Disclaimer: I do not own Bandai and Gundam Seed/Destiny and any of their characters.

Author's Notes: It's been a while since I last wrote a fic, due to my toxic schedule. But now that I got the chance to write again, I found myself writing another centric fic about Lacus Clyne. Even before I started cosplaying, and before I began role-playing Lacus Clyne in Hero TV Forum, Gundam Seed Renaissance and Anime Role-playing Community, and even before I was a writer - I was a fan. A fan who likes Lacus not because of her beauty and power, but because of her continuous struggle in life to strive to be as great as she is now.

I wrote this fic not to emphasize her role as a leader, I wrote this fic to let people know how Lacus felt deep inside, her other self, her flaws and weaknesses. I wrote this to let others understand, that she's just like anybody else, that she's not special for who she is – she is just Lacus. No more… no less…

This is a 3-chapter fic that serves as the sequel of my previous work – The Song in My Heart. I use symbolism as my technique in writing, so I can let my readers interpret my work on their own. At the end of each chapter is my own interpretation.

oooOOOooo

Chapter 1: My songs

Night came upon Aprilius City, where the artificial moon gave its soft glow upon a ruined abandoned stadium. The stars shined brightly against the vast darkness of space, as it's pictured like a sea filled with sparkling diamonds. It was under this same night sky when it all happened. And I never thought that I would find myself standing in this stage again. The stage where I used to perform, the stage where I sung my heart out, the stage that I loved. Back then, this dome would be filled with people to watch me, and listen to my songs. Back then, this place served as my sanctuary of peace and tranquility. It was a symbol to my people as a safe dwelling place.

But now, I could no longer recognize this place. The war left it in ruins, barren and lifeless. I stepped on the stage once more as I reminisce my past. It was once filled with lights that I loved, but now my only spotlight was the soft glow of the moon, as it gave its luminance unto my body.

The stage is set, and I'm ready to sing my Finale…

… My songs…

As I watched the artificial sun retreat to its lair, and night slowly covers the peaceful city of Aprilius One with darkness. I walked the stoned steps once more in the place that I thought that was long destroyed by war. The place where I grew up, the roots of all my memories. The place that I called home…

I walked in through the front entrance, hesitant to set my foot inside. Scared of seeing the things that I most cherished destroyed and in ruins. But I couldn't deny reality and run away from this. A sudden pain ache in heart as I saw with own pair of gray eyes of what that is left with my beloved home. The walls were already crumbled into tiny debris, the floor was a mess and filled with shards of broken window glasses, and stains of blood were splattered on the walls. The agony within me continued to ache as what I've witnessed shattered my soul.

I let my own body wander off through the place, and as of instinct, my feet led me to my favorite place in the house – the garden. My heart sank in deep sorrow, seeing my once beautiful garden into lifeless piece of land. The flowers that I nurtured everyday were now withered and deprived from life. My friends that loved, my children whom I nurtured – vanished in an instant. Their beautiful blossoms would always bring a smile on my face, and the sweetness of their scent would tingle my senses. But now, only the smell of burned wood and gunpowder can be sensed wherever I go.

Memories from my past began to play back in my mind, while I slowly recollect the moments I spent here. I could still remember those days I spent with Kira, the times that we talked, the moments that we shared, until the time he bid his farewell. I remember that pair of purple orbs so filled with determination to fight for his beliefs.

Beliefs… Indeed, all humans have their own set of beliefs, may it be Naturals or Coordinators. We fight for what we believe in, we do not to fight for good or evil, nor what is right or wrong. It is up to us to make those choices, and decide which path to take.

I found myself walking back inside the manor, entering a half open dark room. It was a spacious room lined with oversized burned wooden shelves with its books scattered unto the floor. Across the room was a wide mahogany desk punctured with bullets and stained with blood that has already been dried. A large old portrait of a blonde man in his late 40's was decorated behind. At first glance, it's hard to recognize the man in the portrait because of its torn pieces and splattered bloodstains. But despite the decaying parts of this piece of art, you can never miss the strong dignified stance of the man in the painting. As I looked deeper in his pair of eyes, I can sense greatness yet at the same time kindness with this man. A man who died as he fought for his beliefs. I couldn't help myself to tremble, as my eyes began to sting while it fills up with tears.

