Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny. But, I would like to own Gundam Seed Destiny so that Cagalli and Athrun can be together at the end. But, I still repeat, I DO NOT own Gundam Seed Destiny or Gundam Seed.
Thank you to all those who reviewed and enjoyed my story. I'm glad you all like it. I do realize that the characters are a little OOC but oh well, I don't know what to do if they aren't so I guys you all have to bear with it. Enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 12: Leaving Is A Sad Thing
"Kira, I've found out where the princess is," Kisaka said as he entered Kira's room.
"Really? Tell me about it now," Kira said as his face brightened up.
"General Todaka received news from Afhmed that Cagalli was in PLANTs. He saw her at a banquet with a blue-haired coordinator," Kisaka said.
"Blue-haired coordinator? Could it be Athrun?" Kira thought.
"But, how could she be at PLANTs? Is she alright?" Kira asked.
"I don't know about that but she might be kept as a hostage. Afhmed said that he would continue to follow her to get more information."
"How did Orb react to this news? Does father knows about this?"
"We had to tell Lord Uzumi as we fear for Cagalli's safety. He ordered a few Orb ships and mobile suits to bring Cagalli back but not to attack Zaft. The Orb ships will also cooperate with the Archangel for once to bring her back."
"Have you told Captain Ramius about this?"
"Yeah, she agreed to this. She didn't really want to fight Zaft unless Zaft attack her first. But, Kira I also have bad news for you," Kisaka said.
"What is it?" Kira asked.
"After we managed to get Cagalli back safely, you and Cagalli are to return back to Orb at once," Kisaka said.
"Bye, Lacus. Bye, Shiho. I'm going to miss you a lot," Cagalli said as she hugged her two friends.
The Vesalius was going back to outer space to observe the situation around PLANTs. Cagalli decided to follow the Vesalius since she didn't know what else could she do in PLANTs.
"Cagalli, are you sure you don't want to stay with us? We would love to have you here. You can always stay over at my place," Lacus said.
"I'm sorry but I can't. I feel like helping out in the Vesalius. But, I know that I will miss you two a lot," Cagalli said.
"We will miss you too. Be careful," Shiho said.
"Athrun, take good care of my best friend for me. She's a little stubborn and may act rashly sometimes," Lacus said.
Cagalli pouted when she heard what Lacus said.
"Don't worry. I will," Athrun said with a chuckle.
"Don't overstrain yourself Shiho. Take good care," Yzak said.
"Ok. You too, Yzak," Shiho said as she hugged Yzak.
"That's enough you two lovebirds. The Vesalius is taking off soon. We board the ship now," Dearka said.
"You're just jealous, Dearka because you don't have anyone to say goodbye to," Yzak said.
"At least I have the freedom to enjoy a bachelor's life," Dearka said.
"Stop it you two. With you guys fighting, we'll never board the ship in time. Nicol is already on the ship. Goodbye Lacus. Goodbye Shiho. Take care," Athrun said as the four of them boarded the Vesalius.
"Goodbye, everyone. Please come back safely," Lacus said with a smile as she and Shiho waved at them and watched as the Vesalius took off.
"Kira! I've got the latest news from General Todaka. He said that Cagalli had boarded the Vesalius and headed for outer space." Kisaka said.
"Really? Then, what will Orb do now? Attack the Vesalius?" Kira asked.
"That appears to be the case. And the commander for this mission is Yuna Roma Seiran," Kisaka said.
"That purple-coloured hair freak? What does father sees in him anyway? Remind me to ask father to cancel his engagement to Cagalli when we return to Orb. I refuse to accept him as my brother-in-law," Kira said.
"Well, I don't really like the idea of him being the Orb admiral when he marries Cagalli. And I think that guy really hates coordinators especially those from PLANTs. We need to be careful just in case he decides to act his way," Kisaka said.
"I won't let him do that. And by the way, please don't tell him or anyone on the ship about my true identity or that I'm here. I don't want to make things more complicated," Kira said.
"I understand, Kira-sama," Kisaka said,
"It's KIRA, not Kira-sama," Kira said playfully as Kisaka smiled.
"Sir, we've spotted the Archangel near to us," Captain Josak said.
"Are they alone or do they have reinforcement?" Commander Rau asked.
"There are quite a number of ships with them. But, the ship doesn't seem to be from Earth Alliance. I think it's from Orb?"
"From Orb? I thought Orb is a neutral country. Why is it helping the Earth Alliance?" Commander Rau asked.
"I'm not really sure, sir. What should we do now? Should we attack the Archangel?" Captain Josak asked.
"No, we'd be at a disadvantage if we attack. Just stay and observe the situation," Commander Rau said.
"Yes, sir," Captain Josak said.
