wufei answered almost immediately.
"Fei, this is Quatre. How are we supposed to proceed?"
"Come in the side entrance. It's clear all the way into the hangar. We'll be waiting there for you."
"Roger that. ETA of 2 minutes."
"Roger. Ill see you then."
Quatre set the communicator down with a soft sigh and closed his eyes for the short remainder of the trip. True to Wufei's word, the gates were open and empty, and the security cameras were all facing away from the entrance. They made it into the hangar without seeing a single trace of surveillance or OZ military.
The hangar was very dark, every window in the building having been covered. The door slid shut behind them. Heero twitched his fingers towards his gun nervously, and he wasn't the only one.
One of the windows wasn't blacked out entirely, merely covered with a thin cloth. The light filtered dimly through, enough to illuminate the room just enough to see by. A stretcher containing Shaiyra's still form was waiting in there. Wufei and Treize stood next to it.
The Gundam pilots got out, though none of them seemed overly eager to get too close to Treize. Zechs, however, hopped out and strode over. "Treize."
"Milliardo! Oh, it's so good to see you well." Treize smiled genuinely and gave his friend a quick embrace. While everyone was distracted, Rook took the opportunity to pull Duo off to the side.
"I will be leaving shortly. Remember, Duo...by tonight, tomorrow at the latest, you'll be fully transformed...and when your fangs come in, your first instinct will be a crushing need to feed. Nothing else will matter, and you will become an unthinking predator. After the first time it will not be so mindless. But take care that you are far from your friends. If you ever need my counsel, you can reach me. We are connected."
Duo nodded a bit. "I'll...make sure I'm set up so that nothing'll go wrong. Y'know, you're not a bad guy for a scary monster."
Rook chuckled. "You're something of a monster yourself now. Do take care. Perhaps in the future we shall meet again."
Duo nodded and then gave him a quick hug. "Thank you. For everything. Saving me...bringing us all home. Thank you."
Rook nodded and bowed quickly before turning and striding over, examining Shaiyra's inert body. Treize eyed Rook with an eyebrow raised.
"And you are?"
Rook glanced up. "Prince Darian Kireashae Dei'Khisanth of Crienna Castle, Godspeaker to Ashiryae Saris," he responded automatically. "I apologize I have not the courtesy to stay and make small talk or give you proper thanks for your care of this boy. I must hasten to bring him home to his world before he expires."
Zechs frowned for a minute before clapping his hand on Rook's shoulder. "Thank you. For everything. And forgive my own poor manners of late."
Rook nodded dismissively. "Think nothing of it." He stooped and picked Shaiyra up in one swift motion. "I bid you all farewell. Perhaps we can meet again." With a final nod to his companions, Rook strode forward. A swirling portal opened briefly on the wall, and he vanished into it.
"So...I guess this means we win?" Duo offered hesitantly, moving to lean against Zechs.
"I suppose so."
Heero finally spoke up, eyeing Wufei warily. "What are you doing here?"
Wufei flushed, thankful that the dim light hid most of his reaction. "Research. Tr...Khushrenada and I found an anomaly in Epyon's programming that we believe was causing those ... rift... things. But since Epyon's machinery was blown up, I don't think it'll be sending out any more signals and calling up any more."
"Ah. And if I were to rebuild Epyon?" Zechs asked quietly. "Have you isolated this anomaly?"
"I believe we have," Treize responded smoothly. "I have the information for you right here." The general reached into a pocket and withdrew a disk, which he handed to Zechs. "As much a pleasure it is to talk to you all on such neutral ground, I recommend you make haste to leave. I cannot keep the surveillance and my men out of this area forever without drawing uncomfortable questions."
"Thank you, Treize," Zechs said, truly grateful.
"Who am I to stand in the way of God's chosen?" Treize said with a faint smile. "We shall speak again. Go."
Without a word, they got back into the vehicle. Duo paused to glance at Wufei. "You comin'?"
Wufei flushed again. "Ah...I have Nataku parked outside and have left some of my things inside. I shall meet up with you soon."
"Alright then, take care," Duo nodded. The doors of the vehicle were closed, and they headed out of the base towards Quatre's next house.
"And so, the white knight and friends ride off into the sunset, having saved the beautiful...er...dragon, and they all lived happily ever after?" Duo grinned, leaning against Zechs.
"Something like that." Zechs responded with a small smile, squeezing Duo's hand tightly. "Something like that."
~ * ^ * ~
Almost as soon as they exited the portal back to their home world, life flooded back into Shaiyra's body. Rook set the boy down and quickly backed off.
Shaiyra practically exploded out of his human form, roaring as his massive shadowy wings snapped out and he threw his head back, exulting in the strength returning to his limbs. Slowly he lowered his regal horned head to eye Rook. No words were spoken between them. Shaiyra merely nodded and dipped his head slightly. In return, Rook bowed just a bit - a sign of mutual respect and the quiet thanks of the proud dragon exchanged in the simple gestures.
Without a backward glance, Rook turned and leapt into the air, his body transforming into the bird of his namesake. He wheeled a few times, watching Shaiyra enter the cave where Ayrchad was, his keen senses picking up on Chad's overjoyed cry at the sight of his brother. Rook smiled internally before flapping his wings and vanishing into the cloud cover, heading home.
~ * ^ * ~
Back in the underground hangar at Quatre's ruined estate stood the Gundams and Epyon, quietly waiting for the arrival of their various masters. Epyon was still in pieces, little more than a skeleton of its former glory.
For a moment, there in the darkness of the sealed chamber, Epyon's eyes flared with a sudden and intense green flame, casting the room in an eerie viridian glow...and then all was quiet.