Part Sixteen;
 *Love at War with Hate*

         Paato Shikkusuchiin;
         *Koi to sensou shiteru nikushimi*
 

In the brilliance of space, amidst its shining stars and endless dance across infinity, a majestic mobile suit dropped its scythe in the aftermath of a battle between the light and the darkness. As the light faded, the pilot was unable to see the peaceful light of the stars once again. For his mind was clouded with the darkness of war... and death: a gaping black hole that engulfed Chikyuu in its entirety and swallowed all of Uchuu along with it.

War had consumed humanity.

One by one, five stars fell in shame to the dead void that had once been Earth.

Never to know the peace of outer space again.
 

Duo paused as a feeling gripped him, froze him in place, wrenched his heart, and broke out a cold sweat all over his body. The world around him dissolved and he could see space. He could see Uchuu in all its splendor, and the dream in all its inifinite beauty. It stole his breath and weakened his knees. Duo slid to the floor, unable to support his full weight.

He didn't understand, but that was alright. It was perfectly okay to just wait for it to pass. Because as much as it hurt, the tears streaming down his face were not out of pain, but a beautiful sadness that didn't feel bad at all.
 

                 [##]
 

A chance meeting can change your whole future.
    Believe in miracles, things will work out.
    It's gonna be OK!
         Guuzen no deai ga mirai made kaete shimau
            Kiseki o shinji na yo umaku iku sa
            It's gonna be OK!

                 [##]

Trowa watched, as if the world had suddenly slowed down, as the first bullet tore a path through Yuu's left shoulder. Deep crimson spurted into the air, spraying the second bullet and giving it a taste of what was to come. The force of the first entry threw Yuu off his feet, but not before the second shot hit him in the chest. Then Trowa's mind caught up to events, and in
 the blink of an eye Hitori Yuu was on the ground in a puddle of blood.

The other two soldiers who had been with him stared at Trowa in disbelief. Shock. It was incomprehensible that the young man had been able to do that. They drew their guns, but were unable to fire, or perhaps on some level unwilling, as Trowa approached the body of the man he'd sworn to kill, and succeeded in doing so.

As he stood next to the body, the blood rippling around his shoes, words spoken by the deceased, it seemed like ages ago now.... words spoken by Hitori Yuu entered his mind;

" You're a Gundam pilot... how much peace have you found? "

Trowa still didn't have an answer.
 

                 [##]
 

There's just one thing so important
    you can't entrust it to anyone.
    There's only one chance,
    reach out for it, tomorrow's too late
         Dare ni mo watasenai
            taisetsuna mono wa hitotsu
            Chansu wa ichido dake
            te ni irero yo ashita ja osoi
 

                 [##]
 

Quatre turned to the other person in the room abruptly. " Sumimasen, " he inquired, " Would you please send all the information we have on the fifth Gundam to this computer? I'm going to try and see if I can pinpoint his location. "

" Hai, Quatresama, " the Maginak responded immediately. Within seconds the information began scrolling across the monitor before Quatre.

Quatre turned to it and began to skim through it. " He can't have disappeared. "

The Maginak looked back at his leader and pursed his lips. " Could he have been killed? "

Quatre shook his head. " Oz would have advertised that. No, he's just dropped out of sight, and I can't figure out why. He's so solitary, I've hardly seen any reports since the incident at-- " Quatre broke off. He returned to the computer. " His Gundam... its right arm looked like a dragon... I wonder what he's like. Probably quiet, like Trowa. " His green eyes softened. " Trowa... I hope he's alright. Ah! "

" Nani? "

" Oh, I just found where the fifth pilot was last spotted. Hm... " Quatre deftly keyed in commands and brought up another window of information. " That area is in the middle of a rainstorm... maybe he's lying low? We should send someone to go find him... "

" I'll go, " stated a new voice.

Quatre spun in surprise. " Hiiro! "

The Japanese pilot gazed at him from where he leaned heavily against the doorframe. His eyes strayed from Quatre to the screen. " The Cinq Kingdom is on the way there anyway. I'll drop Rilina off and then go search for him. "

" Demo... " Quatre began to protest quietly.

