Phase-38: Flickering light of hope

The Calamity, Raider and Forbidden soared in the morning sky, signaling the start of the Earth Alliance offensive. Their ships launched their missiles, fighting planes, and mobile suits. The Orb radars detected the attack.

"Approaching missiles!"

"Airborne mobile suit forces approaching Onogoro!"

The alarm rang through the island.

"Prepare to counterattack!" Following the orders, the Astrays started to sortie.

"They never even responded to our requests to talk! Damn!" Cagalli cursed. Uzumi, Tobias, and other Representatives were also keeping a tab on the events in an underground room. The chief swore too. How could they?! Was this the answer of the Earth Alliance? Now that they had declared this nation their enemy, they wouldn't even listen to them?! Lines of tanks intercepted part of the assault. Dearka, after having hesitated for a moment, cursed and rushed to change into his pilot suit. Seren arrived running to see Athrun put a hand on Kira's shoulder.

"From the looks of things, Orb has no chance of winning. You realize that, don't you?"

"Yeah. I think we all realize that. But to give up fighting just because we have no chance of winning and do as they wish... we can't do that, right?" The former Orb civilian replied with a small resigned smile.

"Kira..."

"What's important is what we are fighting for. That's why I'm going out there. Of course I'd prefer not to fight if it can be helped, but there are things that can't be protected without fighting." Kira boarded the Freedom. The ZAFT soldier remembered when he had pointed his gun at Lacus and she had confronted him fearlessly. "What is it that you believe in and fight for? Is it for the medals you receive? For your father's orders?" "Sorry, Athrun. And thank you. I'm glad I had a chance to talk to you." Yamato climbed into the cockpit and activated his unit. Suddenly Athrun felt a blow on head. He turned to see Seren as Kira was heading out.

"What was that for?"

"Sorry. There was steam coming out of your ears. Smart people overthink, but that's no good. Well, you might have lots to think about, you might have regrets whichever path you choose, but surely there's one where you'll regret less than the other. So it should be alright for you to simply do what you want to do." She lightly tapped his chest with the back of her fist and walked away. The boy stopped her and looked at her.

"Seren, you..." He knew how much she cared about Orb, and how much she hated fighting... taking lives... Despite everything she had said, even though she had accepted it, that aspect of her still hadn't changed. And he didn't want her to go with Kira and fight a losing battle, he didn't want to see her cry and suffer again... but he also understood her, and he didn't really know what to say or do. But just as he was going to speak, she placed her finger on his lips, silencing him. He didn't need to speak. All of his feelings were reflected in his gaze.

"I know." she smiled resignedly. "But there are times when people have to make a stand even when they know they don't have a chance. I want to protect Orb's ideals, peace between Coordinators and Naturals, for there to be a place where I can live with all those I love. But I can't protect them if I don't fight. Those people won't even listen to us. So even if Orb is destroyed, it'll be fine as long as we survive and fight to keep those ideals, that hope alive. It'll be fine. That's why I'll fight too. Sorry." Seren tightly hugged him around the waist. "And thank you, for caring so much about us even now. I was glad to see you and talk to you again. I'm going now." And she boarded the Independence. She and Kira had said the same things. The X08A sortied.

"If you want to leave Lacus and go out with Seren, I'll support you." The other ZAFT elite commented, half jokingly half challengingly. He too was dressed in his pilot suit, and ready to fight and protect Orb.

"Dearka!" Athrun noted, surprised.

"You two just give off that vibe somehow. But you shouldn't make her wait too long if you decide to do that. A woman as good as her will get noticed." The blonde one advised. His friend looked down pensively. "Well, seeing a woman get stolen right under your nose would be interesting too." He taunted again. His comrade glared. "Just joking. But this is really tough. You got orders to take those back, right? I guess it's not good, huh? For us ZAFT soldiers to interfere like this..." He evoked their duty again. And Athrun's reaction of repulsion for that 'duty' did not escape him. And after having pitted both options and watched the responses, the answer was rather obvious.

