Title: Kage Riku <The Shadowed Lands>
Author: kc-chan
Disclaimer: not responsible for acts of large dungeon and dragon dice hitting you, and that the Gundam boys ain't mine
Warnings? Yaoi, OOC, AU. Angst... and death and a whole bunch of flashbacks ^__^ Timothy Leary eat your heart out!
Spoilers: for the whole Gwing series.
Pairings: 2x5; Meirenx5; and 13xMeiren. . . Lilith x Trieze; 6x1x9; 3x4; and others that I probably forgot ^__^;;
Archive: You wanna post it on your site? Email me. . .
**NOTE** not all the spells in this piece are fully mine, they have been given to me by a friend Akumu ([email protected] ) as well as a thanks to her for having her roommate do translations from the LDs for me. There are places in here that dialogue was directly altered from the series. My whole goal was to make this a what if...? to the series. I think people are able to distinguish my dialogue and thoughts from those of the series. as to how close they are, they are a mix from me meddling with them, her translations and watching of the dub. The lines borrowed from the series are directly copyright to Bandai and are used without permission. Many of Relena's speeches are changed only slightly, due to the fact that why change the Peacecraft ideals. I snipped and edited the translation, but those are very much not my words.
Notes:
"<<speech in this denotes it isn't in English>>"
//flashback//
*astral speaking*
<<lyrics>>
Special Note of thanks to Cheshire-san ([email protected]) and Sapphire Rose-san!!!! ([email protected]) for beta-ing and proofreading!!

Kage Riku
[The Shadowed Lands... ]

By: Kc-chan

Chapter 6/?

