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"The Apprentice"Written By: t-shirt Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters are
copyright to Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu Agency, and associated parties.
I make no money with this fic. Rating: NC 17 Warnings: AU, fantasy, Angst, fluff, sap, moderate
lemons (no it's not about the sex 8P) Pairings: 1x2, 3x4x5, past 1x3,
indication of future quintet at the end Summary: The Divine Wizard J offers an apprenticeship to his people for which Hiiro and Duo are most eager to compete. "The Apprentice"
Ch 1 The time was at hand. Only once a year did the people of Lagrange look upon the face of their benefactor. The old wizard lived high on Mt. Souji where he watched over the many villages below, appearing on the first day of spring to touch hands with the people and renew the bond they shared. He was a good soul, ancient and wise but his body bore the wounds of battles long ago, giving him the appearance of a gnarly sage. The strange contraptions that adorned his disfigured body often frightened the young who had never seen him or were unaccustomed to his presence but Duo knew beyond the shadow of a doubt his intentions were pure. It was he, after all, who blessed their fields with bounty and protected their villages from calamity. Anyone over the age of five looked forward to his yearly visit with much anticipation but this was a year to outshine any other as the call had come three weeks prior. This year the Wizard J offered an open invitation to any who would answer the call and Duo grinned excitedly as he stuffed his head in his hat because this year an apprentice would be chosen. “Duo!” “Can’t stop now!” the young man called, waving apologetically at Sister Helen as he sped down the church steps. “The Descent isn’t until noon!” she called after him, sighing heavily when he disappeared around a corner. “Duo!” “Did you find it!” he asked breathlessly, almost bowling Hilde over in his haste. “Three leaves,” she smiled, triumphantly presenting them. “Where?” he gasped, carefully scooping the rare Tandra leaves up and slipping them in a small bottle he wore on a leather string around his neck. “That’s my business,” she replied haughtily. “Botanists,” he sighed, rolling his eyes. “Anyone can go into the woods and gather.” “But none so successfully as me,” she countered. “All right,” he smiled, tugging her along. “You’re a genius, ok?” “Glad you finally figured it out,” she laughed, jogging along behind him until they passed the last of the houses and were running freely through the countryside. Sister Helen had been right, J wouldn’t make his appearance until the sun was at its highest peak but he wanted a chance to practice the spell he intended to perform before hand. Their village, being nestled at the foot of Mt. Souji, was overrun with foreign visitors anxious to show off their skills so they ran on in search of a place where they might work in private. “Duo!” Hilde panted, slowing as her side began to ache. “Slow down!” “Come on!” he laughed, back stepping suddenly. “Wait!” she gasped as he seized her hand and pulled but only managed to snatch her off her feet, sending them both tumbling to the ground, their momentum carrying them along as they rolled down the steep hill, through the underbrush and came to an abrupt stop when they hit something bright and painfully unforgiving. “Duo!” Hilde gasped as the strange illumination faded and revealed the face of the sheer cliff it had stopped them from tumbling over. “You should be more careful where you choose to roll your mate.” Duo’s jaw tensed as he pushed himself off of his friend and peered up at the face of the boy who had spoken. He’d never seen him before but knew he was from the east from the odd slant of his eyes. “Who’re you?” “Shouldn’t you thank me first?” the boy replied arrogantly. “For what?” Duo grumbled, helping Hilde up. “Did you stop us?” she asked, recalling the white light that had saved them. “Obviously.” She bristled at the haughty tone but mustered enough grace to offer a quiet, “Thank you.” “I could have handled it,” Duo insisted, brushing the leaves and brambles from his clothes. “Not unless you can fly,” the boy chuckled. “Maybe I can,” Duo snipped. “You’d have died without my help,” he insisted. “Says you, I’m not such a bad wizard myself!” “Duo,” Hilde scolded gently to no avail. “Very well,” the other boy nodded, stepping closer. “Then I take it back.” “Duo!” Hilde screamed when he was suddenly pushed over the cliff but in the wink of an