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: As I said, Xan-Luna WILL happen.

RVD: Ahem. No comment. Keep on reading.

GodNo127: Yes, yes. I'm writing here.

NukeDawg: Yea. I know the battles were too brief because I relied on the episode summaries at MAHQ. But that will change when Xander gets a new unit to replace Yvonne's customized Windam.

Shinigami Keitaro: Terima kasih kerana setia membaca cereka ini.

I'm thinking of writing a sequel but that all depends on your feedback. If I got good enough comments on this story upon completion, the sequel will follow and I can totally ditch the extremely happy ending I've had in mind. BTW, am I the only one thinks that Erica Simmons is attractive?

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

Chapter 23: Homecoming

It was almost dawn as Xander donned his cloak. After double-checking his equipments, he moved towards Lunamaria, who was still sleeping and covered in blanket. Xander gently stroked her hair and kissed her.

(See you, Lunamaria...)

Then, he opened the window, got outside and closed before he left. Lunamaria opened her eyes and looked at the window. Then, she smiled.

(See you too, Xander...)

Later that morning, Lunamaria found Shinn and Rey at Minerva's hangar.

"Shinn! Rey! What happened to Meyrin? I've heard that she was..."

Shinn looked at her then turned away. "Luna, she..."

"Athrun is a spy for the Logos and Meyrin somehow got tricked by him." Rey interjected. "And we were forced to take them down."

Lunamaria gasped at the news. While she and Xander were together in their own world, her sister was killed because of Athrun's 'treachery'. Then, she broke down and cried as Shinn tried to comfort her.

(Meyrin, I'm sorry...)

The Archangel docked into a hidden port near Orb. Earlier, the entire crew had heard about Gilbert's ultimatum demanding the Logos members to surrender. Xander hissed upon hearing the news. If Logos to be taken down, the Chairman of PLANT will be the most powerful man by default. And dictatorship will surely follow. Xander vowed to help within his abilities to end the war.

(Lunamaria, just hold on a while longer...)

Upon docking, Xander went outside with Murrue, Kira and Cagalli to meet Erica Simmons, Orb's Chief Engineer and a loyal supporter of Cagalli.

"It's been a while, miss." Erica greeted Cagalli. She nods.

"Yes it is. A lot had happened."

Erica turned to Murrue and Kira. "Good to see you both, Captain Ramius, Kira."

"Same here." Murrue replied as Kira nods. Erica then stared at Xander for a while.

"You look familiar to me..." she said as Kira, Cagalli and Murrue exchanged looks.

"Do you know him?" Cagalli asked. Xander smiled and extended his right hand.

"It's been five years, Erica. It's me, Xander Reinhardt."

The Chief Engineer gasped in astonishment. "Sir Reinhardt! You have returned!"

"Reinhardt? He's the son of Knuth Reinhardt? Orb's former mobile suit engineer?" Cagalli asked in surprise.

Erica nods. "Yes, he is. Me and his father used to work together in mobile suit projects. And Xander here frequently came over to help."

"Haha. Yeah. But I'm not just helping out though. I also played loads of pranks on the guys there. Poor them. So, how are my parents?"

"Knuth already left Morgenroete three years ago upon the completion of the Astray Project. Your mother Christina is also doing fine. But she still miss you a lot."

"I see. Looks like I have to pay them a visit."

"So, Darklighter is not your real name..." Murrue said.

"Yeah. I took that name after I left my parents five years ago. But that will be another story."

Minerva was on its way towards the Heavens Base five hours before Gilbert's ultimatum expired. Lunamaria was preparing herself in the briefing room after she had been told that the Impulse Gundam was assigned to her while Shinn and Rey got new units in Destiny and Legend. The thought of Meyrin's 'betrayal' haunts her but she tried to ignore it. Then, she remembered her time with Xander. She smiled.

"Luna, are you ready?" Shinn came in and hailed. She nods.

"Yeah. Hope I can use Impulse as good as you did."

"Don't worry about it. You'll do fine. If you ever get in trouble, I'll be there."

"Thanks, Shinn."

Back at the Archangel, there were new patients in the infirmary. Athrun, who was supposed to be 'taken out' was lying on the bed watched by Kira, Cagalli and her aide, Kisaka. In the other room, Xander and Miriallia watched over the unconscious Meyrin.

"I can understand why Athrun left and was taken down but what baffles me is why did Meyrin go with him?" Xander wondered.

"I'm not sure myself." Miriallia replied as she carefully applied bandages to Meyrin.

(That Shinn had gone into deep end. To take down a helpless girl. He's the lowest...)

Half an hour later, in his casual black clothing, Xander revved up the sports car provided by Erica.

"So, you're finally visiting them?" she asked.

"Yeah. Even though my dad openly disowned me, he is still my father no matter what. Plus, I'm sure mom will be on my side."

Erica chuckled. "Hehe. Still a mommy's boy."

Xander smiled upon the remark. "Some things will never change, Erica."

Xander arrived in front of the Reinhardt Mansion. A place he used to call home. A security guard approached him as soon as he got out from the car.

