Reclamation Part 13
The first rays of dawn created a gloomy backdrop for the upcoming combat. The building on one side and a stand of trees on the other formed a makeshift arena. Between the natural and unnatural barriers a security spotlight cast a large circle of yellowish light over the clearing.
One soldier watched as Duo sat under a tree holding Heero against his chest. Heero was more alert, better able to follow as Duo explained what was about to transpire. To Duo's right Trowa and Quatre had been seated on the ground by the second sentry who like his counterpart dutifully kept watch.
Wufei limbered up, stretching and practicing his martial arts strikes and stances. His body prepared he sat cross-legged using meditation to focus his mind and spirit. He chanted calling on his ancestors to guide him in the most importance thing he had ever done. Heero was the only family he had and he would not allow his brother to join those who had died before. Life without his brother was unacceptable. No, Wufei would not live alone.
Merquise wasted no time changing for the contest. He soon appeared in his full dress uniform complete with a hip-length cape. A wide black leather belt held a holstered pistol. In one gloved hand he carried Wufei's sword. He no doubt planned to use the bladed weapon as part of the challenge. Why not make the stakes a little higher by including Wufei's sword as part of the victory spoils.
The Commander made a grand performance of removing his cape and folding it neatly before draping it over a tree's lower branch. He made an equally showy spectacle of unbuckling his belt, which held the sidearm that he, in his over-confidence, believed he would not have to use. The belt and pistol were laid on the ground.
He placed Wufei's sword beside the pistol. "If you want this you will have to prove that you deserve it." he stated as a sneer curled on his mouth.
Wufei ignored the taunting using the interval while Merquise put on his one-man show to finalize his strategy and shore us his nerve. Once he glanced over at Trowa and Quatre. Again they gave him a reassuring nod. If they were worried that he might lose they hid it well. He didn't dare look at his brother or the boy who had proven his loyalty, that would be too great a strain on his already overstressed mental reserves.
With much physical fanfare Merquise shrove into the spotlight's circular patch of light. Wufei bowed then took up a defensive stance silently studying his haughty adversary who continued to do a great amount of posturing. Wufei hoped his challenger's strutting about was more pompous exhibitionism than any actual fighting potency.
Wufei was certain of one fact; there would be no rules, no sense of fair play and no congenial combat of tag and retreat. Merquise would use every means to win because nothing short of total mastery of his opponent would satisfy his inflated vanity.
"I am going to enjoy this." the cocky Commander reminded his Cluster foe. "I would have liked the opportunity to examine your sexual prowess," he wished out loud, "to find out if you are as good as you look but I suppose I will have to test your stamina in another, less satisfying, way."
The Cluster leader and the OZ Commander squared off. Merquise made the initial charge. Wufei ducked under a right cross then fluidly dodged a left jab. Of course Merquise's failure to make contact with either blow did nothing to improve his mood or discourage his malevolent wish to inflect as much harm as possible.
Wufei's answering punch struck along Merquise's shoulder heightening his frustration. The next uppercut hit with the same force under Merquise's jaw. The combination unbalanced the OZ Officer. He started down but caught himself. Teetering on one knee his hand clutched at the sandy soil for balance.
The Chinese man landing the first strike added further insult to Merquise's already injured ego. As his jaw throbbed a forceful snort accented his outrage at Wufei outwitting his advances. Suddenly a handful of the grainy particles were flung up. The grit exploded on Wufei's chest invading his eyes in a blinding broadcast.
As Wufei clawed at his stinging sight Merquise took advantage of his opponent's compromised position and charged forward. His forearm struck across Wufei's neck. With his arm centered and his wrist firmly set under Wufei's chin he dug his boots into the ground pushing Wufei backwards, driving his back hard into the a rough tree trunk.
Merquise eased off but only enough to twist around before shoving his shoulder into Wufei's diaphragm successfully expelling most of the air from his lungs. Stunned and winded, his eyes still clouded by dirt and tears Wufei grabbed out wildly as Merquise planted his feet and prepared for a second assault. Using his shoulder for leverage he increased the pressure pinning Wufei's against the tree.
The Commander cocked back his right fist and sent it with full force into Wufei's chin. The follow up attack came in a volley of alternating punches aimed at Wufei's head and chest. Wufei instinctively threw up his arms blocking the first two punches but the third solid strike caught along his cheekbone. A flash of white light burst over his blurred vision. The jolting connection opened a gash on his cheek and sent sharp pain racing from his face to his brain. Blood seeped from one nostril.
