Archangel Bridge
"Under the present circumstances, our chief concern would be Panama," said Kisaka, clad in an Orb Military uniform. "Capentaria is buzzing with activity and there's rumors of a massive upcoming ZAFT operation."
"How reliable is this information?" asked Natarle.
"I'm not sure," admitted Kisaka. "Orb is in a difficult position. We want intelligence, but we don't want to stir up a hornet's nest either."
"But it would make sense, if there's major activity in Carpentaria," said Ryu. "There are four places they'd attack with a large force from that base: Kaohsiung, Panama, Alaska, and Orb. Kaohsiung is already under their control and they don't have a good enough reason to attack Orb, even with Patrick Zala in near-total power in the PLANTs. That leaves Panama and Alaska. Panama is the only logical target. They take Panama, and it's the end of the Earth Forces in space. As valuable as taking Alaska and crippling the Earth Forces central command would be, ZAFT doesn't have the forces for such an attack, unless they were willing to leave their bases undefended and give the Alliance a chance to take some of them back. That would be a disaster for the PLANTs."
Ryu took a sip of coffee before scowling slightly. "Of course, if ZAFT takes Panama, it'll spell trouble for Orb too," Ryu said.
"You're talking about Kaguya?" said Murrue.
"Yeah," said Ryu. "There's no way that Kaguya hasn't factored into the overall plans of both sides at one point or another. After all, there are only four Mass Drivers total. In the eyes of commanders on both sides, Kaguya is the easiest to take in the short term, but it's been ignored because of the long term repercussions. ZAFT doesn't have the numbers to risk provoking Orb, and the Earth Forces are already at too great of a technological and personnel performance disadvantage to risk Orb allying with ZAFT, despite the Union's policies. But if Panama falls, the Earth Forces might become desperate enough for Blue Cosmos to convince them to attack Orb."
"That's what the M1s are for," said Kisaka, sighing. "Regardless of their plans, though, this 'Operation Spitbreak' will work to your advantage. Most of the ZAFT forces in the area are at Carpentaria at the moment, leaving your path to Alaska relatively clear."
"What about the team that was pursing us?" asked Murrue.
"We haven't detected any ZAFT ships in the area," said Kisaka. "They've likely either given up or have been called back. There was a lot of talking on the diplomatic side."
"Still, can't hurt to be prepared for them when we leave," said Ryu. "Le Creuset is a snake if I ever saw one. He's sly, and as unpredictable as the wind. If he could find someway to do it, he'd keep his team in pursuit. Fortunately, they probably think we've reached JOSH-A by now, but it never hurts to be prepared."
Archangel Hanger
About 50 meters below the surface of Onogoro, several Morgenrate engineers worked on a suit apiece under the supervision of Murdoch and Louise, off to the side the recent addition to Terminal was looking over the specs to the suit that Terminal had given Rusty, a TMF-M71 M5A Claymore, it was armed with a beam sniper rifle, beam sabers, and other usual weapons for mobile suits along with advance flight systems related to the Katana's own flight pack. Rusty had requested it to be repainted with a Blue on red color scheme. Ryu had also given the engineers specs to an advanced version of the Inferno's Prototype Lightwave Pulse Flight pack that consumed less energy, albeit at the cost of slightly reduced speed.
Scout was sitting next to her friend as they watched the Morgenrate engineers work on both of their suits. "Are you nervous?" She asked Rusty as she took a sip of water.
Rusty remained silent for a second "Yeah," he admitted finally "I don't want to have to fight against my friends, but I've been hearing some things about ZAFT and Commander Creuset."
"Like what?" Scout asked in concern.
Rusty sighed heavily "I think that the commander has his own agenda," he revealed "I've already talked to John about this, but I had happened to overhear him talking over the phone once, he was talking about some kind of plan, and the unwitting pawns in his game." Scout grimaced as she placed a hand over Rusty's "But there is another reason I wanted to remain aboard the Archangel."
