(AN): Thank you to all who reviewed.

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

Chapter Sixty-Three

Prelude to the Battle

Onogoro

City Gate

As soon as Kira and the rest of them got out of the city gate, the only units out there were the newly formed Strike, and a few brigades of regular units. Kira's plan was to have them join as they went along. Kira stopped and had a small meeting with his main squad leaders.

"What's the plan kid?" Mu asked.

Kira looked at him, "I want you to lead the Strike squad," Kira said as he looked at Athrun and Nicol, "You two will stay with me and the royal guard until your units join us, and then take over with them."

Athrun and Nicol agreed immediately, but Mu was a little weary.

"Are you sure kid, I mean I think I should remain with you until we reach the battlefield," Mu told him as he was afraid something would happen while he was gone.

Kira smiled, "It will be alright, besides the unit needs to see the presence of its leader."

Mu finally agreed.

"How long do you think it will take us?" Nicol asked.

Kira looked at him, "It shouldn't be more than a few days to reach the border, the rest of the army will be with us by then, this way it should save us time, but moving the numbers through the terrain will be a little difficult."

Nicol looked at him, "It seems most logical."

Athrun looked at him, "One thing Kira, what about when we arrive?"

Kira looked at him, "First we will go throughout the first night without stopping, by the second night we should be near the border to the former Oceania Republic, we will stop their and we should get wind of the ZAFT force by the next day, but if I know the Emperor we will get one extra night before the battle day, I will offer him my demands and if he does not except we will repel his plans and end it ourselves."

All smiled.

"Until I know what their army looks like, we will not make strategy until then," Kira added.

Athrun smiled, "Well done, I think that will be the best course of action."

They finished up their meeting and Mu went to take charge of his unit. Nicol and Athrun remained with Kira and the royal guard and all the units began their march to the border. Kira gave the under and they were under way.

Castle

It was about a few hours after Kira left that Lacus woke up, she reached over but felt he was gone, Lacus sat right up and looked to find his spot empty. Lacus adjusted her eyes and saw that Kira left her something on his pillow. Lacus smiled slightly as she picked up the rose. She looked at it for a little while and then got up from the bed and walked over to the balcony.

Lacus placed her hands on her heart as she looked over the city, she was scared to death for him, but she knew he always kept his word, and he would not break his promise to her, but it didn't stop her concern for him.

"Good morning to you My Lady," Merna said as she entered the room.

Lacus turned around and smiled slightly at her, Merna could tell she was worried.

Merna walked up to her.

"When did he leave?" Lacus asked.

Merna looked at her, "I can't tell you My Lady, I don't know myself it must have been early."

Lacus looked back over the city.

Merna smiled, "No need to worry My Lady, he will be back, or I will never forgive him."

Lacus chuckled a little bit and returned to looking over the city, she hoped that would be the case, and all would return safely, but she knew not everyone would return, she just hoped and wished that Kira would not be among those that didn't return.

ORB Lands

As soon as the army started out towards their destination, the units did start joining. They were coming to the end of the first day, and that was when Kira noticed the Blitz squad starting to make their way towards the already marching army, they were about half way towards the Scandinavian former border to the old ORB kingdom, before his father took over.

Kira, Nicol, and Athrun stopped as with the royal guard, but he motioned for the knights to keep going, Kira hated putting a lot of stress on them from the constant walking, but they had no choice, if they would have left earlier they would have alerted ZAFT to them knowing their plan, and they would run out of the food supply they had to bring, so he had no choice.

The Blitz squads second in command gave the order for the Blitz unit to join the march and he went to join the three waiting for him. The squad did what they were told and joined in with the army. The commander rode over to the three waiting for him.

He stopped and looked at them, "Your Majesty, all are ready sir."

Kira looked at him, "Well done."

The commander looked over at Nicol, "Everything was just as you wanted it in the city My Lord, our unit is ready for battle."

Nicol smiled at him, "I knew I could count on you, great work."

