(AN): Thank you to all who reviewed

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Destiny.

Chapter Forty-Two

Battle of Boaz Part One

ORB Base West of Boaz

Kira was waiting for the royal guard to return, and he had to admit it was frustrating. Kira knew that this was his failure, since he neglecting his duties to the border. Kira wanted to leave right now, but he knew he would be no help with the force at this base; he had no choice but to wait for the Onogoro reinforcements. Kira probably would have lost it again if Lacus wasn't there. Kira stood near the entrance to his base, and waited for the Onogoro brigades.

"You can't keep doing this to yourself Kira," Lacus told him as she walked up behind him and stood at his side.

Kira looked at her, "This is my fault Lacus, I could have done something about this day's ago, but I neglected my responsibilities to the ORB people."

Lacus embraced him, "If it is anyone's fault Kira it is mine, I am the reason you left ORB." Lacus told him as guilt started overcoming her.

Kira turned around and embraced her even harder, "Never say that Lacus, I should have done something about this before I came after you, if it wasn't for you myself and ORB would be at loss."

Lacus looked at him.

Kira smiled at her, "All the good you have done for ORB in such a short time, and if I would have never met you my life would still be empty."

Lacus smiled, "All the joy I have given you Kira, you returned to me over and over."

Kira leaned in and kissed her passionately, after a good three minutes they broke their kiss.

Kira looked into her eyes, "We will get through this Lacus, I will not lose to ZAFT."

Lacus smiled, "I never doubted you would, I know you will be the King everybody expects you to be from now on."

Kira smiled, and held her tightly as they watched by the gate hoping it wouldn't take to long for the reinforcements to arrive.

Boaz

Outside the Castle

As soon as darkness hit the sky Dearka smiled.

"It is time, give the signal," Dearka told a subordinate.

Since it was dark the man nodded his head and set a large cloth on fire, as soon as it was on fire, he went to the highest part of the mountain and waved it back and forth signaling the captains around the city.

"Captain we have the signal," A lower knight said.

The captain looked at the signal and smiled, he than looked back at the other knights.

"Send up the signal, and prepare to fire," the captain said.

The knights quickly scrambled, they were only able to get there catapults on the east side of the fort, because of all the rough terrain. It was a disadvantage but they would be able to make due.

Since the first shot was already prepared the knight looked back at there captain, "All the catapults are ready sir, should we use fire?"

The captain looked at them, "No if they see the blaze when it launches they will figure out our positions, use the boulders at knight." he said.

"We are ready sir," the knight said.

The captain smiled, "Than launch.

The knights went to their spots and launched all there attacks, they hit the lever and launched all the boulders into the air, as soon as the attack was finished the captain, order them to replace the shot. The knights made the slaves lug the boulders to the catapults. This would mostly continue throughout the night since they couldn't move the infantry until morning.

Inside the Fort

Athrun and a few of his squad leaders were going over the final preparations when they heard something in go into the air.

Athrun stopped.

"My Lord, what was that?" a captain said.

Athrun heard it get closer and closer, until he recognized the sound.

"Get down!" Athrun shouted to all who could hear him.

The looked over at him, and that was when the attacks struck. A few boulders hit the walls, and some even went over the walls, luckily the inside wall was far enough back that none went into the city. The guards ducked behind the walls and even Athrun had a close call as a giant boulder landed a few feet away from him. When they hit the walls, there was little damage, but if this were to continue it would do damage.

Unfortunately a boulder struck the top side of the outside wall and crushed a few archers, which was the extent of the damage from the first attack.

Athrun stood up with a few captains.

"It seems they have started My Lord," the captain said.

Athrun looked at him, "Get back to your positions, check your men and the damage."

The captain agreed but one spoke.

"Should we return fire My Lord?"

Athrun looked at him, "Don't waste your arrows, we won't find them until dawn, keep all soldiers in defensive positions until morning."

"What about there infantry My Lord?" another asked.

Athrun looked at him, "Be smart, they won't use infantry at night against a fort, it would be suicide, they will wait until dawn."

The captains agreed and quickly went back to their positions. Athrun stood up and went to the outer wall, trying very hard to see any trace of movement out there but since it was completely dark, he knew that he wouldn't be able to see anything. Athrun looked at all his knights and say them doing there best to see what was going on, but it was futile.

Outside the fort

Dearka smiled as he saw the first attack connect with the fort, his whole until was concealed by the trees and hills of Boaz, they would have the advantage at night, but in daylight he knew they would have problems.

"My Lord first catapult attack is away." a knight told him.

Dearka smiled, "Good keep it up, signal the archers to begin their assault."

The knight nodded and went to the flag; he stood on another hill and waved it hastily.

Onogoro Castle

The messenger arrived back at Onogoro during the night, the city gates were closed, but they say the letter Kira wrote and immediately went in. All Onogoro knights were familiar with the King's stamp. They immediately let him in and the man raced for the castle. As soon as he got to the main gates the guards there also saw the letter.

"I need to see Sir La Flaga immediately," the messenger said.

