Part Nineteen;
 *Silence*

         Paato Nainchiin;
         *Chinmoku*
 

In the brilliance of space, amidst its shining stars and endless dance across infinity, a majestic mobile suit dropped its arms to its sides 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 loss: 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.
 

Wufei tripped as he ran and landed face first in mud and moss. Coming up on his hands and knees he found that the forest had disappeared, replaced by an endless expanse of darkness. Had he hit his head? Was he unconscious? He couldn't be! He had to get to Nataku!

Pain seared through the young man's body. It started at his sinuses and forced its way back down to his toes. Tears streaked his face for the first time in so long he couldn't remember. But it was beautiful. He could almost smile.

Sometimes...

Sometimes he wondered what might have been...
 

                 [##]
 

In the darkness, solitude awakens
  Endless journey
  We shall meet again some day
  Wound that has started hurting will not forget
        Yamino naka kodokuwa mezameru
          hateshinai tabi
          itsunohika mata deaudarou
          itami dashita kizuga wasurewa shinai
 

                 [##]
 

Rilina sat down at the head of the class and folded her hands in her lap. " I have to apologize to you all, " she began, addressing the room full of female students. " I left without notice and this was rash of me. "

One student meekly spoke up, " Rilinasama... if I may ask, where did you go? "

Rilina lifted her head high and answered, " I went out in search of a soldier. "

Murmuring overtook the classroom, until that same student burst out with the question, " Doshite?! "

" Because the first step towards peace is embracing those that continue on the path to war, " Rilina answered. " There are those soldiers that embrace peace as much as we, and fight in order to bring it to the world. "

" But... fighting for peace... isn't that a contradiction? "

" Yes, it is. But it is the only way they know. It is up to us, and the ways of the Cinq Kingdom to show them the better way. "

" But, those that fight for peace will not so willingly accept total pacifism, Rilinasan. In some cases, you might need force to make them accept your ways. "

Rilina looked to the doorway, and the source of the voice. " Dorothy, where have you been? "

Dorothy watched her carefully as she answered, " Like you, I went to visit a soldier, although I'm sure, " she paused as she made her way to her seat, " my trip wasn't nearly as exciting as yours. "

Rilina's face looked troubled as she contemplated these words and the tone in which they were conveyed. Touching back on Dorothy's original statement, Rilina made the point of, " All humans want peace, despite the fact that they are commonly classified as 'fighting' animals. While some of them may need force to accept total pacifism, there are many degrees and definitions of 'force.' It is up to us to decide the most peaceful way to employ force without breaking the traditions of the Cinq Kingdom. "

Dorothy clapped her hands and smiled broadly, " How right you are, Rilinasan! "

Rilina fidgeted. She didn't believe that Dorothy could be swayed so easily.
 

                 [##]
 

Everytime I turn around
  The answers held in those hands
  My shadow looking down at me
        furimuku tabini
          kotaeo sonoteni daki
          miorosu youni tatsu oreno kage
 

                 [##]
 

Epyon and the White Taurus glided through the night air side by side. An open frequency kept the two pilots in constant contact, and helped Zechs through learning to control the Epyon.

" I don't understand why Treize created that suit the way he did. " Noin's voice sounded very far away. Zechs was sweating with the effort of control.

" A vision of the future perhaps? With the appearance of Mobile Dolls, it's become more apparent that we need humans to pilot M.S. more than ever. "

" But... "

" Noin, " he cut her off, smiling as Epyon showed him the truth, " This is the same as defeating the Talgeese. It's probably where Treize got the idea. With this suit, I am better than the Mobile Dolls, but it takes a high level of control. "

Noin was silent as she thought this over. " Zechs... where are we going? "

" We're going to find Hiiro Yui. " Zechs replied. " With this suit and his mind, Humanity may be saved from itself. "
 

                 [##]
 

Let into top - searching
  Not for tomorrow
  But to live through today
        Let into Top motomerunowa
          asueno tamejanaku
          imao ikinuite ikutame
 

                 [##]
 

Thinking about it, Treize hadn't heard from Lady Une in awhile...
 

                 [##]
 

Let into top - while searching
  For my own life
  To make sure of only one thing
        Let into Top motome nagara
          orewa oreno inochio
          tadahitotsu tashikameru
 

                 [##]
 

Hiiro made a sound of curiosity as his sensors picked up a trace of Gundanium below. Swinging around, he opened a vidlink to the outside and peered intently through the trees.

There! A brief glimpse and he had found it. Hiiro descended and landed in a clearing nearby. Jumping out of the cockpit, he ran through the trees and came across the object of his search.

The fifth Gundam stood tall among the trees, silent and majestic. It was a work or art, Hiiro had to admit, similar to Wing, but with the deadly dragon fang on the right arm.

