The vast outer space. Luminous stars from distant galaxies twinkled in the silken darkness, and the silvery moon was side by side with the Mother Earth. The orbiting space colonies seem to drift without purpose, while space shuttles soared through the raven cosmos. It was the typical backdrop The Three Musketeers of Outer Space were accustomed to.

"Trowa, Wufei, this is Quatre. Everything’s under control here at the L4 Colony."

Poor Quatre. Ever since he came back to outer space with The Silent Soldier and The Solitary Dragon, he had no time to go back to the Winner Estate to finish family business or to even see Dorthy, that crazed woman who’s the exact opposite of him. Well, he’d rather spend quality time with the girl he least expected to fall for than to pilot a slick Midnight Blue speedy space shuttle while wearing a white space suit. As Katrine simply puts it when she was debating about the Final Fantasy VIII’s coupling controversy with them, "Opposites attract, right~? Besides, Quistis looked at Squally as a brother, anyway. There’s only Seifer now." To this very day, Quatre still can’t see how she came up with that silly idea of a hot-tempered Garden student and a whip-toting instructor who should get it on-

"Nothing here at the L2 Colony, Quatre."

Poor Trowa. He doesn’t have the time to go back to the circus and look at the schedule if he’s needed to perform again. The only good thing about being away is staying away from that starving mob of female fans. The bad thing- being away from Catherine, the only family he ever had- and wearing that burdensome white space suit-

"All is quiet on the eastern front."

Poor Wufei. There’s nothing good to say about him, unless someone is willing to bring up the nasty little subject of him and Sally Po being an item without having his ass kicked-

"Good. We’ll go back to base first and do another routine check at 1000 hours," Quatre reported.

"Roger that, Quatre," Wufei responded, "Now let’s go see what our Prince’s been up to since he came back to outer space."

"You know him…," Trowa laughed, "Just imagine- him and Relena, all alone in the bedroom-"

"We should have known," the Arabian Prince grinned.

<Beep Beep!>

"Hmm? Someone’s trying to call me," Quatre told them as he looked at his control panel.

"Me too," Trowa added.

"Me three. If it’s Zechs, I’m hanging up the moment I see his ugly mug on the screen," the Chinese man informed.

A familiar face was shown on their screens. The Reddish-Brown hair, the Brown eyes-

"Hi, guys."

Seeing their lovely friend of 3 long years brought smiles to their faces, except to Wufei’s, of course. He now wished it was Zechs barking orders at them.

"Katrine!" Quatre called out.

"Go away, woman! Don’t you know we’re busy now?!" the Chinese man protested.

"Hi, Wufei," she beamed, which got on his tense nerves.

"How’s everything in Tokyo?" Trowa asked.

"Fine," Katrine said plainly.

"And your brother?" The Prince of the Desert wanted to know.

"He’s fine, too," she said monotonously.

"And how’s Duo~?" The Silent Soldier smirked, "Now that Heero’s getting married, you and The God of Death have the apartment all to yourselves~"

"I said everything’s fine!" she snapped.

All three sensed the same feeling. They can see it in her Brown eyes and hear it in her sweet voice.

"You’re still not over what we said about you and Duo two weeks ago?" Wufei guessed, "Why am I not surprised?!"

"No, that’s not it," she clarified with sorrow in her captivating eyes,

"I called to show you my latest sketch of Relena’s wedding gown. It’s not the best, you know, but it’s getting there."

"Katrine~," Trowa sneered.

"Katrine, it’s your store policy to never show the wedding gown sketches to anyone who knows the couple, especially to the guys," Quatre told her, "What’s bothering you?"

They saw right through her façade. She might as well tell them what’s on her mind.

"Guys, who is this Hilde Schbeiker?"

That’s the absolutely last thing they expected her to say. That name-

"Wha- what?" Wufei gasped.

"Impossible-!" Trowa exclaimed, "Don’t tell me she-"

"Who is she?" Katrine questioned.

"All we know is that she hates your guts," Quatre explained.

"Don’t try to act cute on me now, guys. Who is she really?"

