Disclaimer: I dont own Gundam
The first arc of my story and its first double chapter special now comes to a close. I hope everyone has been enjoying the story as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
Gundam Rise Purpose
Chapter 8: Clear Out
"KUSO!" Woolf yelled.
"Gym you bastard," Corin yelled.
Both pilots were desperately dodging the beams fired by the Virgos, while the Shrike team protected the Moon race and Oz soldiers. A beam melted Helen's shield, while another consumed Kate's arm. The Mercurious took a beam to the chest, falling to the ground. Mahalia raised her shield, bravely blocking a beam blast, only for another to hit her leg. Junko walked in her way, blocking the beam with Peggy at her side.
"This is too much, way too much," Junko said.
Mahalia looked up at the Virgos, widening her eyes as one of them aimed its rifle at Junko. Suddenly, a gold beam slammed into the Virgo, blowing both it and the two beside it up. The explosion caught everyone's attention and even made the dolls freeze.
(Gackt-Ai Senshi)
"Its him," Mahalia gasped.
"Right on time," Helen smirked.
"BETTER LATE THAN EVER KID!"
Gekido smirked as the Purpose flew towards the battlefield. The Virgos raised their rifles, sending a flurry of beams towards the Gundam. Changing out of jet mode, the Purpose seemed to explode as it generated its arc field. The energy of the field shaped itself into a pair of draconic wings that flapped behind the Purpose, increasing its speed. Gekido let out a yell and the Purpose raised its fist, slamming it down as it landed in front of the allied forces. The energy on its back destroyed several of the Virgos and damaged the others.
"Any of you got a backup pack?" Gekido asked.
The Vayaete stepped forward as several Leos, led by Junko and Helen fired at the confused Virgos. Gekido took the Vayaete's back cable and connected it to the Purpose's hand plug. Energy began to pour into the machine, deactivating the dream system and restoring the Purpose to normal, with its battery fully charged. Tearing its hand away from the cable, the Purpose ignited its shield sabres and flew into the colony hatch.
"Gekido, the rebel forces are still fighting, we've confirmed the Virgos to be in this position along with the Turn X and the Turn A," Maria explained.
"Right, Helen, Woolf, I'm trusting you guys to mop up," Gekido said.
Helen slashed a Virgo, and then stabbed another in the chest. Junko swung her beam rifle around before shooting a Virgo in the cockpit. The Purpose raised its palm, using its plug to hack open the cargo door and fly into the colony. Gekido targeted two Mahiroo's, cutting them apart before they could attack him.
"Get the hell out of my way, DON'T ANYONE GET IN MY WAY!" Gekido yelled.
The Purpose continued flying downwards, with Gekido growling in outrage. He saw Teteth and her men firing upon the near defenceless Sumo. Swooping over the mobile suits, Gekido cut the barrels of their cannons, with the Purpose flipping them off afterwards. Teteth looked at the Gundam in shock, before the Purpose raised its hand and delivered a devastating slap that knocked off the Illefuto's head.
"That should show you, now those of you with loved ones find them and take care of them, the rest of you stay out of my way," Gekido said.
"Gekido," Kihel's face suddenly appeared on the main screen.
"Gekido Jaeger, thank you so much," Harry said.
"No problem, now get yourselves some place safe, I've got a mastermind to deal with," Gekido snarled as the Purpose flew past the Sumo.
He moved at top speed, with the Purpose bringing up and alert as he passed the Virgo battalion. Banking left, Gekido turned the Purpose and looked at the Turn X and Turn A fighting back to back.
"I don't think so you son of a bitch," he growled.
Une cut down a Virgo, and then looked up as the Purpose dived towards the battlefield. Sochi and Loran widened their eyes as Gekido landed behind Gym. The man himself grinned with his eyes shut; the Purpose then proceeded to cut down the Virgos around them. Gekido kicked a Virgo across the head, and then slashed it across the head. The Purpose and the Turn X looked one another in the eyes before they pilots spun them around, both slashing the enemies behind them.
"Gekido, thank god you're here," Loran said.
"Good to see you too Laura!"
Gym laughed while Une and Sochi looked at Loran (what the hell look :)
"Wait, we don't have time to fight Gekido, the moon is in danger," Loran said.
"Yeah what gave it away the rampaging dolls or the freaking nut job with the weapon of mass destruction?" Gekido asked as he cut down a Virgo.
"Nut job? And what do you mean weapon of mass destruction?"
The Purpose fired its beam pistol, hitting a Virgo behind Loran.
(End Soundtrack)
"The Turn X and Turn A were both designed with the Moonlight Butterfly, they create an energy ribbon that if used on a planet will wipe out all civilisation," Gekido explained.