eye there was a loud ‘pop’ and the newcomer gasped when Duo spoke from behind him. “Your turn.” “Duo! Don’t!” the girl cried again, cringing when the new boy went sailing over the cliff in turn but once again disaster was averted when the rays of the sun itself seem to come together and lift him from the fall. “Stop it! Both of you!” Hilde barked as the new boy approached on his sunlight skiff. “He started it!” Duo growled, standing his ground. “Remind me never to save your life again,” the newcomer stated, dropping gracefully to the ground. “I will never have need of assistance from the likes of you!” Duo spat. “Stop!” Hilde commanded again, stepping between them. “Why?” came another voice from the trees. When they turned to look, another boy appearing to be about their age came into view, his long legs and uncanny grace giving him away as one of the fey in an instant. “It would be interesting to see who wins.” “Did you come here to fight?!” Hilde demanded. “Or do all elves find pleasure in other people’s conflict?” “It’s only good sport,” he smiled. “Besides, I’m sure Hiiro wouldn’t hurt him too much.” “Who said he would be the one with the upper hand?” Duo snipped. “No offense,” the elf chuckled, coming to stand near his friend. “But you’re a tad… salacious for battle.” “Keep thinking with your dick and I’ll show you an early grave,” Duo growled as a dark, black and purple mire materialized in his cupped hand. “Duo!” Hilde gasped in alarm. “Death magic,” Hiiro warily intoned. “Very impressive,” the elf smiled, backing down. “But Hiiro is a Keeper of the Light,” he reasoned. “Darkness has no hope against light.” “Without shadow light cannot exist,” Duo argued, standing his ground. “Duo!” Hilde growled, stepping in between them again. “Stop this right now! Do you think the Wizard J would accept you if you behave this way!?” Duo considered her for a moment before letting the purplish mire blow away and relaxing. “A noble choice,” the elf smiled. “But one made in vain.” “Anyone could be chosen,” Hilde snipped in defense of her friend. “Yes,” the elf nodded, turning to join Hiiro as he walked away. “But it will be Hiiro who claims the apprenticeship.” “You don’t know that!” Duo growled. “Who better to watch over the people than a son of the Sun itself?” the elf smirked, disappearing into the dapple shadows of the trees. “Maybe someone who can understand their pain as well,” Duo softly intoned. By noon Duo had forced the incident from his mind, concentrating on his practice until he felt confident in the spell and was down to one Tandra leaf. Each leaf would only provide the necessary material for about four incantations and he didn’t want to risk not having enough to properly impress the Wizard J. When they returned the village was bursting with activity as citizens and travelers alike prepared for the much anticipated Descent. “The Wizard J!” someone shouted, causing a mild uproar as the crowd tried to make their way toward the mountain path at the same time but Duo hung back as he always did, peering up the mountain from his perch atop the village signpost. When the object of the excitement came into view he looked the same as he always had. For eons the people of this land had greeted the ancient sage and once again Duo wondered exactly how long it had been. It was known by all the only time he aged was when he came down from his mountain to be among his people and from the look of him, with his long grey hair and bent body, it had to have been a very, very long time. This was one of the reasons for the large gathering and the great number of young men and women who had come in the hope of being chosen his apprentice. Whoever returned to the mountain at his side would be granted near everlasting life. A cheer went up and Duo smiled knowing any moment he would look up and see him sitting high on top of the large wooden signpost. It had been this way ever since the longhaired boy could remember. He would wait there when he was young, hoping to get a glimpse and inevitably the Wizard J would notice him. This year the ritual meant more to him than anything in the world. However, as his heart beat with hopeful anticipation and J moved closer to the village something extraordinary caught his eye before he could notice the slender boy. Duo gaped as he watched the newcomer sail into the crowd on his luminous skiff, every head that could see turning to witness the impressive sight including the Wizard J’s. It was the first time in his memory Duo could recall having been overlooked by the man and his heart