Part Twenty-one;
 *Song Mirror*

         Paato Chuenchiuan;
         *Uta no Kagami*
 

In space, I see music.

In the brilliance of space, amidst its shining stars and endless dance across infinity, a white and blue mobile suit lifted its rifle and spewed golden fire into the darkness. The light from the fire mingled with that of four other Gundams to create a brilliant flash of light. The light of war outshone the peaceful light of the stars, and in a moment, the mistakes of the past had been forgotten, only be repeated.

One by one five stars fell to the Earth in shame.

Never to return.

Never to feel the peace of space again.
 

" Zechs? "

" Mm? "

" That pilot... will he be able to handle the Epyon? "

" ... yes. I'm sure of it. "

" ... okay. I believe you. "

" Noin. "

" ... yes? "

" Thank you. "
 

                 [##]
 

Looking for Mind Education - it's so far
  you know it's difficult
  So Only For You - in order to feel
  I want to believe in eternity since I exist
       Looking for Mind Education sorewa tookute
          kewashiito kitto kizuiteru
          So Only For You kanjiru tameni
          umaretakara eien shinjitai
 

                 [##]
 

" Sir? "

Treize stirred, and realized to some amusement that he'd fallen asleep while working on Talgeese. Sitting up, he brushed his hair back and peered over the edge of the scaffolding at the soldier whom had waken him.  " Yes? "

" Sir, we just got a comminique from the Romafellor Foundation headquarters. "

" Interesting.  And what did it have to say? "

" Well, Your Excellency, it said that they're under attack. By Gundam Zero-two. "

" Oh? " Treize sat back and contemplated this. What an unexpected turn of events.
 

                 [##]
 

Things that are important are all different;
  It's difficult to give in
  When you're sad, I'm sad too.
  I know that in my heart
        taisetsunamonoga sorezore chigaukara
          yuzurenai kimochininaru
          anataga setsunaito watashimo kanashiito
          kokorode wakkatemo
 

                 [##]
 

Hiiro caught the young Chinese boy as he stumbled into the clearing. The force with which the other boy was moving forced Hiiro to his knees. There was a scuffle that left Hiiro with scraped knees and the other boy with frayed pants, but in the end he looked at Hiiro as if seeing him for the first time.

Brutally he pushed back, and stood staring at Hiiro with suspicious eyes as black as the deepest voids of space.

Hiiro got to his feet, ignoring the pain in his knees and inquired, " Are you the pilot of that mobile suit? "

Of course he was. Hiiro knew that. He even knew this boy's name. He'd known him in that dream! So the question changed,
" Are you Chang Wufei? "

The other boy gave a start, and his suspicion increased.

Hiiro meanwhile was reeling in surprise. He knew--! The reaction of the other boy told him he'd been right. He knew all the pilots. Just as he'd on some level known Zechs upon their first battle. It didn't make any sense. Yet it was truth.

Provided he wasn't still dreaming.

Wufei seemed to make up his mind about something. " Yes. I am the pilot of that Mobile Suit; " He straightened up and regarded Hiiro with an air of arrogance. " and now I will be taking it. "

" Matte. " Hiiro said quietly. He turned and stared directly at the other boy, " The pilot of one of the other Gundams, Quatre, he believes we should all return to space. Together. "

" Why should we do that? Oz is on Earth. "

" No. Oz is in space. Oz has invaded our home: and now 'home' is betraying us. " Hiiro carefully watched Wufei's reactions.
" We need to return to Outer Space, and we need to return together. "
 

                 [##]
 

Instead of hate, the strength of forgiveness
  is what I want. For the two of us
  as tomorrow draws near
        nikumiau kotoyori yuruseru tsuyosao
          teniiretai soshite futarino
          asuga chikazuite kurukara
 

                 [##]
 

A powerful force caught Shinigami from the side and threw him down to the ground. The Gundam hit a row of Leos on display and knocked them to the ground. The power sources in a few destabilized and exploded, triggering the same reaction in the others and creating a wall of flame that engulfed the threat to the Romafellor Foundation. The Aries that had knocked Shinigami waited patiently.

True to the long list of reports and statistics, the Gundam survived the explosions, and the flames were cut by the blade of its thermo-scythe. It emerged from the flames, looking more godlike than ever before. The pilot of the Aries continued to watch.

Shinigami took two running steps that shook the foundations of the surrounding buildings to their core and then took to the air. It took a swing at the impertinent Aries that would not accept its fate and missed. He swung again, and once more missed.

Expert hands that knew no pain flicked switches and he shouted over the open com; " SHINE!! "

[as in 'die', not to glow brightly]

" Iie. "

Shinigami paused, he knew that voice! In an instant it all caught up to him. His whole body was throbbing, his mind was slow with pain, and his face was wet. He reached up to wipe his cheeks and the pain doubled.

