Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Two Sides of a Coin ❯ chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Very well then. Before I continue, I own nothing. I like 2x1 or anything that is x1. I relish making my favorites suffer. I'm selfish but I like to portray my characters as great. I don't care if this makes me a hypocrite. I'm also very aware of the mediocrity of my talents. Nevertheless, I am sometimes very full of myself. I have no life. This is the greatest warning of them all.

 

Just see chapter 1 for a clearer statement on stuff. I'm babbling.

 

 

Chapter 2 --- King Heero rides to the Srafian Camp and meets a few surprises.

 

The grey stallion blended with the shadows that are its namesake. They have covered the miles easily, mainly because Shadow has good blood on him and also because of the power of the Wing Zero. Heero knew that with each passing moment, the Zero is becoming an integral part of him. Soon, he would easily wield the powers that the Wing Zero carries. They are becoming one and yet not. Wing Zero would remain a separate entity from who he really is, despite everthing that may happen.

 

Heero's farewells with Relena and Trowa had been strained at best. Heero opted not to think about it, as it tended to bring forth his anguish. Instead he reached deep within him for the reign that would hold in his emotions tightly. He doesn't want to feel anything right now. Somehow he knew that facing Duo would be equally painful. Duo is also subject to the double edginess of the proverbial coin, and a great part of it would be directed to him.

 

The horse neighed softly as they neared the Srafian camp. Heero had long seen the imperfect circle formed by the bonfires. Now that he is near, he could also smell the burning wood and food. Beyond, in a farther clearing is another camp. The Methru camp. The bonfires there seem to be smaller in number but Heero knew that their greater number is not relevant. He lived in Methru for four years and he knew the abilities of Duo's soldiers, having fought with them occasionally when he was not drained too much of energy.

 

Heero also knew that the legends about the Methru King is true. He is blessed by their god, and in some sense, he is the god himself. They do not stand a chance, unless he uses the Wing Zero and Heero would prefer to die rather than unleash the still raw power on his world. Besides, he had vowed not to use the powers of the entity for selfish reasons, and he knew of an effective and safer way to prevent death from taking his people --- returning to his resentful lover.

 

Heero slowed down Shadow to a trot, heeding the sharp enquiries of the lookout guards.

 

“I bear a message from King Sloane to General Noin.”

 

The guard allowed him to enter after inspecting the seal that he held out. Technically, the seal belonged to him now, since before he left the palace ground, he felt Sloane's black spirit flicker out and descend into what Heero could only think of as Hell.

 

Heero felt a great number of eyes watch him as he slid down his horse and followed a soldier to the center of the site where a large tent stood; it is obviously General Noin's tent and the place where battle tactics were usually discussed. There is a meeting being held currently; Heero could see the agitated figures through the tent's cloth and concluded that the discussions are not good.

 

“What do you suggest we do, then? Don't be so foolish so as to even assume that our greater number is an advantage. We all know the rumors about the Shinigami-king and his minions!” A female voice that is not General Noin's seems to argue. Is she suggesting a retreat? Heero felt relieved that they are at least contemplating it. This makes things easier for him.

 

His guide knocked on a post. The discussion inside immediately ceased as a voice called for them to enter.

 

Inside are three men and two women. Heero immediately recognized General Noin. She had not changed at all. Her dark hair is still short like a man's, with the familiar fringe still falling on her forehead, similar to Trowa's although it is a great deal shorter than his. The other woman besides General Noin has long plaited hair that is separated at the center and lay on both of her shoulders. Heero immediately noted that her eyes are slanted like Wufei's, although her eyes are blue.

 

The other occupants of the tent, the three men, are visibly older than both General Noin and the braided woman. The other has long white hair, evidence of his age, although there is still sharpness behind his eyes. If Heero knew correctly, his name is Master Klef Olsen. He had also been one of his father's advisors, which is quite curious since the old man is very blunt and does not flatter, unlike the rest of his kind. The other two men both have dark brown hair. They look like brothers, so alike they are in appearance, except that the other already has a web of crow's feet around his eyes and mouth while the other seems to be only in early twentieth years. Heero had never seen them before and he couldn't help wondering if they are Sloane's men. If they are, then he has a problem.

 

“Well, what is the message?” Master Klef asked sharply, so true to his nature.

 

Heero shrugged. Well, it does not matter who the other two men are. He could easily defeat them if they end up in a fight, especially now that he does not expend as much energy as before when Wing Zero is a thousand miles away from him.