broke as his brow set angrily as Hiiro finally settled on the ground. Two could play that game. “Look!” someone shouted and all eyes turned to see a young man balancing on his tip toes on the very topmost point of the village sign. “He’ll fall!” “Oh my god! Is he suicidal?!” Hiiro scowled at the braided boy who merely grinned before doing a swan dive off the post making most of his neighbors and friends give a long suffering sigh and the bulk of the visitors gasp in horror until he suddenly disappeared. Another loud gasp was heard when the air beside the Wizard J gave a loud pop and he was suddenly standing beside him. “Welcome back,” he grinned, tossing a sly look over his shoulder but Hiiro was much too busy glaring to react any further. “You’ve improved,” J smiled. “Thanks,” Duo beamed, stepping back to make way for him to greet the rest of his followers. Most of the early afternoon was dedicated to this endeavor as he made time to speak with any and everyone who approached him, making a special effort to touch their hands or the faces of the children. Women asked for his blessing on their unborn and men offered gifts of thanks for another season of bounty, each of them receiving the loving smile and the patient attention of a man who remembered what their ancestors looked like. When it came time for the youth to demonstrate their abilities and vie for the position of his first apprentice in over a thousand years the village was fairly quivering with excitement. Duo knew very well he would have to wait his turn as it had been decided by the elders of each village that the contenders would be seen in alphabetical order. He had no surname that he was aware of but being a ward of the Maxwell Church meant he would have to honor their name and wait. The stage was set in a small ring that had been roped off with J looking down with a clear view from his raised chair. Each of the village chief’s flanked him, lining the long dais as a herald made his way to the center and proclaimed that the competition would commence, but before he could utter the first contestant’s name, J silenced him with a raised hand. “Thank you all for coming,” he began. “As usual, I am most pleased.” A happy cry went up but was quickly silenced. “One thousand years ago,” he went on in a voice that carried to each ear though he seemed to speak at a normal level. “An audition was held in the hope of finding an apprentice who might one day inherit the joyous duty of caring for your villages and families.” Duo felt his heartbeat race as a suspicious thought came to mind. “At that time,” the Wizard continued, “there was none so worthy as the only son of a distant sheik. You know him from legend only as he has spent this past millennia in my tutelage. However, due to the nature of today’s events I have asked him to join us. Quatre?” A gasping murmur swelled in the assembly as the air in the center of the ring shimmered and a young man with golden blonde hair and eyes like the distant ocean faded into view. “Look mother! He’s amazing!” “He’s no more than a boy.” “The Golden child!” Duo cocked his head, frowning at the odd expression in the blond boy’s eyes at the wondrous murmuring and came to a hasty decision leaving a popping of air behind as he teleported into the ring. “Hi,” he smiled, offering his hand. “Welcome back.” “Duo!” Hilde hissed from the side line as the crowd’s disapproval made itself known until the blond boy suddenly smiled and shook Duo’s hand. “Thank you,” he replied. “It’s been so long I had forgotten the proper way to greet others.” “I don’t know about proper,” Duo grinned, eyeing the disgruntled crowd. “But millennia or not I figure you’re still you, right?” “Insightful for one so young.” Duo instinctively teleported several feet away when the strange voice sounded in his ear, finding a young, stern and very… virile looking young man where he had been. The slick black hair and slanted eyes made him turn to seek out Hiiro on the suspicion that they might be comrades but the Son of Light seemed as surprised as he was. “Who’re you?” he demanded. “Wufei,” the blond sighed. “You haven’t been properly introduced.” “I’ve waited long enough,” Wufei replied, but never took his eyes from Duo. “You… you’re from the mountain?” the braided boy inquired, having a better look at him as well. “Intelligent too,” Wufei smiled, stepping toward him. “I see you haven’t changed.” Wufei turned toward the speaker of the statement, grinning widely when he saw the tall elf beside Hiiro. “Trowa!” he greeted and suddenly he was there as if