Chapter Five: She Falls
Treize couldn't even stay on the ship. They hadn't left the colony since they landed there, and meanwhile, on Earth, Neo OZ was slowly but surely starting a new war. To add even more stress, Wu Fei's body had been thrown into an incinerator by the Neo OZ. Treize was alone now.
On the ship, there was a happier atmosphere. Solo and Duo had become friends again and Duo was the wise cracking, fun loving, and all in all cool dude he once had been. Odin still was worried about his father, but he couldn't sit around moping. He decided to join in the fun as well.
Raphaela, meanwhile, couldn't bear the fact that Treize was in pain. She almost hated the fact that the Maxwells were partying while Treize was feeling that deep loss you get when you lose a parent. She was the only one who could identify with that, she guessed. Maybe Treize just needed some help.
She walked outside the Peacemillion V and sat beside Treize.
"You okay, Treize?" she asked. Treize stared off into the sky.
"Why are we still here in space?" he asked, "I mean, really. Neo OZ and the Fang are both based on Earth, not to mention the fact that that fake Gundam is down there. Of course, they don't care. They don't give a DAMN!" Treize slammed his fist against the steel wall of the Peacemillion V.
"My parents died." Raphaela muttered, "My father had cancer and my mother died of a broken heart. I know how you feel." Treize looked Raphaela in the eyes.
"Your...mother, too?" he whispered. Raphaela nodded. "My mother is still alive. I wonder if she knows about father?"
Raphaela looked up at the sky.
"Where is she?" asked Raphaela.
"On Earth." Treize said. He immediately jumped up and grabbed Raphaela's hand.
"I know what they're doing!" Treize cried, running towards the control room, "We have to hurry!" Raphaela struggled to keep up.
Treize burst into the control room and rushed past Duo, knocking him over. Treize tapped a few buttons and the doors closed. He tapped a few more and the Peacemillion V took off.
"What the blasted Hell is goin' on here!?" Duo cried. Treize said nothing, but everyone could see they were heading towards Earth.
~
The giant war machines rolled towards a tiny town. There were about 150 people living there. Well, 149 after Wu Fei had been killed. The giant machines were Neo OZ's new Mobile Suit models, the tank-like SAGITARIUS. Although they took the design from Fang technology, it didn't matter. The Fang didn't seem to be using them anymore.
The SAGITARIUS rolled in a circle formation around the town. The main denizens of the town were Canadian, but one person was a foreigner, although this was the place she, her husband, and her son called home. She was originally from China.
The townspeople were in a panic. They ran everywhich way, besides the fact that the SAGITARIUS were not attacking. The one woman in question decided to stay inside her home. In fact, she hadn't left the house since yesterday. She still was a strong woman, though, and would not hide if they came for her.
The SAGITARIUS just sat there. She wondered why. Then, a lone mobile suit flew over the town, and then landed in the square. It was a Gundam. The Ephyon Tyranus Gundam.
He raised his whip and announced he was looking for a certain person. Her name was Sally Po. Sally slowly opened her closet door, still listening to Milliardo's speech. Or threats, as it may be. She grabbed the glinting object that sat against the wall.
Milliardo waited for a while, but then he grew restless. He hovered above the town and pointed his buster rifle towards the town.
"I'll blast her out." he said. Then, a red and green blur disarmed the Ephyon. Milliardo smiled to himself, "Shenlong..."
The other Gundams quickly followed suit and began attacking the Neo OZ forces. Odin unsheathed his beam sabre and began to attack the SAGITARIUS, along with Raphaela. Solo, meanwhile, charged North. There, laying in wait for the Deathscythe Shinigami, was the Angel Wing Gundam.
The SAGITARIUS were tough opponents, but nothing ZERO Heaven and Heavy ARMS Revenge couldn't handle. That was when Rasid and Jion showed up in their Gundams. Howard flew behind in his fully repaired Hydra Serpent Gundam.
Treize twirled his beam staff and charged at Milliardo.
"There will be no peace for you until I have my revenge!" he yelled. Milliardo smiled at Treize.
"I'd like to continue a tradition." said Milliardo, and he promptly jumped out of the Ephyon Tyranus. Treize looked down and smiled at Milliardo, who had drawn a sword. Treize followed suit.