Veritas latere sub amorum de homoina...<1>

~~~~~'~~@@~~'~~~~

Quatre walked along back from the store, practically skipping, wanting to make sure he was back to the house and got breakfast to his love before his lover woke up. Just to surprise him. Not that he could cook well, but even he could pick up bagels and coffee.

It wasn't as if he was jealous, thought the mere mention of _her_ name would make him worry. It was just...

//" Masa'a AlKair ... " he whispered to the tall angel standing before him. He didn't know if the angel had sensed him or not. "Beautiful work of art though..." he mused slowly running his eyes along those lithe limbs.<2>

The angel turned, not looking very surprised. "You must be Moloch." was all he said. Soft almost a sad tone came from his mouth, then he turned back to look over the fires and screams rising from the once proud empire of Egypt.

Moloch looked out over the smoldering night of Egypt. It was a remarkable sight; he was admiring such an excellent piece of art. Not many could destroy a city like this angel could. "Marvelous work...." Moloch complimented.

The angles wings twitched slightly but the angel made no further motion of acknowledgement, Moloch pursed his lips. He wasn't used to being shrugged away. "I had to come and see it. Sammael said you did good work... I didn't believe him at first, but looking around I can see I was wrong... Looking over the fiery pit once called Egypt... Sammael was right. Not many could cause the destruction you have and stretch it over so long...."

"...Unlike you." Came a deep reply, the thick air in front of them swirling with smoke and sparks. Screams became louder and louder.

Moloch flipped long blonde hair over his shoulder "I like a swift but torture filled hunt. Mortals are fun to hurt. They scream like no other creature."

The angel was silent again.

"You almost, if you don't mind me saying, seem upset at your destruction..." Moloch muttered toying with the end of his knife. Okay it started to bother him. This was the what.... Hundredth time he had approached the angel and the creature said no more words than before...

He _knew_ he was beautiful. Who could ever resist him? He was tall, pale and with his flowing hair and exotic turquoise eyes he easily should have had this angel as his lover...

And that wench that was always with him wasn't here... "Ever the conversationalist, na'am?" <3>

Dumah turned and looked over and down a bit at the pale blonde daemon standing next to him. He sighed and looked back over the damage he had caused. Sammael... the daemon mentioned that name more than once... the name he had heard uttered many times over the last few days... "Poison Angel..." they had been mistaking him again... until the prince of majik and evil himself had shown up....

Sammael had greeted the city and scared the living hope out of the masses. Now they knew who was responsible... him. Dumah, the silence of death. He almost chocked when his orders came to him. He was given them... and he obeyed. Never having worked directly with the prince of the damned, he wasn't thrilled. Even less, that the hell angel invited the raging killer... known among the angels for his love of slaying the masses, Moloch. The cursed name of the Hebrew.

But by the slaying of Egypt he had freed them and now... now he was finished with this sickening job. It may have been his job... but he only ever felt remorse.

"Did you enjoy the mass death today, madra beag?" Dumah asked. And then sighed, the Gaelic spoken by his decedents and latest bed toy were making their marks on him again. He also realized the boy had done relatively nothing to invoke this anger in him... <4>

Moloch blinked. He... he had never heard _that_ tongue. "And here I thought you were Latin or something like that."

Dumah glared over at the taunting boy grinning, obviously enjoying the destruction around them. "'Unlike you I possess an intelligence. I am not simply a mindless killer."

Moloch twitched and simmered. He was _not_ mindless. "I may kill, but I am far from mindless..." he protested.

"So you argue. Would your being here have anything to do with the fact that Badhbh destroyed your little cult following?" Dumah asked turning from the flames and looking into the blackness of the heavens.

Moloch growled threateningly. That was a touch� area with him at the present time. His pride was greatly damaged in that fight and that he lost to a _younger_ goddess bothered him to no end. And that this angel was rubbing it in his face. "Upset that you weren't able to destroy that civilization as well Dumah, with your little whore?"

Dumah snarled and turned glaring at the daemon, "Badhbh is not a whore."

Moloch grinned sinisterly back, "really? She fucked me before I killed her. Whoops!"

Dumah's face paled... it had to be a trick. Badhbh had already won against this lichen and worm... she wouldn't have lost...

Moloch chuckled, "A decent fuck... but I have had better... a lot better."

The air around Dumah crackled and blue and greens slid around him. The little... little ... the taunting little brat! To gloat... "ta tu breag..." <5>

Moloch sighed, "You will have to speak your insults in a more used language..."

Dumah launched himself at the brat daemon. Slamming the thin and slightly smaller body beneath his. "Bastard... you are a lie."

Moloch chuckled, he was a bit sore from the tackle but he smiled up suggestively at the angel glaring down at him, the one visible eye glowing green, "My, my... aren't we forward!" and laughed like a madman.

The laughing stopped when Dumah surged his power through the demi god and that cynical laughter hissed instead. Dumah growled, "I wouldn't fuck you Moloch... "

Moloch hissed back, his pride and vanity broken a bit, "You wouldn't be able to handle the sex I would have with you!"

Dumah hissed and his hand gripped that pale slender neck and pushed Moloch's head against the dirt and rocks and leaned forward and growled, power surging around him, wind moving his bangs so Moloch saw both of the green orbs glazed over in rage as the angel growled, "you don't know what sex is... it is too good for you... it would require you understanding love and giving... all you are is a toy for people to fuck and throw away... a worm... a trollop... a brat daemon who couldn't even save his own people!!! A worthless piece of trash! A killer caught in his own inner hate!"

Moloch felt something in him shatter... he felt a moistness on his cheeks... he didn't move, unsure of his voice even... how could this angel actually make words hurt... it _hurt_...

