Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Raptures of Paradise ❯ The Captured Prize ( Chapter 23 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Disclaimer: Well, hope you like this, and this wets your appetite for the WHOLE
story. Note, I'm obviously a Non-Yaoi writer, and a person who tends to write
sappy stories, so if you don't like this kind of story, then GET OUT NOW!!!
Please note that I don't any of the characters, except Nova and the villains.
This does have a Sailor Moon crossover in it. Well, here's some more stuff that
falls on my plot line.

Author's Note: To get away from the psychological drama, I hope, is a little
more movement in the plot. But just a few quick notes before I begin. 1) the
chapters about each of the Raptures, and about how the pilots and their female
counterparts meet have plenty to do with the plot. They give insights into their
characters, and therefore explain their actions in the plot centered chapters.
2) I'm aware that on occasion I introduce serious topics, and issues. Even
though they are based on my personal preferences, I'm not here to preach any
reader. I'm just here to tell a story… And I shall tell a story…

Gundam Wing: Raptures of Paradise
Chapter 23---------- The Captured Prize
By Sailor Celaeno

Trowa stared out of the window. He still thought about that strange
blond that he had known for 8 years. "I don't understand what is with me." He
couldn't be sure of himself anymore. He had been certain that she was the enemy,
that she was out to destroy the world, his world, in some way. Yet, he couldn't
wonder if there was more than it appeared. He never knew for certain what
motivated her, but he could tell something was making her struggle so much. He
thought over his latest encounter with her.
"So you're here again." He said as he saw her figure in the snow. It
was at a cemetery and he had a feeling that she was no stranger to the quiet
place.
"This should be my home Trowa. Everything that has ever mattered is
here. And I should join them."
Trowa, despite his doubts of her, had no intention of letting
consider suicide in anyway. "If that is how you feel, why haven't you joined
them already? I didn't think you'd be frightened of doing anything."
Midii smirked at the comment. Yes she had thought about it once or
twice. But there was only one real answer. "It's simple really. There isn't much
of a reason. Life is really a gift. It took my mother a lot of effort to give me
life and bring me into the world. Killing myself would be too cheap. Life is not
that cheap. When you had to kill soldiers with your Gundam, they didn't die
because their lives were that cheap. They died because they believed strongly in
something. They wouldn't die for a reason less than their beliefs. I too refuse
to die for anything less than my beliefs."
"What are you beliefs than Midii?"
"I believe in love, I believe in hope, but most of all I believe in
my destiny and the destiny of mankind. Man was not designed to become the
dominant species of this planet just because Nature threw mankind a few genes.
Humanity is the way it is because it chose to follow a path that came before it.
I too have come towards a path Trowa Barton. I believed that I met you for a
reason. I have always felt strongly about you. And when I betrayed you, I knew
at that moment I was meant for one thing. I would die because of you. My mission
was to infiltrate rebels including you. When I saw how much I wanted to be like
you, I couldn't let you die. You were meant for something bigger than that. You
were stronger than me, and should survive. I was weaker, then the only thing was
for you to kill me," Midii spoke with great passion and conviction.
Trowa stared blankly at her. 'She wants me to kill her?' He thought
a little more and found the words. "I won't kill you."
"Why? Because I have a family?" She flourished her hands towards the
gravestones that bared the name of Une. "Here they are. Shouldn't I join them?
If so than kill me."
"You still want me to kill you? I'd never let you get away with
doing that to me. You'd want me to kill you just to make yourself feel better.
You think you'd be punished by having me take your life. You want the punishment
because you think you deserve it."
"It goes beyond that Trowa. I was spared 8 years ago because you
refused to kill me. I'm still living, even after my family is gone because you
let me live. I refuse to die unless you are the one that takes my life. I
wouldn't take anything less Trowa Barton." Midii stared back at him with a
determined fire.
Trowa turned from and walked away. "Then live Midii Une. Live long
and hard."
'Count on it Trowa Barton. I will destroy you until you destroy me
first.'
Trowa couldn't help but wonder how much pity, and how much anger he
should feel towards her. Catherine learned the truth about Midii. At his wishes,
she didn't see Midii without him knowing. Somehow she knew that he had a
stronger connection than merely remembering a traumatic experience. "Trowa--
what is wrong?"