"Entire cities destroyed in an instant, building blocks, shopping malls, communication networks and even thousands of people unfortunate enough to be caught in the butterfly effect. But above all will be the eradication of all technology, even the potential to create technology will be gone," Gym cackled as he slashed apart several Virgos. "Humanity will be regressed back to the dark ages, they will be forced to do whatever it takes to survive and advance, humanities fighting spirit will be re ignited and from the remains of that glorious war will come a new age where humanity once again prospers!"
"You'll be devolving humanity, ridding us of the technology that's helping to advance our world," Gekido said.
"Technology created weapons like this, like yours," Gym retorted.
"No, technology is a part of advancement, without it though we may evolve our intelligence will be worthless without the aid of technology to cure disease, improve work life and assist in the running of population," Gekido explained.
"Machines can help people, sure it makes war easier but it can also treat people with life threatening conditions," Loran added.
"Like it helped Dianna? Technology did a lot for her it seems," Gym laughed as Loran's face fell.
"She's dead Loran, Dianna's passed," Gekido sighed.
Harry and Loran widened their eyes in utter horror; the woman they had served was gone.
"No, forgive me my queen, I failed you," Harry cried.
"Dianna," Loran whispered.
He listened to Gym laugh and grit his teeth together. The Turn A began walking towards the Turn X, with both the Leo and the Purpose protecting it.
"Gym Ghingham…Dianna WASN'T YOUR TOOL!" Loran yelled.
The Turn A pounced on its older brother, punching it across the face. Gym eagerly pushed the Turn A back, igniting his sabre. Loran swung his sabre back and clashed it with Gym's. Both machines took to the air, Loran slashing at Gym's leg and the latter slashing off a piece of the Turn A's 'moustache'. Sochi looked up at the two clashing suits, her feet shaking in anticipation and worry. Gekido knocked a Virgo to the ground, crushing the cockpit with his fist before looking up at the battling mobile suits. Loran locked sabres with Gym again and again, the two suits banking and then clashing. Gym fired his bazooka, but Loran dodged and swung his left hammer around. The Turn X broke apart, dodging the hammer completely. It reassembled, punching and kicking the Turn A, then horizontally slashing it across the chest.
"LORAN!" Sochi and Gekido yelled.
"The cockpits not there," Loran said as he slashed the Turn X across the shoulder.
He then bought his sabre up again, slicing the barrel of the Turn X's bazooka.
"IMPRESSIVE!" Gym yelled in delight, slicing the Turn A's hammer apart.
"YOU MURDERED HER!" Loran screamed. "YOU KILLED HER OVER A FANTASY!"
'This is getting bad, I need to step in before they kill each other,' Gekido thought.
"Hold on Gekido Jaeger," Colonel Une said.
The Purpose turned to the Leo, which gripped its shoulder firmly.
"The Internal systems of the colony are beginning to fail, if the backups aren't manually booted up then everyone on this colony will die," she explained.
"And I'll have broken my promise to Dianna, WOOLF!" Gekido yelled, bringing up the white pilot's face on screen.
"What is it Gekido?" Woolf asked.
"Biggest problem of a lifetime, the internal life support systems for the colony have been damaged, the back ups need to be activated manually or everyone in the colony is dead. Have Kringle dock the Laura Rola inside the colony and open the hatch for the civilians, you, Leo lady, start coordinating evacuation. Woolf I need you to activate the backups," Gekido explained.
Woolf nodded and flew the G-Exes towards the entrance hatch. Junko and Helen cut down two mobile dolls in the way and Mahalia shot a final one in chest. The G-Exes flew through the network of the colony, banking left as he came upon the entranceway to the central operating system. He strapped his rifle to his hip and began searching for life support. The Laura Rola flew into the colony through the pain port and OZ soldiers and royal guard alike began coordinating the movement of the civilians towards the ship.
"This is queen Dianna, please trust the OZ soldiers, we must survive, your lives are more important than our home," Kihel spoke through the Sumo's loudspeaker.
Gekido kicked a Virgo, and then punched it across the head. The Purpose slammed its foot into the mobile doll again and again, crushing its head. It looked up at the duelling X and A. Loran fired his chest cannon, narrowly missing the Turn X's head. Gym then fired his hand blast, hitting Loran's wrist.
"Come on Laura, the moonlight butterfly could give you the power to stop me, at least half of the population might have gotten onto the Rola in time," Gym explained.
"It's all or nothing, nobody dies on my watch Gym," Gekido said.
Gekido drew out the Purpose's sniper rifle, but both he and the machine trembled as he targeted the Turn X.
