After Eve Gundam Wing

Chapter Seventeen

"What do you say ZERO?" asked Jin as he carefully climbed into the cockpit. "Are you ready to help me out again?"

The blue sphere display in front of him lit up a bright blue, and several red lines traced around it. "I'm glad to hear it," said Jin. "Now I have to take it easy for a bit, because I have a slight injury in my left hand."

The cockpit beeped a few times in response. "We're ready to go," said Jin to the others.

"Great," said Abdul. "And we had no trouble at all."

"That's about to change," said Ana, her face appearing on all the monitors of the pilots. The other Wing Zero walked up to the hangar doors, and they all faced her. With them being so close, it was now easy to see the differences between the Mobile Suits that looked like Wing Zero. Jin's Gundam had a lot more blue paint on it, while Ana's had lots darker shades of blue and purple to compliment it, plus its wings were painted black and grey. Other than that, the Gundams were similar exactly in shape.

"You," Rachel stated coldly. "You should not be here."

"Oh?" asked Ana with a bemused tone.

"What she means," said Kreed, his eyes closed, completely calm, "is that it was a dumb idea to come here and face us after what you've done."

"Many would certainly not consider it to be intelligent," said Anita.

"Quiet," said Jin, looking ahead emotionless. "Why are you here, Ana? If it was to kill us, you'd have begun fighting a long time ago."

"Good work brother," said Ana. "You certainly are as bright as everyone thinks."

"You tire me Ana," said Jin, his temper flaring. "What are you doing here? Are you here to talk?"

"Precisely, little brother," said Ana. "Or rather, I'm here to extend to you an invitation, an invitation to have a little chat with my father."

"Go on," said Jin.

"He wants to talk to you, discuss something he thinks is important," said Ana. "I think he's foolish for it. I'd just kill you all now and make life easier for us all, but he said not to."

"Bummer," said Kreed.

"What do you mean 'bummer'?" asked Ana coldly. "Do you want me to waste you?"

"First of all," said Jin. "You couldn't 'waste' us if you tried. Second of all, he was being sarcastic. Finally, the idea of you taking orders is just amusing, if not hilarious."

"And what's that supposed to mean little brother?" asked Ana.

"Don't call me that," said Jin. "It might get you hurt. And it's supposed to mean that, if you really are a Yuy, you wouldn't be playing any role in this evil that's running about, much less be taking orders from the one behind it all."

"There's nothing wrong with taking orders Jin," said Ana. "You've taken your share of orders when you were in the army, haven't you?"

"Sure," said Jin. "Then I received a Gundam. I had Wing Zero. I didn't take a single order after that event in my life. Yet you have a Gundam, I suppose a strong one, and yet you still answer to some old guy who has some strange plan to rule the world no doubt."

"You're right Jin, about this Gundam being powerful," said Ana. "And I support my father, Colin, not Heero, because I simply cannot stand the tyranny of those who think they are the 'good guys'."

"Whatever," said Jin. "Whatever your dad's invitation is, we decline." Wing Zero began to walk past its duplicate, but Ana stepped in front of him.

"It's imperative that you come with me," said Ana. "He sent me to bring you along or kill you… If you choose not to come, then I must destroy every one of you."

"Anytime," said Jin, taking his Gundam into a battle stance crouch. "If I have to fight you, it's no skin off my back."

"Jin you can't," said Auda. "You are not able to pilot as of yet."

"He's right Jin," said Rachel. "Your hand cannot take any more abuse in its condition."

"I'll end it quickly then," said Jin. Wing Zero jumped forward a raised a fist to strike. The dark Wing Zero blocked the punch with an open palm, catching his hand.

"Pathetic," said Ana. "What's holding you back Jin? Is this as strong as you are? I must say I'm not impressed in the least."

Both of the Gundams jumped backwards away from each other and stood facing their opponent. "So what do you call that duplicate?" asked Jin. "Do you have an original name for the unoriginal suit, or are you just going to call it Wing Zero as well?"

"I introduce to you the Buster Zero," said Ana. "That's right, ZERO system and all."

"Well then," said Jin, smirking malevolently. "It's certainly nice to meet you Buster Zero. But I'm afraid I have to break it to you. This here is the original!"

Wing Zero ran at Buster Zero, unsheathing a blue beam saber from its side and raising it straight up for a vertical slash. Ana followed suit and also unsheathed a beam saber, this one purple, and met Jin head on.

