Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ A Change of Scenery ❯ A Change of Scenery: Part Three ( Chapter 3 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

This is a cross-over story between the Valdemar Series books by Mercedes Lackey (based in the reign of Queen Selenay, around the Owl trilogy time) and Gundam Wing. But don't worry, I'm going to be making sure you don't need to know much about the Valdemar books to be able to follow and explain the books, I'll do my best to explain everything in the actual story so it's not confusing to you. Basically something happens and Wufei and the rest of the guys - though none of them realize the others are also there, end up in the Valdemar world. It's set at the end of Endless Waltz but goes AU right before they destroy their Gundams... I did a lot of research to do this so hopefully you enjoy it!

Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Fantasy | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 06.17.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 9.2K | Visits: 606 | Status: Work In Progress

A Change of Scenery: Part Three
by Kai

Disclaimer: Nope, I don't own Gundam Wing - and trust me - the boys are VERY thankful for that fact. I also, sadly, don't own Valdemar or anything in that particular world... that all was created by the wonderfully talented Mercedes Lackey and all her books should be read over and over again until you can recite them word for word in your sleep.

Ratings: NC-17 (sexual content and language) this will likely be happening in the future so it'll be the rating for the entire fic

Warnings: Yaoi and language, etc.

Pairings: votes were tallied... looks like a 2x3x5 and a 1x4 from here on out.

Summary: This is a cross-over story between the Valdemar Series books by Mercedes Lackey (based in the reign of Queen Selenay, around the Owl trilogy time) and Gundam Wing. But don't worry, I'm going to be making sure you don't need to know much about the Valdemar books to be able to follow and explain the books, I'll do my best to explain everything in the actual story so it's not confusing to you. Basically something happens and Wufei and the rest of the guys - though none of them realize the others are also there, end up in the Valdemar world. It's set at the end of Endless Waltz but goes AU right before they destroy their Gundams... I did a lot of research to do this so hopefully you enjoy it!

A Change of Scenery: Part Three
by Kai

Heero's POV

It had been my idea to destroy the Gundams at the abandoned satellite. If peace was going to work the symbols of war had to be erased and there were simply no bigger symbols of war than the Gundams. It had been my idea. A simple concept really but what wasn't simple was everything I was feeling because of it.

My idea; it had led to the five of us being engulfed in some sort of energy. Energy I couldn't identify or analyze since it had dissipated too quickly after relocating me to my current position an hour ago. I'd already scouted the surrounding area so I knew that there was no immediate danger, though the nearby town was an unknown variable that could change my assessment quickly enough.

I found myself pausing in my analytical evaluation. Numerous times Duo and Quatre had told me that a plan or strategy wasn't always necessary. Both had also stressed that sometimes the best plans were no plans at all. That made me consider what the two of them might do if they were in my situation. The answer to that came to me surprisingly quickly. They would both head into the town for aid and information. Where I saw the townspeople as possible threats both Duo and Quatre would see them as potential allies. Even Wufei and Trowa would be inclined to see them that way, though more likely to be cautious and weary than the other two as they did. I had learned a considerable amount since meeting and joining forces with the others, especially Quatre and Duo, but at times when I seemed to have no control over what was happening I had a tendency to fall back on my training and that training usually came down to all able-bodied people (anyone not dead) over the age of twelve are possible threats. Everyone else was unimportant though they should be treated with caution. There had been a time when my training only took hold when I was on a mission or in simulations, but after the incident with the girl and her dog, Dr. J had done his best to ensure that my training was always dominant. He'd failed but just barely.

I took another quick glance at the trees, grass, and bushes, and I decided that my only opportunity for finding the others in addition to grasping the full extent of the circumstances surrounding my arrival in an unidentified area lay with the town and those who inhabited it. Before this had occurred I would have assigned the mission to Duo or Quatre and if neither was available, to Wufei and then Trowa. Lacking those options, I chose to follow some of Quatre's advice. I would do my best to mimic Quatre, though I would remember not to smile too wide. Last time I had, I had been informed by the other pilots - in unison - to never do it again because I would likely terrify people if I did. I hadn't really realized until that moment that a smile could be dangerous but... I'd seen the evidence of it with each of the others at least once since that day; mostly with Duo and Quatre. It seemed that observing things besides possible dangers, weaknesses in others, escape routes, or things in the vicinity that could be used as weapons could be undeniably useful if one knew what to look for.

