Hello mates! I've FINALLY gotten around to doing this 00 Fanfic of mine, cheers to LancelotQuanta's own 00 crossover for being the inspiration for this particular fic!
I'll be taking a few liberties with the Gundam 00 canon and changing the final match between Setsuna and Ribbons to suit the frame of the story, I'll try to do justice to the franchise though!
Chapter 1:
A Moment in Eternity
Shadows of eternity,
A moment in flight.
What is the nature of man?
When shadows are light?
Helpful stuff:
"Thoughts"
"Speech"
Author's helpful little notes and stuff
Location: Dark side of the moon
Time: Unknown
They say space is a vast void, kilometer upon kilometer of vast nothingness just above our heads. Silent. Free of war and hate.
They lie.
Countless pieces of debris litter the battlefield of space, thousands of kilometers engulfed in war. Bright flashes of pink and red light up the dark side of the moon like a fireworks display, highlighting the battle of survival that is taking place, the final battle that will decide the future of humanity.
And the source of all this war, all this hate, Ribbons Almark; Innovator, creator of the fake GN Drives, and master of the A-LAWS, was staring at Setsuna F. Seiei, Gundam Meister, First Human Innovator.
Thus will the battle that will dictate the course of humanity's progress take place; in a place far away from the eyes of the world, lonely and isolated. To the victor goes Earth's past, present, and future; to the loser, the emptiness of space.
Setsuna's POV
I steady myself, the strange new quantum brainwaves in my mind allowing me to take in enormous amounts of information in an eye blink. My side screens show the status of 00 Raiser, all green. The entire frontal screen shows a reddish Mobile Suit, piloted by Ribbons Almark; a tiny portion of the screen being taken up by the face of the Innovator himself. My eyes narrow as I observe him; my heart starts beating faster as we both prepare for the inevitable clash.
"You saved my life, then you led me forward, and now you're playing God in front of me!?" I shout at him as I accelerate 00 Raiser towards his suit.
He smirks and responds, "No, I am God."
The gap between our suits, the battle fated to be waged the moment I laid eyes on the 0 Gundam became ever shorter. I prepare my GN Sword as his suit prepared to fire at me.
"Do you want to rule humanity that badly!?" I ask. He fires at me and I dodge the massive beam. "Do you have no intention of living alongside us, of understanding us!?" I shout at the end.
Finally the gap has closed; I pulled back my sword for an overhead slash when he drew a beam saber and met my attack with his own, creating a deadlock between the two of us. Sparks flew from the conflicting blades, highlighting the images of two gods of war.
"If I do not, humanity will keep on fighting and will eventually be annihilated; it's the same as humans keeping animals in cages for their convenience" He responded in a condescending, superior voice. "I am their savior!"
I start at his proclamation, and then I respond, my eyes narrowing and my focus strengthening. "That ego distorts the world… I will destroy this revival you have created!" I declared, pushing him back with an almighty push from my Gundam. He recovers quickly and faces me again.
"Excellent conviction, Setsuna F. Seiei!" He exclaims.
I ignore him and prepare my Gundam. "Setsuna F. Seiei…"
He notices and smirks, "Ribbons Almark…"
"…00 Raiser…"
"…Reborns Gundam…"
"…Eliminating the Target!"
"…Eliminating the Target!"
Location: Ptolemaios II Main Deck
Time: 10 mins after initiation of battle
A beeping sound startled the crew of Celestial Being as they watched Setsuna fight that red mobile suit. Feldt immediately went back to her station and tried to find out what caused the beeping. Sumeragi and Billy tore their eyes away from the screen to question her when she looked up from her screens and said.
"Sumeragi-san! Something's wrong with the GN particles around the battlefield!"
Sumeragi snapped to action and glided over to Feldt and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I don't know. The particles from Setsuna and that mobile suit are behaving erratically, they seem to be combining together but I'm not sure." At that declaration Feldt bit her thumb, nervous over the fact that she couldn't figure out what might be harmful to Setsuna.