Their beam sabers clashed once, twice, three times, then four in rapid succession. They began dueling with their swords on the surface of the moon. It was only after a few minutes that they took the battle to the sky.

"Do we help him?" asked Afmad.

"I don't want any help," said Jin up above, parrying a strike from the Buster Zero and holding it in a grapple. "This is a sibling battle only."

"So you do acknowledge that I am your sister," said Ana. "I am pleased Brother that you finally have come to terms." They backed off from each other for only a few seconds, only to go at it again.

"Tell me something Ana," said Jin as they reflected sword strikes one after another. "Why are you doing so much harm to this society. Why are you trying to make war?"

"No one deserves peace Jin," said Ana. "But mostly, it's just about the money and power."

"That doesn't sound like a Yuy speaking," said Jin.

"Good!" shouted Ana. "I'm glad to hear you say that Brother, because I want nothing to do with the Yuy name. I hate what they did to me! They abandoned me Jin! They didn't care about their own daughter! To make matters worse, they accepted you like they wanted you! We are twins! What made me so different!"

"So you think the lives of other people should be ruined!" asked Jin.

"Sure, why not?" asked Ana. "If I can't be happy, no one can!"

Ana thrust forward with her sword, and it barely grazed Jin's wing as they passed. "Dammit Ana, you're not making any sense!"

"Why did they love you so much and hate me?" asked Ana. "Why were you any different! Is it because I'm a female! Did Mom and Dad ever say!"

"How should I know?" asked Jin. "I'm just as in the dark about all this as you are. You've had your whole life to think about this. I've only known a few days."

"Why would they do this to me?" asked Ana, tears welling up behind her eyes. "They abandoned my God dammit!"

"I don't know Ana," said Jin. "But this coming war isn't going to solve anything at all." Buste Zero went in for another charge. Wing Zero stood still and prepared for the attack. Jin twisted at just the right moment and caught Buster Zero by the wrist and spun it around, throwing Ana to the ground.

She quickly stood up. "You will never understand not feeling loved, not having family that loves you."

"Hello, they were murdered in front of my eyes, and I haven't had them for the past six or more years."

"That's the only thing good that came out of Colonel Skye's work," said Ana. "He killed Mom and Dad. If he were still alive today, I'd shake his hand."

Nataku leapt into the air behind her with its beam trident activated. "Don't you dare speak like that!" shouted Kreed as he swiped powerfully with the trident. It narrowly missed.

"Back down Kreed," said Jin. "This is my battle. Well it became my battle when she brought Vance into this."

"Ana, none of this makes sense," said Jin. "Haven't you ever tried to figure out why they did what they did. Haven't you tried to find some answers? Or are you just going by what that old man you take orders from said to you?... Did he tell you that they had abandoned you? Was he the one that told you?"

"Yes, but what difference does it make?" shot Ana. "It doesn't change the fact that it's true." Jin smiled. "I trust Colin with my life. He wouldn't lie about that."

"Right," said Jin. "Well, you just convinced me that you're wrong. I know you're wrong because your facts are based on what a criminal told you. The bad guy is never honest." Wing Zero deactivated its beam saber and turned its back.

"I'm done fighting here," said Jin. He looked down at his wrist. It had begun tearing and bleeding long ago, and the blood was starting to make an annoying dripping noise at it fell to the floor. "My hand hurts anyway, so I think I'll have to stop piloting for a while. Return to your buddy Colin and find out the truth if you dare. Until then, and until you're a better fighter, don't try to fight me again… You'll only get your ass kicked by 'Little Brother'."

Wing Zero began walking away. "Let's go guys," said Jin. The other Gundams followed him into the air.

Ana could only watch as they flew away, leaving her to stand alone on the grey, dusty orb of the Moon. She broke down and began weeping. Was it because she was insulted by having lost to her brother when she was so confident in her ability? Or was it because she might be coming to realize that some holes are missing in the story of her origin? Could her trust in Colin be failing? Could it be a combination of all three? She didn't know.

All she knew was that she had to return to Colin and tell him that she had failed. She shuddered and wiped her eyes. She was not looking forward to that.

End Chapter Seventeen

There's a little bit o' combat for you, but I'm unimpressed to tell the truth. I fear that I made it too easy for Jin. Don't worry, better action will come soon.

As for Ana. She's having a tough time right now, but I can't say too much. She's going to start questioning her identity pretty soon, and it could have major, drastic results, perhaps for the better, or perhaps for the worst.