Oh the joy! I'm back! ( HUGE grin ) I'm really sorry about the delay, I was caught up with some things that had to be done. This would be the second last chappie to this whole fanfare and I hope that you guys out there would like it as much as I loved writing it. ( SMILE). Okay, a few points to remember before we get to the story okie?

1.Words in Italics would be as usual either thoughts of a certain person OR things that had happened in the past.

2.This chappie would contain certain graphics that would depict torture so just be prepared. Skip it if you don't like that part.

3.Once again a HUGE thank you to those who have reviewed, you know who you are and I hoped that you still like what I'm writing. It's really great having you guys as the audience. ( Sniff sniff) Do please continue to read my writing, I've tonnes of others in line, just waiting to come out IF the response is good. ( If this isn't a BIG enough hint, I don't know what else is.)

Kodoku Wolf :Thanks for reviewing, hope you like the this chappie.

HimeHikari : Thanks for reviewing too, (SMILE) I have a Cagalli and Athrun ficcie coming up, it's still in progress, so just bear with this one first ne?

Nevermore-amaya: You are great, thanks for reviwing every chappie. Hope this doesn't disappoint you. (Grin)

Cagalli Yula Athha : This ficcie focuses more on Cagalli, Athrun and Kira and their relationships between each other, but if you really want a definition of who is with who. Well the synopsis is, first Cagalli is with Athrun, Athrun married her then when the story progresses I hope I'm potraying successfully Athrun and Kira in the ending.

Oh well, that's about it, people, I present to you my newest and latest fic….

Fallen Angel

By : frost2light

Colonel Laws

" Hello Athrun, welcome back."

" Colonel Laws, you bastard!"

I watched in amusement as Athrun Zala strained against the metal that bound him helpless against the mouldy cell wall, his efforts all in vain. I was contented for him to exert himself while I waited patiently by the sidelines.

" You really are wasting your energy Athrun. " I said just for the fun of it. I knew that by doing so, by stating the obvious, Athrun Zala would renew his efforts and I was not disappointed. The clanging of metal against stone increased in it's intensity and Athrun's laboured breath could be heard accompanying it. " Why do you force yourself to reach something that you know you can't achieve? Why not listen to my proposition and ponder your options from there? Do you really intend to spend the rest of your life here?"

" Let us go!" He was not giving up.

" Come on Athurn, you should learn to accept the fate that is handed to you like our beloved Representative here."

" Let her go!" His tone was pleading now.

I let the silence fill the air, letting the trepidation hang as if I was actually considering letting Cagalli Yula Athha go and I had a smirk as I tool a deep breath before letting it go in a contented sigh before saying, " No."

Disbelief filled the air and hung over Athrun like a cloud, I could not help but grin at the obvious trap that he had fallen into and was very satisfied at the results of Clone Number Five.

" Why?" An angered question.

" Athrun Zala, why bother yourself with such minute details? Why not think of a way to escape? Think of the people that you would be able to save if you just asked the right question. Remember the date that you were supposed to keep with a certain person? A certain childhood friend who could have been so much more?"

Shock and disbelief tore the words that Athrun Zala wanted to spit at me away from him, his anger evaporating into thin air. A numbed look was plastered over his face and he started trembling uncontrollably at my last sentence which he tried hard to stop but couldn't. I could see that he was trying really hard not to give up, to not give in to despair, his efforts were appraisable but fruitless. Evidently, Kira Yamato was indeed precious to him, not even Cagalli who was his wife elicited this reaction. I knew then for sure that with Kira's death, Athrun would be thrown into a mental hell where it would be a locked room with no escape and no cure. Nobody would be able to save him from the mental torture that he would go through with Kira's demise. I smiled in triumph, one down, three more to go.

" You bastard! What do you intend to do with Kira!" This time it wasn't Athrun who spoke, it was Cagalli, Kira's twin.

" I see the Representative cares too. Why now, dear leader of Orb and why can't I do what you have so easily done to your own twin brother?"

" What do you intend to do with Kira?" Cagalli's voice was sharp as steel, her golden amber eyes glinting dangerously in the dimly lighted cell. I could not help but take a step back at the ferociousness in her gaze that even the darkness could not hide, the light of the lone torch that I had brought in earlier when I came lending it's fire to her eyes. I flicked my eyes towards the shackles that bind her to the wall for security, chiding myself at the stupidity of the sudden fear, feeling the confidence coming back.

" Very nicely asked, Representative." I chuckled. " Your husband here has just set the perfect trap for the capture and demise of that annoying pest of your twin." My voice grew cold and I could sense their rapt attention. " Kira Yamato and Roy Kilburn, another escapee from prison would be killed before the week is over. "

" What do you mean? You are lying." Athrun's voice trembled when he asked that question, but as minutes passed by, I could see the realisation dawning upon him that I did mean what I said and that he was the one who did ensnare Kira into my trap, his eyes were tortured and pained. " No…" he whispered choked with unsuppressed horror.

" I see you understand finally Athrun Zala, but it seems that the Representative here is still in the dark." I said smugly, intending for them to beg for more, the information about Kira Yamato a bone that I was dangling enticingly in front of their slobbering mouths.

