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: Yes, I have an issue with Shinn but not major though. Athrun was still unconscious and Xander didn't get the full view of what happened. Glad to hear you actually love Xander's parents.

Rau: OMG. It's the mad man Le Creuset. Anyways, your questions will be answered in this chap. Keep on reading!

GodNo127: One vote for a sequel. Anyone else?

Deathzealot: Whoa. Another new reader. Thanx for the comment. Hope you like the story so far.

What's the name of Xander's new unit? If you're good, maybe I'll reveal it in the next chapter.

Phew. This story is getting more and more attention these days. I couldn't be happier. Keep the reviews cometh!

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

Chapter 24: The Final Will

Athrun was talking to Kira and Cagalli by the time Xander arrived to check on him.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Ah, yeah. Kind of. I never thought to actually see you here."

"Hey, hey. I was assigned here as a 'punishment' by the princess here." Xander said, pointing his finger at Cagalli. Athrun chuckled while Cagalli smiled.

"So I've heard."

"So, how's your visit?" Kira asked Xander about his visit home.

Xander shrugged. "My mother was happy to see me but I can't say the same about my dad."

"I see..." Kira could sense no hate whatsoever from Xander despite being disowned by his own father. Xander then shook his head.

"There's no reason for me to hate him. He was the reason why I exist and I respected his wishes as much as he respected mine."

Xander was strolling around the hangar when Murdoch, Archangel's mobile suit team leader called him.

"You're that Darklighter kid, right?"

"Uh-huh."

"By Erica's request, I've installed the PSA generator to your Jet Windam. Figured that you could use an extra protection."

Xander sighed and scratched his head. "She's at it again. Seems that the knack of adding new parts without consent doesn't left her one bit."

"You can say that again. She was really pushy about it."

Xander was making his way towards the bridge after hearing about ZAFT's victory at Heaven's Base.

(Lunamaria, how are you doing out there?)

His thoughts were broken by Murrue's voice throughout the ship, announcing that the Eternal was under attack within Earth orbit. Cursing, Xander sprinted for the bridge.

Xander arrived in time to hear that Kira is taking Cagalli's Strike Rogue to help Eternal.

"Going out to save the other princess, eh?" Xander asked.

Kira nods. "I must protect Lacus no matter what."

"Right. I'm coming with you."

"Xander, you shouldn't..."

"Listen, Miss Lacus was the only person that truly understands me and she was the reason why I regained my sanity back then. And I think the time has come for me to repay the faith she had put in me."

Kira turned to Cagalli. Then Murrue. Both of them nod.

"Let him come along, Kira. You have to understand his feelings." Murrue said.

"Besides, there's no harm in having an extra hand to help out." Cagalli added.

An hour later, Xander had already prepared to launch his Windam by using a compatible booster pack attached at the back. A few minutes earlier, Kira had already launched into space. Murdoch messaged him.

"Kid, even with the Phase Shift, it won't be able to protect your unit completely since that Windam wasn't built from scratch with PSA in mind. At most, it will protect you from the heat of the atmosphere."

Xander nods. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

Then, Erica's voice echoed. "Sir Reinhardt."

"Hey Erica. Thanks for the Phase Shift Armor. At least I can put up a good fight in the frenzied battle soon."

"It was nothing, really. I hope you can make good use of it."

"I'm sure I will. Oh, one more thing, Erica."

"Yes?"

"It's Darklighter. Xander Darklighter. Let's cut all the formalities, okay?"

"Okay Sir...I mean, Xander. Good hunting out there."

"Aye."

The strip had been cleared as Xander prepared to launch. "All systems clear. You are clear for takeoff."

"Xander Darklighter. Windam. Heading out!"

Xander turned on the Phase Shift Armor and the Windam turned from red to black and headed into the sky with such speed and velocity. He gritted his teeth and could feel his stomach churning with dread.

"Note to self. Never do this kinda stunt ever again. Going against gravity is always not good."

He then checked the unit's current status.

"Status all green. Vector position is alright. Wait. Something's wrong here. Oh, man. Not the temprature."

The battle was already in full swing and the Eternal had to defend itself from ZAFT's various mobile suits of ZAKUs and GOUFs. On its side, there were only Kira's Strike and Andrew's Gaia Gundam. Xander detached the booster pack and engaged ZAFT forces without wasting time. He eventually made his way towards Eternal sent a message.

