The last day of the post war delegation convention. Everyone was gathered at the delegation room in their best attire whether that be military or their nation's ceremonial attire. Cagalli was at the podium with a small table next to her that had the treaty in sleek black folders. Fancy pens were stationed on either side of the open face folder that had the main peace treaty. There were cameras and reporters there to document the event unfolding.
Cagalli had a copy of the peace treaty. She was selected as neutral nation representative to delegate the signing of the peace treaty. She set the tone in the room. "'The treaty of peace between PLANTs and Earth Alliance, protocol and respecting both nations, and the treaty between neutral nations and associated powers respecting assistance to either nation in the event of unprovoked aggression and holding accountability towards the aggressing nation.'
"Preliminaries towards peace as follows: Boundaries were stored back to status quo ante bellum, territories taken over will be back to original nations, the dismantle of extremist groups of both Naturals and Coordinators, the creation and indoctrination of the new United Nations, the dismantle of the World Security Treaty Organization, fair trials of war criminals conducted by the new United Nations, restricted military budgets, contingency plans on restoration for civilians, quarterly reports sent to United Nations about progress…" She went on to speak about what would happen if these preliminaries were not being enforced. How the new United Nations shall go by this treaty in accordance of restrictions and punishments. As these were all agreed upon. It would also be fair as this allows whoever becomes the acting board of the new United Nations to not be swayed by biased.
Cagalli called the two main parties up to sign. Lacus and one of the Earth Alliance representatives signed the main peace treaty first then the rest, as each nation would receive a copy. Next, Cagalli announced that she would be the first nation to sign as witness to this treaty and have the other nations follow suit. It took a few minutes but after everyone signed, they each held up the treaty and Cagalli ended the speech. "Let us bare witness a new era of peace from the signing of this treaty and in hope to never let this treaty of peace become just a piece of paper." She was met with camera flashes and applauses as she headed to the front to hold her own copy of the signed treaty.
Those around them gave them a standing ovation. It was a historical day for them. The Earth Alliance was hiding their dissatisfaction as they believe they were forced to sign it. However, the outcome if they didn't sign it, would have been worse. They kept a watchful eye on Princess Selena. Her badgering made them leery of what power she could throw around.
One reporter was on live television broadcasting this monumental moment. "As you can see, all the nations and colonies have come together to hold each other accountable as they do not want another devastating war, losing millions of lives and valuable resources. The official name of the treaty is long but some have been calling it 'The Treaty of Rejuvenation.' As it is the younger generation stepping in, taking charge, and bringing new life, new ideas to politics. There will be a celebratory banquet held in today's honor of this achievement. We will be covering that later on."
After the pictures, the news coverage, interviews, and media, the group dispersed. Earth Alliance wanted to leave right then but they knew that they would have gotten a terrible image from the rest of the world if they didn't go to the banquet that night.
Cagalli and Athrun left to relay the news back to Orb Union before heading over to Lacus' and Kira's place to rest until the banquet.
Selena let Luka have her signed copy of the treaty while they were getting into a vehicle. They were headed to the cemetery. After the armistice delegation, it was the most important thing for her to do. One of her soldiers had a basket full of assorted flowers ready for her.
The white headstones stood out against the green grass. It was a sobering sight. Luka and Mikael stood by the car with the rest of the soldiers as Selena walked to the gravestones with the basket of flowers.
She set down three bouquets on the grave of Nicol Amalfi. "It's been a while, Nicol. Your parents still think about you every day. They are no longer affiliated with ZAFT or the PLANTs but now a part of a neutral territory, ours to be exact." Tears started to form. "Your dad works nonstop, and your mom is still just as sweet. Anita continues to mourn for you. She asked to make sure I place down some of your favorite flowers. She still plays the piano in hopes you can hear the tunes in heaven. I have immersed myself in work, but you'll be proud, the world is slowly becoming a better place. All of us nations and colonies have signed as witnesses for PLANTs and Earth Alliance treaty of accountability. I hope there is no more devastation and destruction. Anita wishes she could visit but it's hard for her to leave the Kingdom. Don't get bitter because of it. She'll come around, one day. We miss you dearly, Nicol." Selena was silent a moment before heading off to the next name.
"Rusty Mackenzie," Selena set down a bouquet. "The 'glue' of the Le Creuset Team. Mostly because you were sticky and smelly." She chuckled. "As I was telling Nicol, we signed a peace treaty but you would have guessed correctly that it's the second peace treaty as the first didn't hold up so well. I still wished to see you piloting the Strike. The war may have turned out different instead but you would be here today. Your father, is doing well in the Kingdom, alongside Nicol's and everyone else's. Since you're up there, make sure you hold everyone together until we can meet again, okay?"