Dumah felt water drip over his fingers, tight around the daemon brat's neck. He blinked. It wasn't raining. He blinked again... it was... tears. His fingers loosened. There were actually tears falling from those eyes burning with hatred.

Moloch yanked back from the heavier body and scurried back along the ground... frightened. Something in him had snapped... he was crying... he was trying to hold back sobs... SOBS!!! Fucking tears and sobs lodged in his throat... he was a daemon for the gods sake!! He shouldn't be affected by words... much less words that he should have scoffed at... so why was he panicking as that angel of silence walked closer...

Dumah flinched as the daemon trembled against a tree, staring at his hands watching the tears land in them... trying to hold sobs in his throat...

A flicker made Dumah turn and see Badhbh standing there. She walked forward to him with a smile on her lips upon seeing the brat daemon trembling in near hysterics. "Well, well... finally hurt him?"

Dumah blinked, "I thought..."

"Like that brat could kill me, for all the lies and mystery surrounding him he is worthless... he is no great challenge to me...or even the weakest of our kind."

Dumah eyes hardened for a moment, "You shouldn't say such things... Badhbh. Leave him be." And turned to leave.

Badhbh smiled down on the once proud brat and grabbing a handful of blonde hair chuckled, "in the end you are nothing... nothing but a sniveling coward and worthless toy." Laughing she released his hair and stepped back.

Dumah sighed and walked over, "Let us leave Badhbh. We have damaged him enough."

Badhbh chuckled, "Not yet, love. He needs to learn a real lesson."

Dumah stood his ground and took a hold of her arm, "Enough Badhbh."

Badhbh snarled and shook off his grip. With her arm extended, Moloch lifted his head to see a large sphere of water coming straight at him. He chocked back a scream as the impact sent him crashing through a few trees.

Dumah stepped forward and grabbed Badhbh's hand. "Go leor." <6>

Badhbh growled threateningly, "Cad e ta cearr? Ta me tabhair eisean an bas!!!" <7>

Dumah swiftly grabbed her throat and lifted her off the ground, "Deirim stopim." <8>
He opened up a teleportation gateway and let her go.

She growled and hissed at him, "Conoidh tu ag an geatabealach an marbh see!!!" <9>

Dumah hissed and used a wind to push her into the portal and close it. And he sighed. Then all was silent. The way it should be... except for the sobs going on behind him. He turned his head slightly, flat eyes watching the daemon... his body was shaking with his sobs... completely broken. Something he knew all too well...

Moloch choked and gasped for air as another sob worked its way from his throat. He couldn't stop them... tears and the cries... he had lost all pride now... he was trying so hard to pretend that the destruction of his little cult meant nothing... when in fact... the bitch was right... he was so weak... gods only knew why Sammael kept him anyways... probably as the name for the troops... but after this defeat... he would have no one now... who would want a useless brat...

"Ta tu...?" Dumah asked quietly in the direction of the broken daemon. <10>

Moloch sobbed and glared up. "I don't understand you!!?!? Yes I am an idiot! Just... just leave me..." and those turquoise eyes lowered.

"Are you...?" Dumah sighed. It was painful seeing the boy broken... and knowing that he had caused it. He walked over and knelt in front of the boy and reached out to wipe those tears away.

Moloch jerked back, "Don't show your pity now! Leave... I would like to be alone before my master disposes of me!"

Dumah placed fingers on those pale cheeks and wiped away tears, "No."

Moloch pushed his hand away again, "I said-"

Dumah reached forward and pulled the brat daemon into his lap. He wasn't one for emotions, nor public displays of affections... he just... well his heart told him too, and it felt... good. "And I said no." he emphasized.

Moloch struggled but gave up as smooth fingers softly combed through his hair... that warm chest against his cheek. He was being held out of compassion, for the first time in his life and... and it felt good.

"Thank you..." Moloch whispered. Those words were the first time he had used them and seemed so foreign to him.

Dumah smiled and hugged the blonde bundle in his arms, "Your welcome. And... I am sorry I made you cry..."

Moloch shifted a bit and looked up, green and turquoise meeting, "I... I ...I have never cried before. Am I weak?"

Dumah blinked and whispered after a moment "No. Showing emotion never makes you weak."

"Oh." There was a long silence between them. Dumah just didn't want to let go. This creature, no this boy needed love so badly. Moloch broke the silence, "What did you say to her?"

Dumah blinked, "You don't speak Gaelic?"

Moloch nodded, "No I don't..."

Dumah was silent for so long Moloch figured the angel just thought of him as some idiot. "Conoidh tu ag an geatabealach an marbh see..." the words danced off the angels tongue and Moloch watched those lips entranced. Dumah sighed and spoke again. "You will dwell at the gateway of the dead... that is what she promised."

"I am sorry..." Moloch replied. He didn't want this moment to end... so warm... so warm....

Dumah tapped his finger on the daemon's snub nose and whispered, "Tsron."

Moloch blinked and Dumah moved closer and tapped the boys chest and whispered, "Croi..."

Moloch placed his fingers where Dumah's just touched and tried to say the word, "Croui?"

Dumah laughed and placed his hand over the boys, "Croi... like kree..."

Moloch blinked and tried again, "Croi...?" he blinked up at the angel with something sparkling in his eyes, "What's that mean?"

Dumah smiled and replied softly, "Heart." And letting his fingers slide over those lips as he whispered, "Beal..." Moloch moaned as those lips touched his. He never felt anything like it... so warm... so safe...

Dumah pulled the boy closer and deepened the kiss, it felt so... like fate had wanted... soul mate. That's what it was. He loved this cute little daemon and it had only been a moment. He slowly pulled away and Moloch whispered "Mouth..."

Dumah laughed and hugged the boy, "Do you want to learn more?"

Something twinkled in those turquoise eyes, "Please?" //

Quatre smiled, knowing he was blushing a bit... Dumah... Trowa... his love...

"Long time no see, brat." Words flew at him as well as a spell, sending him dodging and calling a flame to his hand.

Without having to turn he stood and replied to the shadow behind him, "Long time no see, Badhbh..."