"End it," Gekido told himself. "Come on end it already, damn it!"
He growled, throwing the rifle to the ground. Loran and Gym landed on the ground, steam rising from both machines.
(Sengoku Basara OST-Luster)
"Gym Ghingham, why kill her, why kill Dianna?" Loran asked.
"Believe it or not I didn't enjoy it, I actually felt a little funny after I killed her," Gym sighed.
"It's called guilt you lying jackass!"
Gym, Loran and Gekido widened their eyes as the Eagail pounced at the Turn X. The Turn X swung around, slashing at the wolf like suit with its sabre. Corin switched to mobile suit mode, holding his minchi drill at the ready.
"You deceived us Gym, you said we were riding to the top, not destroying the world," Corin growled.
He raised his drill, revving the engine as the Turn X began hovering again.
"We were making a necessary sacrifice, to secure the existence of the strong," Gym said.
"And you would just happen to have the most powerful weapon left on Earth, don't fuck around with me, I'm a criminal myself Gym you cant fool a murderer. You only did this for one reason, because you thought you and you alone had the right to rule, you can hide behind honour and fighting spirit but the truth is your just a bigger less creepy version of Azrael," Corin explained.
The convicted criminal launched himself at Gym, pushing both Loran and Gekido aside. Woolf meanwhile jumped out of the G-Exes, opening the series of circuit breakers that controlled the colony systems. He pressed one switch after another, releasing the locks on the backup activation panel. Corin slammed his drill into Gym's arm, scratching the Turn X's armour. Gym pulled his arm back, punching it straight through the Eagail's cockpit.
"NO!" Gekido yelled.
"Corin Nander," Loran whispered.
"DIE! SHINING FINGER!" Gym roared.
A light shined off of the Turn X's hand, blowing the Eagail and its pilot up in a blaze of yellow energy. Woolf put all his weight into a final switch, pushing it downwards. Machines throughout the colony began to hum and vibrate and Woolf sighed in relief.
"Gekido, backups are back online," he said.
Gekido overcame his shock from Corin's death and looked up at the Turn X.
"He's going to kill everyone," Loran said.
"No one else dies today," Gekido growled.
"EVERYONE DIES TODAY!" Gym yelled.
(End OST)
Loran and Gekido widened their eyes as a pair of wings burst out of the Turn X's back. The wings were made of pure energy, the colours continually shifting, like the effect of an aurora. Sochi watched the effect with wonder; the Turn X seemed angelic, almost beautiful with its energy wings. Gym however was laughing, for this was the ultimate and final weapon of the Turn machines, the moonlight butterfly. Gekido froze and his perception of time seemed to slowdown. He saw inside the aurora effect and spotted a multitude of machines, travelling on the energy currents, hundreds of tiny, atom sized machines like locusts. Gekido silently gasped, thankful for his cyber psyche abilities and dreading them at the same time. He could sense what the moonlight butterfly really was; it turned the machine using it into a walking electromagnetic pulse. So powerful that it would consume humans if left unchecked. These 'nanites' would eat away at any technology they came into contact with and were already beginning to fly throughout the colony.
"He really is going to do it, he's really going to bring about Armageddon," he said to himself.
The moonlight butterfly expanded, breaking through the colony barrier. Woolf flew around the aurora effect, his G-Exes lucky enough to avoid its effects.
"The rest is up to you, Gekido Jaeger," the former racer said as he flew into space.
"Woolf, we've only got twenty five percent of the population inside the ship, we need to move now," Kringle said.
"The life support systems are back online Kringle, we just need to wait for Gekido to finish Gym off," Woolf explained.
The Genoace's lined up next to the G-Exes and Woolf and the Shrike team watched as the aurora effect of the Moonlight butterfly flowed from the entrance.
"Sir we've got an unknown energy signature approaching our position," Karl said.
Gekido's eye darkened as the corrupt seed began to take over.
"The Gundams, the Purpose, they'll all be destroyed," he realised. "I wont let THAT HAPPEN!"
The Purpose suddenly lunged at the Turn X, locking hands with the winged machine. Gekido held his arms in the same pose the Purpose did, straining his muscles as if controlling the machine's movements. Gym laughed, delighting in the opportunity to destroy the Purpose and its pilot. The Turn X's wings folded, covering the Purpose. Loran landed the Turn A in front of Sochi, opening the hatch and jumping out to her.
"SOCHI!"
"LORAN!"
The lovers embraced, holding one another close as the Moonlight butterfly spread. Une warned her soldiers to stay back as they guided the civilians towards the Laura Rola. Like a ghost in a film, the aurora effect slowly crept towards them. It was prettier than lava but just as deadly. Gekido grit his teeth together as the chest of the Purpose opened, revealing the glowing crystal that helped to absorb energy for the arc generator, and the generator itself began to spin.
