This night will hurt you like never before...
Old loves they die hard
Old lies they die harder
-Lyrics to 'I Wish I Had Your Angel' performed by Nightwish
Crimson Ties Part 105
"I have to admit that I'm impressed," Solo snickered even though he was exerting himself to keep up with his brother's darker half. Swinging, punching and kicking between his words, he said, "I didn't think you would last this long, considering how little time you've know what you can do. I guess it just comes natural to our kind."
Gritting his teeth at another failed attempt to get a stab of his glowing scythe blade into his opponent's side, Shinigami snorted in that deep, growling voice of his, "Yea, Guess so. But then, I have a hell of a lot more to fight for than you do by only worrying about yourself. I have my family and friends to look after. "
Enraged by that sentiment, the already glowing violets of the blonde Reformer's eyes flashed even more brilliantly as he snapped, "Family?! Friends?! We have no one in this world that we can consider anything like that but each other and that's only because of the blood we share! You and I are not Vampire or living! We're on our own in this existence!"
Shaking his braided head, the Companion pushed away the next swipe of his twin's Gundanium blade. "It doesn't have to be that way!" he shouted over their intensified battle. "Instead of feeling like not belonging anywhere, you should consider how we belong everywhere because of our makeup! Duo hated Vampires more than any other creature and yet he was not only accepted by them but he came to love them as well."
With an indignant sound that broke from him, Solo sneered, "You don't seriously believe that they will gladly take you in, now seeing the monster that you can be?"
"I know that they do!" Shinigami yelled as they continued their dance across the roof of the oil refinery. "And I love them every bit as much as I know they love me! If you knew what having a real family like that was like and forget about yourself for a change, you never would have gone through with the things you've done to hurt and kill others! After everything that our parents sacrificed, do you really think that they would have wanted us to be like this?!"
Gnashing his fangs against the front of his bottom teeth, the other hybrid hissed, "Quit your preaching, brother. I'm growing tired of it."
And so they ended that bit of dialogue as their efforts in their struggle only doubled yet again.
* * * * * *
By the time sunset was approaching in the North Sea, nearly the whole stretch of the imposing cliffs beneath Solo's lair was glowing with flares. And the few bursts of powers that continued to erupt at the higher points were few and far between.
From his vantage point down on the beach where the wounded and unconscious Others were being laid out, Treize gazed up at the sight with a shimmer in his golden eyes. Months of hunting and worrying for what he and his agents had thought to be Vampire Rogues had all come to a head this day. And the nightmare that threatened Infected and living alike was dwindling to a close.
Stepping up beside her husband, Lady Une was equally moved by the picture before them. As she slipped her hand into his between them, the Councilwoman shook her head and smiled wistfully, "Isn't that the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?"
"I still does not hold a candle to you, love," Khushrenada whispered sincerely, a warm grin tugging his lips while he turned to place a kiss against his chuckling wife's cheek that she leaned into. Clearing his throat as he gazed back on the rocks, he said softly, "But it certainly is a wonder in and of itself."
Already large masses of the fallen Others were fading out of sight with the Teleporters assigned to taking them to the arranged holding spaces back at the estates. Before much longer, nearly all of them would be away and the beach would be cleared once more. Once the majority of those poor souls were off, the Preventers' co-Commanders would charge ahead to rejoin the rest of their family and friends to finish what they had set out to do.
Several feet further down the stretch of beach and behind the protection of the Shield on watch, Trowa walked up towards Wufei when they spotted each other for the first time in hours since splitting ways. Both smiling and laughing in relief, the cousins clasped onto each other in a tight embrace.
Clasping the back of the scaly Infected's neck as they turned to face the cliffs, Barton shook his head in wonder and commented, "Chang, you're going to be a legend amongst our kind for the rest of our existences for giving us the edge in this fight." He smirked when he peered at the Chinese immortal from the corner of his eye, adding quietly, "And I'm damned proud to call you my cousin."
Moved beyond words at that, Wufei blinked widely against the sting in his gold-and-onyx eyes and smiled back in profound appreciation at Barton. They definitely had come a very long way from the start of their clan following his turning. Now those early tensions were completely forgotten.
Resting a scaly hand on his cousin's shoulder to squeeze it, Chang swallowed past the lump in his throat and managed in a breath, "Likewise." Trowa nodded firmly in his own gratitude, pulling back just enough to give the other Vampire a firm pat on the back.