~~~~'~~@@~~'~~~~

Meiren stormed down the hall in her private home, that she shared with her minions. Vrita had not checked in. Reports were that he ended up captured in the base he was supposed to have destroyed with the daemons in it. But noooo... he was captured and somehow escaped having to destroy the base _after_ the daemons had escaped.

"I don't like the fact that your husband keeps destroying my soldiers, Mai Ran." A velvety voice said from her bedroom's doorjamb.

She looked down the corridor and saw the other man she needed to talk to standing there in all his glory. Feathered wings rustled and folded again behind him. An almost sinister smiling gracing his lips. Cool baby blues shining. "Bonum vespertinum, meus Regina de Ulster..." <11>

Meiren smiled and walked towards her bedroom, "Good evening yourself, meua Persian daemonis de furoris..." Latin dripping off their tongues like honey and wine. <12>

Strong arms wrapped around her waist and drew her into the candle lit room, "I sensed you needed to see me. Queen again I see..."

Black eyes laughed lightly eyes sparkling, as they had not in many long centuries, "They fell for it. Queen again to lead my people!" she twirled and he scooped her into his arms.

"Neamhan, my dear you look good for a woman who was supposedly killed in her husband's arms." The ginger haired man grinned.

The Chinese girl sighed and gracefully sat in one of the chairs by the windows. "I was almost in shock how quickly he believed me" she sat up and looked at Exael and sighed again, "he believed so quickly."

Trieze walked over and smiled at her then looked out the window, "Well, he was never the brightest male to walk the earth." He looked down at her raising an eyebrow in a bit of skepticism, "He didn't question you at _all_?"

Meiren gave an exasperated sigh, "Not at all!! I mean you would think since I seemingly _died_ in his arms but noooo! He bought that I was still living, with out me having to do a thing!"

Trieze sat beside her, his long fingers playing with hers, "Does he still believe?"

Meiren looked over at him, "I believe so. He still has attachments to that daemon, Sammael. But I think I can win over some sex crazed daemon."

"I think only Sammael could ever defeat me and you but never together. So we will have to make sure we fight him as one, agreed?" Trieze leaned back and rubbed his temples.

"I agree, besides I think he would walk right into our clutches without lifting a finger on our side." Meiren laughed.

Trieze raised an eyebrow in questioning, "I highly doubt a daemon of his power would ever do that. I would never think my old master had changed those habits."

"I offer Vrita's safety in exchange for him."

"You offer Vrita, beaten and broken to Sammael in exchange... he would surrender himself to us?" Exael asked.

"I would. Please, the only reason Vrita ever was around was my father demanded I take the Knight of Virtue as my husband." Meiren said playing with the tips of her hair.

"Ah... Fionn Mac Cumhal and his faery queen, Aynia... Ulster was a magnificent city..." Exael mused, eyes clouding over at the memories of times passed.

"Was. My father never was a wonderful leader... so weak." Meiren said dryly, hate burning in her eyes.

Exael nodded and looked out the window overlooking the destroyed city, fires had yet to put out completely. "Ulster was rebuilt again..."

Meiren slammed her hand upon the arm of the chair, "He never used our power! We had the Order of Justice and Virtue sanctioned in our kingdom. We were _the_ power of the divine... and we had you..."

Exael chuckled, "That you did. I never saw why the Order of Angels dismissed me but I guess they never assumed I could slay them all. But as they say, sai la vie, my dear. But really, these humans are terribly easy to deal with they accepted you as Queen and how long had you "known" Relena? Three maybe four months...?"

Meiren smiled broadly, "They are easier to control. The Foundation played straight into my hands, though I can't simply use the old excuse of 'they are daemons!' ne?"

Trieze laughed hard, "I would love to see their faces if you said that. Don't worry. Fate seems to be playing with us nicely, besides I can lure Sammael here without involving your husband, Mai Ran."

"Can you?" Meiren asked, her eyebrow raised in questioning, "I would like to see you try. I personally don't see how."

Trieze held his finger to his lips and smiling chuckled, "Sore wa himitsu desu." <13>

Meiren smiled slightly, "You and your plans! Fine we play it your way for now and I guess since Vrita is still on some hopeless mission..." she smiled seductively, "Let's say we catch up on old times?"