" Explain yourself." The same haughty tone, the same arrogant gaze which held no fear, Cagalli Yula Athha is now a force to reckon with. It was ironic how the situation had changed, the male whom I had thought highly of was the one who was cowering in fear while the female who had been incapacitated with the loss of her husband was now able to challenge me with no fear whatsoever.

" What would you like to hear? That Kira's new found freedom would only last for another hour? Caught then tortured before death and hung in public as a public warning as to not mess with the Representative?"

" Why are you doing this?" Cagalli's voice was shrill with unsuppressed hatred. I had mistaken her strength, undermined her emotions when it came to family, I had threatened her loved one's safety and I knew there would be a price to pay if she ever got loose. However, as I shifted my gaze, the same could not be said about Athrun. Even though it was dim, I could see his body shivering in fright and I was deeply disappointed. I had hoped, no anticipated something more, a verbal fight with more zeal or at least something to get my heart pumping with excitement that would satisfy the urge in me. Alas, it was not to be, but I was compensated by Cagalli, the one person I had thought weak. I smiled and looked towards the blonde woman who had been like a whipped puppy when she first landed in this cell, the defeated air that surrounded her was to be expected, I did not blame her for feeling that way, it was a blow when you knew that your husband had somebody else and a even bigger blow if that person was not even female much less your twin brother. It was dreadful for somebody with no pride but a person like Cagalli? It was earth shattering.

" Why? Representative, the answer is dreadfully simple." I paused and spread my hands wide, " With a leader like you, Orb will never prosper! A country like Orb can never be without weaponry, it would be suicide. We are a small country, yet we prosper and power hungry people from the Earth Alliance or even Zaft would target our country and where would we be again? Refugees? Running away from our home? Representative, we have been through that, yet it seems that you have not learnt your lesson. However, with me as the one leading Orb, we would be able to not only defend our country, we would be able to advance! We would be able to conquer neighbouring weaklings, create a bigger empire, imagine the glory! Imagine your father's pride!"

" Who do you think you are? Do you really think that the people of Orb would ever listen to you? How dare you destroy my father's dreams! My father would never be happy if he knew about what you are about to do. He would have never done that. We violate no one and we join forces with no other. That is our principal!" Cagalli hissed though gritted teeth, her indignation apparent for the world to see. " No matter what you say and whatever excuse you use, I know there is something more that is motivating you to do what you are currently doing now, it's not about the people's safety, it's not even about anything remotely connected to Orb. It's your greed that becomes your motivation. You hunger, no you lust after power!"

I chuckled, smiling at the blonde woman who was panting after screaming so much at me, her eyes boring holes into my body with hatred. She was right, defending Orb was never my main reason, what have Orb ever done for me? I would abandon Orb in a second if I was ever offered something better, something more, something bigger! I cleared my throat before I opened my mouth to speak, " You are right Representative, I underestimated you intelligence and understanding of humanity. Orb has never been my first priority. What do I care about what happens to Orb? I care for my survival, my needs and what I need most is power! Power is the one thing that I was born into, craved for and succeeded so far in getting. You…." I pointed at Cagalli before continuing, " You are the one who is standing in my way. You and your idealistic way of thinking. How naïve could you be? The war before had been enough proof that peace is not a solution, total weapons demolition is one of the stupidest ideas I've ever heard! With weapons, the world's resources would be at our taking, imagine the riches, the wealth, the respect that people would give us!"

" You speak as if the people of Orb would listen to your craziness. The people here are one for peace, they have earned it! The reason why we prosper is because we are satisfied with what we have, we are contented! We have enough! Many people are here because of Orb's ideals, they want a life with no war, no fighting! They have suffered enough from the atrocities of the past! Why do you want to put them in such a bad situation! They have brains to think which is right and which is wrong, Colonel Laws, you cannot force them to do what they do not want!"

" What an inspiring speech Representative, but you are just that. All talk! And by the way, the people here would have no choice but to agree, because that's what Kira Yamato and Roy Kilburn would be used for…" I trailed off, enticing the both of them once again with the juicy red carrot.

" Kuso! What do you intend to do to my brother!"

" My my Representative, you shouldn't be using bad language, it's not appropriate for somebody with such a high status to use and weren't you listening? Never mind, I have all the time in the world to explain in detail what I'm about to do. You see, you or more specifically your clone would announce Orb's plan of expanding, and to enforce the rule of obeying, Kira Yamato and Roy Kilburn would be the lucky guinea pigs or sacrificial lambs that would be quartered and served to the crowd as a reminder that you, the Representative's order would be the final word, and if anybody dares to rebel or even try to escape their fate, well, certain things would happen to them. But, as you said, the citizens of Orb are not brainless people, I personally do not think that they would be stupid enough to go against their leader after that particular event of the public sacrifice, no?"

" You are a sick man Laws." Cagalli spat.

" I know, but after all, it was your father who taught me the tricks of the trade."