Kira looked at them, "We are right on scheduled time, Nicol join your unit and we will continue."

Nicol smiled at him, "I will see you at the last meeting sire." Nicol said as he and the commander bowed and went to join the Blitz unit.

Kira and Athrun watched them leave and Kira gave the order for the royal guard to continue. Athrun would have to wait another day for his unit to arrive, as the Aegis would be the last squad to join.

They continued throughout the night like Kira had ordered and a few more units joined at night. The next day the army was still hanging on strong and they had just crossed the former Scandinavian border.

Between former Scandinavian and former Oceania border

They kept on going and more units had joined, and as the captains reported to the King, Kira knew his army was almost accounted for; all that was left was the Aegis squad. As they were nearing night they finally saw the Aegis squad. Like with when the Blitz unit Kira and the royal guard stopped along with Athrun.

The commander Athrun left in charge smiled as he saw the massive army, he gave the order for his unit to join the others and he rode over to the waiting figures.

He stopped as he approached them.

The commander looked at Kira and Athrun.

"Your Highness, the Aegis squad is more than ready," he told the King.

Kira looked at him, "Good work."

The commander looked over at Athrun, "My Lord, Boaz is doing well, everything you ordered to be taken care of was finished."

Athrun looked at him, "You have done well commander."

The commander was honored by the praise from both the King and his Lord.

Kira looked at Athrun, "Go ahead and join the squad, we will make camp in a short while."

Athrun agreed with him and instantly went to join his squad; Kira watched him leave and then gave the order for the royal guard to continue. They heard their King's order and all continued.

The force was now all together, all that was left was to cross into ZAFT lands and meet the force head on. Kira had a few concerns, he knew they had the element of surprise, but ZAFT would still have the numbers, and not only that, but ZAFT was a much colder place than ORB, ZAFT was located in the far north region of the continent, while ORB was in the southern, which meant his force was not as used to cold temperatures and it worried him that it would come in play, especially since his army his known for speed.

Kira continued on and they reached the spot where he wanted the camp set up, they were going strong and Kira wanted to make sure they were rested up, Kira gave the order and the knights he sent to inform the unit leaders to started ordering their squads to set up camp. They were in a partially opened space that was near a forest, Kira knew they would be alright since ZAFT should still be unaware of their arrival, so he let them set up camp in the open, but because of his force some units had to set up the best they could in the forest.

Temporary Camp

As the knights set up camp, they set up Kira's position in the direct center, with all three of the major squads surrounding it. The royal guard set up his main tent and Kira had called his three main squad leaders together, they were going to discuss what to do in the morning, but they couldn't set up a strategy until they saw the force.

Athrun Nicol and Mu arrived in the tent and with no surprise Mu brought the booze.

Kira watched as they entered and he looked at Mu.

"What is that?" Kira asked as he pointed to the bottle Mu held.

Mu looked at the bottle and then back at him, "This is a little pre battle party," Mu said jokingly.

All had to admit it was good to see Mu do something like this as it made them forget about what was coming, but Kira knew they had to be focused.

"I hope you don't overdo it," Kira told him.

Mu looked at him, "We aren't fighting tomorrow."

Kira shook his head, "I don't believe the Emperor is foolish enough to attack immediately after we surprise him, but I don't want to take any chances."

Mu frowned, "You really know how to kill a guy's fun kid," Mu said as he planned that little incident out just to ease the mood he felt around the camp.

All got a small laugh out of what Mu said and they started speaking about the events that would be happening tomorrow, they went through what everyone was to do just in case the Emperor was hastily, but Kira knew he was not that foolish. They spoke for awhile and when everyone understood what they were to do tomorrow they left the tent and returned to their own.

Kira went back inside his main tent and his thoughts were clouded by the upcoming battle, he was sure of his army's ability to win tomorrow, but in war nothing is predictable. Kira knew he would not be able to fall asleep if he kept thinking about it so his mind went to the only place to find comfort and that was Lacus, just by thinking about her his soul was rested and his will to survive became even stronger, and he was asleep in no time.

