Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Experiments ❯ Meeting Duo ( Chapter 1 )

Title: Experiments

Who it's By: Emerald Blue

Oh No! Look Out For: mild swearing, evil-but-not-quite father, some angst, minor character death, some ooc (not too bad), AU, some spoilers for everyone

 

Anyone With Anyone?: not yet…

 

Anti-Suing Insurance: Don't Own any GW characters whatsoever. Don't make any money off of this whatsoever. I wonder if whatsoever started off as a hyphenated word? Oh, and GW is the property of Bandai, Sunrise, and everyone else who was paid to originally work on the project and who made it so wonderful.

 

Author's Note: Yes, the first of my first multi-chaptered series. I hope everyone likes it alright. Even though it's not the first story I've posted, this is actually the very first fanfic I started, so if I've messed anything up majorly bad please let me know. Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, and feedback in general is always welcome ^_^ Also, even though the characters all start off at six, I figured they'd act a lot older since they do become brilliant pilots at such a young age. And I do have this posted elsewhere, so if you've read it before you know why…

 

 

The First Chapter: Meeting Duo

 

 

“I'm sorry, Mr. Winner, but I'm afraid the council will not permit another satellite to be built at this time.” Gordon Hayes, Winner Enterprises Incorporated's most successful lobbyist and chief of affairs, patiently reiterated his latest report. The Winner patron was currently mulling over his company's financial accounts and wishing his son would stop looking at him as though he could read his mind.

 

“Mr. Hayes,” he cut in, “I'm quite aware of the end result. Your job is to tell me why the decision came to be so that we may be able to present our project in a more favorable light. If you have no more helpful information,” he continued, holding up a hand to stop Hayes' attempted defense, “I suggest you leave and come back when you can be useful.” Said C.E.O. turned and stiffly walked out of the office, barely mustering up control for a mere sneer at the blonde sitting in a corner of the room. There was just something about that damn kid…

 

As the doors clicked shut, W.E.I.'s founder sighed and bowed his head, mind wandering away from work as his six year old son made his way across the room to stand at his side.

 

“Father, why are you sad?” startled at the quiet observation, he looked down into wide, round eyes and shook his head.

 

“I'm not sad, Quatre. Just annoyed that my colony seems to be against me.”

 

“No, Father. You are sad. Are you thinking about her again?” wary now, Winner snapped a sharp look at the boy.

 

“Thinking about whom?”

 

“I'm not sure, but if you're so sad about not being able to see her, you should just go see her.”

 

“…Quatre, I want you to get out of my office. This is not the time to be pretending to read people's minds. That's not amusing, and you make people upset.” Especially since you always seem to be right, he added silently.

 

“But Father, I don't read people's minds. And I was only trying to help-“

 

“I said leave, Quatre. Now.” Trying to keep his tears at bay, the little blonde shuffled out of Winner Enterprise's presidential office, not even pausing when he felt the staff's uneasy stares following him down the stairs to the first floor of the main building. As he made his way through the front doors to the outside, a gentle touch on his shoulder had him spinning around. He was met by a beaming smile in the face of a young woman in her late teens.

 

“Hello there, Quatre,” she greeted pleasantly.

 

“Hello,” he answered politely. “Um, have we met before?”

 

“Oh!” slightly embarrassed by her own forwardness, the light brunette held out her hand and introduced herself as Quatre shook it. “My name's Iria. I'm here to meet with your father about his new satellite, since I am supposed to be the stationed medic.”

 

“Sorry, but it seems this project's been put on hold for a while.” Quatre informed her, liking the girl immediately.

 

“Really? And how do you know that?”

 

“Because I was just in Father's office when it was reported.” He hesitated a beat, then asked, “Hey, Iria? Does Father ever talk to you about why he's so sad all the time?” Slightly taken aback at such an abrupt question, the elder could only stammer out, “N-no, Quatre, he usually does a good job of hiding such feelings. Why?” Small shoulders shrugged as he turned away, but stopped as Iria hailed him again.