Duo grabbed his shoulder and screamed, " Itai!! "

" Sugoi... " the other voice murmured, amazed that he'd attacked while still injured.

" S-Sergent San'nin?! "

He could hear the smile in her voice. " I'll likely be court marshalled for this. It's the second time I've been forced to let you go, Gundam Zero-two. "
 

                 [##]
 

Looking for Mind Education - until we reach it
  I don't want to waste this feeling
  So Only For You - I will continue to protect
  so you can keep smiling
        Looking for Mind Education tadoritsukumade
          kono omoi mudani shitakunai
          So Only for You mamori tsuzukeru
          sono egaoga tsuzuku youni
 

                 [##]
 

One of the Maginak was just finishing bandaging his hand when Quatre set the cup of tea before him. Trowa sipped it indulgently and quietly thanked his friend.

Quatre slowly shook his head and sat down. " How are you? "

" Fine, " Trowa withdrew his hand and flexed his fingers around the thick gauze. " The worst of it was this one. But it'll heal. You? "

" Rasid says I'll be almost completely healed in a few days. " He blushed faintly, " Well, he'll let me back into Sandrock in a couple of days anyway. I've been acting brash lately. "

" Sandorokku? " Trowa repeated the name of Quatre's Mobile Suit. " Is that its name? " He watched Quatre bob his head in agreement. " Mine's Heavyarms. "
 

                 [##]
 

To Generation - it's so far
  you know it's difficult
  So Only For You - in order to feel
  I want to believe in eternity because I exist
        To Generation sorewa tookute
          kewashiito kitto kizuiteru
          So Only For You kanjiru tameni
          umaretakara eien shinjitai
 

                 [##]
 

Wufei considered the words of the other boy he'd run into for a long while. " Ee, " he agreed eventually, " But there's someone I need to check on first. "

Hiiro nodded. " I'll follow you in my Mobile Suit. "

" Do as you like, " Wufei said dismissively. He ran for Shenlon and cursed the wasted time, If you've died I'll never forgive you...

Moments later, Shenlon took to the air, followed soon by Wing in flight mode. The two crafts cut sleekly through the air. As they neared their destination, Shenlon drew its trident and prepared for battle.

But there was no battle to be found. There was nothing. Wufei turned the Gundam angrily. He wasn't mistaken. Landing, he searched the path, but there was... nothing. There was nothing at all. " It was right here! " he uttered, his dark eyes wide with a damnable panic. " It was right here... It was right here!! "

He wasn't wrong. He couldn't be wrong!

" Shimatta! "

" Nani? " questioned the monotonous voice of the other boy.

Wufei quivered, his hands shaky at the controls. His throat tightened and his voice caught in it, choking him with the words...
" Nan-- Nandemo.... " his voice dropped as defeat overtook him, " nai... "

[trans = it's nothing]
 

                 [##]
 

When I can't see love,
  I worry but I won't lose my way because you're with me
  No matter how far,
  the starry skies above will look the same to us
        aiga mienaito
          fuanni omoukedo mayowanai anata to nara
          donnani hanaretemo
          miageta hoshizorawa onajini utsuru kara
 

                 [##]
 

Quatre ran ahead of Trowa and Duo as Hiiro and Wufei landed outside the Maginak encampment. Trowa helped Duo, the braided boy being the worse for wear after his bout with the Romafellor Foundation, not to mention his sanity. They were an interesting group, and diverse enough to work. Rasid knew he was witnessing history in the making. The Infinite Dance would continue along the paths of those five boys, and whomever they touched along their journey. Chikyuu had taught them the way to save Uchuu, just as Uchuu's salvation would extend to Chikyuu. Endless cycling of events. Like Love and Hate, Dreams and Reality, War and Peace.

Quatre smiled warmly at the quiet Chinese boy Hiiro had brought back with him. He then looked to the sky and let the sun caress his pure features.

" To Space... " he said.
 

                 [##]
 

Spending those shining days with you
  I learned not to give up
  I feel it deeply in my heart
        kagayaita anohio anatato sugoshite
          akiramenai kotono sonoimi
          fukaku kokorode kanjiteru
 

 **
 

[This ends section two of Infinite Dance. Woo! Back to DBZL I go! But this is far from the end of this blasted story. ~sighs~ I know I know. SO! What awaits our beloved boys in space? Hilde? With an M.S.? Kowai~~~~ And what the hell happened to Nara? Not to mention San'nin? Find out in Chapter 22, the beginning of Section Three in Gundam Wing Mugen no Dansu!]

 [Written by Inseiko, 2000]
         [Song: 'Mind Education' by Misty Eyes
          Lyrics found at http://www.gundamwing.org]
 

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