Scout blink in confusion and looked over at Rusty "What is it?" She asked curiously.
Rusty blushed lightly as he faced the teen "You." he said before leaning in and gently kissed Scout's lips shocking the brunette who quickly recovered and began to returned the kiss.
Numazaki Manor
A few hours later
"I guess this is goodbye for now," said Lacus, smiling at Kira as she prepared to leave for Malchio's. Ning was a friend Malchio, so the Orb noble was planning to provide transportation to his orphanage herself. Standing a few feet behind Kira, Jordan smiled at the still unofficial couple.
"Yeah," said Kira, smiling in return. "But it won't be for forever. We'll…" Kira was cutoff by an uncharacteristic giggle from Jordan.
"Don't try to be a romantic Kira, it doesn't suit you," said Jordan playfully. "Now kiss her already so that I can get my own goodbye in!" The two teens blushed at Jordan's words and glared at the Brunette, who smirked back at them. They definitely had feelings for each other, but Jordan knew very well that they were still far too uncertain of those feelings to seriously act on them, and he hadn't been willing to risk the potential price of forcing them on additional dates, though the one they'd been on had gone remarkably well.
"I'm serious," said Jordan, her entire demeanor suddenly agreeing with the words. "I want my own chance to say goodbye to Lacus, and we'll be leaving soon ourselves. It's time to move our machines back to the Archangel."
"Alright," said Kira, stepping away from Lacus.
Athha Manor
Two days later
Cagalli had just finished packing the last of her stuff when the door to her bedroom opened.
"Cagalli," said her father as he entered. "Do you intend to go along with that ship?"
"I do," answered Cagalli, turning to look at her father.
"I see," said Uzumi. "So, you are going to fight the PLANTs as an Earth Alliance soldier. Are you really that eager to go to war?"
"No! Of course not!" said Cagalli. "It's not like I want to fight!"
"Very well then," said Uzumi. "Why?"
"I want to help them out!" said Cagalli. "And I want to do whatever I can to end this damn war!"
"You think fighting will end this war?" asked Uzumi, eyes narrowing.
"No, but—"
"If you were to kill someone's husband in battle, then his wife will despise you for that," said Uzumi. "And if you kill someone's son, their mother will hate you as well. Because if someone were to take your life, I would hate them with all my heart. Don't you see how war can be a vicious circle?
"I know all that!" said Cagalli. "But I can't stay in this country and do nothing!"
"That kind of cheap and arrogant heroism will accomplish nothing!" said Uzumi, placing his hands on her shoulder. "Carrying a gun is not the only way to fight a war. You must lean the causes of war, Cagalli. Attacking each other won't solve anything."
Numazaki Manor
"Guess this is goodbye again," I said sadly as I prepared to head to the Archangel. The ship would be departing in little more than an hour.
"Take care of yourself," said Ishmal. "I wouldn't want something to happen to my favorite Grandson."
"Yeah right," I said playfully. "I'm your only Grandson." As soon as I said that I regretted saying that as the winces on my relatives' faces. "Um…sorry."
"Don't worry about it," said Ning, pulling me into a soft hug. "Just stay safe, please? I lost Gineta… I don't want to lose you too."
"Don't worry," I said, returning the hug. "I promise you, I will live through this." There was such conviction in my voice that the others couldn't help but believe me.
"Don't forget you're training," said Ishmal, placing a fond hand on my's head. "And most importantly, don't forget the teachings of your brother. Have faith in yourself and your friends."
"I will," I said. "I promise."
Archangel
Kira waited as the Archangel prepared to leave port. "Hey, kid." A voice said. Kira turned around to see Ryu walk in the room. "Mind if I talk with ya for a minute?"
"Sure." Kira said. "What is it?"
"I herd that you didn't want to see your Parents." He said. Kira bit his lip. "And you said it was because you were afraid of asking them why they made you a Coordinator?"