With the further shocking of his senses Wufei never saw Merquise's left fist before it plowed into his jaw line. The impact jerked back Wufei's head bouncing it off the tree. The inflexible contact sent dizzy waves shivering through his entire body. Black dots danced over his eyesight before merging into an opaque veil.
At the same instant a splintered piece of bark pierced Wufei's shoulder. A searing spasm tore through his upper arm. Hot rivulets ran down shooting from his fingertips. The resulting numbness rendered the appendage almost useless. The new wound bleed freely. Wufei reached around touching the painful spot. His hand came back red and sticky.
*********
Duo drew in a panicked breath, as the battle seemed to shift in Merquise's favor. Heero stared at the combatants having a hard time separating reality from his brain's muddled interpretation of the unfolding events. In his gut he felt his brother's pain as deeply as if it was his own but he could not make the scattered mental pieces come together to form a coherent picture. Fighting the frightening confusion he drew up in Duo's arms like a child seeking shelter in his mother's reassuring embrace. All Duo could do was hold his partner tightly and pray for Wufei's deliverance.
On the clearing's opposite side Quatre, seeking comfort, discreetly took Trowa's hand. He, too, was having a difficult time reading the deluge of multi-layered empathic input flooding his thoughts. Much like Heero's uncertain understanding Quatre was fighting his own perplexity between real and mirage imagines.
Trowa squeezed his hand, "its all right Wufei will not go down that easily."
*********
Wheezing Wufei fought to suck air into his deflated lungs. His chest heaved with each seizing breath. Swear and dirt settled into the folds of his face. His shoulder burned, the ache wrapping so tightly around his upper body that it bent him over at the waist. Watering eyes interfered with his sight, sweat stung in the many cuts and scrapes the fight had produced.
With his thumb he wiped away a reddish stream of sweat diluted blood oozing from a cut midway below his hairline before the steady seepage eased its way into his eyes. Holding his sticky finger up for closer inspection the Cluster rebel was now enraged by the blood letting.
*********
Merquise stepped back surveying the damage and reveling in the pleasure of his battered victim's defeat. The sight of blood heightened the crazy Commander's maniacal rage. Like a wild animal closing in for the kill Merquise moved forward muscles taut in a stalking posture. He approached his quarry like a stealthy hunter ready to deliver the final fatal strike that would assure his victory.
Merquise had one annihilative goal...to make extinct the inferior species. He desired to end Wufei and his kind's worthless existence forever. The traitor's cessation would rid the Commander of one more interference in OZ's rise to ultimate power. "This is it rebel." he growled under his breath, "This is the end."
*********
At that moment Wufei's fight was not with Zechs Merquise but with himself. The fight was mental as well as physical. It had never been in Wufei's nature to give up and he wasn't going to resign now. For Heero's sake he could not lose. His Cluster comrades had followed him and trusted his leadership. He could not betray their loyalty. The battle came down to this...triumph or death...there was no other choice.
Shaking his head to dislodge the fuzzy imagines his hair that had slipped from the ponytail curtained about his high cheekbones. With much effort he drew in a single, strong inhalation breaking the binding constrictions. The improved oxygen flow gave him the second wind he needed push away from the tree. Clenching his teeth he summoned up every ounce of energy he could muster to reinforce his fading fortitude.
The upright placement and clearer head came just in time as Merquise lunged with crazed determination. Wufei knew he couldn't count on his partly numb arm so he compensated with a high side kick. His swiftly rising boot crashed into the Commander's ribs sending him sprawling hard on his blue-clad ass.
Staring down at Merquise as he sat more humbled in the dirt, taking his turn at catching his breath, Wufei hissed, "Don't you know Commander our war is over." he declared wiping his blood stained thumb on his shirt, "It was over the moment you agreed to the fight."
"Over." Merquise replied huskily, "Oh no rebel it will never be over."
Wufei pointed a trembling finger down at the now not so cocky Commander, "Then this farce has gone on long enough. Get up you bastard!" he ordered harshly, "Let's finish this now!" he screamed.
Merquise rose from the ground with the wild look of a man who had loss his last grip on reality. The frenzied glaze gleaming over his eyes told Wufei that Zechs Merquise had finally slipped over the edge plunging into a psychotic abyss from which there was no way out.
Wufei had succeeded in pushing Merquise into the ultimate state of insanity but the forceful unhinging of his mind had unleashed a most primitive bloodlust. Now Wufei had to question whether he could defeat the demons he had let loose. In his impaired condition, as he arm hung limply at his side, could Wufei take on someone who had lapsed completely beyond rational reasoning or actions? With the knowledge of Merquise's madness fixed in his mind Wufei braced for the final offensive knowing that only one man would survive.