"But I don't want her... I don't want them to die!" Athrun voiced his own will for the first time since he had come. And there was desperation in his voice.

"For once, no, for the first time, we agree on something." Dearka put a comforting hand on his former commander's shoulder. They had an excellent reason to stay... "Well, I guess we both have a woman we want to protect here." He winked and left. Athrun recalled when Dearka had chased that friend of Seren's the previous day, the one whose boyfriend he had killed... Seren had also told him those two seemed to have warmed up to each other.

Outside, the battle was raging. The Archangel's Igelstellung and Gottfried cannons fired almost nonstop, detonating missiles. The 'Valiant' fired and sank two enemy ships. But the Forbidden that had snuck in underwater destroyed an allied ship. The Raider and Calamity blew others. However, the ones they wanted to fight were the three strange MS from yesterday. The Astrays and Strike Daggers engaged in a shoot out. The numbers of Stars Blasters had already been drastically reduced previously but they still posed a threat. The Freedom and Independence entered the battle. Using their full arsenal thanks to the multi-lock system, they instantly disabled dozens of enemies. They fired constantly for a time before Seren went over to the sea where she intercepted another wave of missiles and a few planes. She sunk more ships with her 'Apus' plasma beam cannons before being confronted by Star Blasters. She avoided their cluster bombs and 'Vulcan' guns, blinded them with the Picus 76mm CIWS, incapacited or controlled their flight with the Alcor beam cannons and Vega rail cannons, and finished them with her beam sabers. Kira had also switched to beam sabers against those mass produced units. Those two would dive into the melee and mow the enemies down like wheat.

However, that couldn't last. The Independence dodged the beam from the Forbidden's Hresvelgr plasma induction cannon while the Freedom came under the Calamity's fire. The Raider in MA mode would charge at the ZGMF units while they were distracted by its allies. The three were happy that the two hotshots had returned. Seren brought her fight to close combat with a beam saber and the Antares anti-ship sword and charged at the GAT-252. They clashed. Unfortunately, Kira had been caught between the sea and the nourished fire of both remaining enemies. He could only try to get a few shots from behind his shield. Seren protected herself from the scythe with her 'Antares' sword and attacked with the beam saber. She gashed the backpack of her foe and disengaged to go help Kira. However, when she dodged his curving shots, the Forbidden closed in and attacked. She was given enough time to escape though when a beam boomerang sped towards her enemy, forcing him to parry with the scythe. Kira also received helped when beams blocked the Calamity's path and a backpack forced the Raider off course. The boomerang and Fatum-00 returned to the Justice.

"Seren! Kira!" Zala called them.

"Athrun?! But why?!" The two yelled back. The enemy directed their fire at the red machine.

"We understood what you meant! We know that there are things one must fight to protect!" Athrun shouted. The Independence went to his aid. The Archangel was targeted by a number of planes and defended by the Buster from the shore. While the X103 and X105 covered the ground, the X216 had taken to the sky. Kira, Athrun, and Seren had joined up and were back to back. "Let's get them!" He yelled. His two friends and former enemies agreed. They separated, avoiding the Calamity's beams. The mass produced models ran each other through. The Archangel swerved thirty to port and fired the Gottfried at an enemy ship, destroying it. With a single shot, the Buster eliminated several Strike Daggers thanks to his anti-armor shotgun. Rayner also showed himself to be a most competent pilot of the Blast. Its storm mobility pack and variety of weapons were well utilized. In his hands, this unit proved almost as deadly as it would have been in his Coordinator cousin's.

Meanwhile, the Earth Alliance flagship was observing the raging battle from afar. Azrael wanted to have everything finished before night as he was growing tired of eating onboard. In the Orb control room, Cagalli too was watching the progress on the screen before her. You could see the situation in many different areas, though the war had destroyed several cameras. She was also listening to the reports. It was not good, not good at all! She gritted her teeth and walked away. Kisaka stopped her, having correctly guessed that she wanted to participate more actively, by piloting a mobile suit.