"Darklighter to Eternal. Can I help you guys out?"

"Sir Xander!" Lacus exclaimed.

"Darklighter?" Andrew asked in surprise. "That you?"

"Yeah. Been a while, teach. Let's beat this guys and catch up later. Kira."

Kira nods. "I know. Let's do it, Xander."

With that, both aces took down the opposition. The Strike-Windam combination had caused much trouble to the ZAFT's suits. But a ZAKU Gunner fired a blast at Eternal and Kira was forced to block the attack with its shield, losing both arms in the process. Xander instantly take down the ZAKU as Andrew grabbed Kira's beam rifle.

"Fool! Get into Eternal quickly!" Andrew told Kira.

"Eh?"

"Go and get your unit."

Kira hesitated. Then Xander called him.

"Don't worry, Kira. I'm here to back up Andrew. You go and see that princess."

Kira nods. "Please take care of things here."

With that, Kira made his way towards Eternal via the cargo entrance. Xander defended the ship from the rear while Andrew took the front.

"You know, Darklighter. This reminds me of the battle at the desert three years ago." Andrew said as he took down another GOUF.

"Hahaha. Don't start with that, Andrew. I know I was a sorry excuse for a pilot back then." Xander laughed and took down a column of opposing suits with the rail cannon.

"I'm sure Aisha will be proud to see you now..." Andrew let his words trailed.

Xander nods sadly upon remebering Aisha. "Guess so. She's always acted like an elder sister to me..."

"But let's vent our anger against them eh, teach?" he continued.

Andrew smiled. "Sure thing, kid."

"Aww man. Why do I have to take this kinda punishment?" Xander moaned as his Windam took another beating from a bunch of GOUFs. He had lost both legs and a hand.

"Damn. Yvonne won't be happy with this."

Then, Lacus appeared on screen. "Sir Xander. Please get into Eternal. Kira will launch soon."

Xander sighed in relief. "Phew. It's about time too."

Kira had already launched out in the new Strike Freedom as Xander got out of the battered Windam. He sighed.

"Yvonne will so gonna have me killed."

"Sir Xander."

Xander turned to Lacus. "Miss Lacus. How's the battle?"

"Don't worry. Kira will take care of everything."

Xander smiled at her. "I'm sure he will."

Lacus then held his hand. "Can you follow me? I have something to show you."

Xander raised his eyebrows. Then shrugged. "Something for me? Well, it's not that I can resist a gift anyway."

Xander and Lacus entered the mobile suit hangar and they stopped in front of a mobile suit.

"Here it is." Lacus said.

Xander looked up at the Gundam unit. The design of it looked sinister. Maybe even more sinister than the Dark Strike. "This?"

"This is my cousin's final will. She wanted me to trust this unit to you."

"Your...cousin?"

Lacus nods. "Claire is...was my cousin. Though not a close one. She had built this unit secretly along with the original Freedom and Justice two years ago."

"Claire was your cousin..?" Xander repeated and Lacus nods again. She then handed him a disc.

"She wants you to have this as well."

Xander nods and got into his new unit. He turned on the system and did the necessary adjustments. Then, he inserted the disc into its slot. A visual appeared on screen. It was Claire. The record was taken inside the same cockpit Xander was in.

"Xan, if you're watching this, I might not be there with you. But I don't mind about it as long as you get this unit. And as you might have known, Lacus and I are distant cousins. But that aside, I had built this unit especially for you. Why I'm trusting this to you? Because I always have a feeling that you will play a role in determining the course of this world. You might not realize it but you have the power to do so. Hmm...what is there to say? Oh, if I'm not there with you, I want you to live, Xan. I want you to be stronger. But don't lose yourself in the process. I won't be happy with that."

"I want you to protect everyone dear to you. I hope you will use this gift wisely. Before I go, I want to tell you that I love you so much. I have no regrets about it. And thank you for such wonderful times, Xander Darklighter..."

The record ended and Xander tried hard to hold back his tears. But he failed to do so. He cried as loud as he can as Lacus listened to it sadly. Shortly, Kira approached her and wrapped his arm around her. Lacus held his hand tight.

"Kira, why does fate have to be so cruel on such person?"

Kira shook. "I don't know. Maybe he was destined to face many hardships in life. But I'm sure he will eventually found the happiness that he wants..."

To Be Continued...