Exael grinned and pulled the Queen of the World in for a passionate kiss, powerful and strong, moaning as she ran her fingers along his body.

~~~~~'~~@@~~'~~~~

Sammael stroked Wufei's hair. "You cut it..." he sighed, but he didn't mind, too much. Vrita never liked his hair past his shoulders even if it would look better long "And with your sword. Vrita, Vrita what am I to do with you?"

//"She loves me." Vrita spat out glaring at his 'master' eyes burning black.

"So you say." Sammael laughed and sat next to him trying to ignore that the boy would flinch. "But really, you wouldn't know... have you even kissed her, my pretty lover?"

Silence and a glare.

Sammael's smile widened, "See? How can you prove it? I love you. I kiss you. I let you be seen with me in public and private."

"She loves me." Came the firm response.

"I _touch_ you." Sammael replied, getting into this word game, it had been so many long millennia since he had someone like this intriguing youth.

"... She loves me." Unsure now...

"Has she ever said so?" Sammael asked playfully stroking the chain attached to his pet's collar.

"...She loves me...she does..." wavering...

Sammael hooked an arm and pulled the golden boy closer. Fingers brushing through black silk and lips whispering soft kisses along elfin ears. The boy was very suited to his daemon looks.

"...She must have..." faltering... black eyes looked up at the daemon holding him, so unsure and scared. Sammael blinked at that fear dwelling, so insecure and unsure, and desperately wanting something to claim to be truth. "She did...didn't she?"

Sammael pressed a kiss to the boys lips, "I can't answer that."

Doubt was spreading like wild brush fire through the golden skinned boys mind. "She never... but...but..."

"But I do." Sammael whispered claiming those lips. Unhooking the collar from the slim neck.

The boy broke into sobs, cuddling into that secure embrace. His heart was breaking... "I am worthless aren't I?"

Sammael barely heard those words, but he pulled the boy closer, "Not to me..."

"Please... please don't say that" the boy pleaded.

"Why? Why can I not say what I mean and what I feel?" the response came so complete.

"Because... am I to think... that everything...everything I was taught was a lie... that only a monster can love me? Am I that undesirable...?" he was so unsure, so terribly scared.

How was he to answer _that_? Sammael sighed... this one. He loved so dearly but it demanded so much. He was never so emotionally involved but one look at those black tear-filled eyes gave the only answer he needed. "Sometimes what we believe can be changed. I love you."

"But you are a daemon." the response came so firm.

"Are you evil?" Sammael asked looking at those eyes melt to charcoal gray in thought.

"No..." a soft reply came.

"And you are a daemon. Becoming an angel or a daemon, or any other creature does not change your thought process. I have seen angels slaughter and daemons love. It is what others try and make us out to be." He sighed and looked down. Black eyes blinked with curiosity, waiting to hear words and Sammael continued holding the boys attention. "Vrita... if someone killed Mai Ran would you hunt them down and kill them?"

Vrita paused, longer than Sammael had hoped he would. He blinked in surprise when the boy spoke again, "No. She probably did something mean and got herself killed for a reason. She's deceitful and backstabbing, I wouldn't do that." And black eyes looked into the fire and the boy was silent once again.

Sammael sighed and leaned back. Well that wasn't going well... not well at all.

He looked down when he felt the body on his lap shift and black hair tickle against his chest. Vrita had leaned back and was snuggling against him. Black eyes looked up to catch violet orbs and those lips said very steadily, as if the boy was sure of something for the first time that night "But I would if someone hurt you." //

Wufei shifted and cuddled into whatever he was sleeping against and mumbled something to the effect of "Good morning..."

Duo snickered, as the boy snuggled into the crook of his neck, "Are you going to snuggle me all day then hit me?"

"Wha?!?!" a head popped up and looked down jaw nearly hitting the ground.

Duo laughed as his love sat straight up, leaving them in a rather interesting position- Wufei straddling him.

"Ummm..." Wufei struggled for words, well movement was the second thing he wanted but his body froze.

"I think this might be the first time you have ever thought of jumping me!" Sammael laughed hysterically.

"I am not! You... you jumped me!!!" Vrita screamed back, very flustered at the moment and tired. "I'm tired..." he muttered, his mind to fogged over to realize he was speaking in babble and incoherence.

Duo slid to a sitting position, drawing his legs around the boy and draping his arms around that small waist, "Of course you are tired! I would be too after casting a spell like that!"

Spell? Wufei blinked... oh yeah the spell. Lots of screaming, panic, that warm feeling of Duo screwing him. Panicking...stop. Rewind... his eyes grew larger.

"You know I am seriously starting to think you do this on purpose to get my attention or something- wha-!!!" Sammael yelped as the boy screamed in his ear.

"Oh my GODS!!!!" Vrita screamed panic flying through his eyes... what... what...

"Um... try not to go catatonic on my, huh? That isn't good..." Duo muttered.

"But ...but... but..." Vrita muttered.

"Puh-lease... I was so much better than Meiren... I am telling you the girl doesn't have a sex bone in her body!" Duo said calmly.

"What the hell did you let me do!?" Wufei stood up and was pacing in his Gundam... he was so far in confusion... what the hell was he going to tell Meiren?!

"You could tell her the truth?" Sammael offered as if he was a mind reader.

Wufei whirled and glared at Sammael and sarcasm dripping from his voice, "Oh yeah. Hi Meiren! Yeah got fucked twice by Sammael and yeah I'm more than half way a daemon. Didn't accomplish much. How's life? Oh yeah she'll _love_ that!"

Sammael chuckled, "There is always-"

"No!" Wufei cut him off, "Not even going to happen!"

"How come you always cut out the real memories of her?" Sammael asked eyes locking with the other boy's.

Wufei stammered back against the wall, looking anywhere but at his master... Sammael. "I don't know what you mean."

Duo sighed and stalked over to the boy and pushing the other against the wall further, pressed his body against the other boys, "She is _not_ by any means a saint. Far from. I _know_ she is way more evil than I will ever be. She isn't the goddess you pretend she is. Never was and never will be."

"Liar..." Vrita whispered voice shaking.

"So how come you always get unsure and hesitant to prove that she isn't or do we just have selective memory. Name when I have ever hurt you. Once." Sammael issued the challenge, glaring into those eyes.

"..." He couldn't reply. Wufei blink and stared back. He couldn't name once but this was a daemon - _the_ daemon- and all he could ever feel was security... and... and...

"Gomen na-" he blinked. "Duo?" he called out. The cockpit was empty. He looked all around and called out louder, "Sammael?" he slammed back against the wall and slowly slid to the floor. Shuddering... "Master...?" only his echo replied...