Shaking from pure rage Merquise narrowed his eyes then lunged with a frontal kick quickly followed by a straight arm punch. Wufei parried the blows with his forearm but stiffness and pain impaired his reflexes. This lack of mobility slowed his reaction time allowing Merquise to get in close enough to grab Wufei's wrist.
Hooking his foot behind Wufei's ankle Merquise swept forward upsetting his opponent's balance. Both men went down, each with a firm hold on the other. Twisting and grappling, arms and legs entwined and muscles burning from the struggle, the Cluster leader and the OZ Commander played out the last hand in their game of life and death.
*********
The fight did have one good side effect; it had captured both guard's attention. Neither of the soldiers was keeping a proper watch as they had become absorbed in the combat. Trowa cut his eyes at Quatre who gave him a sly grin and a quick nod. Both men carefully shifted their weight and eased into a squatting stance.
With startling reflexes Trowa jumped to his feet and executed a perfect upward jab squarely in the nearest watcher's gut. The sudden thrust bent the man over offering an excellence opportunity for Quatre to follow through with an well placed elbow strike under the winding man's chin. Without a sound he crumbled into a boneless heap.
The furry of motion diverted the second guard's attention from the fight and redirected it in the opposite direction. Realizing he had neglected his duty he raced at the rebel pair. Trowa intercepted the charging man whirling around and cracking a rigid back fist and forearm along the guard's nose and mouth with sufficient power to loosen a few teeth. A weak groan was the only sound as the shocked soldier collapsed falling over his counterpart, adding another body to the pile.
With the guard's threat neutralized Quatre ran to Duo and Heero. Trowa moved nearer to Wufei and Merquise stopping a short distance away. "It's all clear." he yelled, "Finish the son of a bitch so we can go home."
*********
Ever so slowly both Wufei and Merquise were nearing exhaustion. Soon it would come down to which one had the most desire and drive to win. Merquise had his dreams of conquest and the recognition from OZ that would be his reward as the result of the Resistance downfall.
Wufei already had something more precious than glory and power, he had friendship and the love of a brother he would gladly die for. But living to see Heero free from OZ would be his greatest reward.
Digging his boots into the soft soil Merquise managed to roll Wufei onto his back. Straddling the Cluster rebel he reached for Wufei's throat. Beyond the Commander's anger-demented eyes, passed his face flushed with exertion, Wufei could see Heero curled up in the boy's arms like a frightened fawn. Dimly through the dust kicked up by the fight he caught a glimpse of the fear and confusion in his brother's eyes.
It seemed like a dream this strange picture reflected in the marginal recesses of his sight. Heero's pale features appeared so much like a delusional mirage but Wufei knew that the disturbing images were not a figment of shock-induced delirium. Heero was not some phantom illusion but real flesh and bone. The same blood flowed through their bodies, the same memories bound the brothers in a kinship stronger than any earthy fates or forces. "Brother." Wufei whispered as Merquise's hands encircle his throat and squeezed with murderous intend.
Gaining power from his need to protect Heero, his need to make their shattered world whole again, Wufei found a renewed strength source. The power came not from his body or mind but from his heart. "This is for you Heero." Wufei growled as his hands grabbed onto Merquise's wrists.
Merquise's eyes widen as his fingers were detached from the rebel's windpipe. Bewilderment flickered through his mind as his opponent displayed a sudden increase in stamina, a resiliency borne from brotherly love. As Merquise's hands slipped free Wufei let go with one hand, cocked back a wrath-curled fist and with every ounce of power he had dealt the decisive blow. With a splattering gush of blood Merquise's head snapped back. The reverse reaction successfully disengaged his hands and sent him tumbling over with a heavy thud.
It was now Wufei's turn to bestride his enemy. With his own brand of combat borne insanity the Cluster rebel let his fists fly free. Over and over he pummeled his stupefied challenger. Again and again he beat about Merquise's face and body until splashes of crimson bestrewed over both men.
Flashes of red exploded behind Heero's eyes rousing the dull orbs from their unfocused stare. Duo pitched backward as his partner pushed against his chest. Before Duo could react to the unexpected movement Heero was on his hands and knees and had begun to crawl towards his brother. "Wufei." he choked out the name through a raspy throat that had been silent for too long. "Stop." came the strange demand causing Heero's fellow freedom fighters to gasp in unison.