Kira didn't say anything, but nodded. "Listen Kid." He said. "The reasons why they made you a coordinator don't matter. What does matter is that you are their son. And that they are your parents. Nothing more, nothing less." Kira simply starred at his shoes.
"Kid, I lost my family long ago during the battle of Ontario." Ryu continued. "Me and the rest of Wardog were stationed at Alaska at the time. Being in the military, I didn't get to see them very often. But the times I did spend with them are some of my most precious memories…" he trailed off, his mind in his memories. "You should always hold your Family highest in regaurds." Ryu continued. "You should spend as much time with them as you can, because you never know when you may be able to see them again…or when you can't see them again." With that Ryu left Kira alone, thinking about what the Dragon just said.
A few hours later
Archangel
"Hey, has anyone seen Kira?" I asked as I boarded the Archangel, meeting Sarah, Scout and Adam. "I saw him in his quarters," Scout said. "But…I haven't seen him since."
Then Sarah pointed over my shoulder, I looked behind me to see Kira walking by. "Hey kira Where've ya been?" I asked. Kira stopped and looked at me. "I…"he said. "…Went to see my Parents."
I smiled. "That's great, Kira." I said. "How did it go?"
"A lot better than I thought it would." He said, smiling back. "I have Ryu to thank for finally convincing me."
I nodded. "Alright guys, it's time to head out!" I said.
A few minutes later, the dock door opened and the Archangel left, heading for their waiting escorts. The Orb fleet surrounded the Archangel and left Onogoro. Once they reached the edge of Orb waters, the fleet stopped while the Archangel continued on, taking off into the air.
Elsewhere
"How long are you planning to keep the truth hidden from them?" asked Ishmal, still staring after the Archangel after Kisaka and Erica had left.
"I don't…" murmured Caridad.
"Do you think I want to tell him the truth?" asked Ning. "But if we hide the sins of our past, of their origins, then it will only cause greater hardship."
"I know," said Caridad. "But…"
"I understand you're reluctance, all of you," said Ishmal. "We all wish that we could just bury Legacy and put it all to rest. But it's not that simple. Alen, Ulen, Gineta… they meddled in the realm of god and we let them. And now, those children are paying the price for our sins."
Ning laughed bitterly. "We let them?" she said. "No, it isn't that simple. We encouraged them. My sister, my brother-in-law, both of my nephew's, both of Caridad's sons and countless others have paid the price for that, and now those children also pay the price, while we walk free, absolved of guilt."
"Is that why you won't tell him the truth?" asked Ishmal quietly. "Do you want him to hate you?"
"No," said Ning. "I want him to see me for the monster that I really am. In the end, I'm no different then my father."
Archangel Hangar
A short while later
"How come you kids are all dressed up?" asked Murdoch, eyeing the collection of mobile suit pilots from his position by the Strike as they began to climb into their machines. "We haven't received any orders yet." Though, he supposed Jordan might've given the order for some obscure reason.
"As soon as we cross the border, ZAFT will probobly attack us," said Kira, surprising Murdoch as he climbed into his machine.
Athrun and his teammates waited patiently inside their mobile suits. They'd detected an Orb fleet leaving Onogoro, and while the ships were too close together for them to determine if the legged ship was with them or not, Athrun, along with the others, knew that it was.
"A ship is separating from the fleet," came the voice of the sensor operator over the PA. "Identifying… it's the legged ship!"
"Looks like waiting around here was worth it after all," said Matthew.
"We're taking off," said Athrun. "That ship goes down today."
The Aegis, the Shadow scythe, and Pixy's GuAIZ launched, each followed by a Guul. Then the Spark, the Blitz, and the Duel launched with their Guuls, followed by the Buster, and Miguel's GuAIZ. The other machines followed, and they headed for the legged ship.
A power cable plug emerged from the floor of the Archangel's starboard catapult, and Kira reached down, grabbing it and plugging it into the Agni cannon.