Father…

I greeted him with a smile as I walked nearer towards the portrait. As our eyes finally met, I forced myself to smile and be strong, yet I can't seem to stop myself from holding back the tears.

"I miss you so much father…" I finally said, trying to gain control. I found myself subconsciously hugging my own body. "I miss the feeling of your big warm hands gently wrapping them around me. I miss your presence that would always give me a secured feeling." But the emotion just whelmed up inside me that my tears rolled down my cheeks endlessly.

I feel so lonely that I wished that he was here to help me be strong. He was a great leader, a great father, and a great man. He fought strongly for your belief of living in harmony among the Naturals and Coordinators. He thought of the future not only for his family but for his fellowmen as well.

"I hope you can you see me now father. I've become the Chairwoman of PLANTs, just like you. And I hope that even if you're not with me, that you'll be proud of me. Give me strength…"

While I said my heartfelt prayer to whoever that would hear my voice, a sudden gush of wind flew inside the room, tickling my fair skin and wiping the tears from my eyes. It was then that the wind revealed another room at the far corner. The room was dimly lit with a mysterious faint glow. As I walked nearer, the curtains flew gracefully across the room, revealing a piano placed near the window. The gentle luminance of the moon laid its soft light upon the musical instrument, giving it a mystifying aura – beckoning me to follow.

I let my hands touch the smooth surface of the wooden piece, as if feelings it's every detail. It was cold and covered with debris, but I can't seem to help myself from suppressing the strong urge to play it. I led my body sit carefully in front of the piano, while I opened the case revealing its pearly white keys. My finger lingers within its surface as I gently pressed a key. The sound was surreal, triggering my inner most thoughts.

I closed my eyes, while I let my heart play the tunes inside me. The soft music echoed within the whole manor, breaking the stillness of night with its breathtaking symphony. The melody gave a feeling of gentleness, it was pure, kind and caring – like a motherly love for her child. She was more than just a faint memory, she was the one who gave me the gift of music, my love for symphony, my heart for singing. Despite the coldness of the night, my body felt the warmth from her embrace.

Upon hearing this wonderful melody, it was like a lock in my heart finally opened for the very first time. Back then, I sang my songs for peace, but now… Even just now, even for this brief moment, in this quiet night let me sing the song in my heart.

shizukana kono yoru ni anata wo matteru no
ano toki wasureta hohoemi wo tori ni kite
are kara sukoshi dake jikan ga sugite
omoide ga yasashiku natta ne.

hoshi no furu basho de
anata ga waratte irukoto wo
itsumo negatteta
ima tookutemo
mata aeru yo ne

itsu kara hohoemi wa konna ni hakanakute
hitotsu no machigaide kowarete shimau kara
taisetsuna mono dake wo hikari ni kaete
tooi sora koete yuku tsuyosade

hoshi no furu basho e
omoi wo anata ni todoketai
itsumo soba ni iru
sono tsumetasa wo dakishimeru kara
ima toukutemo, kitto aerune

shizuka na yoru ni

I opened my eyes as I was brought back to reality. I was still alone with no one to hear the song I just sang. I looked up towards the sky and stretched out my hand reaching to the stars. Hoping that the wind would lift my words to You. And so my gift to You, is but this simple song. And I hope that whoever is up there in the heavens – listening to me. I humbly ask to grant me this simple wish of mine…

…hear my song…"

Author's Notes: Chapter 1: My Songs symbolizes Lacus' prayers. Back in Seed, she sung Shizuka na yoru ni for Coordinators in other to calm them, her songs served as their players as war erupted. But in this fic, she sang this same song using a piano's mellow tune, symbolizing a prayer for herself. Asking for her father's strength and guidance and her mother whom she never had met in her life. It is also written in this fic that Lacus expresses her sorrow of losing her family and her past.

---End of Chapter 1---