The guards knew something was wrong and with the King's stamp on the letter confused them as they thought he was in the castle, but it was authentic and they let him in the castle. Inside the castle they stopped him at the main entrance and one guard went in to find Mu.

Inside the castle Mu was talking with Murrue and Via as she had trouble sleeping ever since her children had left. The guard instantly rushed in the room, all looked at him.

"I'm sorry Sir La Flaga, but a messenger has arrived at the gates," the guard told him.

Mu looked at him, "This late strange."

The guard looked at him, "It is strange sir, the letter has the King's stamp on it."

All instantly looked at him in shock, Mu instantly stood up, "Take me to him."

All in the room were not about to let Mu find out what was going on alone, so when he left the room all followed him. They followed him back out to castle entrance, Mu walked out and saw the messenger standing there.

Mu approached him, "What's going on?" Mu asked as he had a feeling something was wrong.

The messenger looked at him, "Sir, I bring direct orders from the King." he said as he handed the letter over to Mu.

All were still unaware that Kira was back to normal, so these orders could have meant anything.

Mu looked at the letter and he could tell that it was indeed Kira's mark.

"Please Sir, this is urgent," The messenger said.

All looked confused.

Mu opened the letter and began reading it, as he was reading it his eyes went big and he dropped the letter staring at the messenger.

Murrue and Via stared at him funny.

"What was that about?" Murrue asked.

Mu looked at them, "It was from Kira, he returned safely from Messiah with Lacus." Mu started to explain.

Murrue and Via smiled.

"That is great news, I'm glad she is safe," Via said.

Murrue smiled.

Mu looked at them, "That is not all; A massive ZAFT army has destroyed one of our border bases and is attacking Boaz as we speak."

Murrue and Via's expressions changed instantly. Via's face went to worry for her daughter who was there.

"What will happen now?" Murrue asked.

Mu looked at the messenger, "The King has order the guard and five battalions to move out, where he himself will lead them to Boaz." Mu said as he had a small smile, he knew Kira was back to normal.

The messenger nodded in haste.

Mu looked back at Via and Cagalli, who had both worried and relieved faces that Kira seemed back to normal.

"I have to leave immediately My Lady," Mu told her.

Via smiled, "I know and thank you Sir La Flaga, please look after my children."

Mu smiled, "I always have and I always will My Lady."

Via smiled.

Murrue looked at him, "Don't forget about yourself as well."

Mu really smiled, "I just knew you cared, come here," Mu joked, but he still tried.

Murrue glared at him, "What I meant fool, was this country still needs you."

Mu looked at her, "You won't be able to keep lying to yourself, you know you won't be able to resist me for long."

Murrue just walked back into the castle with a small smile on her face.

Mu bowed to Via and then turned his attention back to the messenger.

They started walking towards the stables to get horses, and prepare.

"How many are there?" Mu asked.

The man looked at him, "More than can be counted sir."

Mu took that to thought as he wondered if Rau was there.

The messenger looked at him, "How long will it take to summon the forces Sir?"

Mu smiled, "We will be on the road in a few hours."

The man looked shocked, "That soon sir that is amazing."

Mu looked at him, "The King always made sure that Onogoro's forces could move out in a moments notice, besides he only asked for five and that won't be any trouble to assemble.

Mu was glad that Kira never let the forces of Onogoro short on numbers, like he did to the borders.

The messenger followed Mu and they prepared for there departure.

Boaz

Outside the Fort

"My Lord first catapult attack is away." a knight told him.

Dearka smiled, "Good keep it up, signal the archers to begin their assault."

The knight nodded and went to the flag; he stood on another hill and waved it hastily.

The captain of the short range archers saw the signal himself, and he smiled.

"Archers ready!" he shouted.

All heard the signal from their captain and raised there bows.

"Shouldn't we light the arrows sir?" the second in command said.

The captain glared at him, "We are to close to the walls for that, they would see the light and pick us off."

The second in command said nothing after that.

The captain looked at the wall, and then gave the signal.

"Archers Fire!" the captain shouted.

All heard the order and released there arrows, hundreds of arrows went up into the dark sky.

The captain was pleased and then made them prepare to fire again.

Inside the fort

Athrun was pleased that the boulder attacks didn't do that much damage; they looked over the situation and determined that not much damage was done.

Athrun looked over at a few officers heading over to him.

"What's the situation?" Athrun asked.

"We can't see them in the darkness Sir, we will have to wait until day." a captain said.

Athrun frowned, "Make sure the men are covered I…" Athrun was saying, but the mass of arrows struck down on the camp.

"Get down My Lord," a captain shouted as he threw Athrun to the ground, allowing an arrow to nearly pierce him.

The arrows came swift and deadly, a good number of Aegis knights were struck. The others quickly raised shields and crouched down behind the walls.

Athrun himself slid his back against the wall, and held a shield a knight gave him over his head. The Aegis squad was crouched down and doing the best they could for a defense against the oncoming attack. They were practically useless until the sun came up; it was going to be a long night.