"Sir, you are not allowed to park here. Let alone entering the mansion."

Xander stared at the guard. He was probably in his middle twenties. "I've never seen you before. Where's Jol?"

"You mean, Mr. Jol? He's already retired."

"I see. Anyway, can you open the gate and let me in?"

"As I said sir, you are not allowed to enter unless you have an appointment with Master Reinhardt."

"Oh, fine, fine. Is Mary Ann still around?"

"The maid?"

"Yeah. Can you call her out? Just say that someone is here to see her."

The guard stared at him for a moment before reluctantly used the telephone nearby to call the maid. A few minutes later, an elderly woman dressed in maid outfit approached the gate where Xander and the guard was. She stopped and stared at Xander. Then, her eyes widened.

"Mary Ann, this is the person who wants to see you." the guard explained.

"Hello, Mary. Remember me?" Xander asked with a smile.

Mary Ann urged the guard to open the gate and she hugged Xander as soon as the gate was opened.

"Young Master! You have returned!"

Xander hugged her back. "Yeah. More or less. Are my parents around?"

Lead by Mary Ann, Xander entered the courtyard of the mansion where a couple was having a drink over the peaceful scenery. They turned around as Mary Ann bowed.

"Master Knuth, Mistress Christina. Someone is here to see you."

Xander looked at them for a moment. His father was still exactly the same person five years ago. The only notable feature was his gray hair showing its age. While his mother looked older but still maintained her beauty.

"Uh, I'm back." he said.

His mother gasped as his father stared at him. Christina approached him slowly.

"Xander...is that you..?"

"Yeah, mom. It's me."

With that, Christina hugged her son tightly, crying in his arms. "Oh son. We miss you a lot! I always fear for your safety when you left for PLANT."

"It's okay, mom. I'm doing fine here."

"You sure have the courage to set your foot in this house again..." Knuth broke the atmosphere. "Do you remember of what I said when you left?"

"Dear..." Christina muttered. Xander broke their embrace and came face to face with his father.

"I still remember, dad. You disowned me. But that doesn't mean that mom disowns me too."

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

"Young Master..." Mary Ann muttered as Christina tried her best to hold back her tears.

"If you want me to leave this place for good, then fine. But before I do that, please hear me out."

Knuth reluctantly nods. "Very well."

"You knew that my main reason for leaving the house was to see the world. And the only way I can do that is by joining ZAFT. Because of that, I've gone to many places, meet a lot of friends and I went through many hardships to become of what I am now. I swear that a moment longer here being spoon-fed by you, I'll become like that girly spoiled brat who leads this nation. Hence, I have no regrets of leaving but I never meant to hurt mom."

"Then why are you here?"

"I just happened to be here with some friends, the Archangel."

"Archangel? Then you're no longer with ZAFT?" Christina asked.

"Yeah mom. Many things had happened and I am now with them. After seeing what this world really is, I just want to do all in my power to help in ending this pointless war."

There was silence the moment Xander finished. Then, he turned around, facing his mother.

"Mom, I have to go now."

"Xander, please don't..."

"I would like to stay, mom. But I'm not wanted here."

Christina looked at her husband, begging him but there was no respond from him. She then cried once again. Xander smiled and wiped the tears from her face.

"I'll be alright. But please take care of dad." Then, the two hugged.

"Will you be in touch, son?"

"I will, mom."

"Be careful, okay?"

"Yeah. Will do."

Then, Xander approached Mary Ann. The maid had been his nanny since he was born and both had developed a close bond to each other. Most of the time, she was there for him when his mother wasn't around.

"Young Master..."

"Mary, thanks for taking care of them and this house. I hope that you continue to do so."

"Of course, Young Master. It's always an honor to serve in the House of Reinhardt."

Xander smiled. "Please drop the 'Young Master'. My name is Xander Darklighter now. I'm no longer a Reinhardt."

Xander started up his car as Mary Ann looked on.

"Young...Master Darklighter, will you come and visit us again?"

"I'll try but I can't promise anything. But please take care of them for me."

"I will, master."

"Thanks, Mary. I deeply appreciate it. Well, I'm going."

Xander pushed the accelarate pedal and the car sped away.

(Young Master, you have grown into a fine gentleman. I am proud to be your nanny...)

In the courtyard of the Reinhardt Mansion, Christina was agitated about her husband's attitude towards Xander.

"Dear, our son had come to visit us after five years and why do you still holding a grudge about his departure?"

"Chris, I understand how you feel. And now I realize how wrong I was about him."

"You should know that Xander was different compared to other children back then. He look things from many points of view unlike others."

"I know but I failed to notice that. Now, seeing him after five years, I can tell from the look in his eyes that he had learned much during his days at PLANT. From the tone in his voice, I knew that he had lost the ones that he hold dear."

"Dear..."

"That boy had grown so much all these years. And I'm happy for that..."

Hearing that, Christina hugged Knuth from behind.

"I know you are a gentle person in the inside. But sometime you have to loosen up a little on the outside."

"Hey, if I ever do that, I don't think you can live with it."

Christina smiled. "Stuck up old man..." she whispered.

To Be Continued...