the wind had carried him in its arms. “How fare you, old friend?” he greeted, clapping his forearm to Trowa’s. “As well as you,” the elf grinned. Wufei laughed at his arrogance, taking a moment to look Hiiro over with growing interest. “Any who is this?” he asked. “Lover or friend? And if friend, is he readily available?” he whispered with a lecherous smile. Hiiro’s scowl deepened but he allowed Trowa to answer the jibe. “Careful, my friend,” he chuckled. “You may have infinitely more experience but never have I seen such raw power in a human born.” “What say you?” Wufei grinned, addressing Hiiro directly. “Have you a mate or should I spare time to acquaint myself with your company?” “Attempt to hold me,” Hiiro replied evenly, “and I will show you the end of time.” “Wufei.” J had merely spoken but the sound of the word made everyone in the village cringe and hold their ears. Wufei showed no sign of discomfort however, leaning closer to Hiiro as he smiled. “Time has no end,” he told him. “As death is merely a new beginning.” “Come on, Wufei,” Quatre sighed. It was deemed that the two active apprentices would oversee the competition. Duo had teleported to the top of a nearby wagon where he could watch undisturbed but his mind kept flittering back to Hiiro and what the elf had said. If one such as he believed in him so firmly he had to wonder if he really stood a chance of being selected. He just wanted it so badly, not for the promise of eternal youth or ultimate power but because there were so many things he wanted to fix about the world. He needed time to work on his plans and lots of it as there was no way he would even be able to scrape the surface of his dreams in one lifetime. The contestants ranged from the laughable to the mildly impressive but J lavished them all with equal amounts of praise. Some who demonstrated more talent than others were asked to engage Quatre or Wufei in debate or magical competition, their performances logged and recorded before the next contestant was called. “Duo Maxwell, of the Maxwell Church!” Duo stood from his perch letting the wind tug at his hair for a moment before teleporting into the ring. “Duo,” Quatre smiled, stepping closer. “Thank you again for your kindness.” “Don’t flirt with the contestants,” Wufei grinned. “Jealous?” the blond boy smirked, helping Duo off with his cloak. “Only if you intend to exclude me,” the raven haired boy smartly replied. “Are you two…?” Duo inquired when Wufei turned to walk to his side of the ring. “Only on occasion,” Quatre chuckled, whispering at Duo’s surprise. “There is far too little company on the mountain side.” Feeling somewhat flustered, Duo took a moment to collect himself but the thought of the pretty blond with the strong Wufei refused to be banished from his mind. “Are you all right?” Quatre called after a time. “Yes,” Duo nodded taking a deep breath. He had looked forward to this day for a very long time, practiced and honed his skills and come up with a spell he knew would prove once and for all that he was not the outcast people thought he should be. Nodding once to J he took the last Tandra leaf from his bottle and hesitantly laid it on his tongue. “Duo!” Sister Helen cried. “What are you doing?! Spit that out this instant!” “It’s ok!” Hilde soothed. “He’s done it before!” “But they’re poisonous!” the nun whimpered, leaning into Father Maxwell’s side for comfort. “Trust him,” the man encouraged, nodding to Duo as he consoled his restless assistant. Again Duo took a deep breath, holding the leaf on the tip of his tongue and letting the toxic bitterness flood his body. The wind came and went as he closed his eyes and felt his life slipping away. His arms became weak, his legs distant and difficult to control and he distantly heard Sister Helen scream when his knees hit the dirt. “Duo?” came Quatre’s concerned intonation but he shook his head before he could come to him. His body went cold, the bright blue sky seeming to swim like the ocean’s tides as the sunlight permeated his flesh. It was a new sensation to feel its warmth but he had no time to ponder it as the flow and ebb of life began to course through him and at the instant of his death he slammed his cold hands on the ground, injecting the very earth with his life energy and the ground suddenly burst forth with new life. Flowers bloomed in an instant, trees sprouted and stretched their arms towards heaven and even small insects such as butterflies, bees and tiny birds took flight from the depths of the thick grass that blanketed the ground around him. When