Hiiro looked around. There were the blackened remnants of a fire, but no sign of the pilot. Hiiro's keen attention caught that across the clearing there were some broken branches. Someone had made a path, heading for the town nearby.

Hiiro looked back up at the solitary Gundam, and at the sun setting behind its left shoulder. All he could do now was wait.
 

                 [##]
 

Everyone dreams and starts to speak
  Of the place to return to
  I want to keep walking
  Looking only ahead to the darkness
        kataridasu daremoga yumemite
          kaeri iku basho
          orewa mada arukitsuzuketai
          mitsumete irunowa yamino kanata dake
 

                 [##]
 

" Duke Dermail! "

The Leader of the Romafellor Foundation stood at his desk and glared at the impertinent soldier who had dared to burst in on him. " What is the meaning of this?! "

" Sir. " The soldier remembered himself and saluted smartly, " My apologies for intruding. But we have a situation. "

The Duke looked angered. " What's that? "

" Gundam Zero-two. "

" What about it? "

The Soldier's eyes widened and he pointed towards the window behind Dermail. " It's... It's here, sir. "

Duke Dermail's own eyes widened and he turned just in time to watch the Grim Reaper of all Mobile Suits cut down half the Leo guards with one swipe of its scythe. Dermail took a step back and bumped into his desk. Turning he shouted, " Don't Just Stand There! DO SOMETHING! "

" Roukai! " The Soldier turned and ran from the room.

[Roukai = An affirmative, usually subtitled as 'Roger', which may be it's origins]
 

                 [##]
 

Fighting
  Will give me the answers
  The shout repeating in my heart
        tatakaukotoga
          kotaeo daseru shudan
          kokoroni kurikaeshi sakebu koe
 

                 [##]
 

Trowa stepped onto the ground and was immediately greeted by Quatre.

" Trowa! " the other boy greeted, " I'm so glad you're alright! I was going to go rescue you, but Rasid said you could handle yourself. "

Trowa nodded mutely.

" I'm trying to get all the Gundams together. " Quatre placed his hand on his heart, " I feel it's time we went to space. "

" You're right, Quatre, " Trowa spoke softly, placing his hand over Quatre's. " I don't doubt that heart of yours for a moment. It's time we returned. "

He caught Quatre's gaze with his own, " But you have to understand, my friend, that we will not be welcome there. "
 

                 [##]
 

Let into Top - more than a prayer
  More than a hopeless wish
  To get through the present
        Let into Top inori yorimo
          kanawanu negaiyorimo
          imao kirinukete ikukoto
 

                 [##]
 

Quatre listened to Trowa's advice and realized that deep down inside he'd know it all along. It was the reason why he was sad. They were in the process of being betrayed by a faraway home. But that didn't change their mission. That didn't change their hearts.

" I know, " he said, " that's why we need to be together on this. We cannot fight alone anymore. " Quatre closed his eyes and smiled. " I have faith. "
 

                 [##]
 

Let into Top - climb to the top
  To win strength
  Is the only answer
        Let into Top noboritsumete
          tsuyosao kachitorunoga
          tadahitotsu sono kotae
 

                 [##]
 

Lost in darkness, caught within the music of the beautiful infinite dance, Wufei  reflected on all that he'd lost in the past and the present. He couldn't help but feel that it had been planned, something set up by the fates to make him weak. But he wouldn't comply, he refused to comply. He needed to show humanity the true meaning of Justice. Killing wasn't the answer to becoming strong, but he didn't know what was the answer. It was what he was fighting for. He needed to know. He had to know.

It was the only way he could escape the dance he hated so much. The only way to put his soul at rest, and leave the wounds of the past behind.
 

                 [##]
 

Let into Top - more than a prayer
  More than a hopeless wish
  To get through the present
        Let into top inori yorimo
          kanawanu negaiyorimo
          imao kirinukete ikukoto

Let into Top - climb to the top
  Each time I win strength
  My life sets on fire
        Let into top noboritsumete
          tsuyosao kachitorutabi
          kono inochi moeagaru
 

**
 

[You know... at the rate things are going... the CHARACTERS are going to think of a plot before I do. But... oh well! So! Is Duo about to kill everyone at the Romafellor Foundation? What is that boy thinking?! How long will Hiiro have to wait for Wufei? Um.......I can't think of anything else. Maybe things will finally make some sense in the next part. Until then, Sayounara!]

[Written by Inseiko, 2000]
         [Song: 'Let Into Top' by Ryuuzou Ishino ^_^v
          Lyrics found at http://www.gundamwing.org, altered heavily by Inseiko because the romanji DID NOT match up to the
           translation. That took a lot of brain power to sort that out.. oi...]

go to part twenty