Neo Gundam Wing
Episode 12 - Switch

Tina turned around and started to run as fast as she could through the halls unsure of where to go. Shingo placed the cup down and waited several seconds before going after the girl. Trina screamed instantly as the ran into someone and fell on the ground. She looked up as her brother helped her back up.

Trina: Quat, we have to get out of here... We have to tell everyone else... There was this guy with mom and he said he was papa but that's impossible, right? I mean he didn't even look like papa!
Quat: It was papa, what's left of him at least. *picks up his glasses and sighed as he found them broken* Well then... isn't this just prefect...
Trina: No... no... that can't be papa...
Quat: Believe what you want...
Trina: We should tell Haruka-saa!
Quat: Go on... He's over there... *points behind himself*
Trina: *looked behind Quat and turned around after she saw the corpse on the ground* You... you didn't--
Quat: I didn't! I wouldn't have any reason to... besides... he looks more like he was mangled or something...
Trina: What about Duet and Nova? Are they okay?
Quat: I don't know. I ran into you after I saw Haruka.
Trina: That's right... He could've been following me! We need to get out of here or something! *hears a thud on the ground behind her and nearly jumps*
Kaze: And why exactly should we run? He's in our territory, he should be the one running.
Quat: Nice of you to join the party, Kaze.
Kaze: Of course, kitten. I haven't seen you in so long... I missed you.
Quat: Eh... yeah... The point is that we need to do something like Trina said but we shouldn't run. We need a plan or something...
Trina: Don't be stupid Quat. We don't know what he would so to us or anyone here.
Quat: I thought Haruka's death was a good sign of what he was capable of.
Kaze: *looks over at Haruka and grins* Well look at that... something good came out of this ordeal. *hugs Quat* Don't you agree, Quat?! *stares at him* Something is different about you Kitten... Very different.
Trina: *looks at Quat* I think Kaze's right...
Quat: You guys are probably just going crazy or something... I mean neither of you have seen me in a long while.
Kaze: Perhaps...
Quat: Anyway... I think we should get going before something else should come out of no where.
Trina: I suppose so...
Quat: While we're at it we might as well tell the others about what's going on.
Kaze: Of course.

Quat watched as Kaze skipped happily behind Trina through the hall and turned the corner. He gave a sigh as he took out a roll of tape and attempted to fix the damage to his glasses. He stopped and looked around as a low growl came from behind him and quickly put his glasses back on with the makeshift repair to the frame and looked up into a grey blue gaze. Quat stumbled backwards and found himself cornered. Shingo grabbed the boy by the throat and looked at him.