"Should we tell her, or should we let Duo take the honors?" the irritated Prince of the Desert said to his fellow Gundam pilots.

"Duo," both voted in unison.

"Guys, please-"

"Katrine, why don’t you go ask The God of Death on this matter?" Trowa suggested.

"I have to know who she is," she insisted, "I might make Duo uncomfortable if I ask him personally-"

Katrine looked down at the cold lonely wooden floor, trying her best to hold back her tears. It was the typical scene The Three Musketeers of Outer Space were accustomed to as well. It’s a scene they hate seeing, even Wufei.

"So you would rather get the scoop from us, huh?" The Solitary Dragon assumed, "Only if you make us an 8-course meal when we visit you again."

"Wufei-!" Quatre shouted.

"I’m sorry to bother you," she apologized, looking at all three of them, "It’s rude of me to ask such a thing-"

"Katrine, why don’t you come here to outer space and hang out with us for a while?" The Arabian Prince recommended.

"Huh?"

"Yeah! Maybe you’ll get your inspiration for Relena’s wedding gown!" The Silent Soldier agreed.

"Does she have to?!" Wufei complained.

"But I have never been to outer space all of my life-"

"That’s why you bring Duo with you, Kat!" Trowa reminded her, "He knows his way around the colonies-"

"And also, your brother does trust him to protect you, right?" Quatre added.

"But what about Hilde?" Katrine interrupted, "Isn’t she Duo’s-"

"No buts, Katrine!" Quatre broke in, "Get over here, now!"

"With Duo!" Trowa pointed out.

"Can’t she stay in Tokyo, where she belongs?!" Wufei fussed.

"All right… I’ll be there in three days," Katrine gave in.

The Silent Soldier and The Prince of the Desert were glad that she took their generous offer they thought up right there, but something was not right.

"No, Katrine-" Quatre shook his head.

"<Sigh> WE’LL be there in three days."

"That’s the spirit, Kat!" Trowa smiled, "Just take a flight to the L1 Colony and we’ll meet you there, okay?"

"Thank you, guys," Katrine beamed at them, "See you later then."

"Goodbye, Katrine!"

Once she hanged up, it was time for them to discuss what’s on their minds.

"Great. The Wicked Witch of the L2 Colony has finally returned," Trowa griped, "Isn’t that wonderful?"

"Something must have happened when she went to London to scold Zechs," Quatre theorized, "There’s no way that Hilde would leave Tokyo unscathed without dealing with all of Katrine’s 355 family members and 3,564 of her friends-"

"And neither would Duo tell that woman about Hilde," Wufei said,

"If he can’t tell a lie, he might as well never bring up the subject then."

"Augh, I forgot~! We should have asked her if Duo’s still with her in the apartment!" Trowa panicked.

"We shouldn’t worry about him, Trowa," Quatre smiled wryly, "He’ll never make Katrine feel lonely, that’s for sure. It’s Hilde who should be worrying about herself."

"I have to agree with you, Quatre," Wufei accepted, "I hate that woman, but she treats Duo very well. And for a woman her age, she definitely knows how to kick some ass."

"Yeah, Wufei. She kicked yours, remember?" the young man with Dark Green eyes hinted at.

"Silence, you clown!" the Black-haired man exploded.

"I’ll just go ask Ms. Noin if she witnessed anything when Duo and Katrine visited the Headquarters then," the only Winner son sighed heavily.

"Hey… what’s this? Another special report on our Prince…?" Trowa wondered as he flipped through the channels.

"Really? What news station?" Quatre requested.

"CNN, what else?"

The Prince of the Desert, along with the Chinese Dragon, checked it out for the latest development on their friend, who they haven’t spoken to since parting at the Darlian Residence. The malnourished media made it too difficult for them to be normal people just to speak with the Prince of Outer Space. Besides, Zechs could be watching, and if he is, that means instant doom.

