This chapter has been revised and updated to meet readable standards, special thanks for those who pointed out where I've gone wrong.

Chapter 4: 'Zero' Gundam Rising

Battle of Orb

"Tch…nearly had him." Frustrated Lasse retreated several paces away from Calamity due to sudden disturbance. Now having (nearl) caught everyone's attention things were getting disruptive from now on.

A squadron comprised of four Strike Dagger mobile suits dispatched from their hangar bay. Soared highly into the sky in tight wedge formation shields held closely and beam rifles readied.

Raider piloted by Clotho followed suite.

"Captain Cormack execute plan B" he said looking at the screen enlarged image on specific entity.

"That's the unknown mobile suit they were talking about." Eyes sharpened Clotho let his ally go through first.

PHEW! BOOM!

"WHAT!" he panicked one of his comrades had been wiped out from the picture as 0 Gundam's GN Cannon pierced through the mobile suit's chest and exploded at long range distance.

"Lieutenant is down, all units scatter and engage!" Cormack quick-witted all three scattered breaking their formation opened fire simultaneously while pressing forward.

"This range and firepower" startled as Clotho watches cautiously. Suddenly his radar beeps rapidly 'ZGMF-X10A'

Kira in his Freedom came forward two barrels from the waist extended forward, ready, aim he fired his Xiphas Railgun.

*Zoom* projectile exploded out from the barrels as smoke coughs out.

Unware or correctly put poor reaction, at top speed one of the incoming mobile Dagger's head shattered in pieces disabled from action.

Remaining two increased their paces swiftly moving in zigzag pattern while exchanging suppressive fire.

0 Gundam abruptly mobilize evading all incoming attacks.

"Take this!" Lasse barked replied by firing the Gundam's mounted beam gun several times attempting to dissuade their movements.

Successful attempt two hesitated momentarily until….

Raider in Mobile Armor mode emerges impulsively from their rear spewed directly an Azhura Mazda Plasma Cannon.

"Sh!t" Lasse gritted for his failure to anticipate their movements, pulling sideways attempting to escape however just barely Raider's plasma connected imploding 0 Gundam's left shoulder guards leaving a slight hollowed conditioned plating.

"Unbelievable how did it survive that attack!" Clotho Jaw dropped.

Luckily the GN Composite from Full Armour pack protected itself as GN particles within the material compartments mimicked as second phase GN Field.

"Devious Screening" Lasse impressed at same time annoyed with their game plan despite radar detection exposure his foe used those mobile suits as visual screening enough for faint attack.

Daggers soon returned fire same outcome as before Lasse evaded them easily however forced back couple paces.

Clotho leaving no spare time manoeuvred sideways from the flank returned as mobile suit already swinging his Mjolnir spherical breaker mace boosted forward by built-in thrusters.

"No you don't" above Kira interfered beam saber already drawn slashes high and might downwards severing the wires that binds the mace together.

"YOU!" Clotho enraged by sudden intrusion shifted his attention from the unknown Gundam towards Freedom.

"THAT TEARS IT!" He barked using every assets Raider has indiscriminately laid siege releasing several wild barrages hurled towards Freedom.

Playing chases both combatants' separates from the rest whilst exchanging series of heavy fire.

Moment of silence the three mobile suits on showdown stared.

"Hmm" Lasse piqued curiously what's in front of him.

Team captain came forward drew a beam saber from the back pointed his weapon at him while giving a 'stand-down' or 'let me handle this' gestured.

"Looks like I've got a long way becoming equally skilled as Gundam Meisters". Lasse took off his helmet inhaling as much oxygen slowly opening his eyes.

Accepting the challenge similar manner 0 Gundam grasp his beam saber positioned in guarding stance.

"Better not disappoint my audiences!" Gripping the handles he throttles forward.

Both units dashed forward Lasse made the first move right arm raised he proceeds on by diagonally slashes downwards.

Cormack counter reacted tilted the beam saber sideways blocks the slash followed suite forcefully pushed forward out against 0 Gundam breaking his offensive.

Trading several blows after another each contact produces feint sparks and crackles.

Momentarily Lasse and Cormack backed away.

This is it they though.

One last time 0 Gundam and Strike Dagger charged again Cormack slammed his beam saber in thrusting manner.

"Full Power!" Lasse jolts forward his beam saber from the tip of the hilt large quantities of particles gradually protrudes violently. The beam quickly strengthens becoming a large sized saber.

Matching the alignments Lasse counter-smacks his foes weapon fiercely clashes violently unlike earlier this scenario was different; Strike Dagger's beam saber gave in losing all power.

The end Cormack met his fate.

Few momentum seconds later 0 Gundam decisively overpower his competitor breaking every molecule structure slices the mobile suit largerly in half, as heat marks grazes across the torso where Gundam breached onwards ending with a completed swing stance.

….

Boom! The Dagger erupted parts scattered out from the explosion debris of what remains fall on the water.