 

“Hey, blondie, does you father normally let you wander around the colony by yourself?” Quirking an eyebrow at the quick flash of hurt that crossed the youngster's face, she said nothing as he replied, “I don't think he really cares at the moment,” then continued on his way. Before Iria could get through the doors, Quatre spun around again. “Try and make him happy, anyway!” he threw out impulsively, then ran from sight.

 

Still gripping the glass door handle, Iria shook her head in disbelief. Well, whaddya know? He'd just met net her and was already entrusting his father's happiness in her hands. Maybe he knew… but he couldn't, after all. Thick, honey locks shadowed a somber face as she continued her reflections. Oh, father. Must you push even him away? Will you not rest your grief and blame? It wasn't his fault, and this isn't like you at all…

 

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

 

 

After his initial escape, Quatre wandered aimlessly around the colony, finally stumbling into a patch of trees. This area was surprisingly secluded; tree boughs hung low, surrounding a lush patch of grassy flowers and bushes. And they said places like this only existed on Earth. Thinking it to be a perfect place to hide for awhile and not giving much consideration as to why he'd never seen it before, the little blonde settled in the clearing. Laying back and wishing there were clouds to watch, he found himself musing over people's reactions towards him. It's not as if he meant to make them all feel so exposed; he couldn't help it if he felt what they felt, couldn't help it if every time he looked at someone he saw into their souls. He didn't even want to, most of the time, but did he have a choice? Nooo, and the least some people could do was cut him a break on it. Why did everyone try and lie to themselves about such obvious problems, anyway? And his father… well, no one had to tell Quatre what that was all about, as if anyone would. His vibe kept saying `I hate my son, he stole her from me, I want to see her' over and over. He didn't used to be that way. Not until Hayes had come into power. Now his father held a serious grievance against him, though he tried to hide it. This was something that would fester out of control, and Quatre dearly hoped it wouldn't be too bad for him when that control finally faltered. No one would listen to a six year old when he said someone's soul practically screamed EVIL, especially if that person's soul was the newest coordinator of a powerful organization. Maybe Iria could help him. She was his sister after all, though she didn't think he knew. Her vibe stated `Hi, I'm Iria, stubborn doctor and oldest sister of 30.' Some vibes were friendlier than others. She was one of 29 faceless sisters, and he the thirtieth child to complete the set.

 

With a great sigh, Quatre rolled on to his side. What he really needed right now was a place to escape to, a safe haven to hide and relax in. This little clearing seemed the perfect spot. Closing his eyes against the welcome sunlight, he drifted off to sleep. Now, if only I could find a friend…

 

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

 

“I said that's enough!” A fist slammed down hard on an oaken desk, and Iria jumped back a step. “I don't want to hear it from you, Iria! I get enough of this from Quatre, and no one truly knows how hard it is for me to put up with him!” At that statement, Iria drew herself up and, in her most intimidating tone, dared to argue back.

 

“Father, do you have any idea how childish you're being? No, wait, you're worse than any child; you're a blinded adult. You need to stop hurting your son,” and here she resisted the urge to slap him as he winced at the word `son', “with your spiteful blame. He didn't kill her, okay?”

 

“Yes, he did, Iria. He's the reason she's gone, and if not for—“

 

“He is not to blame for death. She chose to have him, to bring him into this world. It's no one's fault she died in doing so. She gave her life to someone else. You could at least tell him he has a mother so he'll stop believing he's a test tube baby. I would have loved to have a mother,” she continued more quietly. “A test tube just isn't as caring.”

 

Her father stared at her coldly and replied, “If you'd killed your mother, I'd have hated you as well. At least I can love my test tube children, for they've never taken anything away from me.”