"Captain, I've spotted the Vesalius near us," Natarle said.
"Good, then let's attack them," Yuna said through the screen.
"But, I thought we were not going to attack them. We should perhaps negotiate with them," Murrue said.
"Suit yourself, Captain Ramius. But I doubt that it would work anyway," Yuna said with a smirk.
"Miriallia, please open a connection with the Vesalius. I wish to talk to them," Murrue said.
"Yes, captain," Miriallia said as she tried to open a connection.
"I hope this work. I really hate to battle," Murrue thought.
"Commander, the Archangel wishes to talk to us. Should we accept their call?" Captain Josak asked.
"Ok, we will. Broadcast it to the entire Vesalius just to let everyone know about the situation," Commander Rau said.
"Yes, sir," Captain Josak replied.
A few minutes later, Murrue's face appeared on the screen of the Vesalius while Commander Rau's face appeared on the Archangel.
"This is Murrue Raimus, Captain of the Archangel. We have a proposition for you," Murrue said.
"This is Rau Le Crusae, Commander of the Vesalius. You can say what the proposition is and we will think about it," Rau said.
"Orb believes that you have the princess on board with you and demand you to hand her over at once. If not, they shall attack along with the Archangel. As for the Archangel, we will attack your ship as we have received command from the superiors to do so," Murrue said.
"A princess? But, there are mostly guys on this ship except for Cagalli but she shouldn't be a princess. A princess wouldn't be stranded at an island in the first place," Commander Rau thought.
"We're sorry but we don't think we have the princess on board. We do not even know who is the princess and we certainly do not have her in our hands. If Orb and the Archangel insists to fight, we shall have to fight to defend our ship," Commander Rau said.
"Very well, then. We have no choice but to prepare for a battle," Murrue said as the connection went off.
"Told you it's useless, Captain Ramius. We should just have attacked from the first place," Yuna said with a smirk.
Murrue was really angry. All this guy ever thought of is just about fighting. It seems that he had wished that the Vesalius would not cooperate from the first place.
"Miriallia, please tell everyone to prepare for level two battle status. We are going to fight at once," Murrue said.
"Yes, Captain," Mir said. She didn't want a fight to happen just like Murrue but it seems that they don't have any choice.
"Attention to everyone on board. Please prepare for level two battle status. All pilots and crews, please be ready at positions," Mir said through the PA system.
"Looks like that bastard Seiran got his wish. We are going to battle now. I'm going to launch the Strike. Kisaka, please help Murrue at the control room," Kira said as he floated towards the door.
"Yes, Kira. Please be careful," Kisaka said.
"Attention to everyone on board. Please prepare for level two battle status. All pilots and crews, please be ready at positions," came the announcement at the Vesalius.
"Athrun, do you think what they wanted was me?" Cagalli asked. She had heard everything and began to wonder if she was really the Princess of Orb.
"Don't worry, Cagalli. Don't think about that. Just stay aboard the ship. I'm going to launch," Athrun said.
"Ok. Be careful," Cagalli said as Athrun floated away. But, Athrun could sense that she was really worried so he turned back and hugged Cagalli.
"Remember not to tell anyone about the fact that you might be the Princess of Orb. I don't want anything to happen to you," Athrun said.
"Ok, Athrun. Please take care," Cagalli said as she watched Athrun heading towards the changing room. Cagalli decided to go to the control room to observe the situation.
"General Todaka, please launch the mobile suits now. I can't wait to see Zaft lose in this battle," Yuna said.
Todaka was very hesistant. He knew all this guy cared about was defeating Zaft and not the princess's safety. But still, he has to obey the commander's orders. He ordered the mobile suits to launch at once.
Over at the Archangel, Mu and Kira were going to launch.
"Hey Kira, what do you think of this battle?" Mu asked as he was about to get into the Skygrasper.
"I don't know. But I think that winning isn't important this time. The most important thing is the princess's safety," Kira said.
"Yes, I agree. I wonder why that guy wants to battle so much. Shouldn't he worry about the princess's safety because he is her fiancé? But, nevermind. Let's just do our best," Mu said with a wink as he got into the Skygrasper.
Kira nodded his head and smiled. Then, he went inside the Strike.
"Skygrasper, you're ready for launch."
"Mu La Flaga, Skygrasper, launching."
"Systems all green. Strike, you're ready for launch."
"Kira Yamato, Strike, launching," Kira said as the he launched into the sky with determination to bring his sister back.
"Nicol Amalfi, Blitz, launching."
"Dearka Elsman, Buster, launching."
"Yzak Joule, Duel, launching."
"Athrun Zala, Aegis, launching."
Cagalli watched from the control room as the four mobile suits launched into the sky.