 

Heero removed the hood that was obscuring his features and immediately heard collective sharp intakes of breaths.

 

“My name is Heero Yuy.” Heero bowed his head slightly. He then looked straight at the two strange men. “I came to tell you that Sloane Xenne is dead.”

 

Silence. Heero thought he saw a satisfied, predatory gleam on the blue eyes of the two men. The others also have a similar look on their eyes. Good. They're not enemies then.

 

Noin was the first to move. She kneeled in front of him. The others followed suit, even Master Klef.

 

“We pledge allegiance to our King,” each one murmured. Heero remained silent for a moment, shadowed eyes sliding over one figure to the other, watching their expressions and trying to read them. By the respectful and almost happy waves that Noin is radiating, Heero knew that the General is still very loyal to him, as she was when he was only in his youth. Master Klef is also respectful, although he felt the satisfied and jubilant spirit that seems to take hold of the wily advisor. As for the other woman, Heero felt the same deference. However, she is also very curious about him, and a little surprised. Heero tried to figure out the woman's reaction before turning his attention to the last two people in the room. From them he could read a great amount of surprise and uncertainty. They also seem to expect something from him, a familiarity that is alien to the young and new king since he had never seen the two before.

 

“Very well then. We have a lot to discuss. But first of all, I want to know who you two are.”

 

o*_*o

 

Heero felt like screaming. “Uncles, huh. Why didn't you tell Relena?”

 

It seems that the two similar looking men are really brothers, and what's worse, they're his mother's brothers. They only returned six months ago from their adventures… around the world?! Foolish, foolish men. To leave their sister in the hands of a cruel, sadistic tyrant like his father, all in the name of adventure. And now they're here for vengeance? How ironic.

 

Heero squashed the hysteria that he felt rising from within him. He floundered to regain his detachment, trying to keep any emotions from showing. He was a prince and a heir to the throne, thus, he was trained extensively to hide his feelings.

 

“No, it doesn't matter,” Heero stopped them from answering. It really doesn't matter. “Tomorrow, the Shinigami-king and his army would surely attack. I know for certain that they would be victorious…”

 

“What makes you so certain?” the younger brother, Sano, asked with a somewhat condescending tone. Heero felt a great dislike for the man, never mind that he was his mother's brother. The man is obviously very full of himself and thinks only of his own self, and perhaps, his older brother, Craig.

 

“I lived in Methru for four years.”

 

“Really. So that's where you've been,” Master Klef said, fishing. “So how's J?”

 

Heero stared at him indifferently, knowing that the old man may know the answer more than him. “I do not know. Perhaps he's dead.” Master J had left Srafia when he was exiled and the old man urged the merchants who had picked his unconscious and tortured body to bring them to Methru and the Shinigami-king. The wily advisor remained by his side during those times, and he was also the one who urged him to do what he did during this past year. When he secretly left Methru, it was Master J who turned his hair to that which `Roe' sported. That was their last interaction though, and as far as Heero know, the magic-wielder truly might be dead, although he strongly doubted that. The old man had managed to live for almost seven-hundred years after all.

 

Captain Sally Po, also their Master Healer, interrupted them. “We deviate.” She only joined the Srafian army four years ago.

 

Heero looked at her admiringly. He liked her. She is obviously a courageous woman.

 

“I agree with what Captain Po was saying a while ago. We have no choice but to retreat.”

 

“But it would be useless. By retreating, we only allow Methru nearer to Srafia,” Noin argued.

 

Master Klef continued to stare at him, no longer caring at how the debate is progressing. Heero knew then that Master J and Master Klef had somehow kept in touch during the years that he accompanied him in Methru. After all, from what Heero could sense during the time that the two were teaching him, they were lovers, friends and conspirators.

 

“Do you have a plan, my King?” Heero nodded. Perhaps Master Klef even has Master J under his care today.