ZAFT Border, former Oceania border to Scandinavia

As soon as Kira awoke the next morning he knew that if they were to intercept the ZAFT army by night they would have to leave immediately, but his army was already trained for that event. As soon as Kira awoke and got his equipment back on, he walked out of his tent and the guards instantly alerted battalion leaders, and they got their knights up in a hurry. As they were formally trained to do they got up in a hurry and started disabling the camp, it didn't take them but an hour to get everything completed, and Kira was pleased and impressed with them as they were ready to leave on schedule.

Kira got back on his horse and all the units got back in formation, as soon as Kira was satisfied he gave the order to continue and they were once again on their way. Kira knew that they would be encountering the ZAFT border patrol soon, and he knew it would be too late for them to get to the army in time for them to set something up. As they day went on they saw the border.

The guards in the ZAFT border base weren't really paying attention; they were just talking among themselves when they heard what sounded like an earthquake heading towards them from ORB's lands. They at first looked at each other in confusion but when it kept getting louder they went to the highest point of the base and when they saw over a hill that was across the border their hearts nearly dropped.

"What do you see?" One asked as he looked up.

"Get…Get the captain!" he shouted.

The guard looked at him confusingly, but did what he was told, he returned back with the captain and the captain joined him at the highest point.

"What is it?" the captain asked.

The man pointed in the direction, and when the captain looked he nearly had a heart attack.

"What do we do sir?" he asked frantically.

The captain looked around as the sound from the ORB army was getting louder as their numbers were overwhelming to him.

The captain looked down and his entire camp was now alerted and waiting for him to answer. The captain looked at the army and gave the only order he could, his camp only had a few hundred, and that was not nearly enough.

"Fall back abandon the camp," he said as the ORB army started crossing the hill, and the rest of ZAFT's border knights finally got their first look.

The knights wasted no time as they grabbed their weapons and started falling back into ZAFT lands, they were heading as quickly as they could towards Messiah.

As Kira was leading this army he saw them abandoning the base.

"They are abandoning their camp sire, should we chase them down?" One of his royal guard members said.

Kira looked at him, "No, let them go, they will have no time to ruin our plans, we will proceed." Kira told him.

The man bowed his head, "As you wish Your Highness," He said as he got back into formation.

As the ORB army advanced they were now into ZAFT lands, they didn't even bother with the base, they just kept their advance, as the day was starting to reach the evening hours, Kira heard a new noise that came from the distance and he knew it was ZAFT, Kira advanced his army and they starting going over one last hill, and Kira saw what he knew would be there.

ZAFT Territory Former Oceania Republic Lands

Gil was marching his army through the lands when he saw what looked like border patrol knights hastily heading his way. Gil wondered why they were not at their posts and it angered in a little.

The captain of that fort smiled widely as he saw the ZAFT army, as they ORB army was not too far behind him, he saw the Emperor and immediately rode up to him.

He stopped right in front of the Emperor whose army stopped with him.

"Your Highness…trouble," he said as he was stammering.

Gil looked at him, "What is going on, why are you not at your post?"

The captain looked at him, "ORB…their huge…the numbers…ORB army…an ORB army is heading this way."

Gil couldn't really understand him, but he got the last part out well, and as his army came to a complete stop, he heard it as well. All in the army looked at the far away hill, it was still hard to see, but they saw it. It was the ORB army coming over the hill, and they were not stopping.

Rau was with his squad but he was smiling wide.

Yzac and Dearka were very shocked, and Sai wanted to run away.

Gil was growing angry as he watched them advance over the hill.

"How…How did they know?" Gil almost shouted out loud.

Gil was riding with Rau's squad and he took the opportunity to speak with him.

Gil noticed Rau ride up to him, "How did they know?"

Rau looked at him, "I don't know, but that is the least of our worries now."