 

Snapping her head up as if she'd been slapped, Iria stood stunned for a moment before gathering up her proposal papers. Heading for the office exit, she threw back, “I don't think talking to you right now would be in your best interest. I'll speak with you later, if you've pulled your head out long enough to think rationally.” Then she paused and added, “What's happened to you, father? You used to cherish him as the greatest gift she gave you, yet lately you've changed. I can't believe Quatre actually wanted me to make you feel better.” After she'd left and slammed the door, Mr. Winner was left alone. He put his face in his hands and cursed his son again. Now he'd turned his own daughter against him, that little brat! It wasn't enough he'd taken Katerina away, but now his daughters? Gulping down the rest of the drink Hayes had brought him, the Winner head tried to calm down. Seething in his twisted bitterness, he didn't hear as his office door open, and someone stepped inside.

 

That was when the first scientist came.

 

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

 

He was running, running, and wouldn't stop, couldn't stop. They were chasing him, so he was running. Dipping through alleyways, skittering from shadow to shadow, and trying not to think of how hungry he was, he continued on, searching for his hideout, his sanctuary. Why couldn't they leave him alone? Wasn't it enough he'd just let his only friend die? Wasn't it enough he himself would soon follow? Well, if they wanted him so bad, he would make them work for it. Dodging around the latest plague victims, he rushed to the end of the alley and skidded to around the corner. Brushing his hair out of the way, he searched frantically for the hidden latch on the side wall and pushed open the secret door. Slamming it shut behind him, he slid down the floor and cradled his head in his arms for a while, his hair falling forward hiding him from the world. Then suddenly, his head snapped up and he peered around him in the darkened hideout. It felt as though someone was watching him…

 

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

 

 

Quatre sat up fast and resisted the urge to whimper. All those bodies… was that a dream? No way. It felt too real, and why would he dream about death in the streets? Then there was the little boy his age, running from… something…and…wait. He knew that feeling from somewhere. It was the same as when he shared someone else's mind, riding around as an observer mainly. But he thought that was only possible with people he knew really well, not with some random boy from the L2 cluster. Holy crap, the L2 cluster? That was way to far from here to be possible. Quatre had never even heard of this boy, so how could he be so close to him? Stupid empathy is being enigmatic again, he sighed to himself. Usually before, when Quatre had `mind-rode' the person didn't have the faintest idea he was there. This time, that boy not only knew he was there, but felt his presence quite strongly. Maybe it was because Quatre hadn't known what he was doing at the time. Then he frowned. Hang on, who was he running from? Knowing someone was in danger, no matter how far away, made Quatre sit up fast.

 

“I've got to help him somehow.” He muttered aloud, planning out possible ways he could help. Everyone always said he was a natural tactician. He just hoped it would be enough. Settling down in a meditative position, the blue-eyed boy concentrated on the residual vibe from the dream. What did it say again? Oh, yeah: `Hi, I'm Duo...'

 

 

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

 

 

Who the hell had been in his hideout with him? No one else should even know about this place, much less how to get in and out undetected! Fuming in the dark, a long haired figure continued to gulp down huge lungfuls of air, forcing himself to calm down but stay wary of pursuers. Failing to calm down he collapsed in a heap of sobs. Why is this happening to me? I never did anything to anyone but everyone's doing everything to me! And now Solo's dead because I'm too slow… I guess I do deserve this after all. He lay on the dirty floor in a ratty hole in the wall and cried until he started choking. Steadying himself against the wall he rubbed his face and wiped his eyes, standing to put his ear to the door. Now was not the time to fall apart. He'd promised he'd at least try to stay alive, so getting out of here before he was caught was his first priority. Now, there should be a back way out here somewhere—ah, there it is. Slipping through the exit passage, the violet-eyed fugitive skirted down a back road and sidled along a building wall. Pausing a moment to gain his bearings, he nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt that same presence from his hideout return. He turned around slowly, half-expecting his newly deceased friend to be haunting him when he saw no one around.

 

“Solo?” he called out tentatively, licking his lips in nervous apprehension.

 

Ah, not exactly, came an embarrassed and slightly surprised response.

