Author's Note -
Chapter 21 - The Battle
Heero's eyes blazed like cold fire through the Scorpio's monitor, making Naya feel as though a cool blade was running her through.
However, refusing to show any weakness, she swallowed her fear, gripping her controls tightly. "How is it possible?" she hissed through clenched teeth. She faced her monitor, staring into Heero's omae o kurosu glare. "I killed you months ago!"
Heero smirked. "Maybe that will teach to be more thorough with your attacks. Such recklessness is bound to never get fruitful results."
Surprise crossed the rebel leader's features. Had she really been insulted by pilot 01? Heero Yuy... the emotionless soldier? Gritting her teeth, she prepared for a new assault. "Are you questioning my ability as a mobile suit pilot?"
A light snort came from the other end. "There's no question in my mind..." Once again, Wing Zero came to life, buster rifle charged to fire. "You're no match for me!"
Those words were all it took; Scorpio took off into the sky, intent on charging Wing Zero head on. Deflecting shots from Zero's rifle, Scorpio lashed out at the other Gundam with its beam saber.
Maneuvering easily out of the path of each swing, Heero's smirk only deepened. "You've become sloppy," he remarked lightly.
Emotions could easily distract a person from battle if they didn't know how to keep them in control. That had always been Heero's excuse for keeping his hidden away. Leader's current behavior was proof enough of that. But now that Heero had finally come to terms with himself, his emotions could only give him strength. More than anything, this time he was certain - he would not lose to Scorpio again.
Naya scowled at the amusement evident beneath his usual monotone.
The two Gundams circled each other in the sky, dishing out attack after attack. Scorpio lashed out with its beam Saber, missing Wing Zero by mere meters. It was as if the winged Gundam was toying with her!
The 'Perfect' soldier went on, "Without your Omega Jammer, your defeat today has been assured."
Such Arrogance! Doubling back, Naya snarled. What was with that man? The 01 she had heard of and fought before hadn't been so boastful - so full of emotion. What had happened to him - and for that matter, how had he survived her last attack?
"No matter," she spat. "I beat you once before, and I'll do it again!" She whipped out her own buster rifle, preparing to fire.
Bracing himself, Heero was surprised when Scorpio's weapon was knocked out of its hand by a thermal arrow.
"What?!"
Arch Angel rose from its crouched position, looking more determined to battle than ever.
Relena appeared on both monitors, a frustrated look gracing her usually calm features. "Naya, leave Wing Zero out of this," she replied in a low tone. "This is strictly between you and I."
"Relena..." Heero began, only to be silenced by the wild spark in her blue eyes.
"Thank you for your assistance, Heero," she replied softly, avoiding his eyes. "But I can handle myself from here on."
The Perfect Soldier in Heero balked at being dismissed so flippantly. Even Heero's pride flared for a brief moment. "No, Relena," he replied. "You need to be protected... for the sake of--"
Arch Angel's arm came into view, knocking Wing Zero off of its feet. "I do NOT need protection!!" she screamed. "I am not a doll - I am NOT the personification of peace!" She turned towards Scorpio, her eyes blazing in anger. "Come on, Naya," she exclaimed. "Or have you forgotten that your fight is with me?"
Recovering from her surprise, Naya scoffed lightly. "Killing you is the only thing on my mind."
With that, the rebel leader thrust her controls forward, turbines roaring with power as the Scorpio soared forward, beam saber in hand. It sliced through the air with the intent of cleaving Arch Angel in half.
For a brief moment, Relena was torn. The guilt in her was prompting her to stay still, to allow Naya to carry out the punishment her vengeful heart cried for. After all, wasn't she responsible for the anger that she carried? Wasn't she somehow intrinsically guilty for all of the negative emotions harbored by many people today?
Yes, she was guilty. She alone would bear the punishment. As the dove of peace, she alone would bear the sins of mankind.
As the saber grew closer, another part of Relena screamed at her to grab her controls and fight back. Wasn't she allowed to decide her own fate? She wasn't a doll whose actions could be dictated by someone else. She wasn't a God to be worshipped upon a pedestal.
'I am not the personification of peace....' she thought to herself. 'Peace can't be decided by laying down weapons... it has to be fought for by those who truly desire it!'
Desiring it wasn't enough. She'd been a fool to think her idealistic world could last for long. People had sacrificed so much to make the world what it was today... and yet...
'And yet...' Relena stared up at the black Gundam rushing towards her, death and destruction clearly evident in its metallic features. And yet, here was this demon, which had laid out a path of destruction in her wake. She wished to start another war, simply because of the actions of one person. She was willing to destroy the hopes and dreams of the people, disregard all that they had suffered...