Solo slashed at Killgrave.
"This is the last time we do this little dance, Mr. President!" Kilgrave laughed and backed off. He pulled out his beam sabre and swiped at Solo. Killgrave realized he was not cut out to be like his hero. He could never be as great as Treize Khushrenada. He would always and forever be known as the second best. The one who was killed by a snot nosed little kid. Killgrave smiled as a tear ran down his face. Solo, meanwhile, cried out and destroyed the Angel Wing Gundam.
Odin stood staring at Jion.
"We'll not battle now, Odin." said Jion, "That fateful battle is for another day. For now, we must only watch the events take place around us. Watch them all die. Oh, and Odin. If you interfere in these battles, I will kill you." Odin scowled at Jion and lept out of his Gundam. He ran towards Treize and Milliardo.
The aforementioned pilots battled fiecely. Their swords clashed and clinged together. Suddenly, out of a nearby house, ran Treize's mother, Sally Po. Milliardo smiled and whispered to himself.
"Mission... complete."
He ran at Sally.
Meanwhile, Raphaela and Rasid fought.
"You Gundam pilots disgrace the names of your parents!" yelled Rasid, "You killed my parents and started this war! I will avenge the Winner family!" Raphaela began to speak.
"Whatever Milliardo has told you is a lie! He caused the explosion in order to eradicate the other high ranking officials that might stand in his way! The Fang and Neo OZ are... one in the same!"
Every other mobile suit stopped at this revelation. Was she right? Was Milliardo fooling them? Was he behind the entire war? The soldiers couldn't take this news. 1/2 of the Neo OZ soldiers left their mobile suits and went home. Raphaela smiled at Rasid, who fled with a look of horror on his face.
Sally Po fell to the ground with a thud. Milliardo sheathed his sword.
"My mission is complete." he said, "Except for Heero, who's MIA, and Duo, who's an emotional wreck, all the major players in the Eve War are dead. When I finally get them, I can fully take control of the Earth-Sphere!" Treize could only fall to his knees.
Odin walked up behind Milliardo and said, "You already have control of Neo OZ and the Fang. What more do you want?"
"You know?" Milliardo cried. Odin nodded.
Solo walked up, "We've known it for awhile. Anyway, you want power? I sorta just put President Killgrave into the posistion of ex-President." Milliardo looked horrified.
Raphaela walked up behind him. "Why would you want to kill off the old pilots," she sneered, "when you've brainwashed their children into working for you!" Milliardo bowed his head, if only to hide the wide grin that spread upon his face.
Finally, Duo walked up.
"Y'know," he said, "I don't think Treize... Khushrenada, not Chang, had a son. I think you're lying!" Milliardo sneered at Duo.
"You!" he yelled, "Duo Maxwell! You've aligned yourself with these little pukes? Why don't you join with me?"
Duo looked at Milliardo. He pulled out a pistol.
"I don't think so." Just as Duo was about to shoot Milliardo, his target was lifted into the air by a giant, metal hand. The hand of the Tallgeese Knight.
"I told you not to interfere in any of the battles, Odin." said Jion, "This one counts as interfering. I'll deal with you next time. At the final battle." Jion latched a rope onto the Ephyon Tyranus and flew it back to Neo OZ HQ.
~
The Gundam pilots were left alone in the smoking battlefield. Treize cradled his mother's body in his arms. Duo put his hand on Treize's shoulder.
"It'll be alright kid." he said, "She was one of the best of us. She... she's still breathing!"
Treize looked down at his mother, who was struggling to breathe.
"Bring her onto the Peacemillion V. We'll put her in the medical room."
Odin watched Duo, Treize, and Raphaela load Sally Po onto the Peacemillion V. He turned towards Solo.
"You killed President Killgrave, huh?" Solo nodded. "You know, you may have just either cost us the war, or won it for us." Solo had a confused look on his face.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"It's all up to the people now." said Odin, "If the people like Milliardo, who will undoubtably become President, then he'll get more military support. If they don't, then he'll lose support. One way or the toher, we'll be crucial to the final outcome. But so will the next few days."
Solo still didn't understand, but he shrugged and went to sleep in his quarters.
Next Chapter: The Final Battle! The Gundams vs. Neo OZ! Winner Take All!
BOOYA! - Matt Ryan