Billy then suddenly said to them, "Let me look at it." When the rest of the crew of the Ptolemaios looked at him in astonishment, he grew irritated and continued, "I designed that Gundam that boy is fighting! I can help!"
At that Sumeragi looked at Feldt and nodded her head. With some reluctance, Feldt then shifted her station so Billy could also look at the data flowing in from Veda. He nodded his head in thanks at her and started analyzing the behavior of the GN particles.
"Hmm… yes, that's different but then-"
They could only hope whatever is happening will not endanger Setsuna in any way.
Location: Dark side of the moon
Time: 20 mins after initiation of battle
Setsuna crashed into the asteroid beside them, quickly bringing his GN Saber in front of him to block the red beam that should've skewered him. He then brought up his other blade in an attempt to slice apart Ribbons, but the Innovade was quick to the uptake and promptly twisted his gundam to avoid the sword, disengaging from Setsuna in the process. Setsuna took the opportunity presented and took off from the asteroid, evading the blast from Ribbon's Buster Rifle. Switching his GN Sabres to Rifle mode, he began returning fire while flitting in and out of sight by using the scattered asteroids as cover. He managed to score several hits at his enemy, blackening the surface of the Innovade's gundam.
Ribbons, getting tired of the game, shifted to Cannon mode and proceeded to obliterate every asteroid that Setsuna hid behind, quickly shifting back to Gundam mode to block the 00, which had appeared from nowhere and attempted to bring his GN Sabre down on the Innovade. They both gritted their teeth and began an elaborate dance of death, flashes of red and green and pink coupled with the sparks emanating from GN particle contact the only visible evidence of their clashing. Setsuna thrust with one Sabre while firing the other in Rifle mode, Ribbons dodged the blade while using his shield to deflect the shot. Ribbons slashed with his own Sabre, Setsuna matched him with both blades. They clashed and disengaged again and again, using everything to try to get an advantage over the other. A piece of asteroid was launched at the 00, which responded by blasting it to pieces and using the ensuing smoke to flash up to the Reborns.
Inside his cockpit Ribbons was beginning to sweat, yet a pleased look was evident in his face, as he continued to fight Setsuna. "This is what will decide the fate of the world! Innovator against Innovade, Aeolia's vision against his creation!" Everything has led up to this moment, from the 0 Gundam to the GNX machines to A-Laws to this, this one beautiful moment frozen in time. When he wins he might create a memorial for Setsuna F. Seiei, Humanity's First Innovator, the child is worth at least that much.
Neither noticed the slowly increasing amounts of GN particles saturating the battlefield around them. 00 Raiser's overabundance of GN particles beginning to mix with the fake GN particles of the Ribbons Gundam and changing into a new, unknown particle.
Location: Ptolemaios II Main Deck
Time: 30 mins after initiation of battle
"What is this…?" Billy mumbled to himself, completely absorbed in his analysis as the battle continued to rage. "The light particles are combining in a peculiar way…it's almost as if… no, that can't be right…?"
Sumeragi and Feldt looked at Billy nervously, they have no idea what the frown on the scientist's face meant, and it was troubling them. Sumeragi asked the crew, "How long before Lockon and Allelujah get to Setsuna?"
Millenia looked back at her screen, saying, "Lockon reports that he's at least 30 minutes away from the 00 Raiser, Allelujah's last position is 40 minutes away Sumeragi-san."
Feldt looked at the main screen, anxiety clear on her face.
"Setsuna, come back safely."
Location: Dark side of the moon
Time: 50 mins after initiation of battle
Setsuna panted heavily, beads of sweat rolling down his face as he warily stared at Ribbons. The 00 was missing part of its left wing from a Cannon blast, some joints were beginning to dip into the yellow zone from the constant fighting and he had to abandon his right GN Sabre to save his arm. The Reborns Gundam was equally hurt, the pristine paint it sported was scored and pitted from exchanges with the GN Rifle, its shield was cast aside after a desperate strike by Setsuna had cleaved the wrist of the arm holding it.