This is the top story for March 1, After Colony 200… Today the colonies are still in the festive mood as The Long Lost Prince of Outer Space, Prince Odin Lowe, Jr., and his fiancée, Relena Darlian, have arrived in the L1 colony just two weeks ago. The Lowes Manor, also known as The Eternal Light, has been bustling with life as the Prince has ultimately returned to his rightful throne. People from all colonies have showered the newly engaged couple with gifts and tears of joy, for at long last, Prince Odin has finally came home.

Quatre was suddenly filled with rage. He can’t believe that the entire universe is too gullible to live in his friend’s little white lies.

"He’s not the Prince," he surmised.

"Quatre, what’s your problem?" Trowa asked with a concerned look on his face.

"Heero’s carrying this a little too far," his friend sternly answered as he immediately turned on the noisy rocket thrusters to full blast.

"Hey! Where are you going?!" Trowa demanded.

"To the L1 Colony."

"What for? We’re still on duty, Quatre. Just let Heero handle it."

"That’s the problem, Trowa. I can’t."

Then the usually kind-hearted Quatre flew off into the blackness of space. Trowa has never seen his friend of 5 long years act in such a manner.

"Ohno," he feared, "Wufei, let’s go."

"I’m going to enjoy this," The Solitary Dragon smirked.

"No…"

The Crimson Terror was everywhere. Spilled on the floor like a puddle of water, splattered on the walls like acrylic paint-

"No… not this again-"

His hands begin to quiver tremendously. He looked at his hands… his crimson hands-

"Please… no more!"

He looked at the messy floor once more. A dead face of fear, covered in the Crimson Terror, suddenly smiling at him.

"NOOOOOOOO~!"

Heero nearly jumped out of his velvety half tester bed with golden embroidered Crimson Red curtains and golden tassels, covered in sweat. Hyperventilating, he scanned his royal master bedroom. No sight of the Crimson Terror, just Carmine Red walls, a high circular ceiling, four small hanging crystal chandeliers surrounding a disk of watching angels above him, two small oak tables with lamps on the bed’s sides, three gigantic covered windows on his left, an elaborate locked chest in front of the bed, a double-fronted wardrobe with a tall dressing mirror facing him, two attractive chairs placed against opposite walls, a carpeted floor with simple flower motifs and a large oak washstand. He looked at his hands. No sign of the Crimson Terror either, just his hands shaking uncontrollably… and an intricate Platinum Gold ring that laid on his right hand’s fourth finger. He wished that he didn’t have to wear the perfect match for Relena’s gorgeous engagement ring.

"Just another nightmare…," he whispered to himself as he closed his heavy eyes.

"Your Highness?"

One of Heero’s 59 loyal servants in traditional butler attire walked into the majestic bedroom without knocking for the twentieth time. Heero, wearing a two-piece Grass Green pajama, sat up straight and gave the man an icy stare.

"Please knock next time, all right, Dean?" he scolded the butler.

"There are three visitors for you," his servant told him.

Looks like he still needs lots of training.

"Let them in," Heero requested.

"You know who these people are, Your Highness?"

Heero’s in the mood to kill him now. Too bad his gun’s somewhere else in the vast manor.

"Yes. I’ve been expecting them. And where’s Relena?"

"In the garden, Your Highness," Dean bowed to him.

"All right. Serve my guests well. I need to see my fiancée first," said an extremely aggravated Heero.

"Yes. I will do so right away, Your Highness."

After the middle-aged man closed the bulky double Tudor doors, Heero’s mind drifted back to the one girl who he can’t stop thinking of, no matter how hard he tried not to.

"Relena…"

"Hmm?"

Outside in one of the Lowes Manor’s many lively gardens, Relena sat on a cushioned chair while she listened to the musical chirping sounds of exotic birds resting in the tall trees and the gentle waters splashing into the serene pools that encircled her. The light winds carried the refreshing aroma of blooming sweet peas, roses and other countless flowers hinting the arrival of spring.

Was that He- I mean, Odin calling my name…?, she thought while she watched a family of ducks pass by her, It must have been my imagination…

As the chair made her more relaxed, Relena looked at the artificial sky. Columbus clouds danced lazily up there, and blazing lights shined like the sun.