Decision made, I headed towards the town, not entirely sure what to expect. From my previous scouting I knew that there weren't any power lines or cars in the area. Instead I'd seen lamps, horses, wagons, and no paved roads. That alone was enough evidence to indicate that the energy that surrounded us had caused some sort of dimensional rift.

However, to be on the side of caution I'd searched my body for any signs that I'd somehow been injected with a hallucinatory drug. I'd found none and since I had managed to remain conscious during the transfer, I knew there could be no other explanation for what I saw. Just because dimensional travel had not been proven did not mean it wasn't possible. After all, until the Gundams had been built no one had truly believed it was possible to make such a powerful - nearly indestructible - mobile suit. At one point, humanity hadn't even thought that space colonies were more than wild and fanciful idea. If the theories and dreams existed then it would only be a matter of time before strong willed and determined people chose to prove them correct. It was only realistic and practical.

As I walked towards the edge of the town, I concluded that the best thing to do was to act like I was a foreigner who had gotten lost and didn't know much about the country I was traveling in. My clothes would aid me in presenting that image; my lack of traveling gear wouldn't... perhaps... I was robbed...

I stopped in the middle of the dirt road and turned away from the town so my back was towards the buildings and the Guards that were stationed there. My jeans and green tank top were both dirty and wrinkled. The only weapons I had on me were a couple of knives tucked into my boots as my gun had been lost during the transfer. A search of the area had tuned up metal parts and fried pieces of circuitry but no gun; the knives would have do. Doing my best to conceal what I was doing I used one of the knives to open a couple of shallow cuts in my jeans just deep enough to stain the material with blood. I did the same thing on my left shoulder and then I wiped the knife on the hem of my shirt before putting it back in it's sheath.

I wasn't used to doing things like this, I was used to being unseen or seen - not trying to appear to others in a way that I wasn't. Infiltration and missions that involved 'acting' were never given to me. And for very good reason, I had no talent for them. Dr. J had taught me to set bombs, fight with all types of weapons - from swords to arrows to guns, hack into computers, create and defuse bombs, fight hand-to-hand; pilot, drive, and operate any type of machinery, deal with torture, deal with injuries, and countless other things including horseback riding and fighting from a horse's back - if the man had been anything he'd been meticulous. Still, through all that the one thing that had never really stuck with me was the 'acting' part. I could act like an angst filled teenager in a private school, but beyond that I became lost as to what I should or should not be doing.

Raising my fist I punched myself in the face, making my bottom lip split and my skin start to swell. Hopefully it would be enough to give support to the story I planned on telling them but if they were observant enough they would notice the lack of dried blood and that the injuries weren't very old. Still, it would have to do because the guards would have seen me already as I'd made no move to conceal my presence this time and it would ruin any credence of my story if I attempted to leave and return at a later time. The best I could do was attempt to salvage the mission and to do so I needed to gain the trust of the townspeople.

Once more I began to walk, this time I made it to the town without stopping. The Guard took a close look at me and then waited, as if expecting me to say something, only I didn't know what to say. It was a struggle, but I tried to let my confusion register on my face. I must have been a bit successful because the Guard's glare softened minutely. He was still suspicious of me but at least he seemed willing to give me a chance. "Do you know where you are kid?"

I realized I'd been staring at him intensely and forced myself to blink and look away. Vulnerable, I had to seem less certain and confident. Duo made it look easy, but I doubted I was doing a very good job of it. Soften voice; check. "No... sir." Sound hesitant; check.

"You're in the town of Bolton, on the eastern border of the Kingdom of Valdemar." I got the feeling he was watching me closely so I shifted on my feet trying to look confused, lost, and uncertain. I didn't think I could pull off scared or surprised so I was doing my best to avoid having to try either. "You're not from around here are you, son?"

Duo had told me that being called 'dear, son, sweetie, or honey' was good because they usually represented an idea of family for most people. The trick was trying to keep him thinking along those lines. Talking sparingly seemed to be working so I chose to continue with that. "No... sir."