Setsuna then hefted his remaining Sabre, holding it in two hands. Ribbons responded by drawing his own beam sabre in challenge. He threw his Gundam into flight and dashed straight up to his enemy, Sabre held at chest-height in a classic thrust attack. His opponent charged at him as well, his own sabre brought low in a counter stance. At the last moment both had switched their attack patterns, Setsuna strafing left and swinging his Sabre out to catch the Reborns' torso, which also shifted its blade to a low thrust aimed at the 00 Raiser.
Setsuna shifted his gundam's wrist to catch the red beam rapidly chasing him, attempting to push it out of position. Succeeding, he got hit in the face by a massive foot as the opposing gundam used its manoeuvrability to change its altitude and swing a leg out. Catching himself, Setsuna twisted his gundam around and fired his GN Rifle at the face of Ribbons who had attempted to follow up on his advantage. The beam flew through finally, as it hit the gundam's chest dead on, critically wounding it. Ribbons panicked at the damage and blindly swung his blade at Setsuna's last location, the beam cutting through the rest of the O-Raiser's left wing, causing a sudden instability in the 00 Raiser's GN System and a catastrophic shutdown.
Location: Ptolemaios II Main Deck
Time: 55 mins after initiation of battle
"SETSUNA!" Feldt screamed, eyes wide at the screen as they watched Ribbons' sparking gundam halt in front of the immobile 00.
"IAN! Prepare the Exia!" Sumeragi shouted at the com, shaking Ian out of his stupor. He nodded quickly and turned to prep the Exia. She looked at the sight of one of the 00's GN Drives being taken by Ribbons, a worm twisting in her heart. "Setsuna, just a little longer. They'll be there soon."
Location: Ptolemaios II Main Deck
Time: 56 mins after initiation of battle
"Hmph, finally after all these years the Original GN Drive is mine!" Ribbons crowed. This battle against a pure Innovator was a tale worthy of retelling, it cemented his notion that even when they evolve, humans are still beset with the same weaknesses as when they were normal beasts.
Setsuna stared blankly at the image of the GN Drive being held by the Innovade. His visual sensors were one of the systems still running with the power of the remaining GN Drive he had.
"Is this the extent of my resolve?"
The image of the gundam staring down at him, just like that day so many years ago. The GN Drive held securely in its handless arm.
"Is this my fate? To be staring up at him?"
The gundam now slowly raised its Buster Rifle, aiming it at the 00's cockpit. His hands tightened around the control sticks.
"No."
His eyes narrowed. His grip upon the sticks became tighter.
"This will not be the end. I will not sit here like a lamb for slaughter… "
He felt his mind go faster, the quantum brainwaves in his mind responding to his state. He remembered the KPSA and their sacrifices. He remembered Tieria Erde, Neil Dylandy, Lichty, and all the other souls who perished. He remembered Marina Ismail. He remembered Feldt Grace.
"I…am…GUNDAM!"
His eyes flashed gold.
Suddenly a beam of pink light speared down from above, hitting the arm holding the GN Drive protectively and destroying it.
"NOOO!" Ribbons shouted, instantly discarding his Rifle to clutch at the floating GN Drive and holding it in his chest. He looked upwards and saw the Cherudim speeding down at him, one arm missing and one leg ending just below the knee joint. His eyes narrowed and he began to retreat.
Setsuna's com suddenly blared to life, startling the Krugis pilot.
"SETSUNA!" Lockon shouted, continuing to fire shots from his GN Pistol at the battered Ribbons. "Sumeragi has a present for you." He finished, a smile evident from his voice. Setsuna's lips turned up slightly at that.
"Roger. Be careful Lockon." He responded, watching as Ribbons was forced away without a means to fight back, being pestered by a persistent Lockon.
Presently a spark caught Setsuna's eye. He looked at it and saw the welcome sight of the Exia in all its glory rushing towards him.