~~~~~'~~@@~~'~~~~~

Meiren walked down the long hall of the Foundation as one of her so called appointed "advisors" walked with her, trying to get her to recite the "speech" Lord Dermail had written for her.

The advisor scurried next to her pleading, "Queen Meiren, please!"

Meiren stopped and glared at him, "Does Lord Dermail see me as an incompetent?"

The boy shook his head vigorously.

"Good, then he will not mind me showing the Foundation a thing or two." Meiren hissed and then stomped down the hall.

She waited for the doors to open and gracefully putting a smile on her face she walked through the assembly to her "throne." She wanted to scream, "How completely bourgeoisie is this?" but instead she smiled and nodded.

A man of the assembly stood up and asked, "Queen Meiren, I believe you wanted to share your opinion of the World Nation's future policy... I would love to hear it."

With a few more strong yeses added to his she smiled and walked over to the microphone, "At the moment we can't blame people for thinking that the Foundation is ruling with force. The Romefeller Foundation must first show the people an example of how true peace must be..."

Lord Velleci cleared his throat and stood, "Please give us an example Queen Meiren."

Meiren remained calm thought she was twitching internally. She counted to three and continued with a smile held firmly in place, "We must retract all the OZ forces around the world that were sent to maintain public order... there is your example my Lord."

Lord Dermail scowled and cleared his throat saying, "Objection."

Meiren glared at him but showed nothing betraying her true thoughts as she continued, "We must declare that the age of ruling with an iron fist is over. We are not living in the age of the bourgeoisie..."

Lord Dermail stood and clearly stated, "Objection!"

Meiren sighed and leaned on the podium, "You seem to say that often, care to elaborate, Lord Dermail?"

The said Lord twitched catching her tone where no one else would have, standing yet again he interjected, "I must say, that is a thoughtless suggestion."

"So is rushing in and destroying countries, is it not?" Meiren replied back.

"I suppose it did not occur to you the threat the guerrillas... and independent state forces would be to us, Queen Meiren?" Lord Dermail asked, eyes burning in hate.

Meiren stood up and looked at him, "There is always that, but I know that the Romefeller Foundation is the threat. Would they just give up their weapons because we said so?? If we want others to disarm... we must disarm ourselves too. That is logic."

Lord Dermail slammed his fist on the table glaring at her, "Let me make it clear Queen Meiren... _that_ is not the way Romefeller wants to rule the world!"

Meiren let a small triumphant smile touch her lips... oh they played into her hands, "So we want to crush the very legs we stand upon... that is not a way to gain the people's trust, Lord Dermail."

Another Lord stood and looked at her, "What should we care about a civilian's trust. That is not our concern! Our concern should lie-"

"Lie where Lord Andrews? With in and among ourselves? If the people do not trust us and see us baring arms while preaching peace what does that say about us?" Meiren retorted.

Lord Andrews continued, "We don't have concerns for them. They are not of our concern."

"Then you would kill and cut off the legs you stand upon, my Lord? You would crush the very essence of what we should protect if not out of the kindness of our hearts, then for your social comforts sake?" Meiren scoffed at the man.

Lord Dermail picked up in Lord Andrews place, "They are merely lambs and do not think!"