Gil looked at the army that seemed to stop, but it was still hard to see them.

Rau watched him closely, "Should we prepare to attack?"

Gil looked at him again, "No, they won't attack tonight, we will rest the knights set up camp here and have the leaders report to my tent." Gil said as he looked at the force one last time, and he left leaving a very proud Rau. Rau looked at the army and knew he would have the battle with his brother soon enough, Rau then did what the Emperor asked.

As soon as Kira saw the army he could somehow tell that their numbers were greater, but it would not stop him at this point. Kira rode a little closer and then stopped with his army following suit.

Mu looked over at the army and all he really wanted was Rau.

Athrun and Nicol were amazed at the size, and knew that this battle would without a doubt be the largest ever in the history of this continent.

Kira watched them as best he could, when he saw a few units start to disembark towards the back he knew that Emperor did what he hoped he would, and that was wait. Kira looked one last time when another royal guard member approached him.

"My Lord, your orders sire," he said.

Kira looked at him, "Set up camp back here, keep an eye on them throughout the night and have all battalion leaders meet me in the command tent," Kira said as he started falling back as well, his royal guard followed their Kings orders and started setting up the camp. It was almost dark when they finished and the masses started gathering in Kira's command tent. The guards would be on watch just in case ZAFT tried something at night, but Kira knew their whole plan was gone now that they were there so he knew they would try nothing that night.

ZAFT Camp

No one objected to following any of the Emperors orders as he was not too happy. The knights set up their camp a little ways back from where they saw the ORB army. The slaves they brought were preparing all of the necessary equipment; they started construction the catapults and they wanted to move them to a location where they would do the most damage. They prepared all the arrows needed for the archers and any other basics for the war in the morning.

Gil had called a meeting of his top commanders to go over what they would do now that their plans were up in smoke.

"We need a plan now," Gil said as he looked at Sai.

Sai looked at him, "This is not what I was hoping for, and a battle out in the open will give them the greater advantage."

Gil looked annoyed.

Yzac glared at Sai, "That shouldn't matter; we have the numbers, let me strike at that King with the Duel squad."

Sai looked at him, "That will be foolish, if you attack then that leaves ORB with an extra squad, and they will plow through our regular units."

Yzac then grew annoyed.

Rau was enjoying all of this, he could tell that it seemed ORB formed a new squad, and he had a good feeling who would be leading it.

Gil was through with all of the arguing, "Enough!" he shouted.

All grew quiet.

Gil looked at all of them, "The greatest way to end this battle is to strike the leader head on, use our ordinary units to strike theirs and leave the ORB King to me, with him gone that should give us what we need, match the main squads up with theirs and we should come out victorious." Gil told them.

Rau smiled.

"I will take a few of our best units and engage the Kings royal guard, the rest just take what is left," Gil added, as Strategy was never really a part of ZAFT's tactics, in the past they always used the numbers and strength of their main units to win a battle, but when the opponent was of equal power this was not going to work, and Rau knew it, but such did not matter to him.

Sai looked at Gil, "I believe we should be cautious sire, they beat us before when our numbers were greater."

Gil looked at him, "I told you what to do, you give the orders to the units, while I handle the King, once he is gone our army should have no trouble."

"As you wish sire, but I suggest having a few ordinary units attack them first just to wear them down, besides it will take time to get through to him," Sai added.

Gil smiled, "Very well, see to it."

Sai smiled, "I will handle it My Lord."

Gil looked at all of them, "All of you have your orders, the attack begins tomorrow, that King will without a doubt try to settle this by talking first, so I will make him a demand, when he does not except it we attack."

"Forgive me sire, but how are you so sure the King is even alive, this could be a revenge act," Dearka added.

Gil smiled, "I know he is out there, at the head of the army I could tell." Gil said as he walked out of the tent trying to prepare himself for tomorrow.

All started leaving and Rau was really proud of his actions, he knew it would not end peacefully, so all he wanted was to finish his brother once and for all.

