Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY

The New Coordinate

Story:
AU of GSD. Xander Darklighter, a ZAFT ace pilot was thrown into a string of events that will test his skills, resolve, courage and determination. Which side will he choose to fight with? How will he deal with the events unfolding before him?

Notes:
ChibiRulz: Glad you like the darker side of Xander I put in. While Shinn knows what he's doing and have no regrets about it when he's in his SEED mode, Xander is more sensitive about violence, given his past experience as a Dark Crimson. I'll cover more of Xander's Dark Crimson days on some special chapters I've been planning. Probably after the completion of this story. About that redemption thing, I leave that to your imagination.

GodNo127: I don't know how much times will Xander went into his own SEED mode during battles, but I'll try to minimize this. So, don't expect much until the later part of the story. But eventually, he will be able to control his SEED mode with his sanity intact.

Thanx for the reviews. Keep 'em coming!

I don't own GSD, their characters or anything else aside from Xander Darklighter, Claire Whitestar and Yvonne Norman.

Chapter 19: Sorrow and Sadness

As Minerva making its way to Gibraltar, Talia had requested a damage report from Arthur.

"The Savior and ZAKU Warrior were damaged beyond repair. There is no hope on putting them back together. But the ZAKU Phantom suffers little damage and will be able to use."

Talia nods. "Thank you, Arthur." Then, she leaned back on her seat and sighed. "Not another repair at the port. I'm getting bored of this."

Vino and Youran were making their way towards the lounge, talking about the last battle.

"Damn. I can't believe how wrecked Savior is. That Freedom is really something."

"Yeah. But don't forget. Xander was using the obsolete Strike and still managed to stand on his own against it."

"Does that mean Xander is better than any of the ZAFT pilots?"

They finally reached their destination to see Meyrin among the ones that were having a rest.

"I was scared looking at Shinn and Xander during that battle." Meyrin said. "Both of them seems to turn into someone...different."

"I'm not surprised about Shinn but Xander caught all of us off guard with his display of anger. Did you see how he took down those Murasames?" Vino remarked.

"He literally turned them into sushis. Then have the guts to go against Freedom." Youran added. "Now THAT is scary."

Lunamaria entered the area with a sling to her left arm. "Meyrin! Why didn't you come by and visit me?"

"Umm...sorry sis. I just got this break myself. The bridge was hectic with all the mess."

"How's Athrun? I heard his unit was damaged pretty bad."

"The Savior is beyond salvation but he isn't injured." Youran replied.

"How about Xander? Is he...okay?"

"He took out the three Murasames that's been attacking us and he went it on with Freedom for a while before leaving."

"I see."

She remembered the concerned look on Xander's face. The aqua blue eyes. That was the first time she exactly looked into it. And she found those eyes were beautiful. Captivating. Drawing her to it.

(Xander…)

Later that night, Jess and Yvonne were sitting in front of the campfire, talking about the battle and in particular, about Xander.

"I never thought he took it seriously." Jess said as threw a twig into the fire.

"He was used to killing, Jess. Whether he likes it or not, it was part of his mission. And he still regret the things he did to this day." Yvonne explained.

"Yeah, I can see that."

Xander was sitting alone at the cliff not far from the campfire, staring blankly at the distant horizon. Tears were running down his face.

"Xander."

He turned around to see Yvonne coming from behind. "Yvonne…"

"Are you done?"

Xander wiped his cheeks and managed a dry smile. "Yeah. Sorry to have you worried."

"It's alright. Now I suppose you're considering on leaving?"

Xander nods. "You saw through me. Yeah, I'm thinking about leaving. Not sure where I'll go though."

"Then let me suggest you a place. Berlin."

Xander raised his eyebrow. "Why's that?"

"It's my hometown. Sure it's not great but its environment will suit you good."

In the morning, Xander and Yvonne were prepared to leave. Xander and Jess shook hands and hugged.

"It's been a short time, Jess. But I feel that we've been friends for a long time."

"Yeah, same here. And thanks for everything my friend. Without you, I'll never be able to get all those hot stuff I took."

"Hahaha. But really, I should be the one thanking you. Without you taking me to the Junk Guild..." Xander's eyes switched to the Dark Strike.