"I don't know what to think anymore Cathy. Midii is a very complex
woman. We're going to destroy each other until---"
"Until? Until what Trowa?"
"Until I kill her. That's what she said. She lived because I spared
her and let her live. Now she won't die unless I'm the one that kills her. I
won't kill her because there is nothing for me to gain out of it. I'm not
stopping a war, and I'm not even getting revenge really. I forgave her when I
spared her. It would be just as empty as if she killed herself," Trowa replied.
"You realize she loves you don't you?" Catherine almost laughed at
his semi-obliviousness.
"Hn…?" he stared at her a little.
Catherine was ready to laugh more. "She thinks highly of you. How
can a woman be that way and not be in love? Haven't you noticed that?"
"Love? Yes, I suppose she does. I've known somehow that she felt
that way. It is something I've known since I knew her."
"Then… how do you feel?"
"How do I feel? Aren't my feelings irrelevant? What do my feelings
have to do with anything?"
Catherine shook her head. "That's just sad Trowa. You're trying to
be emotionless again? I thought you've gone beyond that. I thought I was your
reason for feeling again. Maybe I'm not enough anymore. You need someone else."
"You don't think it's because I've stopped loving you do you?" he
asked, not with great emotion, but he still projected his concern.
"It's not that at all Trowa. I just think that you need to expand on
your emotions. You've loved me as much as any brother could ever love. But human
emotions go far beyond than that. Won't you let someone else love you and
perhaps even love that someone else back?"
"You mean Midii…"
"Not unless you want to. I'm the last person to force anyone to do
anything against their truest wishes. Just be honest with yourself and not deny
yourself of everything that human experience can offer. You've been an
emotionless soldier for 15 years of your short life. Don't throw away the human
emotions you've let yourself have just because you're forced to confront
something from your old life."
"Do you really believe in what you said?"
Catherine smiled a little. "I've always been told that you should
never say anything that you don't mean. I've lived by that Trowa. I've never
looked back."
Trowa stared into outer space contemplating. Catherine thought it
best to leave him alone to his thoughts.

"It's very serious now. Lady Une and Dorothy have been attacked. And
now they should have the power they need to destroy the world. Very soon.
There's only one thing missing," Nova said.
"Me. They still need Me and Rose to finish the destruction of this
world," replied Relena.
"Rose is getting stronger and I can feel her energy. Soon they will
sense her power too. She will be in great danger," added Raye.
"Hn… I won't let them get her," Heero replied.
Everyone else gave each other knowing looks. "You must be on guard.
They are coming. No doubt they are performing the ceremony they needed to begin
their total conquest of this universe," sighed Trista.
"Look, just how exactly are these Raptures going do this? Look Nova,
you can't keep hiding everything from us if you want to help save our world and
yours," said Duo.
"You're right Duo. I can tell you who the Negaverse being in charge
is," said Nova.
"When were you ever going to tell us?" Wufei glared slightly.
"The fact of the matter is, is that I wasn't sure how much to tell
you. Despite my power, there is very limited amount of things that I can do and
know. All I can tell you is that the one who is our great enemy is called
Tempest. Just like anyone, she was once a good woman. named Cassandra. Like the
Greek myth, she was born with a gift to see into the future. However, like any
human being greed filled her heart. Her powers gave her great prestige, but
earthly power wasn't enough. Her powers allowed her access to knowledge of
Eternal Winter, and my twin daughters. She wanted to use the power they possess
to give her more energy. All she wants is knowledge of the universe. And she'd
use her energy to gain that knowledge, even if it means enslaving people and
destroying peace," sighed Nova.
"How did get trapped in her prison?" asked Quatre.
"In an attempt to take the twins, she was banished to a prison
dimension. However, the 1000 years of banishment has made her bitter and the
darkness in her heart has grown. Somehow she found a way to bring her and the
Negaverse into this universe."
Sally stared at some files she had received earlier. "You said
Tempest had prophetic abilities? Would that include having psychic abilities?"
"Yes… someone with those abilities would have the ability to sense
other people with psychic abilities."
"And psychic abilities can be enhanced?"