It’s so strange… here I am, in the garden of the Lowes Manor, which has been dead quiet since Prince Odin Lowe, Jr. disappeared 16 years ago-

The mother duck called out for her children as her thoughts begin to conflict in her mind.

Wait… Dr. J did say that Heero Yuy was only his codename… does that mean he’s really-

The winds became gustier, and her Light Brown hair, put into a neat ponytail, swayed in the breeze.

Well, I did think he was some sort of Star Prince, but not The Prince of Outer Space-!

Relena got up and looked at her impression in the pool’s rippling reflections.

Why did he tell me just now? Why didn’t tell me before, when we first met…? Just because we’re engaged-

Then she looked at her invaluable Harry Winston engagement ring. Just the mere sight of it brought her close to tears.

"Relena?"

She felt a warm caring hand on her right shoulder. With her nearly scared for her life, Relena quickly turned around. It was him, the one who stirs her heart like no one else.

"Don’t worry. It’s only me," Heero smiled as he put his Ivory White jacket around her frigid shoulders and shivering back. He couldn’t help himself since she looks so beautiful in that White shirt and Blush Pink skirt. Relena keeps on forgetting how rare it is to see him smile- and how much she loves it.

"Heero," she said with a fast-beating heart.

"Odin, please," he requested.

"Okay, Odin…"

What a beautiful name…, she thought.

"Why are you here all alone in the garden, Relena? You know it still gets cold in the morning," Heero told her.

Her mind was brought back to the cruel world of Reality, no matter how hard she tried not to.

"It calms my nerves," Relena lied, turning her back at him.

"That’s not it."

"Yes, it is!"

Just like the old times- him and her, never on the same terms… despite that, Heero knew what was bothering her for the past two weeks.

"I know I should have told you who I really was, but-"

"I’m not thinking about that," she interrupted.

"You can’t lie to me, Relena," he sneered, "I can see it in your eyes."

She hates it when he’s right. Too bad the conversation has to continue another time.

"Your Highness, Miss Relena, your visitors are impatiently waiting," Dean bowed to him.

"More visitors…?" Relena wondered.

"Why are you still in your pajamas, Your Highness?" the butler scolded the annoyed Prince, "And where are your slippers? You can’t run around here in the garden barefooted."

"Let’s go, Relena," Heero said as he grabbed for her hand.

"Odin-!"

"Good morning, Your Highness. Miss Relena."

Relena couldn’t believe who was waiting for them in the grandiose living room with its high complex ceiling, magnificent crystal chandelier, matching furniture, a royally carpeted floor, sparkling windows, an enchanting fountain, a regal flight of stairs, stunning wall paintings and multiple doorways, but she’s more surprised that Heero would even hold her hand as the two walked in.

"Quatre, Trowa, Wufei, why are you all here?" she asked the three young men in the causal Preventer uniform after they finished saluting the couple.

"What is it?" Heero questioned with stern eyes.

The Three Musketeers of Outer Space wanted to tour the place while having their fun with the two lovebirds and their public displays of affection (hint hint), but fortunately and unfortunately, business has to come first.

"Miss Relena, it’s best if you leave the room for a moment," Quatre requested.

"Why?"

"It’s going to get ugly from here," Trowa explained, "I’d leave if I were you."

"He’s my fiancé, and I will stand by him all of the way," she insisted.

They should have known it was hopeless to tell Heero’s strong-willed fiancée to scat. Of course, if they wanted to have a talk with Duo, and they told Katrine to scat- well, that’s a different story entirely.

"Just let her stay," Heero suggested.

"Fine," Wufei nodded, "But don’t say we didn’t warn you, Relena."

"Would you like to sit down?" she offered but was completely ignored.

"You don’t believe me, right?" Heero started, breaking away from her warm hand.

"Exactly," Quatre agreed, "The Prince of Outer Space has been missing for almost 20 years. There’s no way that the Prince is you."

"Relena, please leave," Trowa implored.

"Don’t make me repeat myself," she persisted.

"Relena…," Heero said with angelic eyes.

"You have to believe me, Miss Relena," Quatre went on, pointing his index finger straight at Heero, "He may be your fiancé, but he’s not Prince Odin!"