ORB Camp

The knights very hastily set up camp a little ways back from the hill they came over, as per the Kings orders some guards stayed watch all night just in case Gil was going to try something. The knights set up their camp and like with ZAFT Kira called all leaders to his command tent, Kira gave the basic instructions for what he wanted done to the regular battalion leaders, they were impressed with what his strategy was and Kira dismissed them, leaving only the leaders of his main squads, Kira had something extra to speak with them about.

"Their numbers are greater than ours kid, good thing you planned that ahead," Mu told him.

Kira looked at him, "We can get around that, however it is crucial that we do this very carefully."

All nodded in agreement.

Kira looked at Nicol, "I want the Blitz squad to focus solely on the Buster squad."

Nicol looked at him, "They are long range specialist, which will make an easy target for my Blitz squad."

Kira looked at him, "They will without a doubt use their long range weapons well, do you best to get in to close range, and it should be no problem, I don't know much about the leader so make sure your careful."

Nicol smiled, "Thank you, I will not fail you."

Kira smiled and looked over at Athrun, "I want the Aegis squad to keep the Duel squad busy."

Athrun looked at him, "I understand, short range specialists my unit is well prepared for such combat."

"Be weary though, the leader is a strong swordsman, and he will without a doubt be filled with rage, his slowness is his weakness," Kira told Athrun.

Athrun smiled, "My unit will not let you down."

Kira smiled, "Make sure you keep yourself alive, I don't want my sister's wrath."

Athrun blushed, "The same goes for you, she will never let me here the end of it."

All got a laugh out of it.

Kira stopped laughing and looked over to Mu.

"As for you Mu, I leave you and your unit the pleasure of the newest ZAFT unit," Kira told him.

Mu smiled, that was what he wanted.

"Leave it to me kid, I will end his miserable existence," Mu told him seriously.

"I trust you will keep yourself alive, life will get boring without you around," Kira told him jokingly.

Mu smiled, "That is a true statement, life will be dull without me around."

All laughed again.

"What about you kid? I know you wont stay out of the action for to long," Mu asked.

Kira looked at him, "You know what I will do, I will put a stop to the Emperor once and for all, I will take the royal guard and cavalry with me and we will cut their lines straight down until I get to the Emperor."

All smiled.

Kira finished briefing them, and dismissed them telling them he expected to see all of them alive when they were to next meet. As they were walking out Kira stopped Athrun.

"Do me a favor my friend," Kira said.

Athrun looked at him.

Kira handed him a letter, "If I fall, give this to Lacus," Kira said as Athrun reluctantly did.

"Don't say things like that Kira," Athrun said.

Kira smiled, "It is just a precaution in case I'm gone, please take it."

Athrun did finally agree, and he took the letter.

After he left Kira's thoughts when again to his future wife as he knew he had to make it back.

All then went to sleep and in the morning all awakened when the sun was about to rise. All of them got ready and Kira called all of them to their positions. Kira got out of his tent to find his knight already waiting for them, as he got on his horse they erupted with applause and cheer, Kira knew if ZAFT didn't accept his demands a lot of them would not see the next day.

The same thing happened in the ZAFT camp.

Oceania valley

The silence was soon overwhelmed as the sound of armies marching to the location they were at before. The ZAFT army came from their camp and the ORB army from theirs. The sight was beyond amazing as the total numbers of both armies were over half a million. No matter the outcome it was going to be a devastating day.

The armies kept marching towards each other until they were in a distance at about a quarter of a mile apart. Kira could see Gil and Gil knew which one was Kira.

Rau was smiling widely at everything.

After a little while of staring, the two leaders of ZAFT and ORB starting riding towards each other.

To be continued…

(AN): I hope you liked this chapter, I am planning a five part battle and I want to try to get as detailed as I can. I am going to do another chapter to my other story and then return to conclude this one. The next chapter for this story will be up probably by the weekend or early next week. Bye for now.