Nova looked at Sally thoughtfully. "Theoretically, if someone with
psychic abilities was able to join with another psychic or combine powers with
such person, then it's possible they can become stronger."
"The last appointment Lady Une had before her attack was with a Miss
Kari Nahira. According to the data files, she is lived on the Agamemnon Space
Station that orbited Demos. However an explosion killed everyone except one
person…"
"So she survived, but what does that have to do with Lady Une and
Tempest?" asked Hilde.
"Just two things. One, Colonel Une and Colonel Treize Khushrenada
were given orders to destroy the station."
"So she planned to get revenge on Lady Une? But then… how was she
able to drain her energy?" asked Duo.
"That's the second thing. She has declassified files that state she
was a level 5 psychic at the age of 10," read Sally.
"Level 5 at such a young age?" asked Trista.
"Huh?" asked Duo. Some of the others had a similar expression on
their faces.
Sally cleared her throat. "Well basically, the government had been
secretly doing testing on children for the past forty years."
"Testing? What testing?" asked Wufei.
Nova cleared her throat. "About forty years ago, there were strange
activities occurring that involved psychic abilities. The government believed
that the formation of colonies and living in artificial environments may have
cause certain mutation in children, especially children born naturally."
"What sort of mutations?" Quatre asked nervously.
"Well psychic abilities are controlled in areas of the brain that
most humans don't normally use. However, the mutations cause these dormant parts
of the brain to function. My case is different however. Being that my psychic
abilities are needed for my senshi role. However, not every naturally born
colonist will have these mutations. Mutations on certain parts of DNA gets cause
these psychic abilities."
Quatre grew pale. "Then that means…"
"What Quatre?" asked Relena.
"That means I was born naturally. I wasn't a test-tube baby." Quatre
looked pale and shocked.
"You mean… you never knew?" asked Duo. "How could you not know?
Didn't your father tell you anything?"
"He never told me. My mother died when I was a baby which meant… she
died after she had me."
Nova looked at Quatre thoughtfully, "It seems so. That would account
your level 1 abilities."
"Level 1?"
"Yes, you demonstrate level 1 empathic abilities. Your ability to
feel for other people isn't just because of your personality, Quatre. You have a
certain way of understanding people in very deep levels. However your powers
aren't strong. There is still a chance that your children could develop powers
as well. It depends on the environment they are exposed to and who their mother
is. There is also a possibility that your powers may grow stronger over time.
The highest level documented was level 7 for a man aged 30."
"That's what was so shocking. A 10 year-old girl was able to have a
level of 5. That means that Kari must be very powerful now. There's no reports
on how powerful she is. This level of power could have attracted Tempest and…"
trailed Nova.
"So Kari is the one that let Tempest free into this universe,"
finished Duo.
"Exactly. Which is why me must locate Kari. No doubt she is one of
the Raptures, and she could cause serious trouble," added Amy.
"It won't be easy. So far, we've had no luck, and there are millions
of people here on this Earth and the colonies. They could be anywhere!" sighed
Amara.
Raye sighed, "Don't forget, we only know for certain that Kari is
one. There are four other Raptures. We have no clue who they are… unless…" All
eyes turned towards Nova and Trista, who then sat uncomfortably.
"You know the truth. You know who they are. Please we need more
information. Dorothy and Lady Une are lying in the hospital because we couldn't
prevent them from being attacked. I don't want anything to happen to Relena,"
Milliardo said.
Nova sighed. "It's just not my place to reveal their identities. All
I can say is that you have already met them. They're connections to you all
require you to deal with the truth of their positions. I can't force that upon
you."
Trowa sighed. "I knew something was wrong. But I should have known
better. Midii is one of them."
"How do you know for certain?" asked Mina.
"Ever since she came back into my life, I wondered why she was back.
I had a suspicion that it was for something very bad. She's been acting
strangely and I have an idea that she's one of them," Trowa concluded.
"What could she possibly gain from that? The Negaverse doesn't get
volunteers without promising them something. What could she want in return?"
Trowa had a stern look on his face. "I know what that is. She wants
me to kill her. She wants someone to punish her for being a spy and causing many
people to die. And she wants the one person she hurt the most to do it… me…"
"Hm… two Raptures, three more. Anyone else have ideas who they are?"
asked Lucrezia.