" Do not ever taint my father's image that way, he will never have done what you have so calmly suggested, the people of Orb will never believe that clone to be me. I have been advocating peace for so long, what would change my mind!"

" You are right, but that is something that I've already thought about. You see, Athrun Zala here had a choice between living and dying before he showed such 'spirit' today." I looked in disgust at the slumped figure before continuing, " His disappearance would not be noticed as he would be sent away on a job to our neighbouring countries as a diplomat on business, foreign trade for instance. However, the people there would not greet him as expected and the poor Athrun here would meet an untimely end, assassinated by the people he was sent to deal with. Now the death of a loved one much less your husband, at the hands of rebels would indeed be a good reason for someone to change her ideals right? It would be only proper that revenge would be sought, not only for personal reasons but for political too."

" How long have you been planning this?"

" Funny you should ask, Representative. It had been quite a long time, maybe since the day your father chose you as the leader of Orb and not me."

" Why should he have chosen you? He was a wise man, the reason why he probably did not pick you was because he could see through your façade into your darkened soul. Who else is in this? Why doesn't anybody on the committee stop you?"

I looked pityingly at Cagalli, the sneer on my face growing wider each minute as I said, " Oh but the committee members are happy to let me do what I want. It's just not possible or wise to stop me unless they are willing to face Roy Kilburn's fate. Roy Kilburn is a courageous but stupid man, he was one of the loyal followers of your father, he really tried his best to save you, but as you can see through this unfortunate situation, he has not succeeded. He can't even save his life as I'm always one step ahead of him. Evil will always be smarter than the good. Yet, Representative, when you do get to meet him, do thank him for his effort. " I smiled patronizingly at the blonde woman.

" Are you going to kill me then?"

" That's a bold question Representative, do you really want to know the answer? Dying might be the best way out of this."

" Answer me Laws, are you going to kill me?"

Silence filled the room as everyone, including the coward Zala looked up with his empty green eyes to me while awaiting with bated breath for my answer. I willed myself not to smile, not to express any emotion for I wanted to observe the expressions on the both of them, their faces telling me what their mouths did not, as no matter how strong Cagalli acted or showed no fear, I could sense their desperation, their hopelessness, their feeling or despair. I wanted to cherish this moment, this sweet taste of victory for as long as I could.

" What would you want me to say?"

" That you would." Three simple words and I was stunned. I could not believe somebody could actually want their own death, it was unthinkable, it was frightening. I looked into her eyes, searching for weakness, any emotion that would tell me that she was lying, but there was none.

" Why?" I spluttered, enable to help myself, I wanted to know, the curiosity overwhelming me.

" Because I have nothing else to lose." Another simple answer, yet it puzzled me more.

" Don't you want to fight back against Kira? Don't you want Athrun back? Are you willing to give it up so easily?"

" Athrun? He has never been mine, and he never will be. I understand that now, it's been three years since I've been deluding myself of thoughts that he would finally acknowledge me as his rightful bride, the person in his heart and it's time for me to wake up. Fight? I want to, I have been doing so for the past three years, but this is a fight I cannot win as the opponent is invincible. Athrun would never accept me, he would love me, like a brother to a sister but never like a lover, that love is kept only for KIra. " Cagalli's voice was tired as she uttered those words.

" What about Orb? About your father's ideals?"

" Why are you asking questions that you already know that answer?"

" What do you mean?" I asked through narrowed eyes.

" You will kill me now, or regret that decision of not killing me when you could to the last of your life. When I regain my freedom, I will hunt you down. You shall become the prey that I will tear apart with nothing but my bare hands, this I promise you if you ever do anything to hurt either Kira or Orb."

I took a step back involuntarily at her words before regaining my composure and retorting, " Courageous words Representative, but that will remain what it is, just words. How would you ever get free? People close to you will die like flies because they love you. You are the one who are causing their deaths, blame only yourself and not me for their fate as it's because that you hold the seat of power that the others are going to die. First Kira then Athrun, you will be left alone rotting here in this dark stinky cell while I live my life to the fullest!"

" You will let her go!"

I looked in surprise at Athrun, at his hooded eyes and an inner voice told me that something was wrong. I squinted my eyes to see into the darkness that the lone torch could not brighten and was shocked to see that he was no longer bound to the wall. " How!" My mind shouted in panic as I whipped around in fear to the cell door in order to escape, I fumbled with the clasp and shouted loudly for the guards outside for reinforcement, I could hear Athrun's quickening footsteps and I shouted even louder. The cell was a small one and I knew within seconds that Athrun would be upon me, I turned away from the door, raising my hands to defend myself and all hell broke loose.

Athrun

I lunged from where I had been bound towards the man whom I hate with my entire soul and threw a punch that connected solidly with his upraised arms. He pushed away my arm with one of his own and tried to throw a punch with his other, leaving his midsection unguarded.

" Gotcha." I whispered under my breath and went for the opening. I ducked under his punching arm and with two hands as support on the ground I kicked as hard as I could into his stomach. I could hear his breath whoosh out of his lungs as he doubled over in pain and started retching.

" Never turn your back against your enemy." I whispered into Colonel Laws' ear as I planted the one thing that had freed me from the chains.