"Let go! I'm going too!" The girl stormed.

"Don't be ridiculous!"

"I can't just sit back while this is happening!" Tears of frustration and helplessness had gathered in her eyes. Simply watching her fellow countrymen fight and die while she was in a safe place... even though she could save more if she fought on the frontlines too...

"A commander should never leave their post! Learn already! What about your promise to Rayner?!" The Colonel yelled. His superior recoiled. Right. She had promised him to stay in the control center, no matter how dire the situation was to become. She recalled his words "This country can only exist and stay as it is because it has you! You represent this nation's future! A head can't irresponsibly leave its position! Our armies are counting on you to command them!" And she remembered how softly he had reassured her. "Don't worry, I'll also take part in this battle as the Blast's pilot. I'll fight and protect those you want to protect in your place." And how strongly, tenderly, comfortingly he had then held her in his arms.

"But..." The princess muttered, greatly mollified.

"You mustn't cry either!" Her guardian chided her. As head of the army, she had to stay strong. The bombing continued, whose shockwaves even shook the underground infrastructures, like the council members' observation room.

"Lord Uzumi, preparations are complete. If we had to more hours to execute the operations..." A senator reported.

"That's too long. We don't have that luxury. Okay, I'll go too."

"Alright, then I too." Tobias approached with a small smile.

"Give orders to have the remaining troops gather at Kaguya. We're abandoning Onogoro!" Chief Representative Athha declared.

From outside the territorial borders, a ZAFT submarine was also observing the situation. The captain noted that Orb was putting quite a fight. Le Creuset replied that given their resources, it was only a matter of time though. Yzak was there too. Still, Orb was not a nation to be taken lightly after all. He could understand why the Earth Forces were so desperate to conquer it. He asked if there was any data on those unfamiliar mobile suits. The officer was having his men monitor them but given the distance, the success was limited.

"We may or may not have to face any one of them in the future. Well, stay on it. If nothing else, it'll be information that'll surely please Chairman Zala. Let me know if there are any changes in the present situation." Rau left. He was dutifully followed by the sole remaining member of his team.

"You don't look too pleased, Yzak. I'm guessing you'd like to jump into that battle and fight." The Commander inferred. The teen reacted before denying his superior's conjecture. Orb has refused any support from ZAFT so we really have no choice."

"I'm not really-" The Red Coat tried to protest again, although his thoughts were more visible than he imagined. He might not be especially fond of Orb due to its elusiveness and support to the Legged Ship, but that nation still otherwise maintained its neutrality to the very end and promoted coexistence between Naturals and Coordinators. On the other hand, there was really no helping those damn Earth Forces, stooping so low as to invade another Earth nation, an officially neutral one, in order to steal its technology, because they wouldn't allow it to remain in peace.

"We'll stay here and observe the battle a bit longer, then return to Carpentaria. You must be sick of staying aboard this ship since Panama. You won't have to wait much longer." The masked man stated. However, that wasn't the only thing bothering the young one who wanted to know what the deal with that girl was. If she was a captive, shouldn't she be treated as such? "Yzak, there's more to war than just shooting each other. I've been looking for a key, and now I've found it. Or so I believe." He smiled mysteriously and left his clueless and disconcerted subordinate.

The invasion force pressed forward into Orb territoty, their numbers overcoming the fervent and powerful defenses like a tide. That was when the retreat orders were passed down to the Orb troops, including the Archangel.

"Yes! Reprensentative Athha wants the Archangel to leave the front immediately and go to Kaguya!" Sai relayed. "It's the location of Orb's mass driver facilities."

The Freedom evaded the Forbidden's heavy scythe and gained distance. The Justice ducked and disconnected from its Fatum-00, avoiding the Raider's spherical breaker. It fired, and acting as separate attack unit, the Fatum-00 sped towards the enemy and destabilized it. Thanks to its HIMAT mode, the Independence dodged the Calamity's ranged attacks, making it deplete its energy while keeping its attention on her. And her strategy soon bore fruits. The alert rang in the X131. Orga looked at the power indicator.