With a deep sigh, the scaly Infected stared back up to the rocks as he muttered, "It won't be much longer now." At the sight of a familiar glistening of wings and armor, his growing eyes narrowed and a hand shielded his eyes against the blinding sun to make Heero out better. What he saw had that hand falling away and his chest tightening.
"Oh God," Trowa gasped, his own eyes growing anew on the approaching shape that could nearly be made out as Heero carrying Anna's limp body in his arms. Even from yards away, the tattered remains of her clothes, bruising and bleeding wounds could be seen clearly.
Swooping within the safety of the dome around his family, Yuy shifted his wings to descend gracefully before them. Wufei was running towards them, frowning deeply as he whispered, "Anna." His brother carefully handed the redhead over into his scaly arms. Stirring softly without opening her eyes, the Irish Infected turned her head and sank her fangs into the nape of her husband's neck.
His shoulders sagging heavily, Chang shuddered both from his relief and the wave of pleasure that came over from her drink. Those gulps were only proof that she would be fine. But she still needed to be home where she could be looked after properly. Gazing on the winged Original, he only then noted Dorothy and the little ones as they slipped from Yuy's back. He had completely missed them until he knew now that his wife was beyond danger.
"Meiran?" he asked.
The corner of his lip curling up, Heero answered, "No longer a concern thanks to Anna." Both the Latin and Chinese Infected sighed deeply in relief at that news and they all smiled on the redhead when she sighed, retracted her fangs and nuzzled against her lover in her healing sleep.
Lightly brushing back the loose wisps of hair from the side of her face, Yuy leaned in and kissed her cheek. Straightening himself, he told his brother softly, "Get her home and look after her. She's done more than enough here."
In complete agreement with that, Chang nodded firmly, "I'll take good care of her." Gazing down on his sleeping wife with nothing but adoration in his eyes, he added, "And I'll keep her away if I have to strap her to a bed to do it." Trowa snickered. Heero grinned with a look of 'good luck with that' in his expression.
Gesturing to Dorothy and the little ones, Wufei told them, "Get a hold of an arm and a leg so we can get out of here." Not needing to be told twice, TJ and Rachel beamed and ran for the 'cool looking' Vampire to wrap tightly their arms around either of his knees.
The freckled, redheaded girl blushed shyly up to him in a voice so soft it was nearly lost to the occasional blasts that had picked up, "I really like your scales." Nodding enthusiastically, the boy's face was nothing but shining teeth he was smiling so widely.
Instantly putty in their hands, Wufei chuckled and smiled kindly at their little faces. "Well, thank you, my little prince and princess," he replied, winking. "I'm happy to serve as your chariot to the kingdom of Virginia." Giggling, the enamored youngsters clung all the tighter to him.
Barton rested a hand on Catalonia's shoulder. When their eyes met, he informed her in a soothing tone, "Trent was injured in the fight, but I just saw him on my last pass to the estates and he's fine now." Smirking, he snickered, "I'm more concerned about the hole that he'll likely be wearing into my living room carpet in waiting for your arrival."
"Trent," Dorothy breathed, her knees trembling at the very thought of seeing her brother again. Every day and night for the last couple years, he was in her thoughts... dreading how he was alone when she was taken away. Her arms were physically aching now in knowing that they were so close to being around her dear brother.
Anxious as she was to be with Trent again... as much as she wanted to put that island and her existence with Solo behind her, Catalonia's slowed heart rate picked up at her growing worry. Facing Yuy and Barton, she frowned deeply, "What about Rosshe?"
Pleased to hear that her Vampire was not forgotten, Heero reassured, "We'll find him and let him know that you're safe. That alone will be what he needs to finish what he set out to do here. Since he came to know us, he made it clear that he intends to bring as many Others back as possible so that they can be united with their Chosen. Having the personal experience he does with the pain that comes from the separation Solo brought on, he'll likely wish to stay until that's done."
Trowa threw in, "He didn't last this long to leave you now. And you should be proud of him. He's been doing a hell of a job out here."
Clearing his throat, Wufei glared at his cousin, "Language, Barton. We have children here." TJ and Rachel giggled anew, the picture of nothing but amused smiles as they held onto the scaly Infected. His head falling back with laughter as the Latin Original ducked his head apologetically, Heero couldn't help but muse over how smoothly his brother-in-law had already stepped into the 'father role.'
