Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ The Magicians of Gundam Wing ❯ Now We've Done It ( Chapter 12 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Dear Readers: I think I'd better mention now that this is the last chapter in this installment of my Gundam Wing series. But rest assured this is not the end! The story will continue in a new installment, which I will tell you about at the end of the chapter. But don't skip ahead to read that part first!
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Chapter 12: Now We've Done It
“Roku,” Quatre said seriously. “I'm pretty sure it's not a good idea to bring people back from the dead.”
Roku hung his head. “But Count Zechs and Papa Wu-Fei were really sad about it.”
Quatre gave Roku a hug. “And it was really sweet of you to worry about them. You're very compassionate. But we need to think about how Treize feels.”
“Papa Duo said Mr. Treize was really happy to see Count Zechs. They're still being naughty.”
“It's a good thing we have that extra bedroom,” Trowa noted.
“And that Duo could convince them to stop fucking long enough to go use it,” Heero agreed. “Although the idea of Duo suggesting people stop fucking, even briefly, seems sort of apocalyptic.”
“The dead have risen,” Trowa chuckled.
“True.”
Quatre frowned at them. “Would you two please be serious? We have a serious problem on our hands. Nearly everyone in the Earth Sphere saw Treize Kushranada die over a year ago. How are we going to explain that he's alive and well and getting his brains fucked out in our spare bedroom?”
“That might be a little difficult,” Heero conceded.
Quatre glanced at the clock. “Damn! We don't have time to do anything about it right now. If none of us show up for work, it will definitely cause suspicion.” As he often did in tactical situations, Quatre assumed command. “This is what we're going to do. Heero, Duo and I will go to work and Roku will go to school. Trowa, you stay here and make sure Treize understands that he cannot leave the house, assuming Zechs ever lets him out of bed. And make sure Zechs understands that he cannot tell anyone Treize is alive again. Wu-Fei, you go to Noin's house and make sure she understands that she cannot tell anyone Treize is alive again either. Enlist Sally's help if you need it. I'm sure she understands the situation already.” Quatre looked at each of them in turn to make sure they understood their orders. Everyone nodded. “Good. We'll meet here tonight and figure out what we're going to do.”
“I suppose shoving Treize back into Roku's storage space is not an option,” Heero said speculatively.
Everyone gave him a stern look, including Roku.
Heero held up his hands defensively. “I wasn't suggesting we do it! I just thought we should at least bring the option up.”
“What's done is done,” Quatre said. “We're just going to have to figure out how to make the situation work for us. Let's get moving.”
The group broke up to carry out Quatre's orders.
Sally answered the door when Wu-Fei arrived at Noin's cottage.
“Good morning, Wu-Fei!” she greeted him cheerfully, even though the dark circles under her eyes made it obvious she hadn't slept. “How are things going over at your house?”
“As well as might be expected,” said Wu-Fei. “How is Noin?”
Sally grinned. “As well as might be expected, for having just found out, rather dramatically, that the man she wants is batting for the other team. Come in.”
Noin was slumped on the couch, looking tremendously depressed. She looked up at Wu-Fei with red, bleary eyes. “I suppose everyone is laughing at me for not having figured it out sooner,” she said mournfully.
“Of course not, Noin,” Wu-Fei replied gently. “Honestly, none of us knew Zechs had a thing for Treize until last night.”
“I feel like a fool,” Noin said. “I've known Zechs for years! How could I not know this?”
“We already had this conversation, Noin,” Sally interrupted gently. “There's no point continuing to hash it over. Zechs is still your friend; that hasn't changed. It's not like he's been leading you on.”
“Well, dammit, he could have!” Noin exclaimed. “Would it have killed him to screw me a few times? His lover was dead, for crying out loud! He's been pining for Treize all this time? The bastard!” Noin jumped to her feet. “I'm going over there to kick the shit out of him!”
Wu-Fei and Sally each grabbed an arm and they forced her back down onto the couch.
“Lemme go! Dammit!” Noin struggled for a moment and then gave up. “That son-of-a-bitch owes me. I've been waiting for him to notice me for years. He could have said something, like `Gee, Noin, I'm a total fag so maybe you should throw yourself at someone else'. Would it have killed him to mention it?” She slumped back again, mumbling under her breath.