"Those lambs as you call them were the same lambs that crushed the bourgeoisie of France... the same force that revolted against the slobs of the Roman Empire... the same force that has repeatedly destroyed any form of dictatorship in history, that alone should be a reason to win their trust!" Meiren finished.

Lord Andrews reclined back into his seat, showing he conceded.

Meiren sighed and centered and continued in a calmer tone, "In view of the peace we are trying to build... perhaps it is time for the Foundation to change."

Lord Dermail interrupted again, "It is not necessary for us to change our traditional ways. Not now or ever. People have always been stupid and will continue to be so. History also shows us that."

Meiren chuckled, "Is that your opinion Lord Dermail?" she paused and looked to the assembly, "Or is that the opinion of all Romefeller?"

"I believe I am speaking on behalf of the Romefeller, Queen Meiren." Lord Dermail stated haughtily.

Meiren stood her ground, "Is that so? And then we are all agreed?"

Lady Cabot stood and cleared her throat, "The assembly has not come to a decision yet... I have not either, young Lady. I must say I am intrigued..."

Lord Conway agreed, "Queen Meiren does have a point..."

Lord Dermail grinded his teeth and muttered, "Don't be foolish! The Romefeller is not going to change because of this girl's utterance!" he stopped for a moment... and hissed in his thoughts... " Damn! Now I may have said too much...." And all eyes were staring at him, he tried to recover, "I only wanted to point out that... we should not change our policy based only on Queen Meiren's opinion..."

Lord Velleci stood and stated firmly, "Being the topic it is, we will discuss this matter at the meeting after lunch... giving all tempers time to cool off. The executive council meeting is now closed."

As the hall emptied Lord Dermail glared where the woman he helped pull into power had stood and whispered, "What are they thinking? Not even the Foundation executives are listening to me...."

He slowly walked to his suite and once there opened the door and muttered, "Are they planning to follow that Meiren?"

Dorothy slipped from the shadows and smiled, "Well, that is Meiren's strength..."

"I brought her in to unify OZ but now she's a nuisance. If that's the case... " Lord Dermail pondered out loud...

Dorothy merely chuckled, "That's no good Grandfather. If something happens to our precious Queen Meiren now... you will be the first they suspect. Beautiful... the way you collapsed your own house of cards..." she clapped in sarcasm.

Her grandfather glared at her, "thank you, Dorothy."

"Your welcome. And at the moment you don't have the power to persuade them otherwise..." she smiled sweetly.

Lord Dermail sighed, "You are straightforward Dorothy... and as usual, correct in these matters... The Foundation is swaying. A strong leader must guide us all... and I do not want it to be Meiren... it was a pity Relena died... she would have been controlled much easier."

"That is not Relena. You know nothing of her then, Grandfather." Dorothy replied heatedly not liking anyone dishonoring her love like that.

"She is only needed to be a symbol of unification between the people and OZ... nothing more. She was not suppose to think..." He muttered collapsing in his desk chair.

Dorothy laughed, "If you wanted that grandfather you should have built one of your precious mecha into a facsimile. I don't think Meiren or Relena's peace policy will be achieved so easily.... But I know Meiren _will_ achieve her ideals."

Lord Dermail looked at her, "I'm sure there'll be need for arms... there always is..."

Dorothy looked at him, the plan was so easy to play out now... "Someone who has maintained power in Romefeller's forces will be approved as a leader..."

Dermail sighed, "Meiren is trying to disperse the Romefeller forces..."

"But Grandfather, you have the OZ space forces..." she smiled so sweetly.

"Are you telling me to go into space?" he asked her.

Dorothy smiled, oh he was falling into their plans nicely, "At the Foundation meeting after lunch, your opinion will not be supported.... They will listen to what Queen Meiren has to say... nothing else..."

He looked at her, "what are you suggesting?"

"Rather than fight a battle you know you're going to lose... you should prepare for the next battle.... I will see you when you return, Grandfather." Dorothy grinned and headed towards the door.

he watched her open the door then asked, "What are you going to do Dorothy?"

Dorothy giggled and replied, "I'll stay by Meiren. After all, words of peace means there will be more bloodshed around her... good bye." And she shut the door.

Lord Dermail sighed... "I didn't think I'd be in the front line at this age..." <14>

~~~~~'~~@@~~'~~~~~

Dorothy ran to Meiren's suite as soon as the door clicked shut and upon closing the door and seeing Meiren she grinned, "Good news Meiren! 'Grandfather' has gone into space!"

Meiren smiled " So I will be the strongest speaker... no opposition is attending the meeting.... Well played Dorothy."

Dorothy laughed, "The rest is all up to you...Let us go to the assembly hall!"

Meiren grinned , "Yes. I think its time we started getting things headed in the right direction."