Shingo: So... where is he at? Hiding? *watched as Quat tried to get out of his grip and slowly started to turn pale* Maybe it would be easier for you to answer if I put you down... or maybe you'll just run away when I do so. Are you going to run? *watched Quat shake his head* Good boy. *drops him* So... Where is he?
Quat: Who?
Shingo: Zero, why don't you just come out like a man? Oh wait... you never where a man... .you were just a clone. *grabs Quat's face* Are you hiding behind a little boy? Do you think I won't kill him as well? I let you go and you go ahead and use a boy to get out and come after me. Now that I'm here you're too scared to come out of hiding.
Quat: *manages to push Shingo away from him* Have you really gone so cold, Shingo? Killing your boy to get to me? Really... Who is the bigger loser?
Shingo: There is a difference between being captured and hiding, Zero.
Quat: *grabs the glasses and gets up* You, captured? By who?
Shingo: You know very well who.
Quat: Children grow up so fast. You haven't even grown past the age this boy remembers you yet your hair...
Shingo: A parting gift from Sandstorm.
Quat: You did put up a good fight with her yet she still managed to take more out of you. You're nothing but an empty body. You did what I had planed to do without even thinking about it. I guess Haruka found out how much of a "good" friend you were after all.
Shingo: He was too slow to act on the request I gave him.
Quat: Was he... Tell me Shingo, what is it like to see all your friends and family practically gone or grown old while you remain the same?
Shingo: Do I hate it? Yes. As for you... what does it feel like to be in a practically useless body?
Quat: Heh... Touché, Shingo. That was a good one. What deal with the devil did you make for such a weak child?
Shingo: You can blame that on his mother.
Quat: Perhaps... She only delayed it just as the same happened with you though... it would've been to your benefit if you had conceded to me.
Shingo: You mean when we were the same person.
Quat: Of course. There's a certain amount of yen and yang one should have yet you threw me out even when you had the chance to gain me back. Now look at you. You're killing off all the things that life gave you without a care in the world. Do you really care nothing? Are you really as emotionless as you appear?
Shingo: I am as you see me.
Quat: Well then... Kill him and your wish to destroy me will succeed.
Shingo: *turns around* I always told you that I wouldn't kill you. In a sense I never did... I only disposed of your body so you wouldn't hurt anyone. It would appear you still can't. Besides, Sandstorm wants to play with Quat.
Quat: And you'll allow it?
Shingo: Why should I care anymore? I don't belong here so I won't bother with it. I'm more interested in a way out of here.
Quat: And you were looking for me to do so.
Shingo: Of course but where you're currently stuck in... won't do much to me. I intend on putting up a fight before I die.
Quat: And so it comes down to who really deserves to live.
Shingo: Perhaps it does. Tell him... He has a choice to make soon. I've made the wrong choice and now I've become a monster. He'll know when this choice comes about.
Quat: *growls and puts the glasses on* I'm no ones messenger boy. *watches Shingo leave*
Kaze: Is that so... Zero?
Quat: *turns around and looks at Kaze* What do you want, little girl?
Kaze: Perhaps we could strike a deal with one another.
Quat: And what could you give me?
Kaze: Well you'll just have to see, neh?
Quat: What do you want?
Kaze: Oh... lots of things...

Rena stared at Trina in disbelief and finally managed to say something.