"Connecting power conduits," said Kira. "Auxiliary power online. Standing by and ready."
Meanwhile, the Archangel's multipurpose launch tubes fired smoke bombs, and smoke dischargers on the bridge tower also released smoke, enshrouding the entire warship in a massive smokescreen.
When the officers—all of them, including the ensigns—were discussing the possibility of a ZAFT attack outside Orb waters (though the Gundam pilots had known the attack was a fact rather than a possibility), they'd devised a strategy to deal with all eight enemy mobile suits. It was risky, but it had potential.
Kira and the Strike were the centerpiece of the whole plan.
In the second Skygrasper, equipped with the Sword Striker, Tolle gulped nervously.
"Don't be nervous," said Mu reassuringly as he prepared to launch, his own fighter equipped with the Aile Striker. Since Rusty now pilots the Blaze Inferno Mu had no choice but to give the suit up. "All you need to do is spot for the Strike from overhead."
"Y-yes sir," said Tolle.
"Don't get shot down," said Mu. "Let's go!" With that, the Hawk of Endymion launched.
"Your course is clear," said Mir. "Skygrasper Koenig, takeoff. Be careful."
Tolle smiled slightly as he braced himself for launch and tookoff.
"Smokescreen," muttered Dearka.
"Heh, they're getting cute with us," said Yzak. At that moment, a pair of fighters emerged from the smoke. "Two of them?" Yzak took aim and fired his beam rifles, but the two fighters dodged.
"Alright, not bad," said Mu. "I'll leave you in charge of backing up the Strike."
"Right," said Tolle. "Skygrasper Koenig here. Strike, do you copy? I'm sending you the enemy's coordinates and the targeting data."
Tolle… thought Kira before activating his targeting computer.
"Roger that."
Kira aimed the Agni using the coordinates provided and pulled the trigger, the powerful hyper impulse beam splitting smoke and air as it tore through the sky, narrowly missing the formation of ZAFT pilots, all of whom gasped in surprise.
"Everyone scatter!" ordered Athrun, determined not to let them be easy targets as hyper impulse beams continued to tear through the air, uncomfortably close to the ZAFT mobile suits.
Then, Kira tore the cable free, activated the Strike's Phase Shift Armor, and took to the air.
"It's time," I said.
The Strike emerged from the smoke, but as the ZAFT machines all took aim, a trio of sniper rounds flew free of the smoke, knocking the Blitz completely out of alignment, and another mobile suit, accompanied by a pair of mobile armors, materialized from the smoke.
The Mobile suits and a single fighter streaked out of the Archangel as the seven suits of ZAFT appeared charging at them, Taking the lead John started charging the Buster rifle as the High Powered Camera was revealed "Charge 85%, firing!" He shouted as the Buster Rifle Erupted basting to the ZAFT formation forcing the group to break apart "Tolle support Rusty!" John ordered as he charged at the Shreader and Shocker clashing his Heat shotels against the Shreader's as the Shocker attempted to bisect him only for John To flip his suit over the Shreader and kicking him into the Shocker sending them both tumbling before the Guuls stabilized the suits only for John to press his advantage of speed and maneuverability striking them from different angles and moving away before they could retaliate 'Shooting fish in a barrel.' John thought to himself smirking as the Shreader switched to its beam pistol in an attempt to hit the Demon Wing.
The Guardian released its entire arsenal on the Spark, Kelsey only barely dodging the barrage of bullets and rockets, while the Slash's beam rifles opened up on the Silver-and-Orange GuAIZ, and the Katana fired its beam rifle on the Shadow scythe, preventing the three machines from giving the Strike any attention as the Aile Skygrasper fired its beam rifle on the Aegis.
Kira
Corrine gritted her teeth as she clashed with the Rosso her katana straining against the Rosso's Beam Sabers, Then the suits broke off from each other and started circling.
As the suits made a couple of passes, The Werewolf and Rosso clashed blades again as several missiles from the Defender aimed at the Slash passed by.