"What makes you believe he’s not The Prince of Outer Space?" she demanded.

"The Prince of Outer Space does not run away from his responsibilities, nor does he take the path of the damned and slaughter innocent people," The enraged Prince of the Desert clarified, "If he was the Prince, he would have came out of his hiding place a long time ago and stopped the war between the Earth and the space colonies!"

"You have the power, too, Quatre Raberba Winner. You were born into a family of pacifists, so why didn’t you try to stop the war through peaceful means instead of following the path of the damned, like my nephew?"

A mysterious voice halted the heated argument for a brief moment. Everyone but Heero wondered where it’s coming from.

"Who’s there?" Quatre called out.

"You never got over your father’s death, haven’t you?" the voice echoed in their ears, "The man you despised all of your life until he left this universe. Is that why you must give your antipathy to the Prince?"

"How did you know that…?" he asked with saddening eyes.

Heero wished he knew where he misplaced his gun in that immense manor so he can kill the one who was providing that voice.

"Come out, whoever you are!" Trowa provoked.

"The man with no identity, am I right?" it claimed, "The mothers and fathers of this universe always give a name to their child. It’s rude to call anyone ‘No Name’ for that matter."

"What…?"

"Just stay here, guys. I’ll find this woman," Wufei smirked, reaching for his gun hidden in his jacket.

That’s it.

"Auntie, will you stop it?" Heero called out.

"Auntie?!" The Three Musketeers of Outer Space gasped.

At the corner of their eyes, they saw a tall slender middle-aged woman walking down the regal flight of stairs. The color of her long hair was that of an incensed fire, her strapless Crimson Red dress and twinkling ruby jewelry prove her royalty, her Light Aqua eyes show how long she was hiding upstairs.

"It was Aunt Shiva all along, Odin, Sweetheart?" Relena asked.

"Who else?" Heero sarcastically answered.

"I’m sorry for eavesdropping, Prince Odin," the woman apologized as she did a curtsey before him.

"You’re always eavesdropping, anyway, Auntie," he pointed out, "That’s what you do best."

"What’s going on here?" Trowa questioned.

"Mommy~!" a short young Ultramarine Blue hair girl shouted at the top of her little lungs as she ran down the flight of stairs. She managed to get to the first floor and hug her mom without tripping on her long puffy Magenta dress.

"Hi, Hanako," Relena greeted her.

"Oh, now what?" Wufei griped.

"Hi, Miss Relena~! You know what I see~?" Hanako asked with inquisitive Parrot Green eyes.

"What do you see?" she beamed.

"I see another Prince like Prince Odin, a cute clown, and- who is that guy~?"

"Why me?" The Solitary Dragon sulked.

"Shiva, where is your father and brother?"

The Three Musketeers of Outer Space are still in a state of complete shock as another middle-aged woman in a White and Silver embroidered empress dress with matching gloves and diamond jewelry walked into the living room. Her short silvery hair, Violet Blue eyes and young features defied her true age.

"At the intercolonial conference to talk about Prince Odin’s return, why?" Shiva said.

"What is this, a family reunion?!" Quatre inquired.

The woman with the silvery hair faced the three young men and smiled.

"Prince Odin, these handsome young men are part of the Preventer 5, right?" she asked.

"Yes, Grandma," Heero nodded.

"Grandma~!" Hanako squealed in delight.

"You’re the grandmother?!" Wufei gaped, "I swear you look like you’re 45!"

Relena sighed heavily. It felt like it was like the old times.

"Welcome to The Eternal Light, all of you. I am Siren Lowe," the elderly woman introduced herself, "This is my daughter, Shiva Nomura and my granddaughter, Hanako."

"Hello," Shiva greeted them, "I’m sorry for what happened earlier."

"That’s okay," Trowa accepted, "It was great how you were able to throw your voice anywhere in this living room!"

"Oh, thank you, Trowa."

"Hi~! Who are you~?" Hanako asked the disturbed Chinese man.

"Does it matter to you who I really am?" he scowled.