Rena: And this guy... He did it?
Trina: *nods*
Rena: Where's Kaze and Quat at?
Trina: I don't know... Kaze was right behind me and then she left... I hope Quat didn't run into him.
Rena: Why wasn't he with you!?
Trina: I guess he was fixing his glasses... I ran into him and they broke.
Rena: Where did you last see him?
Trina: I saw--
Quat: I'm right here.
Kaze: *pops behinds Quat* As am I.
Rena: Where were you two?
Kaze: Maybe we were  busy having fun.
Rena: Doing what?!
Kaze: Really Auntie... You should calm down.
Rena: Are you okay, Quat?
Quat: Yeah, why do you ask?
Rena: No reason. Where is Acht at?
Trina: He's still sleeping.
Kaze: My puppy is still sleeping? I should wake him up and tell him it's time to play!  Come with me Quat!
Quat: Uh...
Rena: Quat stays here. Trina, go with Kaze.
Trina: Okay.
Kaze: You're such a piggy, auntie. *slams the door behind her*
Rena: I wish he would do something about Kaze. *gets out of bed*
Quat: You don't mean that, do you?
Rena: I suppose not. We need everyone we can get to get through this one. We don't even know if anyone else is alive really.
Quat: I guess we should hope for the best.
Rena: It seems that everything just keeps getting worse each day.
Quat: So it does...Rena I want to change that.
Rena: You can't do anything, Quat. You're better off staying behind.
Quat: You think I'm worthless?
Rena: I just don't think you really can do anything.
Quat: I can pilot Sandstorm!
Rena: True but I don't want you to hurt yourself.
Quat: I won't! I want to help you guys!
Rena: Then stay out of the way!
Quat: ...Fine...I will.
Rena: I didn't mean it like that, Quat.
Quat: I know. You just don't know what to say.
Rena: I guess not but I still don't want you to pilot.
Quat: I won't.
Rena: Good. *goes to the door* I want you to stay in here.
Quat: I will.
Rena: Good. *leaves*
Quat: And she leaves me again...
Boy: *on the bed* Sucks doesn't it?
Quat: I don't know. I guess so...
Boy: So, what do you want?
Quat: Huh?
Boy: You called me here. Obviously you want something.
Quat: I don't know what I could want.
Boy: You sure? I'll leave...
Quat: Could...could there be a way for me to help Rena-chan?
Boy: Sandstorm?
Quat: I told Rena I wouldn't.
Boy: Hmm I guess you're out of options then.
Quat: I can't be! There's got to be something else I can do!
Boy: There's nothing left for you... Maybe...
Quat: If you know something tell me!
Boy: *tosses Quat a bottle* Of course that isn't real yet you need to find one that looks like that.
Quat: What will it do?
Boy: It should give you what you want. He has it somewhere. I don't know where.
Tsuki: Naturally you shouldn't.
Quat: *looks over at the ghost and watches his counterpart disappear* You know...
Tsuki: Of course. How long were you going to try and hide him? Hmm?
Quat: I... I was...
Tsuki: Give it up kid.
Quat: You're Zero, aren't you?
Tsuki: Long ago, yes.
Quat: You knew my father too.
Tsuki: Boy, I was your father.
Quat: What?
Tsuki: In a sense... I was... Yes... I was.
Quat: I see..
Tsuki: Keep away from him.
Quat: Him?
Tsuki: He's no good.
Quat: And you are?! You... you made me kill Ling!
Tsuki: Only because your sister asked for it to be done.
Quat: She did... didn't she... That still doesn't make you any better!
Tsuki: Do you know how crowded your head is?
Quat: Huh?
Tsuki: You want to do so many things... Get Rena to like you, make Trina happy, fix everything, keep your promises, keep your own little secrets... so much other crap in there as well and to top it off... him. He's only going to screw up everything.
Quat: And you won't? He actually seems like he wants to help me! You're just a body snatcher!
Tsuki: I may be a "body snatcher" but that thing... That thing is much worse than I am. I've been nice, kept it away for awhile but it seems it just came out anyway. If you let it go to it's full potential I doubt even Sandstorm could stop it.
Quat: If you're so strong, why is it that you're dead now?
Tsuki: Your father killed me or rather sealed me up within Sandstorm. The same was going to happen to him but he was always better than myself. He made it out of there with few changes and threw Sandstorm on Phobos while he lived semi happily on Earth. He couldn't escape her... he still can't and that is why this story won't end.
Quat: And what do you want to do with your "second chance"?
Tsuki: I intend on finding Yui-chan and getting rid of the man that separated us.
Quat: Yui? Is she a girlfriend or something?
Tsuki: No, in a way she's my daughter.
Quat: I see...But what can you do in your... state? I mean she probably can't even see you or recognize you. How do you intend to find her?
Tsuki: I know how to find her. When I gave her up I knew how to find her. She's still around here somewhere close by. I'm sure she knows I'm around still even if it's not in a physical form.
Quat: ...I'm confused yet again... I just want everything to be normal.
Tsuki: Normal? There is no normal. You have the same thing that makes your sister and your father special.
Quat: I don't know... I don't know what to do or think anymore. Just when I think I know...everything... Everything just...
Tsuki: Go to sleep Quat.
Quat: *shakes his head* I want to see this through.
Tsuki: You can only stay up for so long, Quat.
Quat: And you can wait equally as long.
Tsuki: I have eternity to wait.

Acht stared at Trina in disbelief and then at Kaze, who was petting him on the head.

Acht: What... What are we going to do then?
Trina: Rena said there was really nothing we could do yet.
Kaze: I say we track him down and pump his body full of bullets until he dies and if he's still moving we should get a pole or a stick and poke him to death!
Acht: Err... *moves away from Kaze* And you? *looks at Trina*
Trina: I don't know. I've only seen him once. If he's able to do that to Haruka-saa then I'm sure it'll be much more difficult for us to make a scratch on him.
Kaze: If he even notices you scratched him...
Acht: Your plan didn't sound any better.
Kaze: True, but have you ever fought outside of a gundam?
Acht: No...
Kaze: See... He already is ahead of you.
Shen: *standing by the entrance* Then we should use what we have.
Kaze: Shen-chan...
Shen: We could either use some of the weapons around here and fight him or just run for it but that would be cowardly.
Acht: Sooner we get rid of this guy the faster we can move on to something else, eh? *grins and looks at Trina* You've been quiet...
Trina: Oh... I'm just thinking about some things that's all.
Acht: *jumps out of bed* Then lets go kick some ass!
Kaze: What lovely underwear you have. I never imagined you wearing clothing with bears... Cute...
Acht: ...I didn't have any clean clothes really... Errr that's beside the point!
Shen: Then lets go get some things and think of a plan.