Corrine charged forward unfolding the plasma cannons and fired at the Rosso forcing it to dodge straight into the fire from her Beam Gatling gun as she closed the distance and began attacking with the katana forcing Eric on the defensive.
The Ravage opened up against the Orca with it's beam rifle, but the Orca quickly dived underwater to evade, and then quickly resurfaced and fired a volley of missles at the Ravage. The enemy suit shot the missiles from the air, and continued to fire on the Orca only for it to dive under the waves again.
The Strike dodged the fire from the Duel and Buster, flipping over and firing a quick shot from the Agni straight into the Buster's Guul. The entire platform shook under the hit, and before Dearka could react, the Strike kicked the Buster off of the platform altogether.
The Duel turned to face the Strike, charging in with its Igelstellungs blazing. Kira returned fire with his anti-ship vulcan cannon, destroying the Guul's missile launcher, and in turn critically damaging one of its main thrusters. Yzak struggled to keep his machine in the air, but the heavily armored Duel was simply too heavy.
"Just hold on Yzak!" said Athrun, managing to break free from the relatively unmaneuverable Aile Skygrasper and, with Nicol, chase after the Strike.
"Take this!" shouted Nicol as the two aimed their beam rifles and began firing. Kira deftly evaded the beams as the Strike continued its descent towards the smoke. Suddenly, the Archangel began to emerge from the mist, and the massive Gottfrieds lit the sky as they drove the Aegis and Blitz away. The Strike landed on the deck, looking like some kind of majestic guardian as the Archangel opened up with a barrage of missiles. Athrun and Nicol gunned the missiles down with beam rifles and Igelstellungs.
Sarah snarled as the Defender unleashed it's full ordnance against the Slash hoping to overwhelm the suit only for Sarah to rocket away with the Pulse Thrusters pushing her suit even faster roaring past the Defender shocking the pilot as it barely kept up with the nimble suit, raising its shield the Defender managed to block the beam fire from the Slash as it made its second pass before closing in with its beam saber blazing at the ready "Fall!" Sarah shouted as she charged the suit only for Sarah to be shocked as a beam saber appeared in its hand blocking Sarah's own saber.
"Not anytime soon!" The Defender's pilot retorted pushing Sarah's suit back before returning the beam saber to its holster in its wrist and began firing with its missiles and gatling cannon forcing Sarah back to dodging.
The Shadow scythe was left for me. I was quite literally flying circles around the shadow scythe, thoroughly enjoying myself as I evaded and blocked the fire from his guns, never returning fire, and using my superior aerial combat abilities to consistently make hit-and-run melee strikes from all directions. I then got a lucky slice, and I destroyed his Guul. The Shadowsythe landed on a small, rocky island. In fact, it would be generous to call it an "Island" more like a rock bed at sea. I decended, and I began to fight the Shadow scythe.
Momentarily free from the assaults of the Archangel and Aile Skygrasper, Athrun and Nicol were surprised to see the Strike eject the Launcher Striker… and then leap into the air as the Aile Striker equipment detached from the Skygrasper and connected with the Strike.
"He changed his equipment in midair," gasped Nicol. The Strike then activated the powerful verniers of the Aile Striker, gunning for the two.
"Damn it," muttered Kelsey, as she deflected one of the rockets from the Guardian away with her shield. This was getting ridiculous though.
Adam grunted as his suit collided with the Duel both suits straining to get the upper hand, breaking away suddenly Adam managed to avoid the rail gun mounted on the shoulder of the Duel as it fired, his danger senses flaring Adam moved his suit once more, it reacting impossibly fast allowing his to dodge the Duel's follow up kick "How in the world?" Yzak questioned in shock.
"Heh, I love my new upgrades!" Adam shouted in exhilaration, the Magnetic Coated Joints applied to the suit was far surpassing the theoretical expectations reacting at the slightest touch, going perfectly with his superior awareness allowing his suit to react just as quickly as he does "This is freaking awesome!"