" How did you get away! You were bound directly to the wall!" Colonel Laws wheezed.

" By acting the coward that you think that I am. My body was trembling so violently of fear, don't you remember? I was trying to pick the lock at that time with the knife I carry with me all the time and I was bound but you made a mistake of letting me have a length of chain. It was very easy to use your own personality against you, I knew that by acting the cowardly fool, you would not focus your attention on me and Cagalli played her part very well. Her sense of observation is commendable, much better than yours Colonel. She noticed the glint and she knew what I was doing and she drew away your attention by talking to you, but in case you were wondering, her words are all true."

" I…I…"

" You don't get it? Well do you get it now?" I pushed the knife harder against Colonel Laws' body until he could tell what the object was.

The Colonel who barely got his breath back said, " So that's how you got away, I was careless."

" You underestimate everybody, Laws."

" It's Colonel."

" How can you still afford to be so pompous?" I dug the sharp end of the knife harder into Colonel Laws' skin and was satisfied when a red drop welled up.

" What do you intend to do Athrun? The guards here are all under me, what can you do against men with guns?" Colonel Laws waved his hands to indicate the men in position just right outside the partially opened door, the flimsy door and Colonel Laws' body was the only shield against the power of bullets for Cagalli and I.

" I should ask you that Colonel, what can your body do against men with guns?" The temptation to force the pick deeper was there, I was positioned that if I pushed upwards, I would put a hole in his heart and if I pushed lower, I would puncture one of his lungs, both injuries enough to kill. Just a little more pressure and I would have the satisfaction of one dead colonel, but I resisted. He had his uses still as he would be Cagalli's and mine ticket to freedom.

" You won't get away with this."

" Try me, Colonel. Now command your troops to close the door and step away or you'll end up losing everything." I pushed the pick harder into his flesh to enforce my words. Colonel Laws winced.

" Men. Step away. You heard him!" Colonel Laws shouted before saying under his breath to me, " You won't kill me, I still have my uses."

" You are right, but there are ways for a person to suffer before death, a gouged out eyeball, a few nicks here and there, you won't want to go through that do you? For your information, I'm quite well versed in torture as in close combat, it's a courtesy as a elite Zaft soldier in the past. Enough chit chat, free Cagalli."

" I do not have the key!" Laws shouted but I knew he was bluffing, I heard the jangle of keys when he came in before. I was surprised at his stupidity but I did not care as long as it fulfilled my purpose to save Cagalli and later Kira.

" Do you want to know what would happen if someone's Achilles tendon was cut? Imagine the pain and the helplessness, you won't want to be lame for the rest of your life do you? I would do it slowly too, you would feel the knife going in, digging deeper and deeper while your blood gushed out in red spurts, yet you won't die, not of blood loss nor of any serious internal damage and when I reach the tendon, you would know because all of your nerves would be screaming in pain, it's a …."

" Enough! The keys are in my left pocket! Take it!" Colonel Laws' breathing was rapid and I could see the sweat glimmering on his forehead before rolling down his face in small rivers. A little coaxing and the person's imagination would accomplish the rest. I grinned at the result, a feral grin, and commanded him to take the keys out of his pocket and both of us walked slowly towards Cagalli to free her.

Cagalli stood up and stretched gingerly, wincing as the blood circulation returned to her arms and legs. The whole process took a few seconds and the first thing that she did when everything was relatively normal, she slapped Colonel Laws.

" Bastard, you will regret this." Her eyes were sharp and vengeful as she stalked closer towards the trembling man.

" What do you want! You can't kill me yet, I still have my uses. The clone will only listen to me…" Another resounding slap rang through the cell and Colonel Laws' head whipped violently towards one side from the impact.

" What do we do now Athrun?"

" Walk behind me for now, stay in my cover, get it?" Cagalli nodded and the three of us forming a weird straight line with Colonel Laws in front and Cagalli at the rear walked out of the cell.

Kira

Devil's Incarnate is a bar, a place where grown, macho, muscled, violent men hung out, truckers, men with tattoos and long untamed hair with loud, brash women on their arms, a place which made me remember too much of the nightmares of the past - Hoxworth Prison without the women. Roy had insisted we came early to check out the place and as we walked warily into the crowd, I wrinkled my noise in distaste at the cigarette smoke that shrouded the room perpetually in a smoky haze. Yet, no matter the misgivings that I had about the place, I could not help but marvel at the ingenuity of the idea. Devil's Incarnate was what it's name implied, the place was filled to the brim with ex cons, that much was apparent as many of the tattoos that the men sported were serial numbers that implied jail time. I shuddered at the thought as I recalled the same brand that bonded me with them, number 78909.

" I see you are the new inmate. Welcome." A cold grating voice spoke out loud from somewhere in the room.

I looked around me in apprehension, noting the large cavernous space and the single roaring flame in the middle. As the flames danced about menacingly, it lit the rack that was conveniently beside it. My eyes could not comprehend what those funny looking sticks with numbers at the end were for, but a feeling of dread filled me as I knew somehow that I would find out even if I did not want to. My noise wrinkled at the distinct smell that filled the room, it was a combination of human excretion and the metallic stench of blood, simply put, the room had the smell of fear and terror.

