Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ A Change of Scenery ❯ Part Five ( Chapter 5 )

[ 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: 08.28.2006 | Pages: 5 | Words: 7.7K | Visits: 555 | Status: Completed

A Change of Scenery: Part Five

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 Five

by Kai

Quatre's POV

Waking up only to discover that a hundred hamsters were tap dancing in my skull wasn't a common occurrence for me; though, I now understood Duo's descriptions of being hung-over - not that I had ever wanted to experience any of that first hand.. Alcohol didn't mix well with my empathy... so, I couldn't attribute the way I was feeling to that, but I was equally as certain of the fact that I didn't want to open my eyes to find out why I felt this way.

After lying still for a few minutes, cataloguing various aches and pains in an attempt to ignore the incessant throbbing of my head, I decided to risk opening my eyes. The light seemed to stab at them; making them water and I couldn't quite bite off my groan. Rapidly blinking, my eyes slowly began to adjust to the bright sunlight shining down on me making me pause a moment as my mind sorted through events. It was kind of like adding one and one together and getting five hundred and forty-three; after all, satellites didn't have natural lighting. Quickly reviewing everything I could remember I came to two conclusions. The first was that things had not gone as planned and the second was that I needed to find the others.

Before I could start the latter, though, I needed to have a better understanding of my situation, and that meant getting up and moving. Once I'd gotten to my feet, I took in the destruction around me numbly. There was no other way to describe it. Pieces of Gundams were strewn about the area in such disarray that I wasn't able to tell which Gundam they'd come from. The possibilities that sparked in my mind caused my throat and mouth to go dry.

I used my empathy to reach for them almost before I realized that I was doing it. They were quite a distance away from me, but I could still feel them. Duo seemed to be in some pain but it was no where near a life-threatening level, both Wufei and Heero seemed fine but a bit confused with no little amount of determination and worry mixed in, and Trowa appeared calm but a bit single-minded. The closest ones to my location were Heero and Trowa. Wufei was farther northwest while Duo was furthest away toward the southwest where I found myself. I was too tired to concentrate enough to get a better feeling from them right then but that didn't matter, what mattered was that they were alive and at least within range.

With that worry eased somewhat, I started to look through the debris. I had two knives on me but I'd left my gun in Sandrock. It had been an attempt of mine to consciously get used to the peace, unfortunately it appeared to have been an ill-timed decision. There was nothing of interest or use in the debris scattered around the slightly wooded area. With no supplies I was going to need to get to a town fairly quickly.

My head was starting to throb a bit, so, in order to focus better, I closed my eyes and let my empathy spread outwards over the area. I sense a few animals in the immediate vicinity and skipped over them as I continued to search. I was a bit surprised to pick up ten emotional patterns that were human-like but... not. My surprise wasn't from the quality of other but from the fact that they were in the sky and on a direct course to where I was, moving swiftly. There was no hostility though, mainly curiosity, the feel of someone following orders, alertness and some eagerness.

If my head didn't ache so badly, I may have been able to discover more but I only managed to deduce that they were looking for the area I was in, though not me in particular. They were acting as if they were a scouting/retrieval group. I had few options left to me but I decided to sit on a log and wait. Whoever, and given the alien-feel of them, whatever they were, they could at least help me figure out where I was. I had a few ideas but I didn't want to draw any hasty decisions.

I didn't have to wait long for them to reach me. When they landed, it was about as startling as having Heero take oaths to become a pacifist nun after under-going a sex-change operation so that he could better emulate Relena.

My arm raised automatically to protect my eyes as gusts of wind rose from ten pairs of powerful wings. Once they'd landed, I slowly lowered my arm to peer closely at my unusual, er, visitors. I was a bit relieved to sense they were doing likewise. They appeared to be Gryphons, complete with bird-like heads, beaks, wings and tails while their bodies seemed to resemble those of lions. They were impressive-looking and highly intelligent... they weren't just animals by any stretch of the imagination. They would have been both awe-inspiring and terrifying if I couldn't sense that their intentions were non-hostile. However, their very natures also quickly confirmed that we, myself and the others, were not where we should have been - something that was highly troublesome and possibly dangerous as well. But the real questions right then was how different it was and what the ten Gryphons before me wanted.

They were all brown in color, with lighter markings that were different on each - almost like fingerprints - which helped distinguish one from another. They'd landed in a classic wing formation which left little doubt that they possessed some kind of military training. One of the two at the front stepped forward and I felt certain that that one was male. His beak opened and he spoke in a what language that I never heard and I found myself wondering how it was that they were able to move their heavy beaks enough to form human-like speech - possibly it was similar to what parrots did.

I didn't bother to stand up from my place on the log, mainly because I was feeling a bit dizzy - I may have been suffering from a mild concussion, but I smiled softly as I shook my head. "I'm afraid I don't understand."