"Commander, how is the situation?" Cagalli asked.
"It's not really good for us considering we are both out powered in numbers and strength. Orb forces are really strong," Commander Rau said.
Cagalli was starting to worry. Was she really the cause of all this? Is she the one Orb wanted?
Things aren't so good at the battlefield for Zaft. Athrun, Dearka, Yzak and Nicol fought really hard to protect the ship. As the Aegis was busy fighting a few mobile suits, one of them used the gun and shot at the Vesalius.
As a result, everyone on the Vesalius shook violently, impact from the blow. Athrun was really angry and shot at the mobile suit. He really wanted to protect the ship because Cagalli was on it.
"Things are getting worse. I'm going to launch as well," Commander Rau said.
"Then, I'll go with you. I can launch too. I've done that before in PLANTs," Cagalli said.
"No, Cagalli. Stay on the ship. Help Captain Josak here. I will take care of things out there," Commander Rau said.
"But…but…."
"No more buts. Just stay here and don't go out there," Commander Rau said as he went out of the control room to launch his mobile suit.
Kira didn't really fight out there because he didn't like to fight. He was afraid that Cagalli might get hurt if she was on the ship. Besides, this time, Zaft didn't even attack so he didn't feel the need to protect the Archangel. In fact, he felt like helping Zaft more.
As he spotted that the Aegis was about to be shot from behind, the Strike immediately blocked it with the shield. Athrun was shocked to see Kira helping him.
"Don't get me wrong. I'm not siding with Zaft. I just don't want to lose my best friend," Kira said.
"Thank you, Kira. I understand," Athrun said with a smile as he continued fighting.
The Vesalius kept on getting hit by the mobile suits and the Orb ships. As a result, the ship shook violently every time it was hit. Athrun who was really angry activated his SEED mode and began attacking violently.
Cagalli who was in the control room was worried about the condition outside. With the ship kept getting hit, she found it hard to stand up straight.
"Damn it, if what Orb wants is me, then this battle is all my fault. I'm the one who caused it," Cagalli thought.
As she was deep in thought, she wasn't standing steadily when the ship suffered another blow. She accidentally bumped her head on the wall of the ship really hard.
"Miss Cagalli? Are you okay?" Captain Josak asked.
Cagalli clutched her head in pain as she tried to stand up. Then suddenly, all her memories came back to her. The hit on the wall restored back Cagalli's memories. She could remember everything, about herself, her meeting with Athrun, Kira, her father and her friends.
"I'm fine, Captain," Cagalli said.
"It looks like at this rate, the Vesalius will be destroyed sooner or later. All the pilots out there are fighting to defend the ship especially Athrun. He seems to be fighting really hard," Captain Josak said.
Cagalli looked out in the outer space and saw the Aegis fighting really hard to defend the ship from the enemies.
"Athrun," Cagalli thought. She finally made a decision that could save the ship. She walked towards the Captain.
"Captain, please let me talk in the microphone," Cagalli said. Captain Josak handed her the microphone.
Cagalli took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Athrun. I know that this decision might cause me to leave you but it seems like this is the only way," Cagalli thought.
"Attention to Orb forces. This is Cagalli Yula Athha, Princess of Orb, speaking. Orb forces, please stop fighting at once," Cagalli said into the microphone.
Athrun and Kira were stunned to hear that. "Cagalli, she's still alive," Kira thought happily. "Has Cagalli really regained her memories? She is the Princess of Orb? That means what that guy said that day at the banquet is true," Athrun thought.
"Cagalli dear, is that you? Did they harm you or anything?" Yuna asked in his high-pitched voice that makes Cagalli shudders.
"Oh, so that is her damn fiancé. I shall kill him if he's standing in front of me," Athrun thought.
"Yes, it's me here. The people here did not harm me. Commander Yuna, please ask the Orb forces to retreat now. This is an order," Cagalli said firmly.
"I'm sorry, I can't. As you can see, I am your fiancé so that makes me have the same ranking as you in the military. You can't order me around unless your brother or father of yours gives the same order as you. But, too bad they are not here and I say that the Orb forces continue to attack Zaft," Yuna said with a smirk.
"Why, you bastard! I'll get even with you when I get back to Orb. Orb forces please retreat now. This is an order from me as the princess," Cagalli said.
But still the Orb forces did not retreat at all. "Orb forces, what are you doing? Do you not understand what I said or do you question my authority?" Cagalli asked angrily.
"Sorry, Cagalli but these soldiers are all under my command. So, they can't attack unless I give out the orders. Now, General Todaka, fire at the Vesalius," Yuna said.