(Ieyasu Tokugawa theme)
Gekido roared as the dream system of the Purpose activated, lighting up its armour in a surge of yellow and white energy. Gym swung his head back, laughing in glorious satisfaction. But he looked to his right, seeing the wings of the moonlight butterfly take on the same colour as the arc energy. Sochi and Loran got off the floor, feeling the new energy of the arc flowing around them.
"Its so warm," Sochi remarked.
"The power of the sun, no, a completely different power," Loran said.
"The power to protect!"
Loran looked up, gasping as he saw a smiling Dianna. He mimicked her smile, watching her fade into the light of the arc. Gekido slammed his head into the Turn X, causing Gym to stumble out of his chair. The Moonlight butterfly began to fade, causing Gym to yell in anger.
"HOW! HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE!" he roared.
"The Moonlight butterfly was created to eradicate, but the arc system was created to protect, no, to eliminate the need for nuclear power. This is the Purpose's power!" Gekido said as he ignited his four sabres.
Gym swung his own sabre, only for Gekido to slice the Turn X's arm to ribbons. Gekido dropped his hand held sabres and proceeded to cut the Turn X apart with his shield sabres. The Turn X's head floated off of its body, attempting a last ditch escape effort. But the Purpose grabbed the Turn X's head and slammed it into the ground, once, then twice and then a third time. The Purpose remained still holding the criminal of the Moonrace in place.
(End Theme)
"Well what do you know, I was eager for an epic confrontation, but I wasn't even in your league was I Gekido?" Gym asked.
(Turn A Gundam Ending Theme)
His helmet had been split in half and cuts had spread across his face. He felt tired and broken, yet he still gripped the sheath of his katana.
"You relied too much on a plan that didn't keep in mind that people are always what's important, the results of great sacrifices are meaningless, because…because you cant say your doing something for the good of humanity and then kill off so many people to do it, I know sometimes people have to die, but not like this, not to something they cant even fight back against," Gekido explained.
"Yeah, I suppose I came off more as a brute than a saviour huh? I wonder, would our positions be different if we have the same opportunities as one another, if we'd lived different lives?"
"This is our one life Gym, we can't always decide how it begins or how it ends, Dianna never had a choice in either, and I couldn't decide how my life began," Gekido sighed.
"It seems you can decide how my life ends," Gym laughed.
"No, no one dies remember, I swore I'd protect all of Dianna's people, that includes you as well,"
Sochi and Loran stood in one another's arms, watching as the Purpose tore open the X pod. Gym had removed his helmet and opened his flight suit. His chest was exposed as he stepped out onto the ground. He drew his sword, throwing the sheath aside and gripping it by the blade. Kneeling on the ground, Gym bought the blade up to his chest.
"GYM STOP!" Gekido yelled.
The Purpose opened its cockpit, using its hand to bring Gekido to the ground. Gekido widened his eyes as Gym sliced his chest with his blade.
"YOU BASTARD! YOU DAMN COWARD! YOU AVOID RETRIBUTION THROUGH SUICIDE!" Gekido screamed, throwing off his helmet and grabbing Gym by the neck.
Gym merely smiled, putting the hilt of his sword to Gekido's chest. The young man looked at the sword in confusion, taking it as Gym fell to his knees.
"This, is a samurai's retribution, Dianna didn't get to choose how she lived or died, I did, let me choose how I die. I failed the person I was meant to give my life serving, seppuku is the only retribution for me…so finish it Gekido, finish it or I'll slowly bleed to death in this desolate place!"
He looked up at Gekido, his feral grin turning into a grateful smile as Gekido gripped the handle of the sword. Gekido bought the sword over his head and looked Gym in the eyes.
"Thank you, you truly are…a warrior…with a kind soul!" Gym whispered.
Gekido let out a feral cry as he swung the blade down. Gym's body slumped chest first to the ground, his blood staining the dirt. Gekido's shoulders shook as tears began falling from his eye. The Purpose lowered its head, a digitised howl escaping its speakers.
Days later, the city on the moon began its long journey towards independence and repair. Treize had ordered all OZ troops to be cleared out and Kihel, acting as Dianna perhaps now for the rest of her life declined the aide of Sensou. Her kingdom, the kingdom of her people would be an independent one, a pacifistic one as Dianna wished it to be. Harry stayed by her side, forever faithful in more ways than one. Despite being bitter enemies, Gekido had spent much of the next day burying Gym Ghingham. He stabbed the man's sword into the dirt, looking at it with a grudging respect. Woolf, the Shrike team (dressed in civilian clothes) and Loran and Sochi also attended the makeshift funeral, though no words were spoken on Gym's behalf.