His eyes seemed to light-up as I spoke. "Ssso you're from Valdemar then."

I frowned slightly. "Valdemar?" My head was starting to feel a bit fuzzy, but I'd suffered through worse during the war. The confusion was coming off them in waves, they hadn't expected me to say that. "I'm sorry, I'm not from around here. I think I come from far away from here actually... I'm not even sure how I came to be where I am or what place this is..."

The Gryphons' emotional state became more erratic. "Was it magic?"

I blinked at him. "Magic...? I'm afraid magic doesn't exist where I come from so I wouldn't know. Would it be all right if I asked you a question?" I was choosing to ignore the whole magic-factor for a while, dealing with Gryphons was interesting enough.

The Gryphon cocked his head to the side in a bird-like manner. "Of coursssse not. Go ahead."

"Why are you here?"

"King Tremaine sssent ussss. He issss bound to the Kingdom of Hardorn through hisssss earth-magic and he ssssenssssed your arrival. He requessssted that we essscort you to SSShonar."

I frowned again. "Why would he do that?"

"The land likesssss you."

The urge to clean out my ears was incredibly strong, I couldn't have heard that right. "Pardon me?"

"King Tremaine told ussss that the land had an interessssting reaction to your appearance here." My confusion must have been obvious because he made a movement similar to a body shrug. "He can explain it further to you when you meet him. What isss mossst important issss that we are friendsssss."

They weren't lying but that didn't mean that I was going to automatically trust them because of it. "If we're going to be friends, we should probably introduce ourselves. I'm Quatre Rebarba Winner."

"I am Tassshiketh pral Ssskylssshaen. Ambassador from Iftel to the Kingdom of Hardorn. Those with me, under my command, include Ssshyressstral pral Hyladonia, Drylisssethra pral Ssshaenessstral, Rekessssha pral Rellissssoketh, Kakassssshiral pral Irikal, Nalentra pral Sssssossstriel, Sssskalaneth pral Cressssstonial, Sssseregilaen pral Torienia, Korathon pral Kysssstriel, and Dalnanithra pral Sssstratavren." My memory was pretty good but not that good. Thankfully he seemed to realize my problem and he laughed, or... at least that's what I took the sound as, since I could sense his mirth. "We'll undersssstand if you forget our namessss. Many Hardornssss have difficulty with them asssss well and they have to deal with only a couple at a time."

"I appreciate that, thank you. And how do you propose to escort me to Shonar?"

Tashiketh moved slightly forward and to the side, giving me a good view of a basket that was attached to two harnesses that two of the other Gryphons were wearing. I'd noticed it before but had automatically dismissed it as unimportant; seemed like that had been a misguided decision. "I hope that idea of flying doesn't bother you. It's the quickest and easiest way for us to travel."

I had to bit my lips to keep from laughing. Flying bother me? The notion was ridiculous, though he wouldn't know that. "Flying isn't a problem so long as my weight doesn't cause you any trouble."

One of the harnessed Gryphons looked at me and made a sound that was a cross between a snort and exasperation. "Hardly."

I grinned back at him. "I'm heavier than I look but I think you're right. So long as I don't move around too much you should be able to manage just fine." My attention went back to Tashiketh. "How long will it take to get to Shonar?"

"A couple of candlemarksssss."

Though I couldn't be sure what he meant by candlemarks, it seemed that they might be the same duration of time as an hour would be. By foot, that would likely be a half day trip, if not more. A trip that my head and body wouldn't like too much. Since the Gryphons truly meant me no harm, it seemed silly not to make use of their offer since I needed to get to a town in order to get supplies anyway, and if I could consider King Tremaine as a possible ally through meeting with him, then all the better. In the very least, a meeting would show me what I was dealing with and give me a better idea of what I currently found myself involved in. "When do you wish to leave?"

Tashiketh clicked his beak in amusement. "Asssss ssssssoon asss you're ready to leave, Quatre Rebarba Winner."

I did laugh at that. "Just Quatre or Quat is fine. Saying the whole thing makes me seem like some ancient, arrogant Noble Lord or something worse - if there is anything worse."

"If I refer to you asssss Quatre, I would be honored if you called me Tashi." Some of the other Gryphons were surprised by that but Tashiketh genuinely meant the offer.

"It'd be my pleasure, Tashi, and thank you. Shall we be on our way?" I got up very carefully trying my best to appear as if I hadn't. I was still a bit woozy but it wasn't anything I couldn't deal with.

"Of courssssse."

I climbed into the basket slowly, choosing to keep a grip on the side of it until I had adjusted to the new method of flight. One by one the others propelled themselves into the air, leaving just me and the two harnessed Gryphons on the ground. And I spoke quickly to them before they could follow. "What would you like me to call you?"