" I see that you noticed." The voice sounded nearer now and I tried to twist my head to see where it was coming from but was roughly yanked back to the front by the muscled bound guards that were standing beside me. The unknown man clapped twice and the sound reverberated, bouncing on and off the rounded walls as if a cue. Nothing happened for a moment and I stupidly thought that it really was a nightmare after all. But, the peace did not last as the guards frog marched me towards a reclining chair that had metal clasps at its arm and leg rests, it looked hideous and reeked of evil. Warning bells rang loud and clear in my head at the sight of that monstrosity and the animal survival instincts kicked in. I tried struggling, kicking and flailing wildly with fists, panic making me strike out without thinking, but the two men were seasoned guards and they overpowered me easily, one held me in a bear hug as the other punched me hard in the gut. The air rushed out from my lungs and they used that vulnerable moment to push me down into the uncomfortable hard chair and the four clicks sealed my fate. I lay there wheezing and vulnerable, trembling after that exertion and afraid of what would happen but stubborn enough to not beg.

" You are a young one. " The voice above me whispered and I looked. If I was not bound by the chair, I would have recoiled in horror, the man resembled the walking dead. He looked at me with one pale blue watery eye while the other was milky white and oozing something yellow from the wound directly below it. He wiped away the dribbling yellow pus and he grinned at my disgust.

" I'm not exactly a handsome person, eh?" He said, and I did not know what to say. The metal clasps biting harshly into my skin as I tried to wriggle free. " Do not struggle, you won't be able to escape." The man walked away from me towards the rack that held the funny looking sticks.

" What are you going to do?" I asked, trying very hard to keep my voice from wobbling, trying valiantly to subdue the crushing fear that I was currently feeling.

" Did you know that Hoxworth Prison prides itself on these ten sticks?" The man mumbled as if to himself as he picked one up and fondled it lovingly, like a lover caressing his loved one. " These sticks represent the punishment that Hoxworth Prison likes itself to be known for, it's their idea of the ultimate degrading of a human being. Where other non exclusive prison uses tattoos, Hoxworth brands it's prisoners like cattle. It's the feeling of the hot metal burning it's symbol into your skin that would render even a grown man to tears, no more would you be the person you once were, your life, personality, memories would be erased with just those few moments, you will no longer have a name, you will just be a number. The brand will remind you for every second and every minute of the day of the sins that you have committed, and you will know that you deserved this."

" I did nothing wrong." I shouted, furious.

" Oh but everyone who comes here would say the same, it does not matter to me for I'm just a person doing a job…" He trailed off before turning around, a mad glint in his eyes. He was holding a piece of paper and he held it close to the flames in order to read it. " 78909 huh." He turned back towards the rack and picked up four sticks and laid all of them on the raging flames. I watched in fascinated horror as the cool metal became burning red while the man stood by the furnace waiting patiently. He busied himself by polishing the other few sticks of metal and humming a toneless tune again and again and again while checking the furnace once every few seconds. He clucked his tongue in satisfaction after a few minutes and donned a pair of thick padded oven mitts before taking hold of the first metal stick and walking towards where I was strapped down.

" Stay away from me!" I shouted, trying my hardest to escape the bonds that were holding me. The two guards grinned at the incoming torture and the prospect of using violence to subdue me. They nodded at each other before acting. One punched me in the gut again and the other ripped my left sleeve apart. The man holding the stick advanced and pressed the red hot metal hard onto my flesh and everything exploded into a white haze of pain. I could hear myself screaming, howling in pain, as my flesh sizzled and popped, the scent of my burning flesh mingling with the original smells of the room, I could feel myself hovering towards the edge of unconsciousness and was grateful for that reprieve. My last thought before I succumbed to the darkness was that I would be spared the horrors of the next few numbers and Athrun's face looking down on me telling me to be strong..

A warm hand brought me back to the present and I looked up in gratitude, my right hand clutching my left subconsciously. Roy nodded to me in understanding and the uneasiness that filled me ebbed away a little. That day of the branding was one of the things that I would never forget, I had initially thought that I would be able to cheat the guards and that repulsive man of the joy of watching a person suffer but I was wrong. Dead wrong.

" Welcome back." The man with the dead face said and the guards snickered in response. I spluttered as the cold water dripped desolately onto my body and some stray drops trickled down my face onto my arms. I nearly screamed again as one particular drop found the newly created wound and I strained my head in the direction of the pain and was shocked to see only one number there. My expression of horror brought more snickers and the man spoke again. " Did you think you could cheat us out of the joy of seeing people like you suffer? It's our only entertainment here child, you are not going get away that easy. We can afford all day you know, and it would be better for you if you bore it in one go, try not to faint next time. If not, it won't be water that would be waking you up the next time."

