Alternate Gundam Wing Universe:

Gundam Apocalypse

by Maria Rocket

Prelude

***

It's the year After Colony 212. After years of political turmoil, the galaxy is finally at peace. Life continues as it always has, and humanity is reaching ever farther into space, heralding a new golden age. Yet, beneath the growing majesty, some old wounds remain.

Under the cover of night, four dark figures meet inside a rusty old warehouse. Two wear military fatigues, and appear more interested in keeping a watch on their surroundings. With them is a man in a purple jacket and black slacks. He also appears concerned with their surroundings, but has most of his attention on the small figure with them.

It is a boy, no older than sixteen, with piercing blue eyes and raven black hair. Thin, yet muscular, for a frame so small. He radiates a sense of danger. He tugs on a faded green leather flight jacket, which seems to be at least one size too big for him. An old relic from an old war, such jackets are commonly donated to poor houses since the disbanded military no longer needs such surplus. Beneath that, he wears a black shirt and pants which are so worn, the fabric has torn in a number of places. On his feet, dirty black boots scuff impatiently at the ground.

"Do you have it?" The boy nearly snaps at the purple jacketed man.

"Patience. We have all waited long for this moment. Now that we are on the verge of destroying the alliance built by corrupt souls, it is only a matter of time until the true vision comes to pass."

"No one has waited as long as I have," the boy whispers passionately. "I've waited my entire life. I swear, I'll kill Heero Yuy and bring everything he holds dear to its knees!" His fists clench and tremble.

"Indeed," the purple jacketed man narrows his eyes and smiles. "You have made this all possible for us, after all. Not only will our goals be realized, but you will get the vengence that is rightfully yours." He lays a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Now, there it is, in that warehouse.

His hand is pushed away as the boy bolts for the warehouse. The boy runs inside, then halts abruptly, staring up in wonder. There in front of him is a huge ebony mobile suit. Streaks of red pierce through the deadly design. This is not just any mobile suit. It is a gundam.

The boy's legs weaken at the sight, and he falls to his knees. "It's really... It's finished! Gundam Apocalypse..."

"Yes," the man nods. "Based on the blueprints you gave us, and enhanced with updated technology, we were able to create a whole new gundam, more powerful than anything that ever came before it. I hear it even has a death wave with enough potential punch to wipe out an entire colony in one shot." He shifts his eyes down to the boy. "Do you really think you can pilot it?"

"Oh, I will. I was born to pilot it." The boy says grimly, and pushes himself up to his feet. "I've studied these things inside and out, I know the systems in my sleep. And I haven't been training in your mobile suits and gundam simulators for the past few years for a damn joyride." He runs towards the Apocalypse on a sudden impulse. "In fact, I need to pilot it now!"

"Wait!" The purple jacketed man cries out. "You're not ready to just take off with it yet! It's too dangerous to fool with!" He holds back his soldiers as the boy suddenly stops in his tracks and spins around.

The boy tilts his head back and puts his hands on his hips, glaring defiance at the man. "Don't underestimate me. Remember, without me, your plans will never work."

The man's jaw tightens noticably. "So sure of yourself, are you, waif?" A sly smile crosses his face. "You shouldn't underestimate me, either. After all, I found you, didn't I?"

"Hmph." The boy just turns around in a swift motion, like that of a dancer, causing his long black braid to swing behind him in a curving sweep. He stands firmly, setting his cold blue eyes on the gundam towering above him. "Fine. We'll continue to do things your way. For now."

***

Two months later, in the home of Heero and Relena Peacecraft, all is relatively quiet, as they await the arrival of their old friend, Quatre Raberba Winner. A servant or two buzzes around double checking that everything is in the right order to accept such an important guest. Relena herself sits in the waiting room, fixing her hair with a few choice hairpins. Heero stands at the window, watching for Quatre's arrival. He stands perfectly still, as he often does.

Meanwhile, a small boy of seven is running up and down the halls, making as much noise as possible, knocking over the occasional object, much to the dismay of the servants. He is Duo Peacecraft, son of Heero and Relena Peacecraft. Also known to the house staff as the "Bright Whirlwind," for obvious reasons.

"Is Uncle Quatre here yet?" The bubbly boy with wild platinum blonde hair squeals as he jumps into the waiting room. He runs over and tugs at his father's leg. "Daddy, is Uncle Quatre almost here?"

Heero turns to look down at the tiny face and dark eyes that mirror his own. Except the boy's face has an almost perpetual wide smile, and wide happy eyes, which is rarely seen on the father. But for those special little eyes, Heero smiles genuinely.

"Soon, Duo. Soon."

As he speaks, Quatre steps into the room. He smiles and raises a hand in greeting. "Hope you don't mind me slipping in like this, I didn't want to bother the servants. They all look so busy!"

Everyone in the room turns in surprise.

"Uncle Quatre!" Duo runs up joyfully.

"Hello Duo!" Quatre laughs. "My, you've grown since I last saw you!"