"Oh Shit!" Yzak cursed as the Orca attacked him again this time colliding his knee into the Duel's gut doubling it over from the force of impact before bringing his elbow down to the base of its 'skull' "Double shit!" Yzak cursed again as he recovered.
Adam laughed as he fired his short ranged cannons before he then attacked with his hyper-velocity cannons forcing hyper-velocity cannons forcing Yzak on the defensive once again.
Rusty groaned as he dodged the Buster's powerful cannon by flipping her suit up as Tolle's Skygrasper swooped in firing it's Agni Cannon forcing the Buster to back off slightly as it fired a series of missiles at the Skygrasper only for the fighter to roll out of the way "Damn, John and Ryu were right, this is nothing like the simulator!" Tolle observed as he continued to weave through the Buster's fire while Rusty fended off the Blitz.
"Just keep moving!" Rusty advised "The Buster has a slow firing rate so it won't be able to hit you easily."
"Right!" Tolle confirmed as he fired another blast at the Buster.
Boosting forward Rusty drew his beam saber and clashed with the Blitz surprising Nicol with the Claymore's speed as it pushed the stealth suit back slightly before breaking away suddenly as the Skygrasper came roaring in firing its Agni cannon hitting the Blitz's Guul as the Blitz tried to dodge sending the suit into the ocean "Great Job Tolle!" Rusty congratulated as Tolle laughed shakily "Keep flying like that and the EA will praise you as an ace!"
"Thanks, I can't believe that worked!" He replied as they both dodged the Buster's offense.
Tolle, tired of sitting around watching, swooped down himself as the Claymore and Blitz broke apart, firing missiles on the Blitz as Nicol took aim with the Trikeros rifle.
"Bastard!" said Nicol, instinctively taking aim at the passing fighter.
"Tolle, no!" said Kira, flying forward. His attack was hidden by Tolle's fighter, and when the fighter was no longer between them, Nicol saw the Strike bearing down on him, its beam saber flashing through the air and severing the Blitz's right arm at the shoulder. Kira then kicked the Blitz off the Guul and landed on the flight platform himself.
"Damn," muttered Athrun, realizing the severity of his situation. He was alone again, facing no less than six formidable opponents, plus an extra fighter and the legged ship itself.
But to his surprise, aside from the Strike, all of them suddenly backed off.
"What do you mean stay out of this?" asked Mu as he began to circle over the Archangel with Darknal, and Tolle.
"That is something Kira has to do," said Jordan as he fought the Shadow scythe. "Please, trust me."
Of course, their friends knew what that was about.
But Kira's duel with the Aegis was not the only battle going on. For almost half and hour now, I have been trading blows with the Shadowsythe.
But I knew I had him. Now was the day he would pay. Now is the day I avenge my family.
I parried a slice from his beam sythe with my Katana, I jumped away, but then I charged forward again firing my Inglusadie rounds. Though they did nothing, they provided a distraction as I raised my sword, and sliced the Shadow scythe's left arm off.
"That was for my Father!" I shouted. The shadow scythe swang its beam scythe, I dodged it, and I then sliced off its right arm. "That was for my mother!" I shouted.
I then kicked the shadowsythe, it fell to the ground. I then put my foot on its head, and raised my Sword to stab straight into the cockpit. "And this." I said. "Is for ruining my life!" At that moment, I had him. I thought that nothing in the world could prevent me from avenging the deaths of my Parents.
I was wrong.
As I started to bring my sword down, it happened. "Jordan!" A voice yelled out. I stopped, an ice cold shiver went down my spine. W-what? I thought I…I know that voice! "If your going to kill me." The voice said. "Why don't you say it to my face." I then looked at the screen. The image appeared. A man wearing a Red Zaft uniform, a man with shaggy long brown hair, brown eyes, and a scar that ran down the left side of his face. …no. I thought, not believing what I was seeing. I cant…it cant be! That man, was the one person I never thought I would see again. The man I thought died almost a year ago."M..m…Matthew?" I asked, suttering.