" What do you mean?" I croaked trying to postpone the inevitable. The only response the man gave me was a leery smile and a crooked finger pointing towards the two guards and as I looked away from one inhumane animal to the others I finally understood what the man left unsaid. Rape. The lust in the guards' eyes were very evident and I tried to smother a whimper. I could feel my resolve strengthening and I knew that I would do anything to prevent myself from being violated by these animals.

" Athrun, please give me the strength." I whispered in my heart and the torture went on.

The cruelty of the people there who woke you up with cold water and branded you again and again till the last number while you screamed in pain and covered your own body with sweat, urine and vomit was something that will forever be embedded in my memory. I shuddered and willed myself not to think about the past anymore as I focused my gaze on my watch which said it was three minutes to two and felt momentarily happier at the prospect that I was going to be able to see Athrun again.

" Be alert." Roy whispered into my ear as we navigated our way into a small room right at the back of the bar. I was surprised that it would be empty but blocked the thought away as inconsequential, Roy's features were pinched and he was frowning, his body was tensed and I wondered what was wrong. I turned as to ask but a figure with blonde hair walking past caught my eye. She was wearing jeans and a white shirt, she walked with a familiar gait and I wondered where it was that I had seen it before.

" Cagalli?" My mind whispered, shocked, as the image of my twin superimposed itself on the girl's back, yet before I could do anything, the girl's hand waved once then twice and everything exploded into action in the club.

Athrun

I looked anxiously at my watch and hoped that I was not too late to save the situation, the guards back at the place we just left had strict orders not to follow and I hoped that no one would disobey those explicitly given commands. I had threatened them with Colonel Laws death and I knew that I would be glad to rid this world of one evil entity much less hesitate to kill. But now was not the time, I needed Laws as the back up plan if Kira was indeed in danger with the clone. Colonel Laws was right, he and only he could control the clone and I knew that I had no choice but to let him live before I knew Kira was safe. I had asked Cagalli to drive while I guarded Colonel Laws whom we had both bound and gagged before forcing into the backseat. I had swapped the knife for something with more range, a semiautomatic. Somehow I knew that the scene at Devil's Incarnate would require more than a knife and I had gained this semi-auto by force from one of the guards.

" Where next?" I heard Cagalli ask.

" Take the next exit and go up the ramp."

Cagalli nodded in acknowledgement and followed my directions, the scenery outside whizzing past in furious speed. Colonel Laws was mumbling something under his breath and I did not bother to listen, I blocked everything out except the desire to save the one person I should have saved a long time ago. The clone was a difficult one, I looked regretfully at Cagalli's back and wished that there was some way that I could keep her out of this. Not only would it be dangerous if she went in with me, it would be disastrous if both of them tried to act like the Representative.

" Cagalli, stay in the car later when you reach Devil's Incarnate. It'll be safer."

" No." A resolute sounding negative that tried my patience.

" Don't you understand! It'll be dangerous, extremely dangerous, I should have left you back at Orb or sent you to Lacus for your safety instead of dragging you with me on this."

" Kira's my brother Athrun." Four words that left no space for discussion but I had to try some more.

" What would the people of Orb do if something happened to you? I'm expendable, you are not. Don't be so headstrong, please go somewhere safe and leave the rest to me!"

" You need me, Athrun. You can't do this alone."

" I can and I will. You have to let me do this alone. Colonel Laws would exploit every weakness that we have, we cannot afford more mistakes."

" It's our mistake to have left the whole thing for so long, let the both of us try to atone the mistakes that we have done by doing this. Kira would understand what we are doing, he won't blame me for trying to save him. If I did not go now, I know I will regret this for the rest of my live. Athrun, please, I've so many things to regret now, please don't add another one more for me. Onegai?" Cagalli's gaze was unwavering as she drove, her determination clear and I knew that no matter what I said or did, she would follow me anyways. I did not know whether to feel relieved or distressed at the outcome, with Cagalli here, she could watch my back but the underside of the deal was, she was putting her life on the line unnecessarily. I sighed knowing that in the end, I would need her help in getting everything done.

" Where now?"

My train of thoughts broke by her question and when I looked my window to get my bearings I was shocked to see smoke, thick black smoke that spoke of a fire somewhere over the next hill. I exhaled sharply, my heart starting to race as an unwanted thought snuck past my defences and planted itself deeply in my brain.

The smoke was where Devil's Incarnate was and it's five minutes past two.

" Cagalli! Step on it! Hurry!" I shouted and Cagalli once again did as she was told. I was thrown back into my seat as the sedan that we took accelerated towards our destination.

Kira, please be all right.

Kira

I looked wildly around the burning ruins looking for Roy as men with guns fired all around. I was crouching behind an overturned table from the blast earlier and fingered the weapon that Roy had asked me to take before we left the mansion, grateful for that little security that it provided. The patrons of Devil Incarnate lay either dead or seriously wounded and the sounds of people groaning filled the air. The men that the clone had brought with her trooped in slowly from all directions and I wondered what I had to do to escape and to find Roy. Evidently this whole scenario reeked of a setup. I scanned my surroundings and was thankful for the cover the smoke and dust provided, yet cursing it for creating zero visibility for me too.

" Kira Yamato! If you value your friend's life, show yourself!" A woman's voice cut through the cacophony of groans to deliver it's shocking message.