"Yes. You act like a meanie, but you are really nice. Can you tell me your name~?"

"Go away, young girl," Wufei ordered, only because he detests young children, for they tell the whole truth, and nothing but.

Heero’s hidden heart lit up for once. He knew that his family would get along with his friends of 5 long years- except one.

"Stop it with the sweet talk," Quatre interrupted, "How can you possibly believe that he’s The Long Lost Prince of Outer Space?!"

"Would you give that up, Quatre?" The Silent Soldier whispered in his ear, "Heero really is Prince Odin!"

"Prove it!"

Relena has gotten sick and tired of Quatre’s meaningless complaints. Before she was about give him her two cents, Heero gave the Arabian Prince his own.

"Listen to me, Quatre. I am not God!"

In a flash, The Prince of the Desert caught sight of the largest painting that was hung in the living room. In the particular oil painting he saw was three royal people in their finest clothes. What really caught his eye was the young boy with Dark Brown hair and Prussian Blue eyes. He finally realized how wrong he was.

"Forgive me, Your Highness!" he begged as he kneeled before his friend.

"You okay, Quatre?" Trowa scratched his head in bewilderment.

"Don’t do this to me now~," Heero scorned.

"Forgive me for doubting you, Your Highness. I am ready to accept any punishment that I deserve," Quatre implored, daring not to look up at Heero.

"What about the Chinese Water Torture?" Shiva suggested.

Quatre gulped.

"No, Auntie," Heero objected, "Quatre Raberba Winner, please rise."

The only son of the large Winner family did what he was told.

"You won’t receive any punishment, and you don’t deserve one, either," the Prince reported.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Quatre sighed in relief.

"Odin, please," he requested.

"I have to get used to this."

Everyone is relieved that the tensions are now gone, but Heero’s friends are still astonished that he solved matters without resorting to violence, like he always have been in the past 5 long years.

"Since you are working under my grandson and are great friends with him, you are invited to the engagement party that will be held here in about two weeks," Siren announced.

"Wow! Really?" Trowa gasped in awe.

"Yes. You are part of the wedding party, right?"

"We- are?" Quatre asked.

Everyone looked at Heero, who had a blank look on his face.

"Odin, you didn’t ask them yet, did you?" Shiva assumed.

"Sorry," he apologized, taking his lovely fiancée with him, "Let’s go, Relena."

"Odin, where are we going?" she asked him as the two walked off.

"Bye~!" Hanako waved at them.

"Prince Odin, we’re not done talking yet!" Siren called out for him.

"Oh, I want to kill him right now~," Wufei sneered, "Who’s with me?"

"Count both of us in," Quatre said with determined eyes, "Name the torture."

"Chinese Water Torture, or one of us taking a joyride in Wing Zero?" Trowa suggested.

"What? We don’t do anything to Relena?" the Black haired man pouted.

"We do, and we’re all dead."

"Damn."

The person clad in pitch Black turned off the Aiwa 13" color TV, leaving it in the darkness it loves to dwell in. It couldn’t help smiling deviously as it sat in an old dusty couch.

"They say that everything’s worth the wait-"

It grabbed for a short katana blade resting in its scabbard. It unsheathed the sword and looked at its sharp edge. It ran its finger down that area, covering the sword with the Crimson Terror.

"Guess what, Odin Lowe, Jr., they’re damn right."

Then the person began to laugh. It was a maniacal one, and it filled the darkness of the room.

Author’s Note: A half tester bed is a bed with a roof over the upper part only and

curtains attached to the roof’s left and right sides, basically. The

washstands, on the other hand, are the ancient versions of sinks,

to put it in simple terms. It is a table with a pitcher of water and a

basin on top. Ah, the Chinese Water Torture… it’s like this: a

person is tied up, and a drop of water is felt on the head at

periodic intervals. Once the head has been soaked with too

much water, it will "eat" through all of the skin layers and enter

the skull, killing the person slowly and painfully. Ouch!

All Gundam Wing characters are the copyrights of Sunrise, the Sotsu Agency and Bandai. All rights reserved. But all of the other characters are MINE! ^0^