"Its finally over," Loran sighed.
"For the moon maybe, but its just beginning for me," Gekido growled.
He put on his top, putting the hood over his face and lifted his bag over his shoulder.
"You're really going to leave?" Sochi asked.
"Yeah, I came here for answers, and they've set me on a path," Gekido said.
"We'll keep your presence here secret Gekido, you don't need to worry about Vincent getting involved," Woolf said.
"He has enough on his plate at the moment, the last thing I want to do is involve any of my friends in my personal battle. Its bad enough the people of the moon got involved," Gekido sighed.
"TEN HUT!" Helen yelled, smiling as she and the Shrike team saluted Gekido.
"In a few days we'll be commencing our mission into deep space, make sure you catch us when you do Gekido. Here, the coordinates for a good mechanic, he'll be able to give the Purpose a tune up and recharge its main batteries. Also, the Lieutenant told me that he overheard those Zalam bastards during their retreat, they're meeting with someone that hired them at an agricultural colony," Woolf explained, giving Gekido a memory stick, and a respectful pat on the back.
"I'll try to find my own way, I don't want anyone else involved," Gekido said.
"People are already involved Gekido, whether we wanted to be or not," Loran sighed.
"Catch us on our way to space Gekido, I'd seriously recommend it," Woolf grinned.
"You go off alone a lot Gekido, but its been proven that you do much better as part of a group than alone," Mahalia explained.
"Why's that?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Sochi asked, knowing where Mahalia was going.
"Because being with your friends brings out the best in you," they smiled as Junko answered his question.
Gekido simply nodded his head as he turned his back to the people gathered in front of him.
"You people better stay alive, so we can see each other again," he said.
Everyone smiled, watching the Gundam pilot walk away, a much quiet exit to contrast his entrance. Moments later Gekido was flying away from the moon inside the Purpose. He had his arms crossed, leaving flying to the Purpose.
"Friends," he chuckled.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the patch the Shrike team had given him. He also inserted the coordinates into the Purpose's navigator.
"Madorna workshop," he read the name that appeared on the screen. "We'll see them again Purpose, I'm sure of it, and…I'm pretty sure that whoever planned to destroy the city is also in our 'destined to meet' list. We will fight him Purpose, and we will stop him, no matter what sacrifice I must make, I will stop him."
He raised his head, looking at the words that had appeared on the main screen.
"Don't forget your bonds…they bring out the best in you!"
Next Chapter 9: Mobile suit mania
Trailer to the next arc
(Just Communication Instrumental)
Gekido: No wonder the G-Exes looked like a Gundam, it's practically a rip off
Mukured Madorna: The G-Exes ain't a copy, I was just trying to make a machine that could be equal to those Gundams
Doctor J: In the end, it is up to the individual skill of the pilot
Colonel Une: His Excellency will not accept failure; protect that colony no matter the cost
Legacy: His madness is just a result of the corruption that infects all the colonies, that and the very unique peace of equipment that suit possesses
?: I'm telling you, not, to get, ANY CLOSER!
?: I'll kill you
Gekido: Stop this now before you become beyond atonement, there's only so much a man can do before he becomes irredeemable
The Purpose flew back, activating its dual shield beam sabres. Gekido let out a yell as he charged straight towards the Wing Zero!
Gekido: I swear, WE WILL STOP YOU!
Thus the first arc is over, with the next story arc in the works. If you havent already figured out which Gundam series characters will be the focus of the new arc then you seriously need to go and listen to the instrumental version of Just Communication (the youtube video was a minute long but it was the most epic minute of my life, and it bought back memories to when I had too much time on my hands and watched anime on cartoon Network's Toonami). I originally thought of ending the arc with the seeds of romance being sown with Gekido and one of the Shrike team girls. But I thought no, if Gekido gets into a relationship with one of the girl's it will be a slow development and it wont be a primary focus. Gekido wont return to Lacus, he'll either form a relationship with one of the Shrike team members or a Gundam girl I have yet to introduce.
Gackt's cover of Ai Senshi has become one of my favourite Gackt songs, next to Next Decade, which was asong i originally thought of while writing this. But with Gundam songs its the heavy rock of Gackt's Ai Senshi that gets me typing, especially with epic scenes like the Purpose's return. And though I dont usually like songs like the one that closed the Turn A Gundam series I felt it would make a fitting ending song to the Turn A arc and Gym's end. Those who have read my previews will know Loran returns, so the Turn A will probably get a chance to use its moonlight butterfly.