"Damn! You stupid mobile suit! Out of energy already?!" He swore.

"It's because you're firing all over the place, you dumbass!" Clotho mocked as he shot at the Justice with his shield-mounted double cannon. It hit the water.

"What did you say?!"

"If you're leaving then go back on your own. I don't care." Buer taunted again. But suddenly, the red gundam surged from the water wave right in front of him. Athrun roared and slashed, slicing the Mjolnir mace that exploded. The X371 barely escaped in time. It transformed into a MA and flew away. Sabnak called Clotho an idiot. Seren detached the Aquila backpack and also used it as a separate unit to catch the Calamity in a pincer attack. She cut through a "Schlag" 125mm high-energy long-range beam cannon as well as the "Todesblock" 337mm plasma-sabot bazooka. The enemy let go and Seren had to get away to avoid damage from the explosion. The EA machine took advantage of that to flee and hitch a ride on the mobile amor, which angered its pilot.

"Shut up! We're returning to recharge! It can't be helped, right?!" Orga silenced his protests. Buer swore his assent. Kira was avoiding his opponent's shots while his beams were deflected by the Forbidden's special shielding system. However, the power level of the X252 had also dropped into the red. Shani spotted his allies leaving the area. Gritting his teeth, Kira used that moment of distraction to charge. The Forbidden attacked too. The Freedom parried and deflected the Nidhoggr scythe with the shield and slashed with a beam saber. The Earth Forces unit got away though, and the beam only struck the sea, causing the water to splash up. The droplets fell back. Athrun and Seren joined up with Kira. All three of them were breathing hard.

The Calamity, Raider, Forbidden entered the hangar of the flagship. The captain ordered to hurry with the replenishment. Azrael seemed rather disappointed. Those guys... they still didn't show results despite having their powers enhances significantly. They were still not good enough.

"Leave Orb?!" Ramius exclaimed, shocked. The Archangel was dry-docked right next to the mass driver for emergency repairs and resupplying. But she, Mu, and Neumann had been summoned to the control room of the military facilities. "Uzumi-sama... you're telling us to run away?"

"I'm sure you realize by now... it's only a matter of time before Orb is lost."

"F-father, what are you saying?" Cagalli asked with desparation. Orb could not be lost! Seren looked down. Tobias placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. And Rayner clenched his fists, though nothing showed on his face. He had changed into a uniform. Dearka was there too, leaning against the wall.

"Our people have been evacuated. There are other means to support them." Tobias voiced as a reassuring note. Kira and Athrun entered.

"We'll take over from here." The Chief Representative declared. "But even if we were to lose Orb, there are things we must never lose. The mastermind behind those actions taken by the Earth Alliance is the leader of Blue Cosmos, Muruta Azrael." At these words, the two ZAFT soldiers gasped, and Murrue hung her head, guilty of her past allegiance to the Atlantic Federation.

"In addition, the PLANTs are now controlled by Patrick Zala, a man who believes Coordinators are a new species unto themselves." Representative Ledford added. It was Athrun's turn to lower his head. Dearka, Kira and Seren concernedly looked at him. The girl made a move towards him but stopped herself.

"The way things are progressing, the world will be caught between two forces that refuse to recognize the existence of the other. Is that an acceptable future for you? If you envision an alternative, then take this light of hope that we have lit and guide us to a new future. You'll be once again taking a hard road, but I'm sure you understand, Murrue Ramius." The Orb leader looked kindly upon the young captain. The woman closed her eyes and turned to Mu who smiled encouragingly at her.

"Though it is small, we believe that this light of hope will not be put out." She replied. Uzumi-sama told them to hurry up with the preparations. The officers of the Archangel left.