She took a step to set down flowers on Miguel Aiman's grave. Tears started to brim her eyes. She tried not to let them form but speaking to both Rusty and Nicol, it got her worked up. "Magic Bullet of Dusk. Your mom and brother still don't know that I have been paying for their medical bills. I know you never wanted me to meddle, too arrogant to ask for help, but they're also seeing a doctor who is under my authority. I won't apologize for my meddling and I won't take credit either. They think it's coming from you in a hidden fund, as it should, or well did until the funds you had ran out. They still live in the same place. I wouldn't want them to be far from you. I hear they visit you often. I would tell you the good news but your brother has to do that."
She set a few more bouquets down, speaking to the headstones. Tears continuing to roll down her cheeks.
"These are for you even though we didn't get along all the time," she set them down in front of the gravestone that read Gilbert Durandal. She set down flowers next to Talia Gladys as well. "Gil, we are bringing peace to every nation and colony. You're Destiny Plan is still a dunce dream. I know you despised my critique since I started out with that line but eh, it got your attention. I hope you and Talia are enjoying heaven together. William is doing great but you could probably see that. I will try to keep the peace we all agreed upon."
She moved down a couple rows to a stone she placed down orange flowers. "Heine, oh Heine Westenfluss," she whispered. "Why-why did you have to retaliate?" Her knees started to shake as she wanted to drop to the ground. "You were never the one to do those kinds of things. What happened to the morale of a soldier? You should have stayed in my country, trying to persuade me to join in with Gilbert. You should have kept bothering me, not taking no for an answer. Why did you have to stick to your morals then? Huh? Why then and not looking around, noticing you were in range of the enemy target? I-I can't keep asking you why!" She wiped her tears, trying calm down. "I told myself last time I wouldn't, but Heine, dearest Heine. My friend. That's what you wanted us to be right? Friends." Her smile wavered as she wanted to sob. "Maybe we're not friends-no I couldn't do that to you. Watch over me okay." She placed a hand on the headstone. "Not as the protection you guaranteed but as a friend. I'll show you a world with true peace." She wiped her tears, moving onto the next stone.
Her resolve started to dissolve as she cried more when she crouched down to place flowers for Rey. "Little brother of mine," she patted the headstone but then grabbed it to stabilize herself. "The only little brother of mine. You would have loved the performances that I had with Gatlin. Maybe you did? I bet you were watching us. I have been keeping my word, I am going to take care of those just like you. I will make sure no one will have to go through that same situation again. Keep watching us, okay? I want to hear your reviews when I meet you again." She kissed the grave stone and patted it again.
The last grave she visited; Selena did hit the grass with a thud. The flowers shook in her hands as she placed them down. She was sobbing now. The gravestone read Rau Le Creuset. "I'm helping to make a world where you are welcomed. A world you never thought you belonged in. I told you last time when I visited that I am getting closer and now, the foundation has been set." Her voice quivered at the start but was then becoming lower and more intense. "I am on the building stages now. I won't let anyone or anything stand in my way. You and Rey can no longer protect me. I will finish what was started. I've come to let you know this. I'll come back once again, after everything is over." Tears started to wet the grass but she tried not to grit her teeth as she spoke. "You and Rey are the only ones who truly knew besides my family. Please watch over me as I see it to the end. I will make sure his legacy does not continue." She paused letting herself calm down. Her voice became softer, "I miss you more than ever Rau, but both of us know if you were still alive, he would try his hand at us. I'll remember to bring the chess set next time."
She dusted herself off before heading back to the car after a while to regain her composure. Selena no longer had tears in her eyes. She hid away those emotions as she got closer. Her basket was now empty and her chest lighter as she spoke to the fallen. She didn't get much of a chance to visit their graves but when the opportunity was there, she would always take it. It was also one of the times she could be herself, speaking with them.
Later that evening, banquet was in full swing. It was in a hall that housed hundreds of people. ZAFT soldiers were standing guard along with the hall's security. Flowers were spread throughout the event. On top of tables, in pots next to the walls, next to each doorway, sprays of them lined area around the orchestra. An ice sculpture of two hands clasping together inside a circle, signifying peace and equality. On the way in, there was a red carpet aligned with news reporters and paparazzi, trying to get the attention of the nation representatives and the famous people arriving to celebrate with them.