General Todaka was hesitant to do so. If given a choice, he would have listen to Cagalli's orders but he knew what Yuna said is true. "Aim at the Vesalius, fire!"
The beam hit directly at the Vesalius and the ship shook violently. Cagalli fell down as an impact from the powerful blow.
Athrun and Kira were really angry at what Yuna commanded. They knew that Cagalli who was in the ship might get hurt if this continues.
"Commander Yuna Roma Seiran, this is Kira Yamato Athha, Prince of Orb speaking. I command you to withdraw the Orb troops at one," Kira said.
Again, everyone was shocked to hear that.
"How could it be? I thought you were…." Yuna stuttered.
"Commander Yuna, are you trying to defy the prince and the princess's order? Can't you hear what I said?" Kira asked angrily.
"But, I received orders to attack Zaft from Lord Uzumi," Yuna said,
"As far as I'm informed, you only received orders to bring the princess back and ensure her safety. Now that you know the princess is safe, you have no need to attack anymore. Orb is a neutral country and we shall not take side with anyone," Kira said.
Yuna did not call back the troops that made Kira even angrier. "General Todaka, please call back the troops immediately. Don't worry about my father's orders. If anything happens, I'll talk to father myself," Kira said.
General Todaka smiled to hear that. "Yes, Kira-sama. Orb forces, you heard the prince and the princess's command. Please retreat at once," General Todaka said as he fired the signal flare.
Orb forces started to retreat. "As for you, Cagalli hime, please return to the Archangel as soon as possible. If you do not return by tomorrow, we shall launch another attack," Kira said in a commanding tone.
"Yes, I understand," Cagalli said back strictly. "How dare you talk to me like that, Kira? I'll kill you when I get back," Cagalli thought.
"Captain, Orb has retreated. Are we going to continue fighting just like the superior orders?" Natarle asked.
"I don't feel like fighting. What do you think?" Murrue asked.
"I agree with you. This fight is pointless," Natarle said.
"Then, signal the retreat flare," Murrue said.
"Yes, captain," Natarle said as she signaled the retreat flare. The Strike and the Skygrasper returned to the Archangel while the other mobile suits returned to the Vesalius.
"Sorry for the trouble I caused you, sir. It's my entire fault," Cagalli said.
"It's ok. You don't know that you were the princess either. So, are you going back?" Rau asked.
"Yes, I don't want the ship to suffer another attack again because of me," Cagalli said.
"Very well then, I shall prepare a life pod for you," Rau said.
"Thank you, sir. It's been a really nice experience for me to stay here with you all," Cagalli said as she suddenly hugged Commander Rau.
Commander Rau smiled and hugged her back. "It's been my pleasure having you here as well. I hope we don't meet again next time as enemies," Commander Rau said.
"I hope so too. Goodbye, sir," Cagalli said as she exited the commander's room. As she went outside, she met Dearka, Yzak, Nicol and Athrun.
"Cagalli, are you going back now?" Yzak asked.
"Yeah, I guess so. I don't want the ship to suffer another attack," Cagalli said.
"Honestly, I was really surprised when you said that you were the princess. You sounded really cool just now, giving orders," Dearka said.
"Thanks. I guess it can be sort of cool sometimes. Goodbye, you guys. I will miss you," Cagalli said as a tear roll down her cheek.
"Don't cry, Cagalli. We'll miss you too," Nicol said, comforting her.
"I'm sure we'll meet again," Yzak said.
"Yeah, but probably on the battlefield," Dearka said. Yzak gave him a glare.
Cagalli chuckled. "Don't scold him. I guess what he says is true," Cagalli said.
"Goodbye, Cagalli. We really will miss you. The next time we meet at the battlefield, you just signal a flare and I won't attack you," Dearka joked.
Yzak punched him. "Forgive him, Cagalli. He's just joking. Good bye, Cagalli. I'll leave you here with Athrun," Yzak said as the three of them left.
"Athrun," Cagalli said as she started crying again.
"Don't cry, Cagalli. I'm sure everything will be ok. We'll meet each other again," Athrun said, pulling her for a hug.
"I'll miss you, Athrun. It's really nice being with you these few days at PLANTs and Zaft," Cagalli said.
"I'll miss you too. I'll miss all the nice time we had together," Athrun said.
"Goodbye, Athrun. Hope we don't meet as enemies next time," Cagalli said as she entered the pod.
"Goodbye, Cagalli," Athrun said.
The pod closed and Athrun watched as the pod floated to outer space and was retrieved by Kira's Strike. "I love you, Cagalli," Athrun thought as he wiped away a stray tear from his cheek.
Ok, I think that was really bad, was it? Oh, well you can complain to me and I'll accept all your points of views. Ok, you may continue to read the next chapter if you want to. Happy reading!