"We will open the path." Seren said. "But the world will need you after the war. WE will need you. There's only so much we can do. We are protectors, you are constructors. More than sinking with your ship, you have a responsibility of building the new era. During times of change too mileposts are needed. The foundation must be firm. That's why Orb's steady leadership is necessary." Although she was developing her arguments, franctically trying to find a way to get her will across, her true message was simple and desperate: now's not the time for you to die!

"What are you saying now? I didn't raise you to rely on other. No, actually, I can't say I raised you at all. You grew up on your own. You're no longer a child. You're all no longer children, but perfectly self-reliant people. So let me watch the moment you take flight." Tobias started sternly before proudly and tenderly gazing at all the teenagers in turn. But that didn't pacify his child much.

"I mean-awawa..." Though she couldn't say more as her father pulled on her cheek.

"You mean you don't even believe your father? Did you forget I'm a Ledford too? Of course I have a secret plan. If you're my daughter, don't worry needlessly, and simply do that which you must and have set out to do. We'll see each other again once this is over. I promise." He petted Seren's head. She finally calmed down. She wouldn't have let him go unless he had promised and he knew it. Although only with those they held dear, and especially their family, the Ledfords didn't lie. And they didn't promise anything inconsiderately. That was why she believed him. Uzumi also smiled and put his hand on his daughter's blonde head. He and Tobias looked at Kira who stared back cluelessly, then at each other, and the two girls. Seren's eyes went from one to the other. What was up with them? Whatever. She'd think about that later. There were more important things. She grabbed Cagalli's hand and took her away. Rayner and Tobias made eye contact and the young man nodded almost imperceptibly.

"Cagalli, would you please make sure that Uzumi-sama and my father escape safely?" Seren placed her hands on her friend's shoulders.

"Eh? But didn't Tobias-sama promise-"

"I know! I know... but..." She trembled, and hung her head, her hands squeezing the princess's shoulders tighter. She believed. She believed... but... there was nothing she could do about the dread that was still wringing her guts. "Anyway, promise me!" She begged so earnestly, lifting her amber eyes towards Cagalli's. And Cagalli promised. Seren's desperation had scared her. She was rarely this flustered before others and her intuition was usually on the mark.

The staff was rushing to equip the boosters on the Archangel and complete the preparations for its launching to space. The Izumo-class space battleship Kusanagi was set on the catapult of the Kaguya mass driver and loaded with M1 Astrays.

"I didn't expect we'd be going to space..." Mayura said anxiously.

"Suits me just fine!" Juri put on a front.

"Damn Earth Forces!" Asagi cursed.

While the operators of the Forbidden, Calamity and Raider were suffering intensely and silently, the commander of the Earth Forces fleet and captain of its flagship informed Muruta Azrael that the Orb troops were gathering at the Kaguya mass driver, apparently getting ready to make their last stand. The head of Blue Cosmos swore. That damn Athha and his futile struggles... he should just give up already. Although that unsightly side of him was quite amusing. Well, they just had to crush them into dust.

"We're using the Kusanagi's spare boosters instead but they have sufficient power. Fire the Lohengrin as you increase booster power to maximum. That will cause the positronic interference effect which will increase acceleration." Tobias explained on the screen of the Archangel's bridge. For easier understanding, a simulation was showing on the computers. The positronic interference effect was the production of a cone of positrons caused by the firing of a positron blaster cannon that literally disintegrate the atmosphere in front of the ship, eliminating air resistance and allowing it to achieve greater velocity without the risk of burning up in the earth's atmosphere. However, the procedure was only used as an emergency exit.

"Sure, nothing's keeping us from returning to Carpentaria. But our enemy is the Earth Alliance either way." Dearka commented, voicing his intention to stay with the Archangel from now on. Seren, Kira, Athrun, and him had joined up before their gundams.

"But depending on how things turn out, we'll likely have to fight ZAFT too." Seren pointed out. "It can't be alright with you."

"...It's true I don't feel too well about..." The Buster's pilot admitted after a pause. "But after everything that happened in Alaska, Panama, and Orb, and the use of nuclear energy again..." He stared at the Indepence, Justice, and Freedom before turning back to them. "I understood that war was not what I had imagined it to be. I no longer blindly trust ZAFT, and of course not the Earth Forces either. And... there are people I want to protect here..."