“Zechs has always been a very private person,” Sally said.
Noin snorted. “He wasn't all that private last night when he was jamming Treize's dick up his…”
“Noin!” Sally interrupted. “Try to show a little kindness. Clearly there is more to his relationship with Treize than we know.”
“Yeah, right,” Noin grumbled. She folded her arms across her chest and glared at nothing.
“I realize this is quite upsetting,” Wu-Fei said, “but at this time we need to think about the delicacy of the situation. Everyone thinks Treize is dead. His reappearance could cause quite a shock. It could even destabilize the Earth Sphere sufficiently to start another war.”
“Good!” Noin growled. “I feel like killing something.”
“Wu-Fei is right, Noin,” Sally said. “We need to think about what might happen on Earth and in the Colonies if people learn Treize is alive.”
“Then why don't we just stick him back where he came from?”
“I don't think we can do that,” Wu-Fei replied. “Although Roku didn't say it, I suspect he pulled Treize through time to get him here. Putting him back would be the equivalent of killing him and I don't think Roku would do that.”
Noin scowled. “I wasn't suggesting we kill him.” She paused. “Ok, maybe I was, but what are we supposed to do? We can hardly keep him prisoner in your house for the rest of his life.”
“We know that. Quatre wants everyone to meet at the house tonight to decide what to do. In the meantime, no one is to mention that Treize is here. Agreed?”
“Of course,” Sally said immediately.
Noin mumbled something under her breath.
“What was that?” asked Wu-Fei.
“I said ok!” Noin snapped. She continued to scowl.
“Very well.” Wu-Fei stood up. “Trowa's staying at the house to keep an eye on Treize and Zechs. The rest of us will be at work. Quatre thinks we should all go about our normal routines to avoid arousing suspicion.”
“That's a good idea,” Sally said. “We'll go to work too and meet you back at the house tonight.” Sally walked Wu-Fei to the door. “I'll stick with Noin today,” she said quietly. “It looks like it might take her awhile to get over this.”
“She does seem rather upset.”
Sally shrugged. “She just needs a little time. I'll just keep her away from the edged weapons for the time being.”
“Good plan.”
It was close to midday when Zechs found Trowa having lunch in the kitchen.
“I apologize for imposing on your hospitality like this,” Zechs said. “The only excuse I can offer is that I have been harboring a deep affection for Treize for a long time.”
“So we gathered,” Trowa replied with a smile. “How is Treize?”
“He's sleeping.” Zechs smiled slightly. “I'm afraid I exhausted him. Anyway, I thought I'd go back to my cottage to find something for him to wear. While it might be my inclination to keep him naked and in bed, realistically I must assume that he will eventually need to leave the bedroom.”
Trowa nodded. “We're planning to get together this evening to discuss the ramifications of Treize's reappearance.”
Zechs sighed. “I suppose we will need to do that. His presence could prove quite problematic. I confess I don't want to think about it. I think my frame of mind is not much beyond Duo's usual inclination at the moment.”
“I can understand that.”
“Treize will probably want to eat when he wakes up.”
“No problem. I'll make something for him.”
“Thank you.”
Roku was the first to return to the house that afternoon and he found Trowa, Zechs and Treize talking in the living room.
“Roku,” Trowa said, “come meet Treize. I don't think you had a chance to get introduced last night.”
Roku approached Treize a little shyly. “How do you do, Mr. Treize? I'm sorry if you wanted to stay dead.”
Treize took Roku's hand and shook it gravely. “On the contrary, Roku, you have my deepest gratitude. Being reunited with Zechs is something I longed for up to the moment of my apparent death. I look forward to the opportunity to become your friend.”
Roku beamed. “Papa Trowa, may I have a snack?”
“Yes, you may.”
“May I be a tiger while I eat it? My fur needs fluffing.”
“Sure.”
Roku trotted off to the kitchen.
Treize blinked in mild surprise. “I suppose it should come as no surprise that he can shape change, given that he brought me back from the dead.”
“Roku is a rather powerful wizard,” Trowa acknowledged.
“Indeed? I can see many fascinating things have occurred in my absence.” Treize smiled at Zechs. “Although, in complete honesty, I would rather spend my time in private with Zechs right now than learn about all of that.”
Zechs smiled seductively at Treize in response.