Matthew Takeo. My Older Brother.
The Duel and Orca exchanged several rapid blows with each other never getting anything more than a glancing blow as they struggled to gain the upper hand, putting some distance between them Adam swooped under the Duel before lashing his bam saber out cutting the Duel's Guul in half sending the close combat suit to the ground where it landed only to be struck by several missiles "You're not going to come anywhere near me are you?" Yzak asked.
"Nope." Adam replied as he fired with his shield cannons forcing the Duel into a run and gun battle.
Sarah smirked as she swooped past the Defender finally landing a blow on one of its missile launchers casing a chain reaction as it blew the legs of the suit off "Take THAT!" She shouted as she looked around the battlefield, seeing that Kira had her opponent in hand she boosted off to where the Buster was holding his own against Rusty and Tolle "Need a hand?"
"Very much yes." Dearka said "Or where you talking to your allies?"
Sarah laughed as she flew past evading the Buster's missiles before stopping allowing the missiles to pass her and explode in front of her suit before charging at the Buster with both of her beam sabers blazing swiping at the Assault suit only for him to suddenly cut his thrust falling underneath the swords and fired his missiles point black landing the hits and making Sarah curse.
"That's what ya get for being cocky!" Dearka shouted right before a missile from Tolle destroyed his Guul.
"You where saying?" Tolle asked in amusement as he flipped around "I'm low on energy, I'm going to head back to the Archangel now."
"Alright!" Sarah confirmed as she and Rusty landed on top of the said ship keeping an eye on the remaining fights.
The Strike and Aegis fired on each other, absorbing shots with their shields or narrowly dodging them as they circled one another on their Guuls. The Aegis tried to close in, but the Strike fired a single shot, piercing the heart of the Guul. Athrun leapt off his Guul, as did Kira, the two platforms crashing into one another.
Transforming the Aegis to mobile armor form, Athrun fired several rounds from the Scylla, but Kira dodged each as he descended back to the Archangel. As he landed, the warship fired its Gottfried at the red Gundam, grazing it just enough to drain power from the Phase Shift Armor without causing any real damage. The Aegis transformed back to mobile suit mode as it descended on a small rocky island.
"Kira, I'm sending the sword over to you," said Tolle as he flew over the Archangel towards the Strike.
Athrun landed on the island, and the legged ship began pummeling the Aegis with its Igelstellungs. Athrun raised his shield for added defense, but a glance at his power monitor showed that, between the intensity of the battle and the glancing blow from the Gottfried, and with this barrage on top of it, he was nearly out of power.
An alarm went off and Athrun was shocked to see the Strike, Sword Striker equipped, descending on the Aegis. Athrun tried to raise his rifle in defense, but it was too late, and the sword cleaved his gun in two as he leapt back.
The Igelstellung barrage ended.
I simply couldn't believe what I was seeing. There, in front of me, was my own brother, who I thought died at Junius 7.
"Hello, Jordan." Matthew said. "It's been a while, hu?" "M..matt." I said again. It cant be! I continued to think. It just cant be!
"Matt…why?" I asked. "Why diddnt you tell me you were still alive! Why did you join Zaft, why did you kill-"
I stopped. Our parents. I thought. My own brother killed my family?
"I didn't know until I saw you." Matthew said. "When I saw you holding onto mom…I…I couldn't say anything. How do you tell your brother that you just killed there parents? How!"
I was at a lost. I still could not believe my own eyes. "Matt!" A voice yelled out, then the Spark appeared, charging to assist Matthew. I jumped dodging the shots from Kelsey's beam rifle shots, and I flew away to the ship. Impossible! I thought. My brother..is alive? And he killed mom and dad? It cant be!
"Retreat already," said Kira. "This battle's over.