The one on my left, who had spoken earlier seemed to grin. "I am Kakashiral pral Irikal but you may call me Kakassshi." Like Tashiketh, he was definitely male and he was one of the easiest to distinguish because he had a scar over his left eye.

On my right, my other transporter spoke seriously. I sensed that this one was definitely a female. "And I am Nalentra pral Sssossstriel. Nalen isss fine. Assss we take to the sky, try to remain still. The basssket my be convenient for transssport, but it can be rather awkward asssss well."

"Understood."

Despite the warning, the two seemed to have no trouble lifting the basket and me into the air, as if they had done it quite a few times already. The sound of the wind and the effort they were putting into flying made conversation impossible with them, but I was content to enjoy the view in silence when I wasn't fighting off dizziness from the mild concussion that was continuing to plague me.

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

Tashiketh and another Gryphon, Shyrestral, did talk to me a bit along the way... mostly just to point out a few landmarks. I managed to get them to think about King Tremaine a few times with a couple of shouted questions. It gave me opportunities to see what they though of him when they were less guarded and what I felt encouraged me. They respected him, even liked him and not just as a King but as a person. None of that prepared me for the walking contradiction of a man that greeted me when we touched down in the 'Palace Courtyard'... though it was nothing compared to the Palaces I was used to seeing and neither was the Courtyard. Having seen some of Hardorn from the sky, however, I believed that the lack of finery was a conscious decision by the King, so that he could use the finances on his Kingdom and his people instead.

I cautiously climbed out of the basket, thankful that my dizziness had resided somewhat, and got my first good look at King Tremaine as he came over to greet me. He was balding with mouse brown hair and a simple circlet on his head, but his eyes were sharp and his face held a great deal of intelligence. He looked like he'd be comfortable in a library combing through dusty volumes or on the battlefield along side his men. He was a large man, not tall but solid. He had a covering of fat but beneath it was a layer of solid muscle. His clothes were simple, though he had a fine robe over them, as if a last ditch attempt to appear like a Monarch. From the look of resignation and the sense of fond disdain coming from the tall Adviser following him, a part of me doubted that the robe had been the King's idea. I found myself liking King Tremaine before the older man even opened his mouth to speak.

"Greetings young traveler. I am King Tremaine of Hardorn and you are...?"

I wondered how he knew which language to greet me in but pushed it aside as something to learn about later. He'd nodded to the Gryphons in greeting and they did likewise. It seemed that King Tremaine didn't hold to courtly ways when it came to informal gatherings, something that was refreshing. Still, he was far more excited to see me than seemed appropriate... not that it showed. He was extremely good at showing only what he wanted to be seen, which, at that moment was that he wanted to be friends and a good host. Below that, though, was a great deal of excitement and that meant that I was missing a great deal of information which I didn't like that at all. "Quatre Rebarba Winner, your Majesty. Quatre is fine, sir."

He waved the 'Majesty' away with a careless flick of his wrist. "Tremaine is fine, unless it's a formal occasion but if you think that's too casual, as some have, you can all me Sir or King Tremaine."

None of them showed it, but everyone in the small Courtyard was surprised by that. It, evidently, wasn't something he allowed just anyone to call him. I felt more than a few eyes watching me more closely than before, wondering what was so special about me. I couldn't help but wonder the same thing, but I kept my face open, friendly, and as innocent as I could manage. I acted as if Kings told me to call them by their first names in front of a number of their Advisers, staff, and Ambassadors on a daily basis. "Thank you, Tremaine. I must also thank you for the escort, without which I could not have arrived in such a timely manner. An apology is also needed, for my ill-manners in not sending you word of my eminent arrival."

That confused more than a few of those around us but Tremaine was enjoying it. If I were inclined to gambling, I would have bet it were some sort of test... just like sending the Gryphons to greet me likely was.

"And well you should have my boy, but I am well aware of the fact that such things can't be helped on occasion." He turned to Tashiketh. "Thank you Tashi, I'll let you get back to your other duties now."

Tashiketh nodded again, but a little deeper than before, more like a bow. "Happy to be of help, Ssssir. Good day to you." His intense eyes slid over me. "I hope to ssssssee you around Quatre."

I gave him an honest smile. "As do I, Tashi. Thank you all for your help."

With that they took to the sky, heading in the direction of the city I'd seen from the air. I watched them for a moment before turning back to Tremaine. I didn't expect an explanation for what was going on until we were able to talk in private, but I didn't mind that too much as he seemed to be enjoying keeping his people on their toes and guessing. He gave me a warm smile. "Perhaps something to eat before we speak of other matters."

"Food is always appreciated, Sir."

"Especially for a growing lad such as yourself."