"Hello Quatre," Heero nods.

"Hello," Relena greets him. "My, where did you come from? We didn't hear you arrive! Or at least I didn't," she glances over at Heero.

"Oh, that's because I walked here from the spaceport," Quatre smiles. "The country around here is just so beautiful, I couldn't bear to shuttle past it all."

"You...walked?" Relena blinks in disbelief.

"Uncle Quatre, can we play?" Duo pleads. "I have a new model kit we can build!"

"Of course we can," Quatre laughs and kneels down to speak to him face to face. "But is it okay if I talk to your mother and father for awhile first? You know how it is with grown-ups, we need to get all the boring stuff done before we can play." He pats Duo's head and ruffles the already hopelessly disheveled hair.

Duo pouts for a moment, then nods with a happy smile. "Okay, I'll go find the glue until you finish with mom and dad!" Giggling excitedly, he rushes out of the room. A moment later, loud crashes are heard, and several voices in the direction of the kitchen curse rather loudly.

"He's such a sweet kid," Quatre chuckles and stands again. "Reminds me of when I was his age."

Relena just smiles wryly. "So how have you been, Quatre? It's been awhile since we've heard from you!"

"Well, you know, same old grind. A few of my satellites broke down during prime time in some of the L3 colonies, and I was facing a few lawsuits for awhile there. Apparently a lot of people missed some gameshow, and they were out for blood!" Quatre smiles weakly and runs a hand through his hair. "Luckily, that's all been settled now."

"Television," Heero nods. "Some people can be very passionate about such things. I remember reading an article about brainwashing..."

"Heero," Relena interrupts with a sigh.

"Anyway," Heero changes the subject, "how's Trowa?"

"Oh, Trowa's well. He really wanted to come," Quatre smiles. "But it seems Catherine broke her leg in some trapeze accident, so he's gone to visit and take care of her for awhile until she fully recovers."

"I'm surprised she doesn't have accidents more often," Relena notes. "Flying trapeze sounds dangerous."

"It can be," Quatre moves over to the window to take in the scenery. "But she's really quite good at it."

Heero tilts his head slightly. He is about to speak, when the nearby wallmonitor flashes to life. Onscreen is a rather concerned looking man in uniform. Heero immediately moves over to the screen.

"Is there a problem?"

"Please forgive this sudden interruption," the military man nods to Heero and Relena. Quatre watches on from the window. "But our satellites are picking up a pirated feed that I think you should see."

"Send it through," Relena orders.

"Right away."

Then the military man disappears in a flash. Then another screen appears with green static dancing through it. Heero narrows his eyes. For a moment he thinks he sees... Then the screen snaps into crystal clear focus. And Heero's eyes widen in shocked disbelief.

"Oh my...!" Relena brushes her fingertips against her mouth in surprise.

Quatre suddenly bolts over to stand beside them. "Allah...is that...it can't be...!?"

Heero's face is frozen in shock. It was impossible. Onscreen, a teenage boy with black hair, a faded green jacket, and icy blue eyes stares coldly into his very soul. Yet, the face is unmistakable.

"Duo..." Heero whispers.

"Heero Yuy," the boy begins in a restrained tone of voice. "I very much doubt you know who I am, but it would be very unwise of you to ignore my message. Over fifteen years ago, you destroyed the battleship Libra. But everyone aboard it wasn't evacuated, " His eyes are like daggers.

"No..." Heero trembled.

"You blew it up, you bastard..." The boy is visibly trembling himself now, in anguish and hatred. "The gundam pilot, Duo Maxwell was still trapped aboard. No one answered his screams of terror. Was he still screaming when you murdered him, Yuy!?"

Heero is speechless. In his mind's eye, the fireball Libra flares to life. In mere moments, it would strike the Earth dead unless he destroys it. Yet, on the Comm, he can hear Duo screaming... His heart is ripping into a million pieces, because the screaming is coming from inside the Libra...

"I wonder, how long I'll be able to keep you screaming," the boy sneers, leaning towards the screen. "Just wait, Yuy. I've been waiting a long time to make you pay for your crimes, and now that I have the means... I'm going to rip everything from you, just like you did to me."

...and Heero remembers Duo screaming at him to take out the Libra. Heero hesitates. He can still hear Duo cursing at him to do it before it's too late. He can hear Duo pleading with him now... Heero aims, and fires. At the last moment, he hears Duo's farewell. Yet his friend's final words are lost in the shockwave that assaults the Wing Zero...

"Who are you!?" Relena demands angrily of the boy. "And what means are you talking about!?" It is a useless request, as the boy can not hear or see her. A moment later, however, Relena is desperately trying to support Heero as he sinks to his knees. "Heero!"

The boy smiles without feeling. "I'm going to kill you all, Heero Yuy. Watch your back... Solo Maxwell is coming for you all! Death has a son, and his name is Apocalypse!!!"

Manical laughter fills the air, before being cut off abruptly by a hurled object smashing through the screen.