He paused again, as if expecting more but I kept my mouth closed and my eyes on my feet angled in such a way that I could see him attack if he chose to and have enough time to counter. He took a step towards me and my body tensed. He hadn't been moving to attack and I thought for sure that my body's reaction had given me away and was readying myself for a fight when...

He let out an explosive sigh. "By the LadyTrine, son, I ain't going to hurt you. There's no need to fear old Laker."

Relief flooded me, the mission wasn't lost. "Yes... sir."

He didn't come any closer, but his voice softened considerably. "What's your name, son?"

"Heero... sir." I looked up briefly to find him still watching me and quickly dropped my eyes again.

"How old are you, Heero?"

I was thinking of lying, telling him I was younger would gain me more sympathy, but I chose not to. Lies were difficult to keep straight and besides that, I'd been trying to follow my emotions for a while now and they were insisting I be as honest with him as I could. "Fifteen... sir."

He was a tall man so it wasn't difficult to avoid looking at him, but he surprised me by squatting in front of me and I didn't have much choice but look at him, at least a little. He was obviously no stranger to hard work or fighting - not with the muscles covering his frame and he had to be in his mid-fifties, though I doubted his age slowed him down very much. "You're bleeding. Want to tell me how that happened, son?"

I looked away but not at my feet this time. Instead I cast a darting glance back the way I'd come, trying to give him the impression that I was worried about someone following me. "I... I fell... sir." As I said it I made sure to stare over his shoulder, trying to look like I wasn't focused on anything specific.

"Fell... those look like knife wounds to me, son." He reached out to touch my shoulder and I pulled away slightly, taking a half-step back as I did. I tried to seem like I was folding in on myself... I'd seen prisoners do it before - as if they were trying to make themselves a smaller target, like they hoped that they could seem small enough that they would sort of disappear altogether. Laker's arm dropped without touching me. "Tell you what, kid. I'll just be a moment. Gotta talk to Anders over there, then we'll go into town and I'll take you to get those cuts fixed up. Maybe get you something to eat. How's that sound?"

I did meet his gaze then, letting him see me weight him for a couple of moments before I nodded in agreement.

He gave me a crooked but warm smile. "Okay then, son, I'll be right back." With that he walked the short distance to the Guard House and spoke to the other Guard - Anders - quietly. So softly that I couldn't hear what was said but I watched them from under lowered eyelashes and when I saw Anders glance at me sharply with a mix of worry and anger, I shuffled my feet slightly and tried to look nervous enough that I might change my mind about Laker's offer. I watched as Anders nearly pushed Laker in my direction, his body language telling me he was urging Laker to go. As Laker hesitated, I was able to get a good enough look at Anders to read his lips - he was telling Laker to get back to me before I ran and ended up getting myself killed by whoever had hit me in the first place.

It clicked then. They thought someone was beating me - abusing me. With the amount of scars and damage my body had experienced that would be a very logical explanation with obvious proof to it's validity. If I could maintain the pretense I'd somehow shown Laker, the mission may prove to be a success. Children, especially weak or sickly children, were generally over-looked when adults discussed things and that would give me ample opportunity to acquire the information I would need to survive where I was and hopefully the information I would need to search for and find the others. After all, they'd been engulfed in the strange energy as well, so they had to be somewhere in this dimension.

Laker trotted back to me and I tensed automatically, but he just shook his head slightly and gave me a sad smile. "Just follow me, Heero. I'll take care of you as will the rest of the Skybolts and Herald-Captain Kerowyn as well, you're lucky because she is here, too. I think she'd like to meet you. She likes to keep in contact with the town and the people here." He kept his tone soft and reassuring, trying to keep me at ease. Only half paying attention to where he was going, he was so used to the town he didn't need to. As we walked along, I was only half-aware of memorizing the way and possible escape routes. "Do you know anything about Heralds, son?"

"No, sir."