Blinded by his anger-clouded senses Wufei never decreased the severity of his punches. Heero's weak calling fell on deaf ears as the bloodlust boiling up from Wufei's heart roared inside his head.
Heero's limited strength gave out setting him over on his hip. Wincing from the strain he took in a shaky breath, "Wufei, please." he begged louder finally finding his voice. He did not personally care if Merquise didn't survive the battering but for Wufei's sake he didn't want the dying to come by his brother's hand.
There had been too much death and not enough healing. As much as Heero detested OZ for their repression and cruelty, as fiercely as he hated Merquise for stealing his virginity Heero could not watch his brother kill another human. "WUFEI!" came the wailing cry that came from deep inside Heero's shattered soul.
The sound of his name carried on his brother's pleading voice froze Wufei in place. As his bloodstained fists quivered inches from the Commander's equally bloodied and swollen face, Wufei turned to see Heero rocking back and forth in the dirt. Arms folded tightly around his body Heero sobbed silently with only occasional catching gasps for air betraying his weeping.
The Wufei gazed down at his almost unconscious rival seeing for the first time the crimson coloring his face and tainting his once lustrous hair. With Heero's heartbroken plea the bloodthirsty beast driving Wufei's punishing blows withdrew into the last traces of meekness that OZ and the war had not stripped away.
As tears made tracks in the mixture of grim and sweat and blood coating Wufei's golden features the Cluster leader deferred to his brother's humble wishes. "For my brother's sake I will spare you," he announced, "but you will remember this as the moment you suffered your definitive defeat."
Grabbing Merquise by his uniform jacket Wufei pulled the Commander into a seated position. One last blow. Soundlessly Merquise slumped against his conqueror. Wufei guided the limp form aside laying the stunned man back in the gritty soil. Wheezing and groaning and, no doubt, experiencing the raw anguish of his defeat the Lightning Count offered no response as Wufei wiggled out from under his prone body.
Wufei rolled over resting beside his bested foe. Panting and hurting but happy, he gazed overhead as the early morning sun painted the sky with rosy hues. Heero got to his feet weaving with an unsteady gait as he walked to his brother. Duo started to come to his partner's aide but was stopped by Quatre's gentle touch on his arm. "Let him do this alone." he wisely advised.
Kneeling down by his last living relative Heero Yuy placed his hand behind Wufei's head intertwining his fingers in his brother's damp ebony hair. Tucking the stringy stands behind his ears Heero got his first look at Wufei's bruised face. Drawing in a troubled breath he carefully laid his fingers on Wufei's cracked lips brushing away the reddish encrustations. "Wufei I..." his voice caught as renewed crying halted his words.
Wufei reached up letting his stiff fingers bathe in the cleansing tears. "I know." he whispered as an emotional lump also interfered in his speech. "It is over now. I will take you home."
Duo helped Heero to stand supporting him as he swayed on wobbly legs. Trowa took Wufei's right arm, Quatre his left and together they pulled their victorious comrade to his feet. Wufei hurt in places he didn't know he had but the pain was worth the price of freedom. "Let's go." he said glancing back at Merquise who was still emitting low moans.
"What about him?" Trowa asked uncertain as to what their next move should be.
"Leave the bastard to his misery." Wufei answered, "The shame of his defeat at the hands of Resistance rebels will be his just reward. Maybe OZ will finally recognize his incompetence and remove his worthless ass from service. Yes, his failure will be his own undoing." he declared then spat on the fallen Commander.
*********
As the Cluster members walked away Merquise raised up on his elbows taking in the defeatist atmosphere surrounding him. Zechs Merquise the great Commander. The Lightning Count of noble birth, foreordained for greatness. He was destined to issue in a new regime that would be recorded in history as the turning point in the Colony's restoration. But all around the fallen hero was stark evidence of his downfall. His disgraceful station in the dirt, the degrading loss and the scorn it would inspire could not go unanswered.
He swore bitterly. No matter his status, even if every inferential element of law and nature conspired against him, Zechs Merquise would not capitulate. Not while there was breath in his body and burning hatred in his soul.
Merquise literally slithered dragging himself to the pile containing his sidearm and the rebel leader's sword. Even though the sword was the last treasure from his past, in Wufei's relief of rescuing his brother and his friends the bladed weapon's importance had temporally been forgotten. Concealed by the tree's shadowy overcast Merquise reached for his pistol, his dark blue uniform blended perfectly masking the withdrawal of his weapon.
"This is not over yet rebel." he pledged wiping blood's coppery taste from his lips. Swearing under his breath the weapon rose without deviation until its blackened end centered at the back of Wufei's head.