Athrun looked over at one of his captains as the arrows stopped, "Give the order all knights stay in a defensive position until morning, we can do nothing more until then."

The captains nodded in agreement and used there shields to stand up and walk to there post's. Athrun himself stood as well, although this was a dangerous move, he wanted his knights to see him standing proud to give them encouragement.

Athrun looked over the walls and than back at the estate that was well safe behind the second wall. He knew that he would not let them take his home, or harm Cagalli.

Athrun stood at the wall, when another attack came this time it was both catapult boulders and the archer's arrows. They went to there defensive positions but the second attack was a little more divesting. The boulders hit the walls perfectly, but the walls held strong, however continuous hits on the wall would bring it down. The arrows struck a few more knights as they were being careless. All they could do was hope the sun came

up, the daylight would not stop there attacks, but it would allow his knights clean shots.

Outside the Fort

Dearka was even more pleased with the archer's performance, he would constantly keep this up until the sun came up, and then they would have a two sided battle.

"My Lord, the archers and catapults seem to be working effectively," a subordinate said.

Dearka smiled, "Go none stop with the catapults for a few more hours then let them rest, have the archers use a sequence to not where themselves out too much."

The man nodded and went to inform the other captains; Dearka glanced back and smiled widely.

Onogoro

The hours passed and Mu had the battalions ready to go, it wasn't too difficult as they wanted to help there countrymen. Mu went quickly into the castle.

"I am off My Lady, I will look after everything," Mu told her.

Via smiled, "I know you will take care."

Mu nodded and left the castle, the royal guard was prepared and head out of the castle with him, all were a little confused that their King wasn't with them, as they didn't know he left. They left the city with little attention from the people, the horses were loud, but they were gone fast enough not to draw to much attention.

After they left the city Mu saw the massive army assembled outside the city. Mu was impressed as soon as he told the squad leaders they needed to leave, they instantly woke their unit's knight from the barracks and told them the situation. These were highly trained knights so they were ready in no time, they got there equipment and got in position. The messenger waited with them and was amazed at there speed.

As soon as Mu got to the head of the army he spoke to the squad leaders. Mu knew a few short ways to Boaz, but moving an army of this size would take time, and to top it all off they had to head to a border base, so they estimated there time to arrive around afternoon to evening of the next day.

Mu gave them the instructions and they instantly headed off.

Boaz

Outside the Fort

Dearka was pleased that they were efficient in there firing, but with day fast approaching, they had to prepare the infantry.

"You wanted to see me My Lord?" the commander said.

Dearka looked at him, "That's right, get your units ready; we will need them to charge the gate as soon as they open fire on us."

The commander nodded, "We have our battering ram ready, and we had the slaves construct sturdy ladders from the tress around here, we should be able to go two ways, but it will not be easy."

Dearka nodded and looked back at a captain, "Start using the other boulders as soon as the sun comes up, and light them on fire."

The captain looked at him, "As you wish My Lord."

Dearka looked at the archery captain, "Give the short rangers there break only use them if I give the signal, tell the long rangers to light there arrows on fire," Dearka told him.

The captain nodded in agreement.

Dearka looked at the archery captain and the catapult captain.

"As soon as they charge, fire at will and don't let up until we get in the city," Dearka told them sternly.

They all agreed.

Dearka smiled, "All of you are dismissed, lets get this done."

They cheered his words and left out of the command tent, Dearka prepared himself as he was going in as well.

Inside the Fort

The night assault was brutal, but not that bad damage wise, the day was approaching and Athrun wanted to make sure everybody was ready.

"They stopped firing My Lord," a captain said.

Athrun looked at him, "Day is approaching, they want to shift there strategy, they will try to storm the gate."

"Are you sure sir?" the captain asked.

Athrun nodded his head, "Yes…tell all the men to prepare for this, as soon as we can see them, use the archers to pick them off and use our catapults to aim for there's."

The captain agreed, "I will take care of it General."

Athrun smiled as a knight walked up to him, "Sir our supplies are short, we only have some coal from the mines."

Athrun thought for a second, he had a plan and he lacked the materials since they were not re-supplied in days.

"Coal will have to do, grind it down and spread it by the castle entrance; if they get in we will give them a small surprise."

"As you wish Sir," the knight replied as a few others started spreading it all on the ground.

With all of them

The sun starting coming up and both Athrun and Dearka were about to put there strategies to good use.

Dearka looked over at the commander, "Proceed now commander."

The commander looked at him. "As you wish My Lord"

As soon as the sun shined Athrun and the Aegis squad saw a lot better, as Athrun gave orders. Athrun was able to see a lot from an elevated distance as he had a small smile, they had the advantage now.

Near ORB Border camp

Mu and the guard were going as fast as they could, it would be later in the day until they arrived however.

Mu would not give up as they continued to go and meet there King.

To be continued…

(AN): I hope you liked this chapter. I decided to split this battle into three parts; the next chapter will contain the day portion of the battle. It should be up by Monday. See you later.