It started with an emcee thanking everyone, especially the nations on coming to an agreement on peace. It was met with applause and cheers. After that, the emcee let the banquet proceed with the orchestra starting off playing snippets of national anthems from each nation and colony. Some people ate alongside others at the tables, while others after the national anthems, danced to the first actual orchestral song. There were small groups every where of people just chatting and smiling. A new era of peace.
The Earth Alliance kept to themselves as they possibly could. Some were enjoying the party while others sipped on their flutes of champagne watching the event unfold around them. They tried not to show emotion but others could guess they felt the Earth Alliance thought they were the victims again in this signing. They hoped it would not be an uphill battle with them, and that Earth Alliance would try to do their best in being cooperative. Others could care less what Earth Alliance was doing. It was their fault they were in this mess because of them.
"What a sight to behold," Arthur Trine gazed around the room. "A peace treaty that had everyone's effort."
"Yes, but I do think there will be push back from the Earth Alliance," Declan glanced at the Earth Alliance group. As he was glancing, he spotted some of his crew. "Looks like our crew members wanted to be part of the celebration."
Arthur looked where Declan was gazing at. He spotted Shinn and Lunamaria, who were in their military uniform speaking to two waiters, Yolan and Vino. "Well, they did get here by their own means, I guess." Arthur let out a sigh.
"So, you two came as waiters to get into this event?" Lunamaria raised an eyebrow.
"We're working as waiters," Vino corrected.
"We wouldn't be able to get in as regular soldiers since we're not elite enough like you two," Yolan explained. "This way we can actually get a chance to interact with some of our idols."
The four glanced over to Lacus and her group. Lacus was wearing a sleeveless, one shoulder, white dress. It had a purple sash, tied in a bow one on side of her hips with two gold tassels hanging down and a pink rose in the middle of the bow. She wore white opera length gloves that had diamond keyholes on the side, showing some skin. Her hair was lightly curled and pulled back in place by white roses. Kira and Athrun were in plain black tuxedoes. Cagalli wore a dark green, strapless, mermaid gown with gold and green like vines that adorned at her hips and her neckline. It was also on one of her wrists, as a necklace, and two hair clips on either side of her head.
Lunamaria let out a sigh. "Even with everything you two are still quite the fans."
"Well, she wasn't the only one we wanted to see," Vino turned to look at another group. The three followed his gaze. It was Selena and her group.
Selena was wearing an off the shoulder gold ballgown with sheer black overlay. The black sheer fabric on the neckline had gold flowers embroidered into it. Along with the torso and around the waist. Sequin gold and black flowers on the rest of the dress. She wore black evening gloves. She wore a tiara styled in the 'Lover's knot' of gold and pearls with matching necklace, earrings, and bracelet. A red sash with white and blue stripes in the edges was hung under her right shoulder fabric that was pinned to her left hip by a badge of a white enameled Maltese Cross cornered by four crowned O's and in the middle of the cross was a lion bearing a battle axe.
Mikael was in his royal military attire while Luka was wearing a similar royal military uniform but it had a thinner light blue almost teal sash across his torso with a badge pinned to his side.
"Two of my idols in one room," Vino smirked.
"One being a pop princess while the other being a genuine princess?" Lunamaria tried to understand them.
Yolan shrugged. "Yes, there is that, but Princess Selena is like us." He motioned to him and Vino. "She likes engineering and working with mechanics. She is a genuine princess but also a genius princess too."
"Wait, doesn't she create like machines to pick up or sort through trash?" Lunamaria remembered something like that.
Yolan and Vino both gave her a look of disappointment. "Those machines don't just 'sort through trash,' it actually sorts it to either recyclable and nonrecyclable without having to break anything. Do you know how green the Kingdom of Scandinavia is? Technology can be great for the environment and it can also be terrible for the environment. She creates things that can coincide with one another. That can coexist," Yolan was explaining. "She strives for a better tomorrow. I can't wait until she becomes Queen. Imagine what she will unveil to the rest of the world."
"Her husband," Shinn teased. Yolan and Vino jokingly teased back by cursing him. Lunamaria chuckled. "It's true though. Both pink haired princesses have a man. Chairman Clyne has Kira and Princess Selena has whoever is her betrothed." The group teased one another before Vino and Yolan had to go back to work as being waiters.
Yzak and Dearka were in their military attire. Shiho had just left them as she came up to say her greetings.
"Commander Joule," a familiar voice called to them. "Base Commander Elsman."
The two turned around to see Isaac Mau. It had been a while since they last seen him.
"It's been a while," Dearka smiled as he came closer to them.
"Yes, it has," he nodded. He had a drink in hand. "I'm still a part of the Acidalium."
"How come we didn't see you at the armistice delegation then?" Dearka asked raising an eyebrow.