Location: Veda Home Base
Time: 1 hour, 6 mins after initiation of battle
Ribbons' flight had taken him all the way back to the location of Veda. The husks of the masses of suicide bombers that had attempted to bring down the Ptolemaios still littering the battlefield alongside various A-LAWS and Kataron mobile suits. He desperately looked for a way out before having to dodge yet another shot from the Cherudim. Incensed, he shouted at the Gundam Meister.
"Why won't you leave me alone you insect?" He had to dodge yet another set of shots, this time some of them scored hits on his gundam and destroying his lower left leg. "DAMN IT!"
A video screen opened with the face of the pilot of the Cherudim smirking at him. "What, does God not like my actions now?" He said sarcastically. "Well, since I'm going to hell anyway, might as well snipe God from his pedestal!"
Ribbons roared in frustration and moved further into the shadow of the moon base, where a sudden glint of blue caught his eye. He surreptitiously looked at it and realized what it was: The 0 Gundam. An idea then was born in his mind.
He gently flung the GN Drive towards the direction where the 0 Gundam was and quickly drew one of his beam sabres, charging upon a surprised Lockon.
"Shit! " Lockon swore as he barely dodged the gleaming blade. Ribbons quickly recovered and swung his blade once again down Lockon, who barely survived by using his Pistol as a shield. They stood there for a moment, then Ribbons twisted his torso and brought his leg smashing through the Cherudim, disengaging Lockon. He followed that up by throwing his beam sabre straight at Lockon, drawing his remaining sabre and charging after him.
Lockon barely managed to bat the thrown sabre away from him using the Pistol and was unable to react fast enough to the Reborns' sudden charge at him. Ribbons sunk the glowing blade to the right of the Cherudim's cockpit, barely missing Lockon in his haste to finish the fight quickly. Lockon screamed in pain as some more of the Cherudim's systems overloaded and exploded around him.
Lockon panted heavily as the Cherudim started slowly shutting down around him, "… is this the end?" All his systems were becoming dead, the cockpit started flashing red as the gundam's core became critical. "Damn it." He said, one hand coming up to hold the cut above his eye, just barely missing his eyelid. A piece of metal had punctured his body, with large amounts of blood beginning to seep out.
Ribbons' face appeared in the video screen, his face showing a malicious smirk. "Well Lockon Stratos? It appears that even the destroyer of Memento Mori cannot snipe God from his place in destiny!" He stated triumphantly. He pulled out the sabre that was lodged in the Cherudim and swung it up high. Judge. Jury. Executioner. "As God, I hereby sentence you… to death!" He declared as he swung his sword down.
Lockon, facing down death in the face, finally closed his eyes. He muttered, "I'll snipe you… from hell."
"TRANS-ARM!"
A streak of red passed through just as the blade was reaching the Cherudim's core, taking the ruined gundam with him and causing Ribbons to growl in rage. He snapped his suit around, but the Arios ignored him and used the last of its trans-arm to put as much distance between the two as possible.
"Hmph." Ribbons said in disgust, turning around and quickly catching the slowly rotating GN Drive enar the 0 Gundam. Beginning to remove the large GN Pack connected to the intact suit, he muttered, "Humans are such sentimental creatures."
Location: Debris field orbiting the moon
Time: 1 hour, 16 mins after initiation of battle
"Lockon! Can you hear me?! If you can say or do something! LOCKON!" Allelujah screamed into the com, fearing the worst. His gundam wasn't in the best shape as well. Arios had burn marks everywhere and part of its right wing was missing, as well as its right foot. All that was nothing before the state of the Cherudim though. Allelujah feared that he was too late.
"LOCKON! ANSWER ME! DON'T TELL ME YOU ALSO DIED DAMMIT!"
No answer. This isn't happening. No. Not again. They already lost Lockon once, this can't be true. Tears started pooling in his eyes.
"LOCKOOOOOOOON!"
"Lockon! Lockon! Lockon! Lockon! Lockon!" A mechanical voice suddenly sounded out. Allelujah paused in shock.
"Haro?" He said. Almost daring to hope. He hoped that Lockon was merely unconscious, not…
"Lockon! Lockon! Lockon! Lockon! Lockon!" That terrible dirge continued unabated.