I nodded as I fell into step beside him. "Especially then."

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

The food was simple but delicious, though I could feel that some of his people wished they could do more for their King. If I hadn't already decided that Tremaine had a good character and heart, the love and admiration of his people would have sped the conclusion along rather swiftly. He willingly gave up extravagances for his people and they, in turn, did their best to make up for the lack by trying to subtly give the simple things the King accepted more flare, like the seasoning of the food we ate. Such loyalty could not have been gained from anything other than true caring.

Throughout the meal we made casual, almost benign conversation. Conversation that was pointless but as soon as Tremaine had believed enough time had gone by to appease niceties, the two of us retired - alone, to talk and walk around the ramparts of his fortress. I chose to wait and let him lead, after all, it was his game and his story - not mine. At least, not yet.

I thought he might drag it out but Tremaine was nothing if he wasn't unpredictable. As soon as we were away from anyone who might over-hear us, he turned to look at me with eyes as intense as Heero's always were. "You did better than I'd hoped, but I am sure you have questions, now is your chance for explanations, so feel free to ask."

"Alright. Tashi told me that you sent them for me because the land liked me, but he didn't know more than that or he didn't think it his place to tell me. Can you tell me what that means exactly?

"The King is bound to the land of Hardorn; no man can be King unless it is so. In order to be bound to the land, you must possess earth-magic or earth-sense, even if it is only in a state of unawakened potential. For a few years now, since things began to settle after the war, I have been looking for an Heir, allowing the land to guide me in my choices. Unfortunately, the land has shown little interest in anyone, but the way it reacted to your sudden appearance here leaves no doubt in my mind that you are to be the Heir to the throne of Hardorn."

I couldn't help but blink at him, he'd obviously given it a lot of thought and earth-magic didn't seem all that different from empathy, only with the land instead of living creatures - at least from what I had figured out. "But you don't know me."

"You're right. I don't. But the land does and that's the first requirement. If you choose to step into the position officially it won't guarantee you'll be King. I'll put you to tests, lessons... you'll be evaluated. I won't leave my Kingdom to just anybody but only to the one who'll do his best for it. It'll be a difficult path to follow but not without its own rewards."

Walking past him, I looked over the city for a moment, trying to think. He hadn't lied, what he said was truth and I knew that I wouldn't be happy unless I were to lead people in some way - something that had been a certainty only hours before, but I had no idea how I'd gotten to their world; and I was fairly certain that the others didn't either and if that were the case, there would be no going back. Being the Heir would let me make a difference as it had when I was the Heir to my father's company. "I was with four others... we were separated... I need to find them first but... if you could accept me as a temporary Heir for now; I think I'd like the chance to try. I want to learn more about the people and the land before I choose." I turned to look at him. "Is that acceptable?"

"Yes, and it's a wise decision on your part, Quatre."

Cocking my head to the side I watched him closely. "Are you going to tell the others now?"

He nodded, not seeming surprised in the slightest that I seemed to have caught on and understood his little game. "They'll need to know. As to your friends, we can send out people to look for them and have patrols notified to keep an eye out. We can even ask our allies in the neighboring countries of Karse, Iftel, and Valdemar to look as well, but if we do this - while they're looking I want you to begin lessons and learning about Hardorn and it's people. If you think of anything that could help in the search... just let me know."

"Well, if you get a map I can show you the general areas to look in." At his questioning look I shrugged. "Do you know what empathy is?" I made it a bit vague to gauge his reaction. Not admitting anything with the question until I had an idea what his reaction would be.

"You're an empath then... that could be a very useful talent."

I shrugged. "You know, you're pretty trusting considering you just met me..."

"I don't trust you, at least, not yet. The land spoke for you so I'm testing you out, but from what I've seen so far I like you. Liking you and trusting you are two different things but not that different." His eyes narrowed calculatingly. "But you already knew that, didn't you?"

I smiled sweetly. "Yes, but you admitting that shows me where we stand and that you're an honest man. In fairness, I feel the same about you."

Tremaine laughed and clasped my shoulder in a friendly gesture. "I think that this may just work out Prince Quatre."

The rightness of it all wasn't lost on me and I couldn't help but agree... if only the others were there. "I think so, too, King Tremaine. Now, about that map..."

*********************** PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ************************

Due to the fact that I just found out that Mercedes Lackey doesn't really like fanfiction and the fact that I still want to finish this story anyway, I've come up with a compromise of sorts... all future chapters will ONLY be posted on my livejournal : http://thewarriorkai.livejournal.com/

Also... the names of the Gryphons... if anyone has any idea how the naming of Gryphons works, let me know. I couldn't find it! I don't know if females and males are named a little differently or not... so all of them are something pral something... if this is wrong, let me know so I can fix it please!!!