Since there was nothing more she could do to help at the moment, Dorothy sighed in her relent to trust her new friends that Rosshe would be well. "Alright," she muttered before the wrapped her arms around the armored Original. Blinking is surprise, Heero returned the hug and grinned at the whispered, "Thank you," by his ear. With a deep breath, the Seer moved to stand beside Wufei as he shifted his arm between them so that she could loop her own through.
Trowa rushed up to press a kiss against Anna's ear and murmured to her, "You were brilliant in anchoring us out here, little mother. You rest now and let us finish what you helped start." A small smile tugged the Irish immortal's lips as she sighed. Exchanging nods with his family, Chang brought himself and his fellow travelers to glow a brilliant array of colors until they faded from sight.
Content now that his sister was heading to safety, Heero faced the cliffs and announced, "I'm going to check on Duo and Shinigami." Ringing out in their release, his metallic wings stretched to the full width of their impressive span. The rockets roaring to life, he was airborne in the next instant, leaving behind a powerful gust from the jets that picked up sand and kicked back far enough that it rippled the waves that were rolling in.
"Good luck!" Barton called after his cousin, a hand cupped against the side of his mouth. When Yuy was little more than a shimmering glint in the skies, he turned to look on the growing arrangement of others. Rubbing his hands together, he smirked to himself, "Now, back to the clean-up around here."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Midi, Sally, Relena, Trent and Catherine were running through the labyrinth of beds, volunteers and injured spread out along Wufei and Anna's first floor. Having heard the message that the scaly Infected sent out through their minds, they knew exactly where to find the newest arrivals of interest and quickly ascended to the third floor of the estate.
The first to spot the scaly Infected and confirm the charges that Chang brought along with him when they entered the opened master bedroom, the brunette Infected released a sharp cry. Covering her gaping mouth at the sight of her redheaded cousin as she was carefully lowered under the covers of the queen-sized mattress, she hurried to the side that the scaly cousin had not lowered himself to sit on.
Sally was right behind, immediately at work in checking her nurse's state with the few vitals that Vampires still had to check. It didn't take long for the braided doctor to release a deep sigh of relief, her body sagging and head nodding firmly to the anxious onyx-and-gold eyes on her. "All seems fine with Anna's initial condition, but I am going to need her changed into something more comfortable so that I can make a complete assessment."
That subtle suggestion was enough to have Relena and Midi politely ushering the scientists behind them out so that the scaly Infected could have his privacy. A brilliant smile flooding her face, the 'little mother' bent at her knees and told the little ones that were standing behind her cousin, "Come along, sweethearts. I have hot chocolate that I can make up for you in my kitchen." Their eyes widening, TJ and Rachel rushed up to take either of her hands with wide smiles and giggles.
Gently resting a hand on Dorothy's lower back, Relena urged gently, "This way, dear. There's someone who's been waiting anxiously to see you again." Swallowing roughly, the Seer allowed the Councilwoman to lead her towards the door.
Sighing in relief, Chang gave Po a small nod of gratitude at managing to keep the pregnancy between them. The braided doctor smiled back and rose to her feet to step out of the room with their friends, closing the door behind them. Once he was along with his wife, the immortal warrior brushed back a few loose strands from her face and pressed a kiss to her forehead that he held for a moment. With loving and attentive care, he set to undo her ponytail and remove her articles including her corset.
Out in the hallway, Trent was in the process of working another hole into the fresh carpet below him. His nerves had kicked in the moment he approached the master bedroom door and he found his legs unable to carry him inside. For years now, he had prayed and hoped for this reunion... only now that it was here, it all of a sudden became too much to process. Locked in that anxiety, he contented himself to waiting. He needed to think over what he was going to say to his sister when he saw her for the first time in what felt like a lifetime. He needed to consider what to do when they were together again.
The former Hunter still hadn't worked out all of the details when his friends reemerged from the bedroom. Picking up on their movement from the corner of his eye, he spun to face them fully and froze the moment his eyes locked onto the clear blue-and-silver eyes that had grown and watered over along with his. After all of the consideration of how he would handle seeing her again, all that Greyson could do was manage in a soft whimper, "Dorothy."
Large tears rolled down Catalonia's face as a sharp sob wracked her. Unable to trust her own voice, she sprang forward to close the distance between them at their opposite ends of the hallway. Their arms latched around each other tight enough to hurt, but neither minded as they buried their faces into each other's shoulders and cried. "I missed you so much, Trent," the Seer finally whispered brokenly, her words almost lost in being muffled as they were.
