Tales of Copernicus

This is the final chapter AND the epilogue. I tried to make connections to the anime as possible, and it sort of fits in. I enjoyed writing this fic and is glad you all enjoyed it so much. Enjoy the last chapter and it's normal to cry. I got choked up writing it / "The story inspired by a dream" has ended. Thx 3u Tales of Copernicus supporters!

Words in italics are part of his flashbacks. Most of them are real unaltered quotes from the story.

The Last Day

Kira saw a blurry white object. It slowly began to clear up and he noticed his body was in great pain. He overheard a doctor next to him talking to his parents which were next to him. "Broken... no shattered rib cage..." said the doctor as he shook his head. "He'll have to be hospitalized for at least a year for recovery."

"Kira" cried Mrs. Yamato as she tried to hug him.

"Don't crush the boy" retorted Mr. Yamato.

Kira in his weakened state began looking around the room. He was worried about Cagalli. He noticed someone holding to his hand. It felt warm and comforting. Kira tried to turn his head to look at the person.

"Ni-san" asked the voice.

"Cagalli..." replied Kira weakly. His lungs were nearly collapsed from the brutal assault. Kira began to pass out again. His mind began drifting through the events that happened lately.

He remembered Yzak talking to him.

"Yeah! Back off like the pathetic kid you are"

"Just as I thought, a skill-less loser like his bum natural parents!...And his dirt-eating sister"

"No" screamed Kira. "I you can hurt me... you can even hurt my parents... but never... never hurt my sister"

His Promise.

"C'mon Cagalli! Let's have fun"

"No more" screamed Kira.

The moment he failed.

"Stop" yells Cagalli.

"What's wrong dog" laughed the evil Shani.

"Stop" yells Cagalli.

"What kind of a brother are you"

I failed...

"Cagalli hates me... because I was a coward... If I was stronger... she wouldn't... It's all my fault"

"Now Cagalli's hurt again..." said Kira to himself.

Uzumi-sama...

"If you fail, she'll be known as Cagalli Yula Athha, no longer your sister."

"I've failed. Cagalli is no longer my sister. All I can do now is... cry."

Kira finally awaken with tears running down his face. He began wailing loudly but he couldn't stop himself. "I'm about to lose my precious sister just because I was too weak! I hate myself! I hate myself" yelled Kira as he tried to get off the bed. Kira fell over and landed on one side of his ribs. Blood was running out of his wound but he ignored the pain he continued crawling on the ground to get himself up.

"Please! Don't do that" yelled a beautiful voice. It was the pink haired girl. Kira stopped his fidgeting and laid still whimpering. Lacus went over to Kira and held his head on her lap. "Does it hurt" asked Lacus.

Kira looked to his ribs. "It hurts here... but it hurts a lot more here..." said Kira as he put his hand on his heart.

"Why are you sad" asked Lacus.

"Cagalli..." whimpered Kira as he cried.

"You know Kira" said Lacus"if you truly love someone, being together with them always isn't always the only way. As long as you know they're happy, then you're happy right? You trust Uzumi-sama don't you? Maybe it's best this way Kira."

Kira went silent. He suddenly realized the futility of his efforts. He tried his hardest. He sacrificed his school, friends, even his life. But that was not enough. So what if he could have Cagalli stay for a day? A week? A month? She was going to have to leave sooner or later. Kira had no right to take away the privileges Cagalli had. She had a right to a better life. Kira began to cry even louder.

"Kira" asked Lacus. "I'm sorry if I..."

"No Lacus" smiled Kira from his tears"What you said was right. I was being selfish. I just cared about what I feel. I didn't consider Cagalli's feelings. If it's better that she lives with Uzumi-sama, then I should be happy, right"

"Kira... are you alright" asked Lacus.

"I'm fine... really. I just need some time alone." replied Kira. Lacus helped him back on the bed and left the room. As soon as Lacus left Kira began crying again. Crying was the only way he could comfort himself. "From this day forward, every time I fail to protect someone I will cry. Cry because I was too weak. Cry because I couldn't save them. Cry because I am guilty." said Kira. Kira began to cry again until he felt weak. He lost consciousness again.

Kira reawaken again several hours later. He noticed a familiar face next to him. It was his good friend Athrun Zala, with his arm in a sling. Near the door was Dearka and Yzak with a few bandages on them. "Kira! You're awake" asked Athrun.

"That kid was awesome" yelled Dearka as Yzak elbowed him.

