GUNDAM SEED DESTINY
KNIGHTS OF CHAOS
Athrun Zala sighed as he leaned against the back of his chair. In front of him, the screen of his laptop was switched off. If the teen had turned it on, he would have seen the news report on the Junius 7 colony drop incident. Although he had hoped that the situation would not worsen, he was already making plans of his own. Cagalli would be late in a meeting with Unato and the other lords to discuss the implications of the drop. He needed to talk to someone...
On a beach somewhere in Orb...
A group of children were gathered for an outing. All of them were orphans; on this trip, their guardians were a slim, beautiful young lady with pink locks, and a brunette boy with a robot pet-bird. The boy heard a sedan stop behind him. As he turned around, Tori flew towards its creator, who was walking towards his best friend.
"Athrun, you're back. Was it a tiring trip?" Kira Yamato had no idea that his friend was involved in the colony drop incident. Tori flew in circles around the two.
"Yes...That report, you saw it too, didn't you?" By now, the whole world must have gotten wind of what had happened at Junius 7, thought Athrun.
Kira nodded in reply.
"Those who did it, lost their loved ones during the Bloody Valentine." Athrun stopped himself as he remembered his own loss. The cool sea breeze did little to soothe the pain, even though it was more than three years since Lenore Zala had passed away. Kira had a question in his mind; he didn't know if it was wise for him to ask it now.
"...Did you engage in combat?" Athrun hesistated before answering.
"I took part in the break-up operation, and I met them..." Kira sighed in dismay.
"Why must the same mistake repeat itself," asked the teen. He didn't realise that his friend was asking the same question himself.
"Kira, in the last war, I remembered asking you 'What were we fighting against?' and your reply was 'We can search for the answer together.'" Athrun was now looking at the brunette. Kira knew from the gaze that the boy was getting worked up.
"Did you find your answer in that war, Kira, or are you still searching for it? Tell me, Kira, what exactly are we fighting for?" Kira tapped his friend's shoulder gently.
"Get a hold on yourself, Athrun."
"...I'm sorry. It's just..." It was then that Athrun Zala finally figured out what he wanted to fight for. Not for honour or glory, but for the equality of all Coordinators. He looked at Kira again. Perhaps...
"Kira, would you come with me to PLANT?"
"What?" The boy was sure that he had heard his friend wrongly.
"I intend to meet Chairman Durandal in the PLANTs. I have to know what he's thinking. Would you come along?" Athrun could see that Kira was giving the idea some thought. He tried again.
"One of the terrorists during the drop said something which I'll never forget: ''Patrick Zala's way is the only path for us Coordinators!' My father's words still live on, Kira, and I can't stop them by myself. I trusted you in the last war. Now, would you place your trust in me?"
"...What about Cagalli?" Dense as he was when it came to love, Kira knew that his sister had feelings for Athrun and vice versa.
"Now that it has come to this, she'll be extremely busy, but if I stay here, I would not be able to help her at all, save for words of encouragement." As Kira took in these words, he looked at the group of children and the young lady who was playing along with them. Athrun nearly kicked himself for forgetting about her.
"I'm sure Lacus would want to prevent another war from happening. Perhaps Chairman Durandal..." Kira raised his hand to cut his friend off.
"Give me some time, Athrun." The blue-haired teen respected Kira's decision.
"Please, don't take too long." With that, he returned to his sedan. As it roared to life and sped off into the distance, Kira Yamato stared at the sea. The beauty of the sunset was lost on the teen as he pondered his options...
Later, at the Orb memorial.
Kira looked at the cold stone plaque. It was erected to commemorate all those who died in the first war; he didn't know all this, for it was Lacus who had brought him here (after sending the children back to Murrue Ramius's and Andrew Waltfeld's home). The Pink Princess had gone away to gather some flowers, leaving him alone to take a closer look...
"Is this the memorial?"
Kira turned around to see a black-haired teen staring at him. His white jacket and brown boots complemented his youthful look, but it was his red eyes who caught Kira's attention. It was a while before the teen found his tongue.
"I think so, but, I'm not too sure. This is the first time that I've actually been here." Kira then noticed the flowers around the slab.
"It's a pity that the waves' splashing have caused these flowers to wilt again; they must have bloomed quite beautifully in the past."
"It won't matter."
"Huh?" Kira thought that he heard bitterness in the teen's voice.
"No matter how brilliantly the flowers blossom, people will always find ways to destroy them." With that, he turned to leave.
Lacus Clyne was approaching the memorial, with a bunch of flowers in her hand. As she walked past the teen with red eyes, his blank stare ahead intrigued her.
"Who is he," asked the girl.
"I don't know. But, he cried." Kira remembered seeing a single tear flow down the boy's cheek just as he looked away. The Songstress set the flowers on the plaque. She then closed her eyes and prayed...
When she had finished, Kira cleared his throat.
"Kira, is something wrong?"
"Athrun...invited me to go to the PLANTs together with him." There was a sad expression on Lacus as she realised what may lie ahead for her friends.
"Are you going to fight again?" Although the pilot knew that she was worried for his safety, he was firm on the issue.
"Lacus, Athrun trusted me before. Now, it's my turn to repay the favour." The girl thought for a while.
"Well...go, take care of yourself." The boy was secretly relieved. Athrun was waiting for a reply; he would get it sooner than he expected...