 

“Wh-what the hell?!” exclaimed the young escapee. “Where'd that come from?” Crap. There weren't any Drifters around that he could see. Was he starting to hear voices on top of everything else?

 

You can hear me? Said the now more than surprised voice.

 

“Um, if I'm going crazy, then no.” He had the sudden urge to giggle but couldn't risk the noise. Instead, he gulped it back and flashed his best grin. Just because he couldn't see them, didn't mean they weren't there. Some spirits just didn't understand the creepy factor that went with talking to a voice with no body. “Well, since we seem to be able to hear each other, I guess I'd better give you something to call me by, huh?” That's right, start off nice and easy. Don't want Drifters trying to attack me while I'm on the run, and I definitely don't know this one. “Alright, I'm Duo. Now, what can I call you? Why the hell are you here and why are you trying to make me crazy at this moment?” Just because it could be a Drifter doesn't mean it was, and letting them think he was all nice and patient could target him as easy prey. “Couldn't you have picked a better time, say, when I was not being hunted down by a couple of rabid white ferrets?”

 

…ferrets? Nevermind. Hello Duo, it's nice to meet you. Your questions I'll answer later, but I'm not trying to make you crazy, and you might want to duck behind a dumpster or something right about now! Before Duo could think to question the disembodied voice further, the sound of approaching footsteps had him hastily following the advice to the company of a nearby dumpster. He thanked everyone in general that he was on the richer side of colony, as where he usually roamed couldn't even afford waste service. Wedging himself between the metal backside and rough alley wall, Duo held his breath and grabbed his hair close to him as he silently wished the pursuers away. Finally the steps faded as their owners passed by and continued on. Relieved, the chestnut haired figure managed to count to ten before releasing an explosive sigh of relief.

 

“Man, they don't give up easily!” Duo grumbled as he wriggled out of his hiding spot. Traveling further on to get away from the area, he paused and flicked an expectant glance all around. “Well?”

 

Well what? Oh, right, eheheh. This is kinda hard to explain, but basically I'm here to try and help you run away from the, uh, ferrets.

 

“And how exactly do you plan on doing that, oh bodiless voice?” Duo inquired with a raised eyebrow.

 

We-ell, I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to—since I don't know exactly what's going around or where anything is there—but if you would show me the layout of the area I'm sure I can—

 

“Wait, wait, wait, wait! How the hell am I supposed to show you anything? In case you're unaware of this fact, I don't see any of your eyes around here! Come to think of it, I don't see any of you around at all, and you sure as hell don't sound like any Drifter I ever met,” he muttered moodily.

 

Alright, alright, the sigh seemed to echo throughout Duo's head. I'll explain everything as well as I understand it myself, but not until you're out of this mess! Duo carefully refrained from saying how unlikely it was for him to get out of this situation, as it was where he lived, but the mysterious voice must've known his thoughts as he amended, I meant, you know, the ferret…Anyway, as Voice went on to explain that Duo had only to visualize the area as he remembered it in order for him to see it, the long-haired boy kept an ear out for any more footsteps, determined to have no further dumpster incidents.

 

“So, wait,” he interrupted, “does this mean that you're in my head?!”

 

Kinda, answered the voice slowly. Most of my awareness is here while the rest is back with my own body. But I'll explain more later. Now, show me.

 

“At least you're not dead,” muttered Duo and quickly recalled the area before Voice could inquire on the comment. Living on the streets didn't give Duo much time to question everything much, so he didn't dwell too long on the voice predicament, hoping even if it was all in his head that he'd get some help out of this mess.

 

Oh, hey! I know where you're at! exclaimed Voice brightly, snapping violet eyes out of there reverie. Yeah, some old freaky dude left maps for this sector lying around my father's office one time, and I was bored so—

 

“Okay, okay! Sheesh, less talk, more planning,” admonished Duo with a roll of his eyes. Man, he's starting to talk like me now.