Back down the by master bedroom's door, their small audience looked on with their eyes shining. Already having witnessed many a tearful reunion between Others and their Vampires along with the losses of their comrades that had fallen, it had been an emotionally charged day. But it was these happier moments that made all of the struggles and pain worth their efforts.
Wiping away at a wet streak that rolled down her face, Midi smiled and gestured to the lot around her. Together, they slipped quietly past the siblings to let them have their moment alone. When they began to descend the stairs, TJ gently tugged the hem of the Latin Infected's knee-length sundress. To the brown-and-gold eyes that gazed down on him, he asked, "Can we have whipped cream with 'ur chocolate milk?"
"Of course," the 'little mother' laughed as she scooped the boy up and kissed his cheek. Wrapping the arm she freed around Rachel to hug her against her side, she winked, "You both can have anything you want." Both of the youngsters beamed.
Giggling, the little girl leaned towards TJ as she whispered, "I'm really 'gonna like it here." She was seconded with an enthusiastic nod from the empath.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Heero was no more able to help Shinigami out than he had been the last time he had swooped over the oil refinery's roof. Still nothing but blurs of color as they darted from one end of their battle ground to the next, the hybrids were a fury of activity in between. There was no way that the Original was going to be able to take a clear shot against Solo without risking his lover's safety. His eyes narrowing, he hissed under his breath, "Damn it."
A couple hundred feet below him, the Reformers continued on in their fight while paying no attention to their observer. Distraction when there was nothing but constant slashing and weaving, one slip was all that would be needed for either creature to have the upper hand...
...but that slip did come. And it was in the form of Shinigami pushing too hard to when his twin feigned a moment of falling off balance. That little act was quickly ended at the downward plunge of the glowing scythe and Solo not only dodged the weapon easily, but spun and came around to cut into the middle his brother's right side. The edge of the Gundanium sword just managed to cut its way between two ribs.
Howling in agony, the braided Companion retreated back out of instinct to be away from the blade. His left arm shooting around to hold the gaping, bleeding wound, he panted through his gritting teeth as his eyes squeezed closed. "Duo!" Heero cried, sailing down from the skies in the process to shield his partner before it was too late... but their enemy was closing in to finish the job and they were going to reach Maxwell at the same time.
"Say goodbye to your precious little Vampire!" Solo bellowed, raising his sword overhead in preparation to cut Yuy's head from his neck as soon as he was in range. And he was moving into that range fast... too fast to be able to stop it or defend himself with all of his attention focused on saving his wounded lover.
Duo took complete control of his body in that same instance, the glow of his wide, violet irises fading as he screamed, "NO!" Becoming a blur of himself a heartbeat before Heero descended between them, he gripped his scythe into his bloodied hands and rammed it straight into his brother's chest with a loud cry.
The glow in his own eyes dimming, the blonde Reformer scaled back in enough time to prevent a fatal blow. However, enough damage had been done that he fell to his knees with blood pooling below him as he fought to catch his breath.
Stunned by both knowing how close he had unknowingly come to being killed and how his braided Companion had protected him, Yuy looked on the equally stunned hybrids in disbelief when he touched down on the roof. Gripping his exposed and ghastly wounded chest that was sealing up even as he panted for air, Solo watched with a heated glare as his twin took up his Gundanium sword that had rolled to his feet.
With a dark chuckle, the blonde hybrid retracted his fangs. "Well done, brother," he smirked. "Go on and kill me now before I'm completely healed again, because I promise you that I will not make the same mistake twice... nor will I hesitate to end your existence when I have the opportunity that's yours at the moment."
"You... you really think that I want this?!" Duo spat in disgust. "Goddamn it, Solo, I still want to help you, but you're fighting me every step of the fucking way!" Bringing his wrist to his lips, he bit his fangs into his flesh and stalked towards the other Reformer. To the wide-eyed wonder of his twin, he had a thin line of his own running blood pour over the edges of the hole that he had caused so that it would close up even more quickly.
Stepping back until he was nearly beside his Vampire, the braided Companion snapped, "None of this had to happen! And you could stop all of it right now if you would just quit being so selfish! What happened to you in that lab was inexcusable, but you didn't have to prove to be the monster that those scientists feared you might be some day! Every damn creature had the potential to do wrong, but that doesn't mean that we should just because we can!"
Tears filled his eyes and his fangs pulled back as he all but shrieked, "Our mother and father died trying to give us a life that they knew we could have! I am not about to take that away after what they went through for us!"