Heero stared at some papers he had. "Esmeralda Debinder."
"What? Her? Why?" Quatre asked. He was clearly flustered.
"According to Dorothy's plan book, she had a lunch date with
Esmeralda about two hours before she was found in your house, Quatre. Esmeralda
was the last person to see her. We had Esmeralda's servants interrogated. They
confirmed that."
"But that doesn't prove anything. That could be a coincidence. I
just can't believe she'd do that to Dorothy. And why would she want to do that?"
asked Quatre.
Heero continued. "Despite your feelings towards Esmeralda, you can't
deny this. She has been seeing a psychiatrist for the past few months. We
checked her medical records. It seems that she's been taking some medication
lately. It's psychiatric medication. Quatre, Esmeralda is mentally unstable.
She's been having problems in her life and it's taking a toll on her. Her
psychiatrist reluctantly agreed to tell us about her condition. She has some
issues with her father. She has been deprived of love in her life, and she is
desperate for it."
Quatre looked sadly. "I should have known. Now I understand.
Esmeralda seemed to be attached to me lately. I must have been the only one that
had ever really cared about her…"
"She was jealous of Dorothy and your attentions to her," concluded
Hilde.
"That is a lot of progress. We have three Raptures identified. That
makes things easier to deal with. We will find them and have them detained until
we can prove they are Raptures," Wufei replied.
"That won't be so easy," countered Sally. "They won't come
willingly."
"What can we do? We need to find their headquarters," asked Hilde.
"Esmeralda has a great deal of money. Quatre, does Esmeralda or her
family own any other houses or real estate?" asked Sally.
"The only place I can think of is their old summer house in
Virginia. They don't go there anymore. It's possible the Raptures are living
there."
"Let's investigate there," said Lita. "We'll go so they won't notice
you guys. After all you're Preventers and they'd recognize you easily."
"Good idea. Meanwhile, we'll see what else we can come up with,"
added Duo.

Relena sat alone in her office as she usually did. Heero entered the
room and decided it was the time to have the talk with her. It was about the
most important thing on his mind. It just had to be said because never telling
her the truth about how he felt would be their undoing. "Relena?"
Relena looked up from her papers and gave him a friendly smile like
she always gave him since he returned. "Yes Heero?"
"I just wanted to tell you that after everything we've been through…
I just wanted you to know how much I think about you," he started.
Relena blushed lightly. "I see Heero." These were the words she was
dying to hear from him.
"I just don't want you to go on thinking that all I ever think of
you as just another mission. You're more than that. Far more than that." He
began to pace the room a little as he waited for her reaction.
"Oh Heero… I care a great deal about you as well. I just couldn't
picture another day without you," she said softly.
Heero stopped his pacing and looked up at her. "It's hard to put
into words about how important you are to me. I don't think that I can ever
really say it properly." He had a deep look in his eyes that went straight
through her.
She have him a gentle smile, and gentle look as well. "I know Heero.
You don't have to say a word. That's just the thing about us, Heero. We never
have to say a single word. You know how I feel. But now… now I know for sure
about your feelings. Just one thing I wanted to know," Relena replied.
"What's that Relena?" Heero stared intently at her.
"How long have you felt this way?"
"It's hard to name the day and time. It just came one day, and I
only freed myself enough to admit it now."
Relena got up from her seat and moved closer to him. She stared into
his eyes as she gently wrapped her around the back of his neck. "Even though you
know how I feel, I will still say it. I love you, Heero Yuy."
They both looked at each other for a moment, just enjoying the
solitude of just being in the same room together. The closeness that they never
had before. Heero and Relena slowly leaned forward towards each other and their
lips met for the first time. It was a warm first contact, a sensation that
Relena had dreamed of and something Heero never thought he'd find himself doing.
Their kiss wasn't so much filled with heated passion. Rather, it had a
tenderness and feeling that was as true as their own hearts were. It was a kiss
that said everything that these two young lovers needed to say.

The five Raptures and Hecate gathered around Tempest's mirror. "And
now we gather to release Tempest's true power!" Avatar proclaimed as she
released Dorothy and Lady Une's energy into the mirror. A great glow covered the
mirror.