at last his vision returned and his heart began to beat again he became aware of the deadly silence that had fallen over the crowd but there was only one opinion he desired. When he opened his eyes it was to gaze into the eyes of the Wizard J. “How…how did you do that?!” Quatre stammered with no small amount of wonder. “I’ve never seen such a thing before!” “Very impressive,” Wufei agreed. “But to risk your life for the sake of a contest is a bit reckless.” “There is no risk,” Duo informed them, growing strong enough to rise to his feet. “Explain,” J requested, though his eyes bore no curiosity making Duo believe he knew very well what he’d done but wanted everyone else to understand. “All life begins with death,” Duo revealed, rising up to his full height as he confessed, “And death has chosen to do my will.” “He’s a demon.” “He’ll bring disaster upon us.” “Why was he even allowed to compete?” “Life from death,” J smiled slowly, raising his hands. A hush fell over the whispering crowd as he smiled and brought them together, slowly applauding Duo’s performance. Slowly others joined in the praise until the entire assembly was roaring their approval and even the few skeptics had accepted J’s judgment of the spell. The elation stayed with the longhaired boy well into the afternoon as he watched others try and fail to best him. His confidence that he would be the one chosen had grown so certain that by the time the name Yui was called he had all but forgotten the he was there. His entrance of gliding in on a disk of pure light quickly reminded him of the possibility that he might not make the cut after all and he sat forward to anxiously watch the show. “You are a Keeper of the Light,” Quatre observed as Hiiro stepped confidently to the ground. “A rare ability for a human,” Wufei observed. “What is the level of your ability?” Quatre wondered. Hiiro turned to Wufei with a gleam in his eye, drawing a beam of pure energy from a nonexistent scabbard at his side and smiled. Wufei returned the grin while the crowd gasped in wonder and stepped forward, displaying his talent for magic as well by calling a bolt of black lightening from the sky that he captured in his right hand, forcing it into the shape of a staff that licked at the air with a luminous green tongue. “Draconian magic,” Hiiro observed, taking his stance. “You have been up there a long time.” “Will you offer me yourself when I win?” Wufei smirked, circling him. “I will promise to let you live when you loose,” Hiiro replied. Duo’s chest exploded with excitement the moment the two clashed. Never in all his life had he seen such skill displayed as Hiiro dodged and parried, forcing the much more experienced Wufei to use ever more complicated attacks. It was thrilling to watch, a veritable feast for the senses and he fought the rising desires inside him as he watched the two handsome young men battle. Hiiro was magnificent, Wufei sublime and each time their weapons came together and crackled with fury Duo felt his heart race faster. Long ago he had given up the idea of ever taking a mate though if he had chosen one he was certain it would have been a male. This preference put him in the minority but having a same sex lover was not all that uncommon so he’d never thought much about it. All that mattered was getting a chance to see his dreams come true but watching the warriors fight, their bronze skin shimmering in the sun and muscles standing out in bold relief, made him question his ability to live without knowing the tenderness of a lover’s touch. His thoughts of wanton desire were brought to an abrupt halt however, when his instinct to protect his dreams and beliefs took control and he suddenly found himself standing between them. Once again the crowd gasped, stunned by the sudden, unexpected end of the fight as Duo stared with wide eyes into the battle rage intensity of Wufei’s. Hiiro was poised behind him, his crackling blade held at the ready to block the blow of his opponent’s strike from overhead but Wufei’s attack had come from the side, the only thing standing between his staff and Hiiro’s vulnerable torso being Duo and the bright white shield that had saved him from taking the blow. Duo panted, fighting for breath as he realized how close he had come to mortal injury and turned unsteady eyes on the Wizard J who only confused him more by smiling softly. “What in the hell are you doing!?” Hiiro spat, letting his shield fade away as he stood. “I’m sorry,” Duo replied, stepping away. “It looked like you were in danger.” “I can take care of