Yuy moved in close to his lover, resting a hand on his back to both support him as well as to be at the ready for whatever Solo's reaction would be. He was sure to explode, to lash out again now that he was almost completely healed and they would have to be prepared to react...
...But none of those things happened. There was not even so much as a glare from the blonde hybrid's blinking eyes as he continued to kneel before them, hands against his chest.
Then, Solo breathed, "You need to go. Now. Get everyone off this island."
His tears drying up, Maxwell was just opening his mouth to ask for an explanation when his back straightened rigidly in a sudden realization- the other Reformer was looking past him and Heero. The Original stiffened as well, slowly turning his head along with his braided Companion to gaze on the slight young woman at the edge of the roof several yards behind them. With soft gasps, the pair was all too aware of the danger that everyone on that tiny island was in.
"Master," Celeste smiled widely, her loose dark hair and blue sundress flowing on the breeze. Pointing at the couple before her, she kept her gaze on her creator and offered, "I'll make them burn, Master. I'll make everyone here burn." There was a child-like excitement in her voice, a slight giggle to her haunting words. And it was clear that there might not be any talking her out of her wish this time as her hands were already beginning to glow.
Very slowly, as though he was trying to keep from startling an untamed animal into attacking, Solo rose to his feet and stretched his hands out. "I'm not going to say it again," he gritted through his teeth to his twin with a stern fix from his violet-and-silver eyes, "get everyone out of here. Leave my sword. I'll take care of her."
Shaking his braided head, Duo stammered, "W-what are you-"
"Go!" his brother shouted. "There's no time! I'll stall as long as I can, but you need to move!"
For that slowed heartbeat of a moment, Maxwell couldn't feel his body enough to command it to do anything. All that he could do was stare in horror at the other hybrid. "There's nothing left for me in this existence," Solo commented softly before the corner of his mouth curled up in a smirk. Shrugging, he said, "At least now I'll get to leave this world in that blaze of glory like I wanted."
So that was what this would be... his last act would be one of atonement.
Biting his lip, Duo bent at the waist and lowered his twin's sword between them. The moment the metal was out of his hand, Heero was there to lift his Companion into his arms. There was one last exchange of glances between the three creatures and Solo gave the couple a firm nod of his last unspoken word. 'Go.' Not about to waste any more time in getting away to alert the rest of the army, the winged Vampire took to the skies and shot back into the oil refinery.
Quickly taking his sword by its hilt, the blonde Reformer smiled and cautiously approached the frowning Wild. "Don't worry, Celeste," he soothed. "You'll still have your chance to use your fire. I'll tell you exactly when the moment its right." He paused at the sight of the glowing hands at his charge's sides. Swallowing roughly, he silently hoped that it wasn't already too late to be of any help.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Everyone, retreat!" Solo yelled over the sound of the fights taking place within the facility. Eyes wide with panic, he told the Others and Wilds around that had stopped in their attacks to stare at him in worry and shock. Running along the main floor of the refinery, the Reformer waved frantically around and up to the faces watching him from the catwalks, "Move! Get to the beach! We're completely outnumbered! Get out of here and save yourselves!"
What grudges may have already been built between the silver-eyed army and the Vampires that they had been challenging were completely forgotten at the frantic state of the otherwise unflappable Reformer. All around, cries of terror broke out as the Others and Wilds abandoned their confused sparring parties to flee as fast as their legs and powers could carry them outside. Taken aback as they were, the Infected around lowered their weapons to their sides and allowed the desperate escape.
Shaking his head in amusement when the last of the soldiers were away, Solo chuckled and began to glow. His whole shape contorting and changing, he reappeared in his true form of Zechs. "That was too much fun," the Councilman smirked to himself. Cupping his hands, he yelled up to the growing, golden eyes on him, "Let's go, everyone! This place is about to go up any minute!" No sooner had the words left him than there was a continuous rush of streaks moving past him to leave the facility.
All around, such retreats were also happening until the building was cleared out. Those Others and Wilds that scrambled into the open were easily ambushed by the Vampires, Companions and Hunters waiting for them just outside. Within minutes, there were more piles of unconscious creatures to be transported to safety. And they were being cleared out in droves now.
On the beach, Trowa was clapping his hand to get the attention of the next round of Teleporters that returned from their last recovery to get their attention. Pointing to the last few lines of Others in the sands, he shouted, "Let's go! We needed everyone here cleared out yesterday! We'll find the space for them where we can when we get on the other side, just get them away!" Nodding, the lot moved fast to get to the remaining creatures lying about.