Quat woke up and stared at the classroom and at the only other person in the room.

Quat: ...He...Hello? *gets up and walks over to the other person and recognizes him quickly* It's you... What are you doing here? Did he put you here?
Boy: This is where I come from.
Quat: This?
Boy: In a sense you have taken over my life... *pulls out a magazine and kicks back* Do you like it?
Quat: It's much stranger than my own.
Boy: And in here you can have anything you want including Rena. In here I've already established one with her, a relationship, behind Kaze's back. She's a little obsessive but I'm sure she won't mind another man.
Quat: You and Kaze?!
Boy: Yes.
Quat: But Rena likes you.
Boy: And while she likes me she also likes you. We're the same person, so it won't matter.
Quat: Yes it will! Acht can tell something is different and Trina as well... I don't belong here!
Boy: You wanted my help, right?
Quat: Uh... yes! You can do that, right?!
Boy: Of course.
Quat: Good! There's something out there and I don't like it! We should do something!
Boy: There is no "we".
Quat: Huh?
Boy: You want my help, I can give you my help but in order for me to do so we need to switch. Once I'm done... We can switch back.
Quat: Well... I... I don't know about that now...Won't Tsuki notice?
Boy: Once I get that bottle then I can get rid of him.
Quat: You promise, right?!
Boy: Just like yourself I wouldn't ever break a promise.
Quat: That's great! *hugs the boy* I'm so glad!
Boy: As am I.... As am I....

Shingo looked around as a bullet was shot and missed. He looked over at the purple headed boy as the boy took off as fast as he could. Shingo growled and followed him closely.

Acht: He's right behind me!!
Shen: Good! Start the second part.
Trina: Okay!
Shingo: *watches as a laser box forms around him* Well... Isn't that interesting...*spits at the prison and watches it disintegrate* Looks like that might hurt...This is your big plan? To capture me?
Acht: HAH! An you fell for it!
Shingo: You realize, once I get out... I'm going to kill you.
Shen: If you get out.
Trina: What are you really after?
Shingo: I don't know.
Trina: Why did you kill Haruka? Have you hurt Duet or Nova?!
Shingo: I killed him...Because he made me mad. I haven't hurt Nova because it would make Ariel upset and Duet... Duet is already hurt I'll only do something about it if she wants me to.
Shen: If she wants you to? You're him!
Shingo: Zero? No, but close.
Acht: Eh?
Shingo: He is me as I am him. Disposing of him from myself has done worse damage to myself then I would have thought.
Trina: Papa...
Shen: Meh... We should keep a close watch on him.
Acht: Yeah, that way we know he can't get out.
Shingo: Cute.
Kaze: *walks into the hall* Oh my we caught a pretty man!
Shen: It's not a time to play, Kaze.
Kaze: Oooh... Well then... We should get to killing him then. *takes Acht's gun and points it at Shingo*
Shen: Kaze!
Trina: Kaze, please!!
Acht: She's nuts!

Rena walked back into her room and stared in amazement as the entire room was different then before and much larger. She turned around to leave and found the door missing. She shuddered as the room seemed to become colder every second.

Rena: The hell is going on here...
Voice: Re-chan! Re-chan!
Rena: *feels something pull on her pant leg and stares at the strange looking dolls* Ehhh! Get off! *kicks the doll off of her and attempts to get away from the things as she nearly runs into a familiar face* Quat? What's going on here? What's all that stuff on your face? And those clothes...
Quat: You're not nice Rena... They just wanted to play.
Rena: This isn't a game.
Quat: You're right, it isn't.
Rena: Who are you?
Quat: I am Quat, who else would I be?
Rena: You're not him.
Quat: Of course I am, my love.
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Ah... tralalala! Happy holidays and Happy New Year! ^_^ *hugs everyone*

- ChibiChibi-chan