" Kuso!" I cursed under my breath as I tried hard to pinpoint where her voice had come from.

" You are lying!" I shouted back as I moved from one hiding place to another, barely able to avoid a barrage of bullets as they found my location that I revealed after shouting. I have to get to the top. Devil's Incarnate had two floors and as my head whipped front and back to ensure my safety I caught sight of a staircase. I knew that my only chance of survival and saving Roy was if that I could get to higher ground because only then could I pinpoint how many men there were with the clone and whether the clone did really have Roy. I knew too that it was a risk that I had to take as firstly smoke travels upward and being on the second floor I would be soon choked by that black fumes and the fire was threatening to bring the roof down on us. Secondly, the men with Cagalli were professionals, they would be trained to cover all possibilities of escape and those stairs are one of them. I calculated my distance and the time that I would need to get to the second floor and ran like mad under the cover of the smoke. I reached the stairway and was immediately ambushed by two men. They circled me cautiously, gauging my strengths and weaknesses, and I apparently looked harmless as both of them smiled and went in for the kill. One tried to kick me in the ribs and the other aimed for my kidneys, I tried to manoeuvre myself out of their way but was hindered by the debris after that explosion, I ducked and kicked out my legs to trip the first man before dealing with the second who was a fraction slower, my instincts and Coordinator genes working hand in hand to accomplish the task of defeating men who were trained to kill. The second man could not stop his movement in time as I side stepped and punched him hard on the throat. He went down gagging and gasping, trying hard to breathe. The first lackey regained his balance and tried to whip out his gun but he was too late, I grabbed the hand that was holding the gun and shot him in the kneecap. I cursed myself for creating so much noise and did not bother to check whether the man was all right and with a burst of speed ran up the stairs. Two more met me on top and I dealt with them with as much efficiency as I dealt with the first two. I walked cautiously in the shadows that hid part of the corridor on the top and tried to observe what was happening down on the first floor. I cursed the smoke once again and the black clothing that the clone's men were wearing.

" Kira Yamato! I will count till three and in exchange for you, Roy Kilburn lives."

" Don't listen to her, kid!" A gun shot rang out and a shout of pain followed it. I recognized it as Roy's voice and this time I knew for sure that the clone did indeed have Roy as a hostage.

" Don't shoot! I'm coming!" I shouted, knowing that it was a trap but I did not see any other way. " Where are you, tell me where you are and I will come to you!"

" I'm not stupid, Kira!" The voice was moving and I knew that there was no way I could get to her in time.

" You said that in exchange of me, Roy lives, how am going to keep that part of a bargain if I don't know where you are?" I was moving around too, staying behind fallen chairs and tables, away from the second floor by now.

" That's a gamble that you have to take then. I'm starting the count now! One!"

" Kuso!" I cursed, wondering what the hell I was supposed to do, I shut my eyes trying to block out all other interferences and to focus on where they were. A grunt sounded on my left and I followed it, instincts telling me that it was Roy.

" Two!" Another grunt, this time to my right, I knew that I was getting nearer and retraced my steps. The clone was not moving much, just barely few steps here and there, Roy was dragging her down and I knew it.

" Three!"

" Exchange!" I shouted from behind the clone and she turned. I could not stop the shock as she smiled at me, looking so much like Cagalli and I was momentarily stunned, the clone used that few seconds to push Roy away and to aim at my heart before pulling the trigger.

" Kiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaa…..!"

Athrun

" Kiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaa…..!" Cagalli and I shouted in unison as both of us burst through the front of Devil's Incarnate and watched in horror as Kira fell backwards as if in slow motion, blood spraying from the wound on his chest, the red liquid blossoming and drenching the black T that he was wearing.

I was too late.

I longed to run towards him but before I could go to his side, there was something that I had to do first. Get rid of the enemy. The clone looked up in surprise at both Cagalli and I and before she could react I drew out the semi automatic and shot her in her chest. I emptied the clip before I knew it in a haze of pure rage and came only to my senses when the gun clicked hollowly, I threw away the gun and ran towards the kneeling Cagalli and my fallen angel.

" Athrun! Do something! The blood just doesn't want to stop!" Cagalli looked at me in terror, her eyes pleading that I could do something to stench the flow. I pressed my palms into the wound, but the blood kept pumping out between my fingers, staining it red.

" Try the pressure points and somebody get this kid to the hospital!" A dishevelled man hobbled over, his right leg a mess.

" A…a..thrun?" Kira's voice trembled softly from below me and I turned towards his beautiful violet eyes.

" Shh…save your energy, you'll be okay!"

I watched him smile as he grew paler and paler, I could wait no longer and scooped him up into my arms, ignoring the screams of protest from Cagalli. I ran out outside of the burning building into a day which was slowly turning into night with the darkening skies that promised heavy rain, blinded by the tears that were brimming in my eyes. Kira's hand rose slowly, weakly and tried to stroke my worried face.