"Rather than 'people' why don't you be honest and say 'Miriallia'?" Ledford bluntly inquired with a smile.

"You... I didn't ask for your analysis!" Blushing, Dearka tried to make a grab at her but she eluded him, laughing. Her childhood friends smiled slightly.

Watching the Kusanagi being fixed to its booster, Uzumi asked how things were going for the Archangel. He was told they were in the final stages of the booster check. Athha ordered them to hurry. They didn't have time. Cagalli was pleading him and Tobias to leave with her.

"Athrun Zala of ZAFT... huh?" Athrun muttered, pensive again, remembering Lacus's words when he had seen her after he had learned of her 'treason'. "She knew all along." And then Seren's words from just the previous day, when they had talked after the first battle for Orb. "And so did you." He turned to Seren with a smile. "I always thought you were supposed to follow orders from your nation and defeat the enemy. I thought there was no other way, and that it would bring a quick end to this war..." He recalled his father, and Yuri Amalfi... and how, at the cost of their principles, of everything else, caught in the spiral of war, they were developing nuclear weaponry. "But the people of the Archangel, of Orb warmly welcomed me even though I was an enemy. I don't want to let them die. But then... who, what should we really be fighting against?"

"Come with us, Athrun." Kira offered with a smile. "We'll search for the answer together."

"And you too." Seren wrapped her arms around Dearka's and Athrun's shoulders. "The answers will probably in the battles and lives we'll live from now on." The girl smiled too. And the two former ZAFT soldiers could not help but smile, heartened by the words of the ex EA pilots, who used to be their enemies.

The Calamity, Forbidden and Raider left their ship.

The Kusanagi was preparing for take off. The weather data in the Kaguya area was all within permissible level. Suddenly, the radar detected the approach of mobile suits. The alarm rang. Uzumi ordered Ramius-dono to take off immediately.

"Understood! Kira-kun, Seren-kun?"

"We'll provide backup for the takeoff. Archangel, please take off!" Kira replied as he and Seren were activating their machines.

"What about the Kusanagi?" The girl asked.

"I'll send it out right away! Thanks!" The Chief Representative answered.

"It's going to be an aerial battle. The Buster's not equipped for it. Dearka, board the Archangel." Athrun commanded. The blonde Coordinator clicked his tongue but obeyed.

"Oh my, it's not the 'Legged Ship' anymore?" Seren teased. Athrun replied it wasn't exactly the time for that. "No, anytime is fine. You gotta laugh whenever you can, because you don't know when you'll no longer be able to." The engines started and the Archangel slowly lifted off.

"Raise bow to 20. Lohengrin standby." Murrue instructed.

Cagalli was still begging her father and Tobias to escape together with them. And as it didn't seem she would leave unless they did too, Uzumi grabbed her wrist and dragged her away.

"We have our responsibilities and you have yours! If we're left without anyone to carry out our hopes and will, we're finished! Why can't you understand that?!" He yelled. Cagalli was crying as she recalled her promise to Seren, knowing she would not be able to fulfil it. She could not save even their fathers. She understood him, but she didn't want to lose the sole family she had left! And even now, Seren was fighting, in order to protect them and give them time to flee!

As the enemy arrived, the Archangel fired the Lohengrin, inducing the positronic interference effect. The ship accelerated, quickly rising through the atmosphere. Orga clicked his tongue but was unable to fire freely as his 'vehicule' the Raider was forced to quickly dodge the Justice's beams.

"Uzumi-sama, uncle, Cagalli!" Rayner exclaimed at the door of the Kusanagi. The Orb leader threw his daughter into his arms.

"Hurry Rayner! And take care of my foolish daughter!"

"And of mine too, while you're at it, though she already has someone." Tobias added. Rayner answered affirmatively. "And Cagalli, will you give that to Seren?" He handed an envelope to her. She snatched it instinctively.