" Look, you said so yourself, " Hiiro cut him off, his own voice low and perfectly calm, " You said so yourself, we can't return to space without all five of us. You and Duo are in no condition to go. "

" Neither are you. " Quatre inputted, concern thick in his voice. " I should go. This is my mission. "

" If the colonies are in danger, then it's a mission for all of us. " Hiiro pointed out, ending the argument effectively. " Take me to Wing. "

Quatre stood and gave the computer one last look, before leading Hiiro out into the hallway.
 

                 [##]
 

Forget about yesterday when all you could do
    Was hug your knees and sigh. Believe in yourself
         Tada hiza o dakaete ochikonda kinou
            Wasurete shimae jibun o shinjite
 

                 [##]
 

It had been a long period of introspection for Wufei, and for once, it hadn't been the usual thoughts. Or rather, it hadn't been the same intonations... not quite. A chance meeting with Nara Sorou hadn't drastically changed his life, but it had changed it a little. From her, his thoughts had meandered to everyone else who had made a difference in his life. Osensei, Sally Po, Lucretia Noin, the other Gundam Pilots, especially the one... what was his name? He'd heard it shouted over the open com... Hiiro.

Hiiro Yui. He could only imagine that the pilot of the majestic white and blue gundam with wings was named after the almost legendary Colonial leader. A pacifist leader assasinated had been resurrected in the form of a perfect soldier. Such a punishment for Oz, Wufei couldn't compare. Up until he'd gotten Nataku, he hadn't even considered becoming an M.S. pilot. Now he'd gone straight to being more than that. He was a Gundam Pilot.

He didn't deserve it.

" I don't deserve it... " he whispered sadly.

" Don't deserve what? "

Wufei jerked and looked down at the other person in the tent. Nara met his gaze with liquid brown eyes that in the near-total darkness looked black as his own. The now-common silence stretched.

" Fine then, don't answer me. Just wallow in your own self-pity. See if I care. " Nara said without the conviction that should have been there and pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulder. " I'm going back to sleep. Oyasumi nasai. "

Without thought to back them, Wufei's lips uttered the words, " Oyasumi nasai, " before his chin dipped and he watched her face as she willed herself back to sleep (and somehow succeeded).

For the first time in a long time, Wufei smiled. It was small and sad, but it was there.
 

                 [##]
 

Maybe it will turn out fine,
    Yeah, so I'm sure it will turn out fine.
    Your chance is right in front of you,
    It's fine, it's sure to be OK!
    Maybe it will turn out fine,
    Yeah, so I'm sure it will turn out fine
    For the dream that never ends
         Tabun umaku iku ze
            dakara umaku iku ze
            Chansu wa me no mae
            Daijoubu kitto OK!
            Tabun umaku iku ze
            dakara umaku iku ze
            Owari no nai yume no tame ni
 

                 [##]
 

" Zechs! "

He jerked, surprised by the outside input that appeared so suddenly. He was cruising the Epyon at top speed, and his mind was running at the speed of light. He could see everything... everything! He could see his enemies... he could see his allies... he could see himself, and the flow of time itself. He could see the future, just over the edge of his mind's horizon.

" Zechs! "

Adjust sensors, pan in, short range, sonar, behind him, slightly to the left. Wire map, M.S. angular, search archives, Taurus, identification, coat, colour, white. Unknown. Enemy.

The Epyon performed a 180 degree turn that was nothing short of perfection. The air was sent into turmoil in its wake. Burgundy metal skin gleamed in the starlight. It readied its beam sabre and paused, reading its enemy.

The white Taurus didn't have the reaction time of the Epyon, it narrowly avoided a crash and shot straight up into the sky. The enemy was weak. The enemy would be easily defeated. The enemy would die.

" Zechs! Zechs is that you? What are you doing?! "

An unnecessary distraction, shut off com, power up the heat whip and the boosters.

Mission: Destroy the enemy in the unknown Taurus.
 

                 [##]

From the moment you give up, even luck will escape from you.
  Just have fun until the pressure builds too high and
  It's gonna be OK!
         Akirameta toki kara tsukisae nigete shimau
          Girigiri no puresshaa made tanoshimereba
          It's gonna be OK!
 

                 [##]
 

Treize left the room where Dorothy had returned to dreams and walked with a slow deliberation to the room where he'd had the Talgeese put. Standing at the base of the mobile suit, he looked up at its impressive frame and felt small. It was humbling. He liked it.

The Talgeese was an impressive machine; but it could be so much more. It could be graceful. It could dance. An imperfect smile touched the face of a leader conditioned to perfection. Treize could hide behind the vasade of an unemotional emotional beaurocrat, but underneath it all, he was a soldier. He was a man.