He didn't know whether to laugh or to cry.
Location: Veda Base
Time: 1 hour, 20 mins after initiation of battle
He finally finished docking the 0 Gundam's GN Drive into its original machine. He looked at all the screens in the antiquated gundam and saw that everything was functioning normally. "Such a marvel, this infinite power source…" He mused to himself. This power source, once reverse engineered, will allow them, him, to control the world and make it accede to his demands. "Then we, the Innovades, will lead humanity to the next glorious era!" He smirked in satisfaction.
A sudden beeping in the cockpit of the 0 Gundam, he turned immediately at the sound and felt a moment of shock when he saw what was barrelling down upon him.
Its massive gleaming sword already extended in a high arc, impassive green eyes seeming to give off a feeling or wrath, the Exia smashed down upon the still shocked 0 Gundam and almost bisected it head to toe if it weren't for Ribbons dodging the slash at the last second and drawing his own blade to strike out a counter. Setsuna's blade crashed into space as Ribbons dodged and he was forced to twist the Exia away as the counter neared him. Landing in opposite stages of one of the docking bays for the Veda moon base, both pilots stared at each other.
"Hmph, so you managed to get yourself the Exia, Setsuna F. Seiei" Ribbons said. The Exia looked different. It lacked the exposed purple cables that gave it so much mobility before, and the GN Sword had a green lining to it now. Besides that the back of the suit contained a GN Drive. "Is that a new GN Drive? Or maybe he managed to take it off the 00 Raiser's dock…"
Setsuna was furious. He had felt the brainwaves of Allelujah in anguish and denial. That meant that Lockon was…. No, that's not true. Regardless, there's no more time left, he had to finish this here and now.
Setsuna drew his GN Sword Kai once more and pointed it straight at Ribbons. Ribbons noticed his challenge and smirked in response, throwing away his shield and holding his beam sabre in both hands. The Exia's GN Drive unlocked a cone of highly condensed GN Particles spewed out of it, filling the already oversaturated space.
They charged.
"Lockon…" Setsuna thought. "I have changed." His eyes once again glowed golden, the abilities of a true Innovator sparking a chain reaction with the innumerable GN particles in space.
Closer and closer to the end of the game. At the point of contact time slowed down. The Exia shifted to the right side, evading the glowing sabre of the 0 Gundam by mere inches. Ribbons attempted to recover and slash again but it was too late. The massive Kai sword slowly pierced the core of the 0 Gundam in a slashing motion, the blade cutting through the cockpit and exiting through the bisected sections of the GN Drive. Setsuna followed through that attack, firing his thrusters to spin around once again, stabbing his sword through the cockpit.
He disengaged his Burst mode, the GN Drive cycling down and locking once more. "It's finally over." He thought, closing his eyes in exhaustion.
A sudden beeping alerted him, he looked at the screens and noticed the 0 Gundam's GN Drive beginning to heat up. "The safeguard!" He realized. Too late.
The GN Drive of the 0 Gundam exploded. The released, unrefined GN Particles reacted to the already unstable system created from constant exposure to fake and true GN Particles as well as the specially condensed particles from both Burst mode and the 00 Raiser. This final ingredient to the unstable concoction triggered a primitive version of what the 00 Qan[T] would be capable of.
The world around Setsuna flashed green for a moment. When the flash of green had faded, only the ruined remains of the 0 Gundam were left.
Location: Unknown
Time: 1 hour, 25 mins after initiation of battle
ALRIGHTY!
Now, please review or pm me if you have any concerns about the story and/or continuity issues or technical issues with the work. I'll try my best to accommodate everyone but you can't reallllllyyy give a completely solid explanation for the shizz that happens sometimes yeah?
That said this here is my baby so I'll be taking her to whichever way my twisted mind's gonna go! I will be taking suggestions and/or criticisms to improve my writing style so feel free to mash those keyboards! (Yes I think I ate too much sugar again )
To everyone else who read, reviewed, alerted, favorited me or my work – THANK YOU ALL XD
Cheers,
Creleuth