'All that I've suffered...' Her pale hands clenched around her controls. And hadn't she at least suffered enough? Her whole life had been torn asunder by the actions of a chosen few who wished nothing more than death, and destruction, and bloodshed. And when things finally seemed to return to normalcy, she was denied the same luxury, doomed to play out the rest of her life as a puppet... as a martyr.
No... no... NO! Relena's eyes flashed golden, once again kicking the Zero System back into activity. If she allowed herself to die, that would mean Naya would win. If that were to happen, a new regime would form. OZ would be reborn, and the days of Romefeller would come back. War would break out again and soldiers would be needed. More people would be created like her. To live out their lives like puppets, treated as dolls... No – she could not allow that to happen to anyone else.
She raised her scimitar, knocking Scorpio away with the flat of her blade. Just for good measure, she fired another thermal arrow, watching as it detonated and blew Scorpio's left arm clear off.
The black Gundam, its momentum thrown completely off, hit the ground hard. Through the monitor, Relena could tell that Naya was knocked unconscious. Its functions temporarily disabled, Arch Angel stood over it, scimitar still in hand.
Relena stared at Naya's unconscious face, still marred by all the anger and bitterness she harbored in her being. Relena found herself scowling. "You are a monster," she murmured. "You wish nothing but death for those who have crossed you and all those who stand in your path." She paused a moment. "I will not be a martyr..." she murmured softly. "Not for you... You are the only person to see me for what I actually am... and for that," She rose her scimitar into the air, holding it high above Scorpio's cockpit.
"Just this once, I will become the personification of peace once again!"
The scimitar came down, preparing to deal out swift justice.
End of Chapter 21
Author's Notes -
Well? How's that? Very Rurouni Kenshin-esque, but I couldn't resist the temptation. =P I hope you guys aren't too upset about having to wait. You guys know how it is... inspiration comes and goes.
Wufei - I suppose it would be easier if you didn't have so many unfinished fics posted... .
Ehehe... true... but I can't help that either... I get an idea and I just can't help but post it. Rest assured, I will (eventually) finish everything I post. It just might take a little while. Thanks for being so patient.
Wufei - ::huffs:: Patience is for the weak...
::scowls at him:: Ignore him... the end is coming soon. I promise!
Chapter 21 - The Battle
Heero's eyes blazed like cold fire through the Scorpio's monitor, making Naya feel as though a cool blade was running her through.
However, refusing to show any weakness, she swallowed her fear, gripping her controls tightly. "How is it possible?" she hissed through clenched teeth. She faced her monitor, staring into Heero's omae o kurosu glare. "I killed you months ago!"
Heero smirked. "Maybe that will teach to be more thorough with your attacks. Such recklessness is bound to never get fruitful results."
Surprise crossed the rebel leader's features. Had she really been insulted by pilot 01? Heero Yuy... the emotionless soldier? Gritting her teeth, she prepared for a new assault. "Are you questioning my ability as a mobile suit pilot?"
A light snort came from the other end. "There's no question in my mind..." Once again, Wing Zero came to life, buster rifle charged to fire. "You're no match for me!"
Those words were all it took; Scorpio took off into the sky, intent on charging Wing Zero head on. Deflecting shots from Zero's rifle, Scorpio lashed out at the other Gundam with its beam saber.
Maneuvering easily out of the path of each swing, Heero's smirk only deepened. "You've become sloppy," he remarked lightly.
Emotions could easily distract a person from battle if they didn't know how to keep them in control. That had always been Heero's excuse for keeping his hidden away. Leader's current behavior was proof enough of that. But now that Heero had finally come to terms with himself, his emotions could only give him strength. More than anything, this time he was certain - he would not lose to Scorpio again.
Naya scowled at the amusement evident beneath his usual monotone.
The two Gundams circled each other in the sky, dishing out attack after attack. Scorpio lashed out with its beam Saber, missing Wing Zero by mere meters. It was as if the winged Gundam was toying with her!
The 'Perfect' soldier went on, "Without your Omega Jammer, your defeat today has been assured."
Such Arrogance! Doubling back, Naya snarled. What was with that man? The 01 she had heard of and fought before hadn't been so boastful - so full of emotion. What had happened to him - and for that matter, how had he survived her last attack?
"No matter," she spat. "I beat you once before, and I'll do it again!" She whipped out her own buster rifle, preparing to fire.
Bracing himself, Heero was surprised when Scorpio's weapon was knocked out of its hand by a thermal arrow.
"What?!"
Arch Angel rose from its crouched position, looking more determined to battle than ever.