"It's alright. It was nothing."

"Well, time to get going. Yvonne."

Yvonne nods and shook hands with Jess. "See you around, Jess."

"I'm sure we will."

After saying goodbye, Xander and Yvonne left with their units. Jess scratched his head and sighed.

"Well, I'm alone again, I guess..."

At the ocean of Scandinavia, Kira was watching the snowfall outside the obversational deck until Murrue joined him.

"Deep in thought again?"

"Yes. I've been thinking about how the situation is developing. Not only I have to fight Athrun again but Xander too. Maybe we're wrong after all..."

"Kira, like us, Xander have someone to protect. There is no wrong in doing that. It's just that the circumstances forced him to do so. Besides, from what you have said, Xander was driven by his emotion and didn't know what he was doing until he realizes it."

"Yes. He was a completely different person when we fought..."

Murrue sighed. "I still remember him a year ago. When he came over to the mansion, there is no life in his eyes. I saw a deep despair and the lost of hope within. His eyes were more like an abyss that will suck everything around him."

Kira nods. "After spending the time at the orphanage, he gets better as he spent his days with the children."

"And Father Malchio's words really knocked him back to reality. A textbook preaching, but it works on him. But he seems to still deeply hurt of his girlfriend's death."

"I never know or saw Claire but Lacus said she knew her well. She was a member of the Clyne Faction."

"She told me that too. Heard that his girlfriend was working on a secret mobile suit project. Wonder what happened to it?"

Xander and Yvonne arrived at Berlin. It's a normal town unlike the ones at PLANT. People were going about their business like nothing had happened.

Yvonne nudged Xander. "This town is under the Alliance's influence. Don't attract attention to yourself."

"Sure. I won't."

Then, a soldier from the Alliance approached. He saluted Yvonne. "Lieutenant Norman. Welcome back to Berlin."

Yvonne returned the salute. "Thank you. Has my father returned from his duty?"

"The Colonel just returned yesterday. If you want to meet him, I'll escort you to the mansion."

"Thank you. Give me a moment." Yvonne turned to Xander. "I'm going back home to catch things up with my dad. I think you can find some place to hang out until after I'm done."

Xander nods. "Yeah. No problem. I'll manage."

"I'll find you, okay?" With that, she left with the soldier.

Xander strolled around town and bought a few things to eat. He heard thumping sounds from the alley ahead. He peeked around the corner to see three men were beating a helpless little girl.

"Come on, give us that medallion!"

"No! This is the only thing that I won't give!"

Then, the beating continued. Unable to stand and do nothing, Xander decided to help the poor girl.

"Stop it right there!"

The gangsters turned to him. "What?"

"Let the little girl go. You guys should feel ashamed for picking her as a punching bag."

Their leader pulled out a combat knife. "Seems that this guy have quite a collection of valuables. Get him!"

With that, his two minions ran at him but Xander easily beat them down. While his back was turned, the leader tried to backstabbed him.

"Behind you!" the girl warned. Xander nods and delivered a roundhouse kick at his attacker. The impact sent the mugger further into the alley followed by loud crashing sound.

Xander sighed and dragged the girl from the alley. "Let's get the hell out."

On the rooftop of an abandoned building, Xander was patching the girl's wound with the first aid pack he bought.

"Are you alright? That's gotta hurt."

The girl nods.

"Do you have parents? Relatives?"

She shook. Xander smiled.

"I see. You're a survivor then. A fighter."

The girl looked up at him. "A…fighter? Were you..?"

"Ah, I was. Now I'm no longer one."

"Why?"

"I'm tired of it. I just wanna run to a place where nothing will bother me. If I have to die, I want to die peacefully."

The girl stared at him and her gaze fell to his eyes. She could see the sorrow and sadness hidden within.

After done applying bandages to her, Xander handed her a bread. "Here. You need to recover your energy."

She accepted gratefully. As the two had a chow, Xander extended his right hand.

"I'm Xander. What's your name?"

The little girl looked at him again and felt his sincerity. The two shook hands.

"Rina. My name is Rina."

To Be Continued…