myself!” “It was instinct!” Duo snapped. “Believe me, if I’d had time to think I wouldn’t have bothered!” Hiiro’s lips went deathly thin as he glared damnation at him but Quatre chose that moment to intervene. “Your instincts serve you well,” he praised, laying a soothing hand on Duo’s shoulder. “But there is no reason for concern. This is only a friendly competition after all.” Feeling even more foolish for his transgression, Duo let himself be led away but his eyes did not soften and his anger did not ease. Damn that Hiiro Yui anyway! Who did he think he was, coming there and flaunting his pretty white light!? His demeanor had not improved when he turned to stand at Quatre’s side and watch the remainder of Hiiro’s trial. “What more have you to show us?” Quatre prompted as Hiiro had made no move to leave. A soft glow illuminated his form and suddenly the air began to glow with the warmth of the sun. The people laughed with delight at the dust motes that drifted in the air and gasped happily when the energy suddenly lifted and formed a barrier over the entire village. Hiiro’s pretty white light had become an impenetrable shield protecting them all. “Good Wizard J,” Trowa addressed the thoughtful man as he cautiously entered the ring. “Good day, good elf,” J replied. “I trust your Catherine is well?” “My sister is laden with child and regrets that she could not attend,” Trowa smiled. “What news have you for me?” the Wizard inquired, gazing up at the shimmering shield. “My apologies,” Trowa offered, inclining his head. “But my friend,” he said, indicating Hiiro who stood nearby glowing faintly and looking very much like Apollo in his stoic pose, “is modest to a fault.” “You call this modest?” Duo grumbled. “Indeed,” the elf smiled. “For if you would take a moment to see you would realize that he not only protects us, but every village known to him in this land.” A sharp murmur of disbelief coursed through the assembly while J considered, then he turned his head up for a moment. His brow furrowed as a smile curled his lips and when he looked back to Hiiro there was respect on his face. “The sun is your ally,” he commented, inclining his head as the barrier quivered and faded away. “No,” Hiiro corrected, shocking the onlookers with his arrogant tone. “It is merely the strongest of my resources.” “Light,” Trowa explained, but J showed no sign of comprehension or confusion and the only words he uttered were… “Duo Maxwell, step forward, please.” Hiiro sent a scathing glare at the braided boy as he approached but it did nothing to deter Duo’s wide grin. “Has the choice been made?” “Duo? But Hiiro’s a creature of the light…” “He could bring us new life, it must be him…” “I would speak to you both in private,” J announced rising from his chair and making his slow, cumbersome way down the steps. Duo and Hiiro fell into step behind him as he moved away from the whispering crowd, neither looking at the other’s scowl until they were safely inside a hut and forced to acknowledge one another. “Look at him,” J instructed and though Duo was loathe to do anything that included the foreigner he forced himself to obey but his mind went blank when J asked, “What do you see?” “An arrogant fool,” was the first thing that came to mind. “And you?” the Wizard prompted while Hiiro glared but he held his tongue and merely stared until a thoughtful light came into his eyes. “The eyes of a dreamer.” Duo was taken aback by the insightful comment, loosing his hold on a good deal of his anger. “Why did you say that?” “Because it’s true,” Hiiro replied. “You don’t even know me,” the longhaired boy argued. “I was not asked who you were,” Hiiro explained. “The question was what do I see.” Duo’s eyes fell as he knew he had been beat. Hiiro had shown a greater intelligence and better aptitude for leadership by taking his time and setting his anger aside before he spoke but knowing why he had lost was of little comfort. “The choice is made,” J informed them; making Hiiro lift his jaw and Duo fight to maintain an even breath. “I’ll find another way,” he promised no one in particular. “I won’t give up,” he promised, turning his gaze on Hiiro’s thoughtful eyes. “Somehow I’ll make it so no one is left out or goes hungry. Watch me from above,” he demanded. “Watch and help me make it better.” “You can watch and learn yourself,” J interjected. “What?” Duo gasped as Hiiro balked. “You mean… me? You’ve chosen me?!” “I shall take you both,” J informed them, chuckling lightly as he pushed past and left them to gape at where he had been.
~ * ~ tbc... |
