Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Heart of the Ocean ❯ Chapter 01 ( Chapter 1 )

 

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Chapter 01

 

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Fighting against the frigid sea, Duo swam around the perimeter of the Kelp forest, searching for a way to get to his best friend without touching the vegetation. “QUATRE!” He called again, realizing that the struggling sounds had faded. “Answer ME!”

 

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“Duo!” The blonde merboy called, his cries muffled by the green wall that surrounded him. He wasn't quite sure what had ensnared him, but Quatre did know that it held him painfully tight.

 

“Honestly, do you really think that The Plague will dare come in here?” An oily voice demanded, delivering a sharp back hand across the smaller boy's face.

 

A small cry of pain escaped Quatre despite his attempts to hold it in as another blow was rammed into his stomach. He could feel blood dissipating into the water around him from his cheek. Curling his tail protectively close to his torso, the smaller fish groaned as he looked up at his attacker.

 

The blue-haired, green-tailed, newcomer was known for his heartless cruelty. Once a valued member of the royal army; the merman was the victim of an attack that cost the soldier his arm effectively ending his military career. Using pieces from a shipwreck, Cain had forged for himself a hook-like arm. It not only served to intimidate other mer-folk, but as a weapon as dangerous as any sword.

 

“W-What do you want, Cain?” The pale, trapped teen whimpered.

 

“One of you entered the city.”

 

Quatre flinched under the cold glare. “Nothing happened!”

 

“You know the penalty of returning from banishment.”

 

“It's all talk.” Duo growled, darting between his only friend and their enemy. “If they were able to kill us, we'd have been murdered at birth. Now let him go.”

 

Cain's dark eyes narrowed, “How did you get past the kelp, Plague?”

 

The younger fish rolled his eyes, “You don't think that I've survived this long and not have a few tricks? I know what my touch can do!” He flashed a mischievous grin, “Would you like to find out first hand?”

 

The ex-soldier snorted, “Don't be so arrogant, Plague. Just because the weak city dwellers are unwilling to put an end to your miserable existence, doesn't mean I am.”

 

Violet eyes narrowed dangerously, as he swam over to his ensnared friend and began to release him. “You would risk the entire balance of the ocean?”

 

“And the curse?” Quatre whispered.

 

“You're a bigger idiot than I thought.”

 

Cain laughed, “You think a fairy tale is going to dissuade me!? I'm insulted by you're naivety.”

 

Keeping a supportive arm around the blonde, Duo discretely began to retreat. “One three you swim like you've never swam before.” He ordered under his breath, “I'll be right behind you.” Quatre gave a slight nod.

 

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The banged boy sighed as he settled himself on the course sand. His uncle had been less than thrilled that they had kept one of the seals and he let them know it by ranting at them for more than an hour before having them dawn scuba gear and clean the inside of the quarantine tank by hand. Every surface, every crevice. Whenever they thought they were finished and resurfaced, Dekim was right at the edge of the pool telling them what a shitty job they had done and to do it again.

 

Trowa groaned. He'd probably still be down there if it hadn't been for the press conference that his uncle had almost forgotten. As it was, when he returned home, he had to finish the research of this particular shark.

 

“He is such a bastard.” Wu Fei grumbled, handing his friend a latte as he sat beside him. “Damn Slave-driver.”

 

“We knew that.” Hiiro stated, sipping his own espresso as he crouched on Trowa's other side.

 

“At least you guys get a reprieve from him when you go home. I live with the asshole, remember?” The tallest teen mumbled.

 

“Why don't you just go live with your sister?” Hiiro shook his head, “Then you wouldn't have to put up with any of his shit.”

 

“And leave the two of you to fend for yourselves? What kind of friend would I be?” Trowa smirked before becoming serious. “Besides… My parents didn't want me… Why would she?”

 

Wu Fei rolled his eyes. “Melodrama and self pity does not become you, Barton.” He stated frankly, “Your parents were bigger pricks then your uncle. You and Catherine seem to be the only normal people in your demented family. Whenever that woman comes to visit our aquarium, she's always excited to see you and is constantly worrying over your well being. I'm positive she would be delighted if you were to inquire about moving in with her.”

 

“Only one problem with that, gentlemen.” A child's voice chimed. “Father has full custody over my dear cousin until his twentieth birthday. That's in three years.”

 

“What are you doing here, Mariemaia?” Emerald eyes glared at the smug, nine-year-old red-head.

 

“Mother sent me.” The girl shrugged.

 

“Why did she send you?”” Trowa rubbed his eyes.

 

“TotellyouthatFathersaidthatyouwereindeepshitonlyI'mnotsupp osedtosay shitI'msupposedtosaytroubleasinyou'regroundeduntilnextmonthandhavetowork extrahourswithoutpaya-”

 

“Breathe before you pass out.” Her cousin ordered, only half-trying to understand what she was rambling about.

 

“All this because of a seal pup that wasn't ready to be released?” Hiiro frowned.

 

“Seal?” Mariemaia paused, “This isn't because of some stupid seal. Mid-term test reports came in. Trowa failed.”

 

“Failed!?” Trowa's friends gapped as he hung his head and groaned.

 

“Kid, you must have gotten hit in the head.” The Japanese teen admonished. “Trowa has the highest G.P.A. at our academy. He didn't fail.”

 

“Failure by your standards, are very different than my uncle's, Hiiro. You should know that by now.” The banged teen sighed as he stood up, dusting sand from his clothes. “Thanks for the latte, guys, but I should go.”

 

“Hey, Tro!” Wu Fei called, “Anything.”

 

A small smile crossed the teen's face as he turned to go. “I know. See you tomorrow, Fei... `Ro.”

 

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“Go! Now!” Duo ordered, grabbing two strands of the surrounding Kelp as Cain lurched forward. Upon the violet eyed teen's touch, the lush green vegetation withered and died. Using the dead plant, the braided fish managed to ensnare his enemy's arms while Quatre swam to safety. Twisting away from the other merman's hook, Duo managed to tie off the kelp and swim out of reach while Cain thrashed against his bindings.

 

Panting hard, the plague of the ocean watched his hunter struggle for a moment before swimming after his best friend.

 

“That was close.” The smaller fish sighed when the ebony tailed teen met him outside of the kelp bed.

 

“Tell me about it.” Duo shook his head, “Are you hurt, Quatre?”

 

“No.” The blonde shook his head. “Not seriously anyway.”

 

“Good. I'd have to go back and kill him if he had.” The braided boy glanced over his shoulder as murky shadows began to drift in and out of the surrounding waters. “We need to get out of here. With the noise that idiot's making, every shark with in a hundred miles will come to feed.”

 

“I think it might be too late for that...” Quatre began as the shadows circled closer. “I think we may already be surrounded… Sharks don't care about who we are, Duo, they just care about the food.”

 

Looking around, the braided death realized how right his friend was. “Swim up, Quat. We might be able to escape them at the surface.”

 

“Are you insane!?” The boy yelped. “What about humans!”

Duo grinned, grabbing his friend's wrist and pulling him along as he ascended from the ocean floor. “Better than thousands of sharp teeth!”

 

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To be continued…