~~~~~'~~@@~~'~~~~~

Back in the Winner estate Duo sits in the living room with his advisors...

"I think we'll have to give up on Wufei...." Duo smiled not conveying his thoughts or feelings. He could feel the air grow denser. "I don't think we really need him."

Zechs sighed and leaned back on the couch, one arm around Noin the other Heero, "He's gonna try it on his own then? He will come back, yes?"

Duo's silence left much to be said.

Aka Manah leaned forward, "Perhaps we should go back to Space? Would that be an option?"

Dumah sighed and rubbed his temples, "But White Fang troops are deployed in that area. It would be difficult to pass through them, if not cause more problems..."

Aka Manah asked back, not threateningly, just in a more defeated tone, "Do you mean to leave the White Fang as they are?"

"No doubt 'Queen Meiren' the royal pain in our ass will try to make peace with Space and Earth and she is in a much better position than us..." Duo sighed toying with his red braid.

Zechs nodded and agreed with their master, "We can negotiate with White Fang later, that was never an issue. "

Heero looked up at his master, "While White Fang continues to arm themselves?"

Trowa crossed his arms over his chest, "I have to agree with Zechs, those are concerns, but we need to figure out where Meiren is going with all of this."

Heero blinked and added, "And where Trieze fits in, that didn't make sense."

Sammael nodded, "He isn't friend but I don't know if he will side with her or not and then fighting them both will issue a greater challenge" he stopped and counted the bodies with his eyes, "Where's Moloch?"

Heero and Noin glanced around and shrugged. Dumah blinked and looked around for a clock, "He went out to buy breakfast I believe..."

Zechs muttered, "That was a while ago..."

They noticed Duo standing there in worry... "Dumah..."

Dumah's eyes widened and he hissed, "Badhbh... shit."

Duo glared at the angel, "Get Moloch. And kill Badhbh by any means necessary."

Dumah was gone in an instant with only one thought in his mind, finding his lover before it was too late...

~~~~'~~@@~~'~~~~~

Meiren smiled as she stood before the assembly and addressed them, "You are all leaders of the world. But to continue being leaders, the Romefeller Foundation must change. Just as the times are changing... you may ask why? Traditions will change... dictatorships crumble and are built anew constantly throughout history..."

"Why are there conflicts? Because there is always an existence of another body... other than yourself, that makes the conflict. To eliminate conflict we all must become one." She paused waiting for the inevitable...

"My Queen Meiren, that is only an ideal...." One of the Lords stated. Perfectly on cue...

Meiren replied stronger, "I declare once more. In order to eradicate the formula of conflict... OZ, who is in possession of the Foundation's power... must give up their arms first."

"The soldiers will not enjoy that..." another voice objected.

"To make the world become one does not apply only to Earth. The existence of two bodies makes the conflict. We must become one with Space. The Earth with Space, the Space with Earth..." She continued... feeding the words to give her absolute power...

"So you believe we must coexist?" one assembly member voiced.

"The coexistence of Earth and Space?" another voice asked.

"We should disarm OZ and call out to Space to coexist with us. I ask all of you as leaders to accept this change... " she stopped and met silence.

One by one the assembly members stood clapping and cheering. She had won. And as the cheers rang out she grinned to the shadows she knew were watching her, "I have won Sammael... and it is only a matter of time before I show you my idea of justice." <14>

Notes"
<1> Veritas latere sub amorum de homoina...(truth <abstract> lies hidden under the affairs <sexual affairs> of my body/person ...)
<2> Masa'a AlKair is Arabic for Good Evening.
<3> na'am is Arabic for yes.
<4> madra beag is Gaelic for little dog.
<5> ta tu breag... you are a lie...
<6> go leor is gaelic for enough.
<7> cad e ta cearr? Ta me tabhair eisean an bas! Gaelic and it means what is the matter? I am giving him death!
<8> deirim stopim = I say to stop.
<9> hehe... remember? Conoidh tu ag an geatabealach an marbh see = you will dwell at the gateway of the dead.
<10> are you...?
<11> Bonum vespertinum, meus Regina de Ulster... Latin means ... Good Evening, my Queen of Ulster.
<12> "Good evening yourself, meua Persian daemonis de furoris..." Latin means: evening yourself, my Persian demon of madness.
<13> that is a secret... take a bow Xellos!
<14> these parts were taken in direct quotes from the series, I tampered a wee bit with them, but on whole I thought that they connected the fic back to the story and I did find Relena's original speeches to be very cunning here, so with addition commentary and a little tinkering I changed them, but they are more or less quotes from the series.