" Do..o..n't c..r..y." He whispered, his hand brushing away the tears while I blinked and tried to focus, the sedan that Cagalli and I drove in was still where we had left it. I had totally forgotten about Colonel Laws but he had evidently not forgotten me as he stood there untied and free while aiming the gun that I had tossed to Cagalli earlier on in his hands.

" You underestimated me this time Athrun," He sneered at me as he raised the knife that I had used to free myself from the chains with his other hand to indicate the way he had escaped.

" Get out of the way!" I shouted, my arms tightening it's hold on Kira.

" You spoilt my plan, and you think I would let you go so easily? No if I must go down, I want all of you to accompany me!" He took aim and grinned, finger poised at the trigger, his face a mask of pure hatred and evil as I knelt down as fast as I could to lay Kira on the ground behind of me, I knew that I was exposing my back but that was entirely the point. I wanted Colonel Laws' attention on me and not Kira, he has protected me and sacrificed for me too much and too long, this was the time that I did something for him, but, before I, anyone could react, Kira moved.

Kira

I watched in horror and anger as Colonel Laws, the man who had indicted Roy Kilburn unfairly, the man who had tried to kill my twin sister, the man who was the reason why I had been behind bars for the past three years, and the man who was pointing a gun at the person I love most, about to pull the trigger and a strength that I did not know existed allowed me to push myself from Athrun's embrace and into the path of the incoming bullet. I felt the bullet smash into me and I gasped, the pain of the new combining with the old, and my vision blurred and wavered.

" Kira?" Athrun whispered, his voice small and sounded so young and vulnerable that my heart bled for him.

" No more people getting hurt." I whispered as I forced myself to move towards the offending creature in front of me, ignoring the pain and forcing the blackness that threatened to overcome me away. I could see and hear the man curse out loud before cocking the trigger, preparing to fire for the second time and I shut my eyes.

Just a little more. Just a few steps more.

The second bullet hit me and I stumbled back a few steps, the blood from my damaged internal organs filling my mouth with it's metallic taste. I coughed, choking on my own blood, panting with the exertion with just standing, yet I forced myself to not fall, to move forward, to continue to protect the man I loved.

" I'm Kira Yamato, not number 78909. I am what I am and I will protect everybody."

" Kira!" This time it was Cagalli's voice who called out my name and I prayed that I would have the power to protect her but I had no more strength to move. I stumbled as my vision darkened, blurring into nothings. I shook my head to clear it, but instead of clearing, it started to get worse, I could see the man about to pull the trigger for the third time and I willed myself to move but my strength finally failed me. I fell.

I'm sorry….

Athun

I watched immobile as Kira fell, my mind numb. His body hit the ground with a meaty thump, blood staining the green grass a vivid red while Colonel Laws laughed, an ugly harsh sound that filled my ears and created echoes in my brain while Cagalli screamed nearby. Roy Kilburn who had hobbled as fast as he could out of the building after hearing the gun shots watched aghast as his eyes registered the fallen boy, his expression twisting into a mask of pure rage as he whipped out the gun that he had brought with him for protection. He yelled, his voice hoarse with anger and genuine heartfelt loss of a good companion, and before Colonel Laws could do anything, Roy shot him twice in cold, calculating efficiency. Two accurate shots, one in the head and the other in the chest . The force of impact pushed Colonel Laws back and over the edge of the cliff that the sedan was parked nearby, his expression of shock frozen for eternity as he fell into the abyss below.

" The first was for my time in jail and the second was for taking out all evil." Roy shouted into the wind while I struggled to move, to breathe, to do something that could unfreeze myself but nothing that I did could erase those scenes of Kira protecting me like an angel with his wings outstretched, I could not forget those bullets as it entered his body, him bearing it without any hesitation, the images replaying itself again and again as I stood by doing nothing, helpless and useless.

" At..t…hru..n…" I heard Kira call out, his voice weak, his hand outstretched, trembling, searching for mine to hold on. My paralysis broke and I slumped down beside my fallen angel, dragging his wounded, limp body into a tight embrace, hugging him close, protecting him from nothing but the wind.

" Why?" I asked, a stupid question filled with pain and heartbreak. I knew the answer by heart yet still I blurted it out.

" Tell…tell…me….a…sweet….lie…" He gasped out, his eyes pleading me to say the things that I should have said so long ago.

I did not hesitate. "I want to love you forever." I whispered, eyes filling and brimming with unshed tears. His hand rose slowly but surely to dry it, his beautiful violet eyes closing gradually with every passing second. A soft brush and his hand fell with a thump, limp onto the hard ground, his mouth curved up into a smile.

I stayed in that position shocked, frozen to the world, numb. The pain in my chest amplifying with every passing minute, while the tears that had accumulated started rolling unbidden down my face, dripping one by one onto the ground. I bent down to brush a lock of Kira's brown hair away from his pale face before bending down to kiss him softly on the forehead, images of the past playing itself in my head. Finally when the hard reality finally hit and I could stand the pain no more, everything crumbled and time came to a halt. I looked upwards to the sky and howled, a horrible pitiful sound emitted by a wounded soul, a soul in pain, at the injustice of it all as the sky broke and cried with me.

" Kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"