He grinned down at me, seeming to enjoy explaining things as we walked, more than a few people stopped to watch us curiously and nearly all of them moved like soldiers. "Heralds are more than the messengers of the Queen, they're like a policing force with the power to judge disputes and assign punishments to those who deserve it. They're basically Queen Selenay's eyes, ears, and voice throughout the Kingdom of Valdemar. Their job is to help and protect the people, maintain the peace and to obey the Queen."

I thought that was a lot of power to place in any individuals hands but decided to remain silent to avoid looking suspicious. I was a bit surprised as Laker continued to explain and addressed my unvoiced concerns.

"See, the interesting thing about the Heralds is... well there's two things really. One is their gifts, anyone can be gifted and not be a Herald but every Herald has some type of gift even if it isn't very strong. The Queen's Own Herald, Herald Talia, is a strong empath while her husband, Herald Dirk, is strong at Fetching - you know, moving things with his mind. Herald-Captain Kerowyn is strong in mindspeech - which is talking mind-to-mind, course, she doesn't like to mention it much. There are other kinds of gifts of course and that' not even going into the Healing or Bardic gifts... Let's see if I can remember them all: firestarting, empathy, mindspeech, animal mindspeech, farsight, foresight, fetching, mage gift... could be others as well, but I can't recall them right now. Valdemar's really developed the mindgifts, it's the mage gift that they don't know much about, but I don't want to bore you by reciting the history of Valdemar. Now, the second interesting thing about the Heralds is their Companions." He looked down at me and I tried to glance at him in confusion as I was a bit confused since I didn't understand what he meant by Companions but I still wasn't entirely sure what was making it, as an expression, to my face. It seemed to work though as his grin widened. "Don't know about Companions, huh? Well, don't feel too bad, none of the Skybolts did either at first. Not until the Captain was chosen, anyway. Strange thing to have a Captain of a Merc (mercenary) group chosen as a Herald but those things happen sometimes. See each Herald has a Companion. And a Companion looks basically like a beautiful, white horse with light blue eyes and I mean entirely white: body, mane, and tail. Thing to remember is that they're not horses, they're more like a person in a horse body. One look in their eyes and you know they're as intelligent as any human, even more intelligent than some people I've had the misfortune to run into."

Horses that were human-like? That was unusual but I didn't doubt the truth in it. I knew how to read body language so I knew when someone was chemically impaired or lying to me. Lake was neither.

He led us to a building, that from the smell of it and the green-clad people moving around the place with practiced ease, had to be the hospital. I followed him right into the building and straight to an older man who was bandaging up a woman's head wound. "Heya Hovan, are you almost finished with Greti?"

The man looked up and his brown eyes were laughing. "Why? Do you need more itch cream? I thought you'd learned your lessen about rolling around in the bushes the last time Laker."

I watched, in slight fascination as a blush made it's way over Laker's weathered face. He glance back at me and coughed slightly as the woman on the chair, Greti, laughed slightly - careful not to move her head as she did. "Not for me Hovan, for young Heero here."

I suddenly became aware of critical scrutiny from all three adults. Hovan cleared his throat as he finished with Greti's dressing and turned to me. "What happened to you Heero?"

I looked away from him, uncomfortable because his eyes somehow reminded me of Quatre despite being a different color. "I... fell, sir." I looked back in time to catch the three of them exchanging looks, but they didn't seem to realize that I'd noticed their silent exchange.

"Well, I'll just leave you in Hovan's capable hands while I run and see if the Captain's busy." Laker turned to leave and my body went rigid all on its own. I knew Laker well enough that I could judge him and his reactions. There was also the fact that he reminded me of Duo and because of that I did trust him, if just a little. The two others - Greti and Hovan - I knew next to nothing about. My instincts were screaming for me to get out because I was going to be out-numbered and I didn't have enough information yet to correctly calculate the chances of my success in a fight against the two of them. They might even possess some of those 'gifts' Laker had mentioned earlier and I had no idea of how to counter such things yet.

"Laker, why don't you stay and let Greti go get the Herald-Captain, she has to present a report to Lieutenant Geyr anyway."