"Tobias-sama! Father!" She cried. Uzumi put a big, warm, and comforting hand on Cagalli's head.

"Don't make that expression. It's unbefitting of the daughter of the Lion of Orb." He gently admonished her. "You're parting from your father, but you're not alone. You have siblings." He reached into his jacket and giver the girl a photo. It showed a beautiful, smiling woman with brown hair holding three babies in her arms; one with brown hair in a blue cover, another with brown hair too in a pink cover, and the last with blonde hair in a pink cover. She took it and turned it after a few seconds. On the back was written 'Kira Seren Cagalli'. She gasped and stared, incredulous, at the two men in front of her who smiled and nodded, confirming what she had guessed. "I feel very fortunate to have been your father." The door closed. Cagalli hit it again and again as the gangway and her father and Tobias retreated.

"Go, Rayner! We're counting on you!" Representative Ledford yelled.

"Departure of all personel except division C, confirmed. All systems go." A man's voice said in a speaker. The Kusanagi sped onto the rails. "Starting the Kusanagi's final launch sequence. May the prayers of Haumea be with you." The man said gravely. This ship had been entrusted with the feelings of all those who had stayed and decided to sacrifice themselves for what they believed in. The Freedom, Independence and Justice were fighting and keeping the enemy away from the Kaguya.

"Hey hey hey hey!" The Calamity had noticed the coming ship.

"Athrun! Seren!" Kira shouted. The two nodded.

"Father! Father!" Cagalli screamed, tears streaming down her eyes. The ZGMF units fired at the EA machines before heading to the Kusanagi. If they didn't reach it in time, they'd be left on Earth. They didn't have the equipment to leave the atmosphere. While avoiding the beams they pushed their gundams to their limits against the wind caused by the acceleration of the ship. Kira, who was first, managed to latch onto the Kusanagi's booster. He reached out to Athrun who slowly closed the distance and caught his hand. Seren who was last, blindly shot in her back, dispersing her pursuers, and allowing her to catch up. She and Athrun roared. The gap closed and closed, and finally, they tightly gripped each other's hand. All three had safely landed onto the Kusanagi. They looked at each other and nodded. Orga, Shani and Clotho gritted their teeth as the Freedom climbed onto the Fatum-00 fired its 'Balanea' plasma cannons and 'Xiphias' rail cannons, the Justice its 'Fortis' beam cannons, and the Independence all its cannons from the recess. All the shots hit the same point in the water. The resulting wave washed the Calamity, Raider and Forbidden away. When they recovered, the Kusanagi was already high in the sky, out of their reach.

From the control room, Uzumi and Tobias were watching the departing ship. Behind them were all the council members of Orb. Everyone was smiling.

"The seeds have flown. We have succeeded. We won't let Orb and this world fall into the hands of those bastards!" He turned a key and pressed a button. A series of explosions occurred that destroyed all the mass driver and Morgenroete facilities. Shock and rage distorted Azrael's face. The destruction of those things negated the very reason of this battle! He might have won, but that was a hollow victory. Kira and Cagalli gasped. Athrun gritted his teeth, his eyes narrowed. Seren let go but Athrun instantly grabbed her and angrily asked her what she was doing.

"Ah... no... I..." She stuttered, not knowing what to answer. She had done that on instinct. She could not justify it! Just like she ignored the reason for her overflowing tears... because her father and Uzumi-sama were definitely alright! He had promised! Cagalli shook her head.

"FATHER!" She screamed, overcome by despair. The Orb leadership disappeared in the flames.

And so, we left the destroyed land, paying the price for hope. By fumbling along, we'll reach a point where we have a way to understand each other. We can't just do nothing. Do they take away because they're immature? The beauty of the sky, the frailty of life, is it strength to believe? A return to the earth, to the sea. The blasted flowers spread their seeds that ride upon the wind. They used their lives for an unknown hope. Surely, the seeds will return to this soil to take root.