Episode Twenty: Destiny's Resolve

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The innermost meaning of sacrifice is the annihilation of the finite just because it is finite. In order to demonstrate that this is the only purpose, the most noble and beautiful must be chosen; above all, man, the fulfillment of the earth. Human sacrifices are the most natural sacrifices. Man, however, is more than the fulfillment of the earth; he is reasonable, and reason is free and nothing but an eternal self-determination toward the infinite. Thus man can sacrifice only himself, and that is what he does in the omnipresent sanctissimum of which the masses are not aware. All artists are self-sacrificing human beings, and to become an artist is nothing but to devote oneself to the subterranean gods. The meaning of divine creation is primarily revealed in the enthusiasm of annihilation. Only in the throes of death is the spark of eternal life ignited. - Friedrich Von Schlegel

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The Aether Gundam and the Nemain Gundam danced around the stars, fighting back and forth. Ryan never even knew the pilot he fought. But it was like he could almost fill the evil within his heart. The pilot he fought had taken hundreds of lives. Until now, Ryan hadn't been able to do anything. Ryan and Destiny took out all of their anger built up inside. Ryan knew as well as Destiny this was the final battle.

Ben was surprised by the attack of the Aether Gundam. Ben had guessed as much that he killed his best friend and had provoked him. Ben wasn't going to let this pilot ruin him. He had worked so hard...and nothing was going to stop him from becoming a legend. He slashed back with fury.

"Don't worry, kid. You'll be joining your friend in hell real soon." Ben said. Ryan yelled in anger, slashing in a upwards motion. Ben brought up his shield just in the nick of time. The beam sliced right through it. Ben quickly made sure he was ready for the next attack. He blocked the next attack.

"You'll pay. Pay for everything!" Ryan yelled, thrusting his beam towards the Nemain's cockpit. Ben parried the attack. Ben slashed towards his cockpit just after.

"Up. Left." Destiny said. Ryan's reflexes allowed him to move away from the attack that could have been fatal. Ryan let Destiny work through him, guiding his controls.

"That Destiny System your using was meant for me...once I gain control of the program I will control every aspect of destiny. Make things as I see fit. But first, I must kill you!" Ben yelled, continuing his attack. The two Gundams battled each other with all their might.

XXX

Christie had tears forming in her eyes. All of their hard work had come down to this. They had lost so many. Ryan fought for them all. For all spacenoids. Right then, he stood for freedom and independence. The future of the colonies hung on his shoulders. She touched the cold, gaping window.

"Be safe...my love." She whispered.

XXX

The Colony Fighting Force and some of the Earth Federation ships continued their assault on the Dreadnought. They would make sure that never again would it fire.

"You cannot defeat me! YOU WILL NOT DEFEAT ME!" Ben slashed his beam saber in a downwards motion, slashing of the Aether's right arm. Ryan cursed.

"We will defeat you...can you hear destiny knocking at your door? Your time is up." Ryan and Destiny said in unison. Ben smirked, slashing towards the Aether's cockpit. Before Ryan could even lay his hands on the controls, Ben's beam saber made it through. It seemed like all of time had stopped. All the fighting. Everything. Everyone saw what had happened.

Ben laughed out loud. He had won. His time was finally at hand. Suddenly the Aether Gundam began to show off an unusual glow. An aura surrounded the entire Gundam. Then the Aether Gundam was no longer there. Ben had seen this trick before. He knew he had activated Destiny and would appear behind him. The Nemain's blade stuck out backwards, waiting for the Aether to show up there.

Ben gasped. Something happened. Something went wrong. Ben coughed up blood, spitting it upon the controls. Where his eyes deceiving him? The Aether Gundam was back in front of him, sticking it's blade into the Nemain's core reactor.

"I will not give you judgement...only destiny can. For that, I am sorry." Ryan said.