The smile widened almost imperceptively as he allowed his thoughts to meander in this moment of solitude. Standing here looking at the impressive gift Zechs had left him, his thoughts somehow returned to the memory of the Chinese boy who piloted Gundam Unit 05. Those black eyes had told of a future battle, one that Treize looked forward too. He'd bested the young man in close combat... but... he'd always wondered about M.S. battle.

Oh yes, Treize Kush Renada the soldier was very excited at the prospect.
 

                 [##]
 

There's only one rule, cowardice is not allowed.
  There's only one chance to try, bet your life on this game.
  Just keep running on the rails for someone
  I know you can't settle for being satisfied with where you are
        Ruuru wa hitotsu dake bibitteru yatsu wa dame sa
          Gyamburu wa ichido dake inochi kakete asonde miyou
          Tada reeru no ue o dareka no tame ni
          Hashiri tsuzukete manzoku shicha irarenai hazu
 

                 [##]
 

 Noin's eyes widened as she saw the other Mobile Suit preparing to attack.
 

                 [##]
 

You're always full of dreams. Don't worry about anything.
  It doesn't matter if they don't come true.
  Everything's perfectly OK!
  You're always full of dreams. Don't worry about anything.
  Ride the wave you've been waiting for
        Itsumo yume o miteru nanimo ki ni shinaide
          Dame de mo kamawanai
          Kampeki ni OK!
          Itsumo yume o miteru nanimo ki ni shinaide
          Machi ni matta nami ni norou
 

                 [##]
 

Doctor J stared at Hilde in disbelief. " B-But... " he trailed off.

Lady Une glared down at him. " What's the problem, Doctor? Your own Gundam Pilots are about this age, are they not? "

Doctor J nodded. " Yes, but you don't-- "

Private Hilde walked up to the new Mobile Suits and turned to face the Doctors with a gleam in her eyes and a smile on her face. " Which one is mine and when can I take it out for a test run? "

The Doctors stalled.

Lady Une smiled back at the young girl. " Right away. "
 

                 [##]
 

Even if you're just hugging your knees and sighing
  And can't see the answers, believe in yourself
       Tada hiza o dakaete ochikonde itemo
          Kotae wa mienai jibun o shinjite

Maybe it will turn out fine,
  Yeah, so I'm sure it will turn out fine.
  Your chance is right in front of you,
  It's fine, it's sure to be OK!
  Maybe it will turn out fine,
  Yeah, so I'm sure it will turn out fine.
  Your chance is right in front of you,
  It's fine, it's sure to be OK!
        Tabun umaku iku ze dakara umaku iku ze
          Chansu wa me no mae
          Daijoubu kitto OK!
          Tabun umaku iku ze dakara umaku iku ze
          Chansu wa me no mae
          Daijoubu kitto OK!

You're always full of dreams. Don't worry about anything.
  It doesn't matter if they don't come true.
  Everything's perfectly OK!
        Itsumo yume o miteru nanimo ki ni shinaide
          Dame de mo kamawanai
          Kampeki ni OK!
 

                 [##]
 

Breathing was easier once the moment had passed, and he welcomed it in the same moment he regretted it. Such beautiful music, beautiful imagery. This was what he was fighting for.

Duo wiped the tears from his face with the back of his hand and stood, using the wall behind him for support. When he closed his eyes he saw the dream, and he understood it now. The God of Death would breathe new life into humanity. Even if he had to kill to make them realize the error of their ways.

" Minna... " his voice was barely a whisper, barely a breath behind it to give it sound, " Minna o korosu... "

He smiled.
 

                 [##]
 

You're always full of dreams. Don't worry about anything.
  Ride the wave you've been waiting for
       Itsumo yume o miteru nanimo ki ni shinaide
          Machi ni matta nami ni norou
 

 **
 

[Oh no! Now *Duo's* gone insane!! ~falls over~ What am doing??? Well! Please do come back for Part Seventeen. In which I promise no answers whatsoever, but if you're in any way as curious as I am, you shouldn't have any problem coming up with pressing questions for yourself! So long!]

 [Written by Inseiko, 2000]
         [Song: 'Absolutely O.K.' by Toshihiko Seki
          Lyrics found at http://www.gundamwing.org]
 

Go to part seventeen