Back in his room, Athrun was working on his laptop. The ringing of his handphone caught him by surprise. Cagalli should still be busy at this time, thought the boy as he took the call.
"Athrun?"
"Kira?" Just as the brunette had expected, Athrun didn't expect the call to come so quickly.
"Lacus has agreed. But, I have a condition."
"What is it?"
"I will pilot the Freedom to the PLANTs." Athrun should have seen that one coming, but he didn't. He thought very hard. Under the peace treaty, all nuclear technology in MSes were outlawed and dismantled. Obviously, that ban included the Freedom. But...
"Kira, could you launch in the Freedom and remain in space while I persuade the Chairman to allow the MS to enter PLANT?"
"I guess that could work. So, when do you intend to leave?"
"Tommorrow. I'll notify Cagalli on your decision."
"Athrun, talk to her properly. You may not get another chance after our trip."
"I know. Thanks for the reminder." With that, the blue-haired teen ended the conversation. He took in a deep breath. His friend had trusted him; he would do whatever it takes to honour that trust...
Meanwhile...
"What? You two are heading for the PLANTs?" Murrue Ramius nearly leapt out of her seat when she heard Kira's words; she thought that the teenagers had gone quite mad. Sitting where he was, the Desert Tiger was silent.
"Calm down, Captain Ramius. You seem to forget that he's a Coordinator." Although she didn't like anything involving the words "Natural" and "Coordinator", Lacus couldn't help but remind the captain.
Murrue thought for a while. ZAFT seemed to be different now; Talia Gladys, the captain of the Minerva, was a dignified woman who carried herself without any arrogance, even towards "Maria Varnes" (Murrue's identity as she goes about her civilian job). Also, she knew that Athrun Zala was an honourable teen who would never allow his friend to come to harm...
"So, you two are leaving tommorrow," asked Andrew Waltfeld. Kira nodded. The Tiger already had something in mind to help the couple maintain their communication.
"I'll get my contacts within ZAFT to watch out for the two of you."
"Thank you, Captain Waltfeld."
"The children will miss you,Kira," added Reverend sighed. The boy himself had become fond of them, but other important matters awaited him. Now that the adults had accepted the news, he wondered how the children would react...
At Athrun's apartment...
The Representative of Orb was apologetic for her busy schedule. For the whole day, it was one meeting after another, and the girl was feeling the strain. Knowing Cagalli's situation, Athrun didn't blame her for coming late. He was a little concerned when the blond mentioned that some of the lords favoured a "partnership" with the Earth Alliance. Still, his plan would remain unchanged.
"Cagalli, may I go to PLANT?"
"Eh?" Athrun stood up and walked towards the window.
"I'm worried about the situation over there, even as I believe that Chairman Durandal would not commit the PLANTs to a war. Also, so long as there are people who are swayed by my father's words..." Cagalli could see that the boy was trying hard to control his emotions.
"I...I would like to help PLANT in any way I can, either as Alex Dino of Orb, or as Athrun Zala." It was a while before Cagalli spoke.
"When are you leaving?"
"Tommorrow afternoon. Also, Kira would come along."
"What?" The thought of her brother leaving her was a little too much for the girl. As it was, Cagalli couldn't imagine a life without "Alex" by her side, protecting and encouraging her...
"Cagalli, I just hope that you would trust me, and Kira, on this one."
"...I do. I'll get someone to prepare the shuttle." Athrun remembered another important point.
"Kira would be piloting the Freedom." Cagalli stared at the teen. He looked at her straight in the eye.
"... I got you." The Representative was visibly drained as she left the room. Whether it was from her work or from his decision, Athrun couldn't tell...
The next day, at a secret hangar...
"Lacus, the key," asked Kira Yamato. Ever since the Freedom was rebuilt, the key to the hangar where it was housed was held by Lacus Clyne, until today. Although the Songstress was still a little reluctant to hand it over, she herself knew that it was necessary. With the key, the doors slid open, revealing Kira's sword. He could still remember the day where he stole the MS from ZAFT, with help from the girl who was now standing next to him.
Today, he was going to return it back to where it belonged.
Meanwhile...
Athrun Zala gave the contents of his briefcase one last check. Cagalli was already outside, waiting to see him off. He felt the little gift in his pocket; he had only gotten it earlier in the morning. Actually, his best friend's advice had been redundant; he just hoped that Cagalli wouldn't mind his "foolish" behaviour.
"Well, I'm off," said the boy.
"..." Cagalli Yula Attha didn't know what to say as the boy walked towards the shuttle. Suddenly, he stopped.
"...Although I understand your relationship with Yuna Roma.." The boy turned around. Cagalli wondered what he was up to.
"I'm still a little unhappy about it, so.." The girl was shocked when Athrun held her hand gently (but firmly) and slipped a ring onto her finger. The boy blushed and his heart raced; it was the second time he had such feelings in front of a girl.
"...No one gives away a ring like that, you know." Cagalli couldn't resist making fun of the boy.
"I'm sorry..." Athrun was just that little bit annoyed when the Representative began to giggle.
"Stop it," said Athrun in a mock serious tone. Not wanting to embarrass the boy further, the girl thought of a proper farewell.
"Thank you, and take care."
"You too." Despite himself, the teen leaned forward and gave Cagalli a gentle peck on the lips. Later, as the shuttle took off with her love inside, the Representative followed it until it disappeared into the blue sky...