I found myself looking directly at Hovan, who was watching me in that knowing way that Quatre sometimes did. Like he could see something others weren't able to: something about me. I wasn't sure I liked it even though it was the reason Laker stayed while Greti left. I looked away from Hovan quickly in an attempt to keep him from learning too much. When he asked me to, I sat down on the chair Greti had just vacated. A girl dressed in light green walked by and Hovan told her to get me some clean clothing. She gave me a puzzled look but did as he asked. "Now, Heero, I'd like you to take off your clothes so I can fully assess your injuries."

The knives were still in my boots so removing my clothes wouldn't be a very wise move, unfortunately, short of knocking them unconscious and running for the nearest escape I wasn't too certain of what to do. So I stared at the wall and sat there.

Hovan reached for my arm and I reacted automatically as I jumped from the chair into a slight defensive crouch, trying to decide if I could salvage the mission or if I should retreat and formulate a new one. A new voice cut through my assessment before I could decide though.

"A bit jumpy are we?"

Turning my attention to the door I saw a strong, blond woman in a gray uniform; by her side was a black haired man in a similar outfit to what she was wearing except it was white, like he was trying to be a target. The woman had an air of authority about her and I was fairly certain that she was the Herald-Captain Kerowyn that Laker had spoken of. I found myself starting to straighten under her gaze and had to stop myself. It took a near physical effort to do so. She was dangerous; she didn't wish to hurt me, but she would be a definite challenge if I had to fight her to get out.

She smiled at me. "I'm Herald-Captain Kerowyn but you can call me Kero, most people do. You must be Heero."

I stared at her as she moved toward me, I couldn't help it because despite knowing she meant me no harm, and she was too dangerous to take my eyes off of. "Yes... ma'am."

She cocked her head to the side, stopping three feet away. "Is there a reason you don't wish to strip off your clothes?"

"No... ma'am." I turned my back on them, taking a few steps away and bent to unlace my boots, careful to loosen the knives and slide them off with my shoes and socks, all the while keeping both eyes on Kero through my peripheral vision. I peeled off my shirt and jeans with little ceremony and turned when I heard more than one sharp intake of breath behind me. All four of them: Hovan, Laker, Kero, and her friend were looking at my body in wide-eyed horror. They weren't the only ones; so was everyone else in the open room.

Kero's green eyes had hardened and so had her voice. "Who did this to you?" I only stared at her. My body was terribly scarred, but I'd never given it much thought. To me it was a tool and little else, even standing there in front of everyone in my underwear was of little concern to me. She took a step towards me. "Heero, who did this?" It was a question, but it came out as an order and even though the logical part of my mind knew she was reacting out of fear, concern, and anger on my behalf - inside my gut I felt something burn trying to lash out. The burning sensation raced up my spine straight to my head, pushing to get out as Kero moved closer.

Pain was something I was greatly used to but the burning sensation hurt in a way that made it difficult to think beyond eliminating the danger to me. But somehow I knew that if I let it out it would kill Kero and that would cause mission failure. So I did the only thing I could manage to think of. I jumped through the nearest window. I rolled as I landed, ending up back on my feet to find myself falling into large blue eyes where I felt warm, safe, and... loved; where I would never be alone again. A sweet voice spoke into my mind - something I concluded because there was no sound, just words. << I am Dyrya, Chosen. And I choose you.>> And with the voice, the burning faded.

**********************

I was fully clothed again - this time in a pair of black pants, my boots (and knives), and a loose blue tunic - my injuries were bandaged and sterilized. My arm was wrapped around Dyrya's long white neck as we sat on the ground outside, waiting for Kero and her friend, Eldan. From what Dyrya had told me, she was a Companion and since she'd chosen me, that made me a Herald trainee. There was a school called the Herald Collegium in Haven, the Capital of Valdemar. There were three Collegiums located on the Palace grounds, four if one included the one for the children who went to the school for scholars and artificers. The other two were the Healer and the Bardic Collegiums. Most of the trainees, or students, were young - usually found between the ages of twelve and fifteen - though some could be younger or older.

Since I was chosen, I would have to go to Haven and the Collegiums for about five years of training - depending on what I already knew and how long it took me to learn - before I went on a year-long patrol of a sector of the Kingdom with a full Herald. Dyrya and I would be going back to Haven with Kero and Eldan, since they planned to return the next day.