"Shut up!" said Athrun, activated the beam saber in the Aegis's right arm, charging in and swinging it at the Strike.
"Athrun, stop!" said Kira as he leapt over the swing and swung his own sword down, the Aegis barely deflecting with its shield, but being pushed back regardless. "I don't want to fight you anymore!"
"It's too late!" said Athrun, pressing his attack, only for Kira to parry this latest slash. "Remember what I told you in Orb? This won't end until one or both of our machines is destroyed!"
Athrun threw off his shield and activated the left arm beam saber, stabbing it forward. However, the shift reduced the force of Athrun's earlier attack, and Kira was able to safely back away and snap the Strike's right arm up, the wrists of the two Gundams connecting as the blade was forced upwards. Kira pushed the saber away altogether, and lashed out, punching the Aegis's face before Athrun could react.
The Aegis went flying back from the force of the blow, falling to its back, the red PS armor fading to grey and the beam sabers deactivating as the last of its combat power failed.
"Athrun!" said Kira, raising the Strike's sword overhead.
"Athrun, get out of there!" came another voice suddenly, drawing everyone's attention to the right of the Strike. Materializing not a hundred meters away was the Blitz, charging at the Strike, holding a Lancer Dart salvaged from the Trikeros in its left hand, stabbing the penetrator forward.
Kira reacted by ducking, and cutting the Blitz's Leg's off. "Nicole!" Athrun shouted. "I'm fine!" Nicole replied.
In his suit Athrun sighed "I guess this is your win today Kira." He said softly eyeing his old friends suit.
"Today yes." Kira confirmed "But there is bound to be more."
Athrun only saluted with his suit along with the Blitz as they both jumped into the ocean collecting their allies as they went.
Heading back to the Archangel the pair was joined by Ryu and Grimm, with Ryu's suit looking slightly singed "Losing your touch Dragon?" John asked mockingly as Ryu growled.
"Shut up!" Ryu retorted his pride bruised as the others laughed as the landed on the Archangel.
Archangel
The earth Forces Mobile suits landed in the Archangel. At first, it seemed like another Victory for everyone.
Everyone was happy that they survived another day, but when they saw Jordan exit the Cockpit, there mood decreased. "What's wrong with him?" Ryu asked, pointing at Jordan who walked by like he never even recognized them.
John looked at Jordan, and blinked at disbelief at what he was seeing. The usual cheerful, and some-what careless look on Jordan's face was replaced with a face filled with Sorrow, and sadness. A sight none of them have seen before since his Parents were killed.
"Jordan, What is it?" Sarah asked, concerned. But Jordan didn't even respond, but continued walking out of the hanger. "What happened to him?" Ryu asked, stairing at Jordan as he walked past the door.
"Did something happen to him in the battle?" Corrine asked. "Hang on, I'll check his battle records." Adam said as he moved towards the Katana. A few minutes passed, and Adam came back with just as a bad look as Jordan did. "What is it?" Grimm Asked. Though Rusty looked down, knowing what it probobly was.
"Jordan knows who the Pilot of the Shadow Scythe is." Adam said, grimly. I looked at the others. "Turns out, the Pilot is Matthew Takeo, His brother."
The eyes of the Pilot's widened in shock. "B-but didn't he say he-" Corrine stuttered. "Apparently, he wasn't there." Adam said. "And yes, he was the one that killed their Parents." Now their eyes widened even further, none more so than Sarah's. The girl in question then turned, and ran after Jordan, knowing what he would be going through right now.
ZAFT Submarine Cousteau
"Well that could of went better." Anthony said sighing as he plopped down on one of the couches in the pilot ready room.
"That went as well as a mouse catching a cat." Cory said sighing "It's getting harder and harder to take that ship down."
"That is why I had you retreat for now." Kyoji stated as he walked in followed by his personal squad, the Enders, all of them where handpicked for their hatred for naturals, including Kane. "You are being pulled off the chase for the legged ship, my squad will be taking over now, you will support us."