Looking over towards the remaining enemy fast whip motion the Dagger on instinct drew his beam rifle aiming.

Predicting this outcome Lasse fired several live burst rounds of Gundam Vulcan completely disarmed its beam rifle followed with a sip stream of beam cannon incinerating the top torso.

"That's it down" heaving a sigh of relief until.

Lasse awoken up from the sudden repeated beeping observing on the sea below he surveyed two ships executed series of ordnance bombardment accompanied by another way of dispatched squadrons.

'Hmm, this fight is a drag drawn many unwanted attention. Not good especially when I'm alone' at disadvantage deeply he thought reaching to conclusion halting anymore intervention, the levitating 0 Gundam with a quick U-turn it leaves the field whilst ramming speed engulfed sinking bottom of the ocean.

Kira left daunted by the sudden absence of the contender detaching himself drawing back to reality left fending all for himself only to drop his hopes which he was glad expressing relief. The Earth Alliance (EA) forces flared a retreat signal all withdraw from the Island swarming back around their flagship.

"What WAS THAT?" Orga enraged with fire slammed his arms repeatedly onto the computer console.

"…."

His companion sought no proper assumptions instead remained passively silent.

Both retreated to their respective hanger bays docked with several enduring Daggers from each company worn out. Orga accompanied with his CPU comrades marching through the corridors till they reach the command deck.

Only to meet a silent stare everyone their expression like as if they saw a ghost unexpected to him.

Azrael comforting his chin gave few nods before gathering everyone's gaze as he stood in the middle sounds of his formal shoes tip-tapping.

'Sigh' from chin to forehead wiping off imaginary sweats. "So does any care to explain what have we got ourselves into?" Azrael breaking the awkward atmosphere as one subordinate eventually nervously communicated.

"We have encountered an unknown third-party mobile suit."

"HmHm" Azrael raising his voice playfully keeping himself formally calm yet everyone knew a deadly-aura seeps out from him. Atmosphere suddenly becomes a choking sensation making everyone around him anxiously nervous aside from those who are experienced.

"You're telling me that just one mobile suit flips over our whole operation just like that?" unable to contain his emotions any longer making sudden outburst annoyingly.

"In the first place how that...THING slithered in undetected!"

"It was just above our fucking heads and no one knew…" ending it there he sighed deeply with heavy puffs.

"Sir, I bel-…" one of the subordinates however was negated much to everyone's surprise.

"I know I know, no one is stupid enough…. well some morons… what happened no need further discussion needed just prepare for another invasion soon." Wanting to terminate the awkwardness right there everyone saluted eventually galloped back towards their station resuming roles.

Posing his way throughout the crowds seemingly wanting to interact with CPU soldiers mainly the 'victim' subconsciously he thought to himself it was "Beautiful that mysterious machine" a smirk surfaced on his cheek.

Sunsets unto dawn Freedom along with Justice heroically descended down settling amongst the gatherers. Both pilots bailed out hearing several praises below as they descend using elevated hooks staring each other.

A silent static air filled everyone, as all remained quiet.

"Kira…" softly replied from Athrun as he looks at his eye.

"Athrun…" Kira responded identically while slowly walking towards to his reunited 'former' friend.

Kira voluntary provoke, gesturing a hand openly for him. Athrun gave a vague monotone look at him eventually gave in sighing he responded by shaking his hand. Instantly tension clinging around everyone lifted seeing both smiled in return follows with celebrated commotions.

"Um.. Athrun" quietly Kira conversed.

"Yes?" Athrun replied looking at Kira directly he looks timidly pale.

"I'm going to take a rest and it's good to have you again" Smiled yet not his usual smile he walked away air-headed leaving Athrun with confused.

"You look like you seen a ghost or something?" trying to decode what he said earlier.

Kira stopped and partially turned his head towards Athrun again with an even more tired look accompanied by a wavering smile.

"He-heh he, I think I just did." sarcastically faked a smile while scratching his head waving goodbye as he broke away.

Unlucky in front of him stood a uniformed blonde hair-coloured female.

"Kira we need to talk" She monotone spoked.

"Ah great…" wearingly sighed.

Chapter End

Note:

[Updated]

There was not any huge changes from the conversation of Earth Alliance and aftermath, only the combat was extended and fixed to a degree.

[Old]

More action less progression in this chapter the last few paragraphs have to admit is constructed a bit bland especially when it comes to additional dialogues for Kira during their battle.

If you are wondering: The GN Composite armour provides additional defence to the armour by having GN Particles flow within them or in other terms layers of GN Field applied much similar to 0 Gundam's Shield. Good example of this effect when Regnant's beam seemingly is blocked by 00 Raisers raw wing binder just before going Trans-Am mode.

The beam saber can maximize its output to full power to equally match or overpower the enemies' melee weapon, as seen on the final battle between Exia and 0 Gundam.

Till next time!