After considering the situation I knew two things. The first was that I didn't want to be parted from Dyrya, the bond between us made me feel less like a weapon and more like a person and I'd only ever truly found that with the other pilots - especially Quatre. It was something I wasn't willing to give up. The second was that going to Haven would be a good idea. Haven was the center of Valdemar so if the others were in the Kingdom it was likely they would head there. If not, I might be able to establish contacts and connections that would allow me to look for them outside of Valemar's borders. At least it was a start and gave me a direction to move in to rectify the mess we were in.

Dyrya had also told me that the burning sensation I'd experienced was the gift called firestarting. From her description a firestarted appeared to be a pyrokinetic; a useful ability once I had control over it. She was the one who'd helped me to control it though I wasn't sure how she had.

A small part of me wondered how I could accept and believe everything Dyrya was telling me so easily, but the answer was simple. The bond between us enabled me to know her on a level I'd never known anyone else on before, except myself. It wasn't details of her life that I knew but the sense of who she was. There was nothing, not even my usual suspicions or paranoia that could shake that. I knew she would watch my back that she would protect me with her life simply because I was me. Not because I had been a weapon or I could be a weapon again, but because I was me. It was difficult for me to put into words and concepts even in my own mind; I honestly hated the idea of trying to explain it to anyone else.

I heard two sets of steps coming from behind me and I heard Dyrya's 'voice' in my head. <<It's just Kero and Eldan.>>

The two Heralds moved so that they could face us and it was Eldan who spoke to me, he sounded more diplomatic than Kero. That was likely the reason that he was speaking to me instead. Dyrya had likely informed their companions Ratha (Eldan's) and Sayvil (Kero's) about Kero almost becoming a bonfire. Apparently Companions spoke to each other all the time, but they rarely spoke to Heralds other than their own. If they needed a particular Herald to know something they relayed it through the Herald's Companion. Eldan smiled as he spoke. "So, has Dyrya explained everything to you? About the six of us traveling together tomorrow?"

It took a moment for me to understand that the 'six of us' meant Kero, Sayvil, Eldan, Rath, Dyrya and I, but I doubted anyone but Dyrya had noticed the lapse. "Yes, sir."

His smile became sympathetic and understanding. "You can call me Eldan, no need for the sir. I know this is a lot to take in Heero, a new Kingdom, different cultures, a Companion, and then there's everything to do with being a Herald trainee, but you can feel free to question Kero and I about anything you'd like to. If we can't answer or don't wish to we'll just say so, alright?"

That's when I stared at Kero, my mind racing. The mission was a success, Dyrya could tell me all I needed to know and she'd assured me countless times that there was no changing the fact that I was a Herald trainee and entitled to learn at the Collegium. So I was torn because I knew that letting them believe a lie would be simple but telling them the truth would make things easier when I got to Haven because I wouldn't need to pretend.

<<Tell them the truth, dear heart.>>

I glanced at Dyrya a moment before turning my stare back on Kero and nodding slightly to Dyrya in acknowledgement. The truth was the correct path in this case. "You wished to know where my scars came from." She went still; waiting. "Most of them came from battles and war. I'm not an abused child, I'm a soldier."

Both of them stared at me, neither one having expected me to say that. Kero recovered first, the look in her eyes telling me that she was re-evaluating her previous opinion of me. "Laker said you told him you were fifteen."

"I am."

"When did you become a soldier?"

"Officially when I was thirteen."

Her eyes narrowed slightly as if she couldn't believe it; something that was understandable since children were generally not allowed in the military. "And unofficially?"

"Since I can remember." I met her penetrating gaze easily, feeling Dyrya calmly touching my mind. Somehow she already knew everything about me and loved me because of it all. "I has raised by an assassin, trained to be one."

She seemed to want to believe me, but she was not quite willing to. "Then you won't mind on a little test."

I didn't look away, and I think that impressed her. "Depends on the test."

She smiled slightly. "A fight between the two of us. We could do it now."

I found myself smiling as a recalculated her possible skills and came to the same conclusion as before. She would be a challenge. It'd been a while since I'd had a new challenge. "Agreed." It would be fun.