"You...ruined me. The Earth has betrayed me..." Ben cried. "I won't receive judgement alone...earth shall pay for it's sins of betrayal!" Ben yelled, pressing a button inside his cockpit. Soon after his core reactor exploded, killing Ben...

Ryan let out a sigh inside his cockpit. It was over...

"Ryan!" Admiral Maxwell chimed in.

"What is it?" Ryan asked, taking a deep breath.

"The Dreadnought's thrusters has turned on. It's heading towards Earth! I don't think we can stop it." Admiral Maxwell explained.

XXX

Bright was as shocked as everyone else was. Ben had finally snapped just before his death. He was sending the Dreadnought towards Earth. The impact would devastate the land mass. He had to stop the fighting...now. They needed unity.

"Stop this meaningless fighting," Bright began. "Your leader is dead and has sent the Dreadnought towards our home. Earth! It is time we unite with our brothers. It is time we come together and save what is all dear to us." Bright said. Slowly. One by one, each mobile suit stopped fighting each other. They began to fly towards the Dreadnought.

It was heading towards Earth with all of its thrusters in full blast. The estimated impact time was nine minutes. The CCF and Federation forces combined their efforts, trying to destroy what they could. The front nose of it broke off and exploded from the fire of the ships, but the rest was heading into the Earth's atmosphere. There was only one way to stop it.

XXX

Ryan knew what he had to do. Destiny was right. He would have to make a sacrifice. The ultimate sacrifice. The Aether Gundam was equipped with a hyper mega cannon. If he positioned himself in front of the Dreadnought, only then could he destroy it. The Aether Gundam shot towards the Dreadnought. It passed by Federation and Colony forces, going to save Earth. The Aether Gundam shot in front of the Dreadnought, turning around to aim at it.

Both the Gundam and the super weapon began to enter the atmosphere. The Aether Gundam's outer shell began to peal away due to the extreme heat of re-entry. It was a struggle to keep everything steady.

"Destiny...give me the strength..." Ryan whispered.

As soon as his shot was locked on, he fired. The large, yellowish beam shot straight into the core of the Dreadnought. It wasn't enough.

"Are you willing to make the final sacrifice, Ryan?" Destiny's voice seemed older...weakened.

"I am." Ryan boldly stated. Suddenly the Aether Gundam began to lit up. This time it was different then before. It was a bright light. As bright as the sun. Everyone watched in awe and wonder. From the light shot a beam, straight into the Dreadnought once again. It was so powerful, the Dreadnought exploded into debris.

Now...it was finally over.

XXX

Luke's heart filled with joy as he saw the Dreadnought exploded. Ben had gone completely mad, and he knew it was only a matter of time before the Taskforce was disbanded. Maybe he wasn't cut out for a soldier's life. He didn't know. All he wanted to do is thank the man who saved his home. The man from the colonies.

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The whole ship erupted into cheers and praise. Ryan had did it. He stopped Dreadnought from crashing into Earth. Admiral Maxwell slumped back down into his seat, letting out a long sigh. It was finally over. They had lost many good men. But their sacrifices would not be forgotten...but would be remembered. He swore it. For...my beautiful daughters.

While everyone was cheering going nuts, Christie fell down to her knees. She wept not seeing the burning light of the Aether Gundam. Ryan had been taken away from her again. First Gabriel, and now Ryan. She clasped her hands over her eyes as Kyle gently lifted her up, hugging her. She needed the comfort now more than ever. Kyle looked out at the exploding Dreadnought.

Thank you, Ryan. Thank you.

XXX

The debris of the Dreadnought showered over the Earth like burning meteorites. A younger man stood outside of his home, with his daughter in his arms, watching the night sky.

"What's that daddy?" The little girl asked. His son tugged at his pants, looking up into the sky pointing.

"What is it!" The boy asked. The front door of his home opened up. His wife came out side to join her husband.

"Come here Kadey, look." He said, pointing towards the burning stars.

"What is that, Tysis?" She asked.

Tysis could only smile.

To be Continued.