Tempest laughed with evil glee. "At last I can be free!" She
glowered evilly at Avatar. She melted into a wispy glowing fog that poured over
Avatar, filling every part of her being.
"Avatar!" the other Raptures exclaimed worriedly. Hecate only
laughed as belligerently at the whole scene. "Bitch!" screamed Flamethrower. She
pressed Hecate against the wall with a hard grip around her neck. "What is
happening to her?!!"
"Avatar is fulfilling the most important mission she must complete.
To be Tempest's host," Hecate gasped.
"What?" Quint cried out. She stared as Avatar fell to her knees weak
from the possession.
"Tempest needed energy to be released from her prison. But she also
needed to merge with someone with great powers such as Avatar. After all, Avatar
means the incarnation of a god. And now Tempest is free to destroy this pathetic
universe and Crystal Tokyo!"
"What?! This wasn't part of the plan! I thought we were going to
raise an army and get what we want!" shouted Esmeralda in shock.
Avatar began cackling evilly. But it was no longer Avatar's voice
they could hear, it was Tempest's laughter that filled the room. "Oh that is the
plan. But the army will be made of slaves. Once I have all the energy from this
universe not only will I have power, but I will have an army of powerless humans
to control. With that, I will be an unstoppable force against Crystal Tokyo. The
people of the White Moon kingdom will feel the true ability of my power. That
will teach them for stopping me from fulfilling my destiny!"
"And what's that?" Midii asked coolly.
"I will be the queen of their precious Crystal Tokyo. And all that
lives in the universe will be mine to create and destroy. Because that is the
destiny of the strong. The weak cannot survive, that is why they are weak.
Survival for the weak comes from the mercy of the strong. In the new world,
there will be no time for such frivolous amusements as that," replied Tempest.
That was all that was left. Avatar no longer existed, but only the Tempest
reborn.

Hotaru, Rini, and Mariemaia sat together in the tea room. "It's all
so strange. That something like this is about to happen," said Mariemaia. She
had completely recovered from her Christmas ordeal. "The only thing that will be
sad is that you'll be leaving."
Rini and Hotaru smiled at Mariemaia. "Of course, it'll be sad to
leave you. We'll never forget you," replied Hotaru.
"And we've had lots of fun together. That's the important thing.
We've had fun together, and you should never feel sad when you remember that,"
added Rini.
Mariemaia had a slight smile. "Yeah, I'll never forget when we went
to the park and saw the mother duck and her ducklings. It was fun when you
showed how to fly a kite, and ride a bike. That was all fun. Maybe when Mom
isn't so busy, she could take me to the park and we could do it together."
Rini smiled a little. "You have a new mom that loves you a lot.
She'll always find time for you and do that. That's what Moms are for. They do
that sort of thing because you're the most special thing in their life."
"Does that what your mother tell you?" asked Mariemaia.
"Uh huh. And Daddy says that too. They believe it with their whole
hearts when they say that," nodded Rini.
"Really? Even your father?" Mariemaia sighed a little. "I wish my
father could."
Rini looked sad. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry
your Dad isn't here anymore."
Mariemaia smiled reassuringly. "Oh no that's alright. You see I
didn't really see my father when he was still alive. I'm not trying to sound
cruel or anything. It's just that I wasn't close enough to him to feel so
terribly sad. Although I do regret that I don't much about him other than his
place in history. All I know about him is his military tactics and things like
that. I know the legend, but not the man."
"Doesn't your Mom tell you anything about him?" asked Hotaru.
"She tells me a lot. But you know, having someone telling you about
someone isn't the same as actually knowing them in real life. There's certain
things that no one can ever tell you about. Like Mom can't tell me about how his
voice feels when he speaks to me. She can't tell me things like that. I just
wish I knew those things about Father. Maybe I wouldn't miss him as much. Just
as I won't be so sad when you're gone. I'll be able to remember your voice and
the fun we've had. But I can't do that with father," sighed Mariemaia.
"I wish we could help you," replied Hotaru gently.
"I know."
The girls sat another hour just to watch the clouds go by across the
winter sky.