 

“Tell us your plan, your Majesty,” Craig asked respectfully, treating him not as his nephew but truly as his king. Somehow, Heero felt shame burn inside him. This is all his fault and they wouldn't even understand. None of them knew the truth about the Wing Zero, except Master Klef of course. It was him and Master J who made him understand the great debt of Srafia and the royal family to the mystical orb. Zero Wing is the reason for the Yuy family's unbroken rule for six hundred years, despite the uprisings and revolutions that had risen three hundred years ago when the royal family had began to abuse their power. The Wing Zero helped to control the Srafians, as it has helped to still the natural catastrophes and pestilence that would have ended the Srafian civilization six hundred year ago if a powerful magician known as Master J had not begged Gaia, their world, for help. In response, Gaia gave the magician Wing Zero, a part of her. Wing Zero is a sentient being as much as Gaia is, except that the being wanted to experience the life of a _human_ being. So as repayment for its help, the Wing Zero asked for the right to choose any of the Yuy royalty it has helped to be his vessel. The king then agreed, expecting the being to choose immediately. Instead, it has waited for six hundred years until Heero was born. Then it has made its decision to Master J, whom it had made undying until it has what it desire. Now that Heero had taken in the Wing Zero, he wondered what would happen to the almost immortal man.

 

“No.” Heero said soflty, shaking of the racing thoughts. He has no intention of telling them anything at all. He had fulfilled his duty to the Wing Zero, allowing himself to be its vessel. Now he just has the rest of his life to continue it. “As your king, I order you to retreat. Order your men to pack now. Wait for my orders back in the city. Or if I'm not there, I give full authorization to Master Klef to act on my behalf.”

 

Heero stood up. “I need to discuss with my advisor. Where may we have the privacy?” Heero inquired, slipping into the habit that he had grown into when at Methru. Somehow, he could no longer think of himself as a king, after being with Duo for four years.

 

“Please, your Majesty. Use this tent,” Noin offered, and bowing down to him, the four left, leaving only him and Master Klef.

 

o*_*o

 

“You have not changed at all, your Majesty.”

 

“I have.”

 

Master Klef laughed. “So, you're going to offer yourself to the Shinigami-king.” A shake of the head. “Just like always. Offering yourself for others. And blaming yourself in the process.”

 

“_It_ is my fault.”

 

“Ha!”

 

…

 

“The Shinigami-king does not know the great power that he would be acquiring?”

 

“No.” Heero looked at Master Klef inquiringly and sorrowfully. His indifference had slid away. “I fear that I couldn't control it.”

 

Master Klef laughed at him. “But you could, my boy, you could. Master J is right. You and the Wing Zero are meant to be one.”

 

Heero stared, reminded of Master J. Why do old men have to be so cryptic?

 

“I'll be going now… I have sent Relena and Odin to Sandrock with the help of my friends. Tomorrow, the Shinigami-king and his minions will enter the city, but they will not slaughter anyone. That is, if no one goads them. I trust you to take care of it.”

 

“And you, you're Majesty?”

 

“I will be with them, perhaps reduced to the status of slave. It does not matter. I do not want anyone to die because of me.”

 

Master Klef nodded, still smiling. Inwardly though, he grieved for this creation of theirs, his and J's. They molded this beautiful, sorrowful, kind young man. And they succeeded in the first stage of their plans. The Wing Zero had merged with Heero. The next stage is much trickier though. The road would be full of thorns for their charge, add to that the fact that the young man has no idea about it. Heero thought that becoming one with Wing Zero is all that is, but what the being meant when it asked for a vessel is an entirely different thing. Master Klef and Master J had been both surprised when Wing Zero chose Heero, they always thought that it would choose one of the female Yuys. But then again, male pregnancy is not an entirely unknown thing in Gaia, in fact, there were some civilizations where in anyone, no matter what gender, could choose to be pregnant. Klef just wondered how the slender king before him would react to that. He knew that it wouldn't be pleasing, and yet, if they succeed, it would ensure the happiness of not only Methru and Srafia but also all of the known civilization. He knew that if the Wing Zero is born into a human, he would be the greates ruler that Gaia would ever know, especially if it is raised by one who is as kind and pure as its chosen vessel.

 

Master Klef still has one thing to add. “Your Majesty. Because of the anguish, you're happiness would be much sweeter.”

 

Heero shrugged, indifferent once again. And then he left.

 

TBC

 

A/N: oh my god! Did I just add male-preg into the plot? Hell! I wasn't expecting that, but I guess I really didn't know what to do with Wing Zero. I just wanted to show love turning to hate since I had been fascinated with that ever since I read it somewhere and made a somewhat similar essay.

 

Oh well, I guess it no longer matters, the rest of my draft also has hints of m-preg in it anyway, I just hope that I could finish this before class starts which is… next week???!!!! Uh oh.