Relena appeared on both monitors, a frustrated look gracing her usually calm features. "Naya, leave Wing Zero out of this," she replied in a low tone. "This is strictly between you and I."
"Relena..." Heero began, only to be silenced by the wild spark in her blue eyes.
"Thank you for your assistance, Heero," she replied softly, avoiding his eyes. "But I can handle myself from here on."
The Perfect Soldier in Heero balked at being dismissed so flippantly. Even Heero's pride flared for a brief moment. "No, Relena," he replied. "You need to be protected... for the sake of--"
Arch Angel's arm came into view, knocking Wing Zero off of its feet. "I do NOT need protection!!" she screamed. "I am not a doll - I am NOT the personification of peace!" She turned towards Scorpio, her eyes blazing in anger. "Come on, Naya," she exclaimed. "Or have you forgotten that your fight is with me?"
Recovering from her surprise, Naya scoffed lightly. "Killing you is the only thing on my mind."
With that, the rebel leader thrust her controls forward, turbines roaring with power as the Scorpio soared forward, beam saber in hand. It sliced through the air with the intent of cleaving Arch Angel in half.
For a brief moment, Relena was torn. The guilt in her was prompting her to stay still, to allow Naya to carry out the punishment her vengeful heart cried for. After all, wasn't she responsible for the anger that she carried? Wasn't she somehow intrinsically guilty for all of the negative emotions harbored by many people today?
Yes, she was guilty. She alone would bear the punishment. As the dove of peace, she alone would bear the sins of mankind.
As the saber grew closer, another part of Relena screamed at her to grab her controls and fight back. Wasn't she allowed to decide her own fate? She wasn't a doll whose actions could be dictated by someone else. She wasn't a God to be worshipped upon a pedestal.
'I am not the personification of peace....' she thought to herself. 'Peace can't be decided by laying down weapons... it has to be fought for by those who truly desire it!'
Desiring it wasn't enough. She'd been a fool to think her idealistic world could last for long. People had sacrificed so much to make the world what it was today... and yet...
'And yet...' Relena stared up at the black Gundam rushing towards her, death and destruction clearly evident in its metallic features. And yet, here was this demon, which had laid out a path of destruction in her wake. She wished to start another war, simply because of the actions of one person. She was willing to destroy the hopes and dreams of the people, disregard all that they had suffered...
'All that I've suffered...' Her pale hands clenched around her controls. And hadn't she at least suffered enough? Her whole life had been torn asunder by the actions of a chosen few who wished nothing more than death, and destruction, and bloodshed. And when things finally seemed to return to normalcy, she was denied the same luxury, doomed to play out the rest of her life as a puppet... as a martyr.
No... no... NO! Relena's eyes flashed golden, once again kicking the Zero System back into activity. If she allowed herself to die, that would mean Naya would win. If that were to happen, a new regime would form. OZ would be reborn, and the days of Romefeller would come back. War would break out again and soldiers would be needed. More people would be created like her. To live out their lives like puppets, treated as dolls... No – she could not allow that to happen to anyone else.
She raised her scimitar, knocking Scorpio away with the flat of her blade. Just for good measure, she fired another thermal arrow, watching as it detonated and blew Scorpio's left arm clear off.
The black Gundam, its momentum thrown completely off, hit the ground hard. Through the monitor, Relena could tell that Naya was knocked unconscious. Its functions temporarily disabled, Arch Angel stood over it, scimitar still in hand.
Relena stared at Naya's unconscious face, still marred by all the anger and bitterness she harbored in her being. Relena found herself scowling. "You are a monster," she murmured. "You wish nothing but death for those who have crossed you and all those who stand in your path." She paused a moment. "I will not be a martyr..." she murmured softly. "Not for you... You are the only person to see me for what I actually am... and for that," She rose her scimitar into the air, holding it high above Scorpio's cockpit.
"Just this once, I will become the personification of peace once again!"
The scimitar came down, preparing to deal out swift justice.
End of Chapter 21
Author's Notes -
Well? How's that? Very Rurouni Kenshin-esque, but I couldn't resist the temptation. =P I hope you guys aren't too upset about having to wait. You guys know how it is... inspiration comes and goes.
Wufei - I suppose it would be easier if you didn't have so many unfinished fics posted... .
Ehehe... true... but I can't help that either... I get an idea and I just can't help but post it. Rest assured, I will (eventually) finish everything I post. It just might take a little while. Thanks for being so patient.
Wufei - ::huffs:: Patience is for the weak...
::scowls at him:: Ignore him... the end is coming soon. I promise!