The glimmer of something silver caught in Duo's side vision seconds before his mind realized what had caused the glint. "LOOK OUT!" he yelled leaping towards the targeted pistol.
Wufei and the others spun around. All they heard was the crack of a single shot. All they saw was a bright blue flash as the muzzle belched fire and Duo fell face forward to the ground. The terror of what they saw held them in stunned disbelief.
"DUO! NO!" Heero screamed racing to the crumpled body lying to one side.
Heero dropped to one knee scooping up his soul mate, guiding Duo's sprawled form until his head rested against his shoulder. Now the roles were reversed, now it was Heero who was begging Duo not to leave him. Frantically Heero examined Duo for signs of blood or damage. "Please." he implored the fates or whatever deities ruled their lives. "Duo can you hear me?" he asked pulling his partner closer. A faint moan was the only response.
"Heero?" Duo whispered turning dazed eyes up to find his comrade.
Heero leaned over putting his mouth near Duo's ear, "I'm here."
A wicked laugh bounced off the tree line with a booming repercussion. Merquise, pistol still firmly griped in his hand, stood up. "Well," he sneered directing his maddened sight at Heero and Duo, "looks like someone got in the way."
Heero trembled not from rage but from a chill that ran down into his soul. He was fearful and hurt and angry but this time Merquise's taunting would do no good. Cradling Duo in his arms Heero didn't care anymore about the Commander or the conflict. All he wanted was for Duo to be all right.
"What's wrong rebel," Merquise asked leveling the pistol at Heero's head, "used up all your fight?" he smiled satisfied that he had won.
Heero leaned forward ignoring Merquise and his threat. "It's all right." he promised, his concern now fully on Duo and not the pistol.
This blatant disregard for the Commander's supreme authority and his climactic conquest enraged the Lightning Count. Bending at the waist he extended his arm. The pistol, shaking with his fury, drew up inches from the rebel pair.
"You don't seem to appreciate my granting you a few, final moments with your whore." he directed his statement to Heero, "It is unfortunate that you chose to defend the street rat, you might have been good for something on long cold nights. But now it is time I ended your insolent ingratitude." he announced fixing his aim.
Suddenly Merquise froze in place. His eyes widened and his mouth gaped opened. A strange garbled noise rose from his throat as his upper body jerked violently. Heero stared in horror at the scarlet overlay soaking through the rent fabric of Merquise's jacket front. Wufei's sword had entered his back, penetrated just below his breastbone and emerged from his chest.
A wrenching convulsive fit of agony snapped his head back. The dislodging contortion sent Merquise to the ground where he laid withering as his heart slowed in its beating. Little by little the tremors lessened until only his hands twitched as the death throe twisted his body and death's glassy glaze filmed over his sight. In the final moment as his life drained away Zechs Merquise knew he had lost. That his dreams of a higher order had dissolved into fleeting bits of consciousness. Then all motion stopped.
Heero's sight shifted looking passed the Commander's still body. Wufei stood numbly. The blood-drenched sword was clutched firmly in his quivering hand and his dark eyes were held fast by the macabre scene. Silent tears streaked down his cheeks.
Heero knew of his brother's beliefs concerning the sanctity of all living beings. He also knew what price Wufei had paid by delivering the fatal blow. It was his act of love for Heero and loyalty for his friends. And perhaps an act of redemptive release for his own sake but at what cost?
Duo's moving about refocused Heero's attention. Slowly Duo opened his eyes and beheld the most endearing sight he had ever seen. The clear blue eyes of his soul mate totally captured his heart.
"Do you hurt anywhere?" Heero asked anxiously. "Are you all right?"
Duo nodded, "The devil missed." he replied, "I'm a little shaken but I will be fine."
Heero leaned over placing a gentle kiss on his partner's lips. "Will you stay with me forever?" he asked never wanting to be parted from the beautiful braided boy.
"Forever." Duo promised raising up for another kiss. Together Duo and Heero had forged a bond that would never be broken. "Heero I love you." Duo breathed out his devotion.
Wufei knelt beside his brother and the newest Cluster member. "Why?" was all he could say before he broke down and wept unashamedly.
Duo understood the unfinished question. "I know what it is like to lose your family, to be alone. I could not let Heero lose his brother. I could not let him be alone."
Wufei drew both Duo and Heero into a strong embrace, "Thank you." he expressed his heartfelt gratitude. "I will always be in your debt. How can I ever repay your bravery?"
Heero smiled at his brother then at his lover and partner for life. "Just be happy for us."
TBC...
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