 

Sorry, that's because I've been hanging out in your brain for awhile. Anyway, he continued, ignoring Duo's shocked sputter, what did you expect? I am in your mind, after all. There should be an entrance to the sewers around here.

 

“Ewww! You want me to go where?”

 

What, you've never hidden there before?

 

“Excuuuuse me for not wanting to cover myself in human shit! Street rat does not mean sewer rat!”

 

Calm down, I was only joking. Think about it like this; you can get caught or you can get dirty. There's no way a white ferret is going to get his coat mucked up by following you.

 

“Alright! But you better believe that one day you will pay for this.”

 

Sure, fine, whatever. Now, at the end of this alleyway, turn left and go down a couple streets until you see a church. As Voice rattled off directions, Duo took off as fast as his little legs would carry him. Rounding the corner to the church, he nearly fell over when a warning boomed in his brain. Crap, they're coming in on your left!

 

“But that's the way I need to go!” shouted back the frantic runner, skidding to an indecisive halt.

 

Run into the church! Quick! Chestnut locks flew behind as the lithe boy squeezed through the church doors. Slamming the panels back into place, Duo quickly turned and ran—right into a tall, dark figure. Um, I think you might have run into someone, murmured Voice distractedly.

 

“No shit, Sherlock,” retorted Duo unthinkingly.

 

“Excuse me?” inquired the man from above, but Duo, hearing footsteps outside, sidestepped the figure and ran down the aisle of pews to hide under the altar table. Moments later he heard the doors burst open as two men came panting in, white coats trailing behind.

 

“Search the front. I know I saw him sneak in here,” gasped out one man as he moved to search under pews.

 

“Excuse me,” Dark Figure repeated calmly, “but would you both be so kind as to tell me what you might be doing in my church?”

 

“Oh, of course,” jumped the man towards the front. “Sorry, didn't realize you were here. Father, you didn't happen to see a little street rat run in here, did you?” Under the altar, Duo hoped fervently for a priest to lie for him.

 

“I'm afraid I can't help you there, good sirs,” apologized the priest. Then, as an explosive breath reverberated around the building, he continued louder, “Now, if you'll please excuse me, I must prepare for this evening's Mass.” For a moment it seemed as though the man would argue. Instead, the first chaser interrupted his partner's protests with a smooth, “Sorry to bother you, Father,” and beckoned the other to follow him out the door. As soon as their footsteps faded, Duo crawled out from under his place of hiding to walk sheepishly toward the priest.

 

Man, I'd love to see how you get out of this one, giggled the voice in his head. And you really gotta stop all those relieved sighs, or we're gonna get caught.

 

Shut up, he thought back, the charming smile plastered on his face not wavering in the slightest.

 

“Why, thank you, Father. I'm awfully sorry `bout all this,” Duo continued on in his best `I'm just a poor orphan, sir' voice, “If you'll just excuse me, I'll be getting out of your way now…”

 

“Hold on there, young man,” the priest motioned for the boy to stop. “Now, I'm not going to presume I know what's going on here”—good, snorted Duo to himself, I won't either—“but if you've wronged those men, it's not too late to make it right.”

 

“Uh…right, Father, I'll keep that in mind,” he muttered, hurriedly making his way around the priest and out the door.

 

“May the Lord be your guide,” said the priest in departing.

 

“You, too,” Duo shot back, closing the heavy doors behind him and picking his way back through the alleyways. After traveling in silence for a while, he realized his unseen companion wasn't speaking anymore. Hey, voice, you still there?

 

What's up? came the reply as the long haired youth entered an abandoned building.

 

“Well, I was just wondering if now you'd like to tell me just what the hell is going on!” fumed Duo, speaking aloud.

 

Such language from a six year old, the voice admonished sarcastically.

 

“Hey, if you'd been living on the—wait, how do you know I'm six? I don't even know how old I am!”