Relena and Heero decided sit together watching the people walking in
their own little lives. Relena and Heero accepted the way their lives were
going. They were bound together. Once they had met, they couldn't leave each
other far behind. Relena wanted to be someplace alone with Heero. "Heero, I
don't suppose we could just stay here together like this forever," Relena smiled
at him.
Heero had a slight smile on his face. "I wish I could give you that
Relena. But Life doesn't work that way. It's not fair I suppose, but that's just
as it is."
"Let just here as long as we can Heero. There's no telling when a
moment like this will ever come back. Just as you say: Live by your emotions."
"I'll do as you ask Relena. I'll do whatever I can." He wrapped an
arm around her shoulders. "Anything at all."
"Will you really Heero? I only want to be here with you. That's all
I could ever want in the world," she looked up tenderly at Heero.
"I know." Heero moved closer until he was close enough to kiss her.
"I know that is what your heart wants most. I can only try." He moved closer and
kissed her gently. She wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him closer. To
feel the warmth of his embrace deeper and longer.
"I'm sorry to interrupt this tender little moment, but I have to,"
said a familiar voice.
"Hello Midii. I was wondering when you and your cohorts were going
to show up," growled Heero.
"It was a matter of time before you'd figure it all out. I'm just
disappointed that I didn't get to see Trowa's face when he realized I'm a
Rapture," replied Midii.
"I'm sure you're very disappointed," Heero returned sarcastically as
he pulled out a gun at Midii.
"Don't try anything Yuy," replied Flamethrower as she aimed her
namesake weapon at him and Relena. "Now I suggest that Miss Peacecraft slowly
come towards me. Now move Midii."
Midii smirked as she moved away from Heero's firing range. "Give me
the gun Heero," she said when she moved a little away.
"Just do as she says, or you and your girlfriend, will literally be
toast." Heero handed the gun to Midii. Someone else knocked him in the head and
he was soon unconscious.

Lucrezia had to find Heero. She had to tell him and Relena about an
important meeting that was being scheduled tomorrow. She had heard that they had
gone to the park. She searched high and low around the park. "Where can they
be?" Lucrezia asked in frustration. She began panting as she breathed. Her
abdomen felt painful. "What's happening?" She tried walking more slowly.
Lucrezia soon found Heero slowly getting up. "Heero?"
He groaned, but soon spied Lucrezia. "Noin? What are you doing out
here?" He looked concerned at her. She was looking very pale.
"Where's Relena?" Lucrezia asked as she looked frantically for her
younger sister-in-law.
"Believe it or not, I was outnumbered and outgunned. I should get
you to the hospital."
"She's gone? Oh God… Heero… I don't think I'm… it's the baby…" she
groaned, as she sat on the bench.
Heero quickly reached for his cell phone. "Ambulance? I need someone
to come help me. I have Mrs. Peacecraft with me and I think she's going into
labor." He soon heard Noin groaning miserably. "I'm pretty sure she is."
Lucrezia tried her Lamaze breathing to calm herself down. "I think
Annie is coming. I'm getting very worried," Lucrezia groaned as she could feel
her daughter moving in her womb.
Heero realized he was the only one she had right now at that moment.
He tried as best he could calm her until the ambulance came to help her. "Noin,
you're one of the strongest will women I've ever met. You're not afraid of
anything you've ever faced. And knowing this daughter you have inside of you
right now, she's going to be that strong. But she needs you to be strong for
her. Be strong, Noin."
Lucrezia huffed as she tried to focus on her breathing. She couldn't
let the baby come so soon. It's only seven months and it was certainly too early
for the baby to come. "Heero, please. Hold my hand. I need someone to help me
right now. I don't have Zechs, but I still trust you. Please…" Lucrezia asked as
she could feel her baby coming. "Oh God!" she cried out.
Heero quickly grabbed onto her hand. "First Relena gets kidnapped
and now Noin may lose this baby if she doesn't get to the hospital." He could
hear the siren coming closer. Within a minute, two uniformed men came to take
her.
"Heero, please get Milliardo to the hospital. Please!" Lucrezia
cried out as the ambulance doors closed to drive her away.
Heero watched for moment and then hurried to call Zechs.

Author's note: What will happen to Relena? What will happen to Noin and her
baby? Find out in Chapter 24.