“Especially if he keeps looking at me like that.”
Trowa chuckled. “We have a few hours before the others are due back.”
“Really?” Treize took Zechs by the hand. “Well then, if you'll excuse us, I think I'd like to, ah, resume getting reacquainted with Zechs.” They retired to the bedroom.
Roku padded in from the kitchen, licking his whiskers. “They're being naughty again.”
“Yes, they are.”
Roku plopped down on his belly. “They must like each other an awful lot.”
“I think they do.”
“What will happen to Mr. Treize?”
“That's what we're going to decide tonight.”
“Oh.” Roku produced a ball and started playing. Trowa got down on the floor and joined him.
Trowa had dinner waiting when everyone returned to the house later. Quatre once again took charge as they squeezed in around the table to eat.
“First of all, Lord Kushranada, I'd like to welcome you back,” Quatre began.
“Thank you, Quatre,” Treize replied, “although I must tell you that no time has elapsed for me that I can remember.” He smiled disarmingly at Wu-Fei. “In fact, the last thing I remember is sacrificing myself to Wu-Fei. But that is all literally in the past now. I am quite happy to put it all behind me.”
“I don't know how much Zechs has told you,” Quatre continued, “but your return does put us in a bit of an awkward situation. A lot of people still attach quite a lot of emotion to your name. We're afraid your return might lead to trouble in the Earth Sphere.”
“I have no desire to be the cause of another war,” Treize said. “But I understand that the terra-forming project on Mars is scheduled to last years. I am more than willing to remain on Mars, particularly since Zechs will be staying here.”
Quatre nodded. “Thank you for understanding.”
“But someone is bound to recognize him,” Noin spoke up. “Treize is too well known.” Surprisingly, she managed to sound fairly objective.
“But everyone thinks Treize is dead,” Sally pointed out. “Even if someone thinks they recognize him, they're far more likely to think he's just someone who looks a lot like Treize.”
“Are you sure?” Noin didn't sound convinced. “We all thought Zechs was killed in that war too and he survived.”
“It's been over a year.”
“I don't know.” Noin frowned at Zechs. “I just feel like we'd be taking a risk. And what about Une? If she finds out that someone who looks like Treize is living on Mars, she'll be out here faster than a sprite and there's no way she wouldn't recognize Treize for who he is on sight.”
Sally pursed her lips. “Unfortunately, you're probably right about that.”
“I'm certain she's right,” Treize agreed. “Une has always had very strong feelings for me.” He pushed away from the table and stood up. “Perhaps it would be better if I returned to the past.” He smiled sadly at Zechs. “This single day has been a greater reward than I expected for sacrificing my life.”
“No!” Zechs exclaimed. “I'm not giving you up.”
Treize touched Zechs on the cheek. “But you and I have made greater sacrifices for the greater good of mankind.”
“I'm sick of sacrificing for the greater good of mankind!” Zechs growled. “Don't we ever get to be damned selfish?”
“Wait a minute!” Duo said. “I think Treize said it. The answer, I mean. Why don't we return to the past? We did it before.” He looked around the table.
Everyone stared at him with expressions ranging from surprise to interested speculation.
“I'm not going back to medieval times!” Wu-Fei exclaimed. “Inadequate sanitation and inedible meals have no appeal for me.”
“But you gotta admit, if we stay here, the chances of us messing everything up are pretty high,” Duo said. “Since we got back from the quest, our magical powers have been getting in the way a lot.”
“He has a good point,” Trowa agreed.
“No!” Wu-Fei repeated.
“It was kind of interesting,” Heero said thoughtfully.
“Please!” Wu-Fei pleaded.
“I miss the forest,” Roku said. He had slipped back into tiger form and was lolling on the floor.
Wu-Fei put his head in his hands and moaned.
“Are you suggesting we time travel to some time in the distant past?” Treize asked. His face was alight with curiosity.
“Yup,” Duo nodded. “It was an accident the first time we did it, but Quatre has a spell book that can probably send us anywhere we want to go.”
“That is very interesting.”
“You don't know what you're saying!” Wu-Fei moaned. “They eat spoiled meat! Their idea of vegetables is old tubers out of the ground! They don't bathe!”
“Quit focusing on the negative, Fei!” Duo punched his arm. “Think about all the fun we had!”