"Good work back there." said Yzak in a monotone.

Athrun began digging through his pocket. "I knew I brought it with me..."

"You mean that big metal bird? I threw it out on the way here" replied Dearka.

"My Torii! Oh man Dearka..." said Athrun. "I'm sorry Kira... I'll build you another one... but it'll have to be for when I return."

"What do you mean, Athrun" replied Kira.

"My father... wants me to go back to PLANT." replied Athrun.

"My dad wants me home too... after the whole Natural thing." replied Dearka.

"Same with my mother." added Yzak.

"But I promise I'll be back" replied Athrun. Suddenly the door opened and Tad Elsman, Ezalia Jule, and Patrick Zala entered.

"Athrun! Come out here at once." demanded Patrick Zala.

"Yes, sir" replied Athrun as he marched out. "I promise, Kira Yamato! You promise me too"

"My little Yzaky, it's time to go." said Ezalia Jule as she held Yzak by his hand.

"I'm not a child mother..." replied Yzak.

"Yo, Dearka-dude, time to get out of this natural-joint" said Tad Elsman.

"Right-e-o dad" responded Dearka.

Outside the room, Patrick Zala had a small talk with the 2 parents. "These naturals shall pay for what they did to our children" yelled Patrick Zala. "If they ever harm another one of my loved ones I will destroy them! Every one last of them" Ezalia and tad agreed.

"Patrick" questioned a voice.

"Good Siegel, picking up Lacus from the hospital" asked Patrick Zala.

"Ah yes, I see we're done our affairs on Copernicus." replied Siegel Clyne.

"It's not safe with these Naturals around. You should be more careful Siegel." said Patrick Zala.

"I see, old friend." added Siegel Clyne.

Kira felt alone. All his friends were leaving him and now he was alone. He felt a small hand holding his. "Cagalli" asked Kira.

"Are you.. alright" asked Cagalli in a quiet voice. Kira tried to get up and put his arms around Cagalli.

"When I'm gone..." said Kira was he was sobbing.

"Don't say that ni-san" replied Cagalli.

"You have to be strong CagallI" yelled Kira. "Don't let other people pick on you"

"Ni-san" replied Cagalli.

"I'm sorry Cagalli..." said Kira as he saw Uzumi approaching. "I am not your brother." Kira turned back in bed and faced the other way.

"Ni-san! Niiii-sannn" yelled Cagalli as Uzumi forced her to go.

Uzumi said to Kira"You've lost the round Kira, but you've won the game. I'll promise you Kira, I'll take good care of her." Uzumi began to walk out the door with Cagalli's hand.

"Ni-san! Stop him! Ni-san! Kira! Big brother" yelled Cagalli. Kira remained silent and ignored her. "I hate you ni-san! I hate you Kira Yamato! I hate you! I have no brother" yelled Cagalli as Uzumi dragged her down the hall.

Kira began to get his tears flow again. All he wanted was the best for her. "I'm sorry... Cagalli..."

THE END

Epilogue

Years have passed since. Kira Yamato made a full recovery and finished his studies at Copernicus. Athrun fulfilled his promise and returned to Copernicus with parts for his Torii robot. Cagalli Yula Athha arrived at ORB and began her new life as ORB's princess. At the age of 13, Athrun Zala is once again recalled to PLANT and leaves Kira with the finished Torii. Kira walked by the swing that was outside his home. At the same time on Earth, Cagalli approached a swing in a nearby playground.

Both approach behind the swing. Kira gave it one last swing. A tribute to his forgotten sibling. Cagalli sat on the motionless swing. A suddenly breeze blew the swing as he begun swinging. It felt just like 8 years ago. Cagalli got off and began walking into the sunset. From that moment on, the two forgot about each other's existence. Kira began his life on Heliopolis, meeting his new friends and buried beneath his studies. Cagalli began to get involved in sports and piloting. She began to turn her stress into aggression and slowly shed away her shyness.

4 years later Cagalli receive news of ORB collaborating with the Earth Alliance to build "Gundams". As she waited in a lab she noticed a brown hair, violet eyed male. An explosion is heard and she begins running outside, following her was the same male. An explosion blew away her disguise and the male continued to follow her with his hands in hers. It felt all to familiar. They reach a shelter. Kira pushes Cagalli into the shelter.

"I will save you." said Kira. The words echoed in Cagalli's mind.

"Ni-san.." replied Cagalli. The male disappeared into the flames.