Running a hand over his face, the Latin Original turned towards the cliffs to note with great relief how the many flares that had been glowing were now doused as a sign that the Others in those caves were all taken out. "Let's just hope we don't cut this too close," he muttered under his breath. Hurrying to one of the lines, he bent at the waist to grip an arm here and a leg there to carry over another dozen.
When he opened his eyes to find himself back at the estates, he was in the field behind his clan's homes. Not surprising to him was how quickly the grounds were filling up. One of the older nurses, Mary he remembered to be her name, was atop one of the short hills, eyes wide with concern and wonder over all of the beings that were brought in.
"Don't worry," Barton reassured when he shot to the living's side. Smiling to her shocked expression when it faced him, he winked and explained, "We have Mind Readers spread out that I recognize. They'll be able to keep them down now that their minds are at rest." That was a nice little trick that Noin had come to discover, the Councilwoman standing amongst her peers amidst the sleeping Others.
Shoulders sagging with a sigh, the petite blonde wiped the back of her hand across her damp brow. "Thank goodness for that," she chuckled. "There was no way we would have had enough sedative for these numbers." Looking back on the fields where even more groups were being brought in, she whistled through her teeth and murmured, "I don't think there's enough sedative in both Virginia's combined for this many."
Lightly squeezing the kind woman's shoulders, Trowa praised, "You and your team have been amazing with your help today. Even in all of our existences, we would never be able to repay you for what you've done."
Mary waved her hand, the gold band on her ring finger glistening in the high sun as she replied, "Son, though I might not know the whole story of what this is all about, I would have to be pretty dense to not understand that it's important. My husband and I work under the motto of helping without expecting in return for doing what is right." The smile on the aging woman's face warmed even more at the shimmer that filled the Vampire's eyes. Swatting him on the arm, she ordered, "Now, get back to wherever it is you came from and bring in the rest of 'em."
"Yes, ma'am," Barton grinned, a hand raising to his forehead in a smart salute before he vanished again.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Celeste's whole body began to glow, her eyes shining with her gift that was completely flooding her now. Licking his lips, Solo raise his free hand towards her, urging softly, "Easy, there. You know you don't have to do this."
He knew that the words were useless, but he spoke them anyway to try and continue stalling if nothing else. There would be no saving a soul as lost as hers anymore than there was keeping him from dying thanks to what he had endured for years at the hands of the scientists. The only thing that they had was to see that the end came as quickly and painlessly as possible.
And then he saw it... the silver ring around Celeste's eyes flashed red in what was the last moment before she released her power. "Yes!" she cried in elation, throwing her arms into the air overhead. "The fire comes!" Growling deeply, the Reformer shot forward, plunging his blade deep into her chest. Gasping raggedly, the euphoria in her enlarged eyes turned from ecstasy into mind-numbing shock.
Meanwhile, on the ground...
Ending his blurred charge through every nook and cranny of the refinery that he and the other spotters that had remained could cover, Duo materialized when he reconnected with his lover on the cliffs. "It looks like we got everyone," he sighed in relief. Treize, Lady Une, Zechs and the couple dozen others that had checked the facility nodded in agreement as they came into the scene.
"Let's not press our luck any further and get out of here, then," Yuy suggested as he reached out to take his Companion back into his arms.
Shaking his head hard enough that he could feel the end of his braid smack the backs of his thighs in the movement, Maxwell insisted, "I want to see if we can't help Solo first. We might still have time to-" He was cut off by the sound of a massive blast from the top of the refinery.
Violet-and-silver eyes wide, the Companion spun along with the rest of his team to watch as a massive ball of fire erupted into the sky. In the midst of the blast, a streak of flames in the shape of two beings, one with its arms securely around the other, sailed upward and down into the ocean. The second they touched the cold water miles out, a second explosion followed and a wall of burning light shot forth to claim the whole island along with a surge of water right behind.
Only just appearing amidst his family and friends, Trowa had only an instant to react to the terrifying sights and sounds that flooded his senses. Frantic, Trowa hollered to the recovery team, "Link up, everyone!"
Arms and hands gripped on. In that last fraction of time, Duo had buried his head against Heero's shoulder and closed his eyes tight as their arms wrapped tightly around one another. Another layer of protection draped over their tight bodies in the form of the Gundanium wings. And within inches of being engulfed by the oncoming flames, the Vampires and their Reformer vanished from the world.
TBC...
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