“I kind of enjoyed jousting,” Heero admitted.
Roku pulled a toy out of his storage space and started rolling it back and forth between his paws.
“And the best part is, we can stay in the past for a year and come back only a week or so later in our time and see how things are going.” Duo grinned. “It would sort of be like a vacation.”
“Can you really do that?” Treize was astonished.
“Sure. Last time, everyone thought we'd only been gone a day.”
“Well, I have to admit I'm very intrigued.”
Quatre glanced over at Roku. “What have you got there, Roku? I don't think I've seen that toy before.”
Roku stopped rolling the toy. “It's a cup. I found it in the Wizard's Cave.”
“A cup?!” Quatre, Trowa, Heero, Duo and Wu-Fei said in unison.
Roku blinked in surprise. “Yeah. I think it's made of clay; it's got a pretty glaze on it. See?” He rolled the cup over slowly so they could see the whole thing.
The five Gundam pilots stared.
“You don't suppose…?” Trowa said slowly.
“It can't be…” Wu-Fei said.
“It's the Holy Grail.” Duo said.
“Roku!” Quatre exclaimed. “Why didn't you tell us you found it?”
Roku looked at the cup. “Is this what you were looking for? You never said what it was.”
The five pilots exchanged embarrassed glances.
“He's right,” Duo said. “Now that he mentions it, I don't think we ever once said the Holy Grail was a cup.”
“We have to take it back,” Quatre said. “We need to put it back in the Wizard's Cave.”
“But the Cave isn't guarded any more,” Trowa said. “Anyone could blunder in there and find it.”
“Why not leave it where it is?” Duo asked. “What could possibly be safer than Roku's storage space?”
“But I feel so guilty!” Quatre exclaimed. “All that time Percival was hoping to find it and it was right under his nose at the end.”
Wu-Fei sighed in deep resignation. “I guess this means we have to go back in time. Instead of the Wizard's Cave, we could put it in Gift's cave. I'm sure he'd be glad to tuck it away in his hoard.”
“That's a good idea,” Heero agreed with a nod. “But we can't go back to the same time. King Arthur did more or less kick us out.”
“That's true,” said Trowa. “Anyone have a personal favorite time period they'd like to check out?”
Roku sat up. “I read a book at school yesterday about Robin Hood and his Merry Men. Can we go to Sherwood Forest?”
This was greeted with a speculative silence.
Finally, Quatre said, “Why not? Dragons live for centuries, so I'm sure Gift would still be around.”
“We could learn to shoot arrows!” Roku said excitedly.
“They still jousted,” Heero added.
“Maybe the cooking will have improved,” Wu-Fei put in hopefully.
“A chance to study history first hand,” Treize said with a dreamy smile. “This is a most exciting prospect.”
“And you could really arrange it so we only seemed to be gone for a week?” Zechs asked.
“Yes,” said Quatre.
“I haven't taken time off since we came to Mars,” Zechs noted.
Sally stood up and put her hands on her hips. “It sounds like it's decided then,” she announced. “How much time do you need to get ready?” she asked Quatre.
“It doesn't take me any time at all, but we should probably get some supplies and personal items together before we go.”
“And I should make arrangements before I leave,” Zechs added. He regarded Noin with a slightly guilty expression. “You don't mind if I leave you in charge for a week, do you, Noin?”
“Do I have a choice?” she grumbled. Then she relented and managed a crooked smile. “Maybe I'm a little envious. You better bring me back some souvenirs.”
Zechs smiled. “Of course.”
“But this only pushes the problem out a week for us,” Noin reminded them.
“True,” said Sally, “but we can spend the time coming up with a more permanent solution. Gentlemen, take care on your journey and come home safe.” She held out her arms and got hugs from everyone. Noin got hugs, too.
“Should I keep the Holy Grail until we give it to Gift?” Roku asked.
“Yes, dear,” Quatre replied. “And I promise: next time we're looking for something, I'll tell you exactly what it is.”
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And thus ends the story The Magicians of Gundam Wing. Join us for the next exciting installment: Gundam Wing and the Men of Sherwood Forest! Joined by their friends Zechs and Treize, the five Gundam pilots and their son Roku discover the legend of Robin Hood isn't quite what they've been told!