 

Alright already, sighed the voice, I'll give you your answers now. See, basically I'm an empath - I can feel people's emotions and intentions and such. But recently I found out I could do more than that. I discovered I could actually ride in other people's minds, but the only times I've done it, not only did I have to know the person really well, they didn't even notice I was there. Quatre decided not to mention the fact that he'd been one sick puppy for days afterwards. Duo really didn't need that on his conscience on top of everything else he'd seen there. But also, I didn't even think I could do it with someone I'd never met before, even disregarding the fact said person isn't even on the same colony as me!

 

“What?” Duo interrupted. “Where are you from?”

 

L4. Anyways, to answer your age question, when I `mind ride' in a person I'm not in direct contact with, I can find out things from them as if they were with me. Even if you don't consciously remember how old you are, you still put out a…well, I guess you could say a sort of signal, or vibe, that says the basics of who you are.

 

“Oh, yeah? What does mine say?” wondered Duo, curious despite himself.

 

Essentially, `hi, I'm Duo, I'm a six year old boy of American descent with long hair, no parents, and a lot of problems. If you wanna find out any more, then ask me to my face, you nosy jerk.' The voice concluded cheerfully.

 

“Whoa, it really says all that?” asked said boy, equally disturbed and amused by his own `vibe's' voice.

 

Pretty much, snickered Voice. But everyone's is different depending on their own attitudes. That vibe message I can pretty much get anytime, whether I'm riding or not, when I'm in the same area physically as a person. If I want to find out anymore, I'd have to really dig around. I haven't done that yet, though. Despite what some may think, I do respect people's privacy.

 

“Right. Now that your presence has gone from freaky to freakier, what can I call you?”

 

Oh, Quatre hesitated, unsure if he should give his real name. Then, deciding it really wouldn't matter, answered, you may call me Quatre.

 

“Quatre, huh? Weird name,” he cheekily commented, “but it'll do.”

 

It had better do, muttered the voice, causing Duo to giggle. Now that you have your answers, I'd like one of my own.

 

“Look,” violet eyes rolled, “I don't know why the ferrets were chasing me, okay?”

 

Actually, the blonde cut in, I was more interested in why you thought I was a ghost before.

 

“Ah,” Duo swallowed. Well, it was only fair, after all, and he did owe the voice - Quatre - something for his help. “All right, then, I'll show you why.” Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and concentrated. He concentrated on letting go of his physical bonds, on the lightness of his atmosphere, on his calm. Especially his calm. Then, he took a step forward and left his body behind, opening his eyes as he felt the disconnection.

 

Wow, stated his companion, the voice now coming from the side. Duo turned and caught a glimpse of aquamarine eyes and blonde hair flashing on a small face. The world they now stood in was the same they'd just occupied, save for the blue tint of air and silver figures moving all around them. Are those ghosts?

 

“Some of them are,” replied Duo, his voice echoing and strangely hollow sounding in this silent place. “The rest are spirits that actually live here. I call `em Drifters. Most of them are nice enough, and even help me out when I need it. But the rest -“ he shuddered at an unpleasant memory. “Let's just say you don't ever want to meet the rest.” Closing his eyes once more, Duo concentrated on regaining his physical body, on the heaviness of his atmosphere, and took a step back, returning to his body. Blinking his eyes open, he checked to make sure he was firmly in his world. Getting caught in between was not an experience he wished to repeat.

 

“Hang on a second,” Duo began, remembering Quatre's faint features, “you're about my age, aren't you?”

 

Well, yeah. Quatre ran an undertone that said `duh' under his response. Why?

 

“I don't know. I guess I just thought you were older, since you seemed so mature and all. I mean, what kid studies colony maps in his free time…” he trailed off as Quatre's voice `nudged' him.

 

Duo, I'm sorry. I have to go now, said the blonde sadly. The brunette just nodded his understanding. “I know.” He paused. “Will I ever, you know, `see' you again?”

 

I'll try… the reply faded. Then Duo was alone again.