"I had to tend to other things, oh look here they come," Isaac spotted the two walking their way over to them. "Ergnes, Nahe, this is Commander Yzak and Base Commander Dearka," Isaac introduced them. "Ergnes is the leader of the delegation sent from Mars, Nahe, here, is his aid also from Mars." They greeted each other.
Ergnes was in his best leader attire for Mars but he wasn't too fond of it. He didn't like wearing formal attire. Nahe looked like he was in his environment, wearing formal clothing.
"Now that you four are together, it's almost like looking in a mirror," Isaac spoke aloud. The four glanced at one another then looked back to Isaac with raised eyebrows.
"Similar and yet so different," a familiar voice interrupted them. The five of them turned to see Selena being escorted by Luka. "Pardon my interruption. I was making my way to greet those I knew."
Nahe held out his hand. "May I?" Selena extended her free hand. He gave it a pec. "An exquisite and graceful beauty as always, Your Majesty." He let it go to allow her to bring it back to her side.
"Thank you, Nahe," Selena smiled. "A charmer as always."
"Anything to see you smile brightly," Nahe continued. "You will be there to send us off?"
"Of course," Selena was sincere. "This may be the last time I will get to see you again."
"Why would it be?" Ergnes blurted out.
"Because you are going to be a great leader, you cannot leave your citizens for too long as you have now," Selena reminded him. "It will be the same for me as well. I will have my duties and priorities."
"Then, a few more dances before we part," Ergnes decided. He placed out his hand. "May I?"
Selena grasped it. "You may." Ergnes clasped it and led her out onto the dance floor.
Isaac was in awe. "Did-did I-we just meet Her Highness?" The group looked at him. They were so use to Selena that sometimes they would forget how others might view her.
The group looked back to Ergnes and Selena waltzing away to the melody of the orchestra. Kira and Lacus were dancing around like them. Lacus was leading around Kira since he did not know how to dance well enough for this soiree.
"Sorry, Lacus, I am not the greatest when it comes to these sorts of things," Kira apologized as he never really danced before and they tried to practice a few times but they were too busy with the delegation.
Lacus gave him a comforting smile. "You're doing just fine. Besides its the enjoyment in dancing not the skill. Look around." She glanced at the other couples who were enjoying being together.
Kira noticed Athrun and Cagali smiling as they danced. They were similar in their dancing skills as them. Kira noticed Ergnes and Selena. His hopes faltered. The two were gliding around the room. Lacus followed his gaze.
"They're an exception," Lacus comforted Kira by squeezing his hand.
"Yeah, but they do put everyone else to shame," Kira sighed as his new confidence faded away.
When Selena was brought back to the group, Nahe asked for the next dance. Dearka asked next. Isaac's eyes widened as how it seemed so easy to ask for a dance but he couldn't get the words out of his mouth. Yzak asked next. When Yzak led her out on the dance floor, he twirled her into a circle before drawing her in closer to start the dance.
"Wow," Cagalli breathed. "It's such a contrast yet they work so well together."
"Huh?" Athrun turned Cagalli to see where she was staring. He watched the two glide around the ballroom. "Oh. Selena is trained in dancing. She could make anyone look good." He didn't know that Yzak was trained in dancing as well, and that this wasn't the first time the two have danced together.
When Yzak returned Selena back to her spot, a dignitary asked for Selena's hand next. As some saw this as an opportunity to dance with her. Isaac left out a disappointing sigh as he could not get the courage to ask her to dance. Luka was standing next to Yzak. Nahe was talking with Dearka while Ergnes watched on.
"Still have the grace and dexterity," Luka kept his tone low enough for only Yzak to hear.
"It will always be a part of me," Yzak smirked.
"I saw that you attended Gatlin's performance," Luka was trying to make conversation.
"That danseur noble just wanted to rub it in my face," Yzak joked but he also thought it was partly true.
"That is not wrong," Luka let out a sigh. "You two always had a rivalry going on. Brought on a few headaches." He looked out onto the dance floor. "Now looking at where you two are now, both top of their areas. However, you could be a danseur noble but I don't believe Gatlin could be a Commander." Yzak was surprised by that comment. He looked over to Luka, who was still watching the dancers. "You two are different. If there was a fair dance competition between you two again, both of you would have to find a different dance partner." His eyes followed Selena on the dance floor. Yzak followed his gaze. "She compensates for your weaknesses and molds to your movements. Wouldn't be fair. Plus, I prefer to be a judge instead." Luka continued to make small talk with Yzak as much as he could. It was one of the few times now he could enjoy talking his son.