Disclaimer: Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny does not belong to me.


Phase 23: The Beginning of the Game

Kingdom of Scandinavia

As expected, soldiers ambushing in the country of Scandinavia were infiltrating the country. Serene already taken the leader of the Scandinavia to their underground base where the URANUS would not be able to find them easily as precaution. As long as the head wasn't captured, there was still hope. The leader who was sitting in the VIP room of the base was eyeing the area around seemingly looking for something.

Halfway through the concert, Nicol smirked. As there was explosion occurring all over the country startling the audiences. The light flickered off due to the explosion. Athrun was glaring the direction of the stage for the sign of Nicol. Indeed, he was gone. The stage collapsed in no time after the explosion occurred.

Looking over at the screens as soon as she returned to the base, Serene sincerely prayed that they would be able to get out of this safely. They knew something would go wrong and hence, they were prepared. The guests were evacuated as systematically with the support of the members of the War Gazers alerted by Kazuki beforehand.

Meanwhile in the middle of the wreckage of the theatre, Athrun used his body to shield Cagalli from any possible falling debris.

"We have to get back to the ship, Cagalli." Athrun urged dragging her along as the vibration subsided.


Somewhere in the sea

Shinn seemed to be heading to somewhere. His mind was a blank, "The Archangel." Shinn mumbled in seed mode.

"Shinn!" Lunamaria shouted in the bridge despite that Shinn would not be able to hear her.

"Meanwhile, let's continue to follow Shinn. Something's definitely wrong with him." Yzak decided.


Underwater in the border of Suez

"What's the matter, master?" Stanley asked over the comm.. on the bridge.

"Head to Panama, and wait for my orders. Avoid unnecessary battles." The screen flickered off with that.

Stanley was pissed off by his retreat. He guessed he was too rash in making the decision to attack without orders. That white mobile suit was strong. It resembled the Destiny Gundam, yet it seemed to have possessed the functions of the Freedom. The pilot hadn't seemed to be able to grasp the use of the HiMAT of the mobile suit. That was what he had observed through the battle with him. That means they were about the same level in terms of piloting.

"Next time, don't interrupt my battle with the beautiful Destiny Gundam." Stanley instructed Mayu who was sitting on the captain seat in the bridge.

"It's an order. Or do you want me to inform master that you went on attacking the Minerva for your personal vengeance?" Mayu asked.

"Alight, you win!" Stanley resigned in defeat.


Archangel

"What's the situation out there?" Murrue asked Miriallia. All their communication systems and the radar were working to their surprise. Kazuki had explained to them that as long as they were within the border of the Scandinavia, all their systems would be working fine.

"All hands, prepare for an incoming battle out there. We'll defend the Kingdom of Scandinavia as our promise for them to take us in when we were in distress."

"Yes Madam!"

Athrun dragged Cagalli into the bridge and pushed her into the seat in front of the bridge.

"Captain Ramius, take care of Cagalli." He requested.

"That's of course." Murrue replied. Athrun apparently did not hear her. He had rushed into the hangar immediately after getting Cagalli to settle down.

"Boy you are slow!" Mwu shouted over to Athrun.

"I'm sorry!"

"I don't know if I can trust you right now. Please be sure what you are fighting for and use your seed mode." Mwu instructed. He believed the Newtypes regarding the power of them as he himself possessed the power to sense their own kind.

Without saying anything, Athrun booted up the system of his Infinite Justice. "Nicol." He whispered.


Kingdom of Scandinavia

Somewhere in the country, Nicol was sitting in his Asterisk preparing himself for the coming battle. He had decided on the game he wanted to play. That would determine the survival of the ship. He would play with Athrun. The old man had agreed to his suggestion, to them, why bother fighting to invade such a small country with nothing to gain.

"All the best!" Nicol whispered grasping the gear in his Asterisk ready to launch.

"Nicol Amalfi, Asterisk, taking off!" He announced. The Gundam launched into invisibility beginning his quest.


Archangel

"Athrun Zala Justice launching!"

"Mwu La Flaga, Akatsuki, taking off!"

Both Akatsuki and the Infinite Justice launched knowing what to expect. Apparently, the URANUS only brought with them the murasame from ORB.

"They are wasting our resources." Mwu complained over to the comm.. "We'll just destroy them. ORB just has to spend money to rebuild it." He cracked. Athrun wasn't laughing. His mind was set to find Nicol and try to clarify with him regarding his involvement with the URANUS. It had to be a mistake.

They had taken down quite a number of murasame before facing the Asterisk who had been waiting.

"Athrun."

"Nicol."

Mwu upon seeing that flew off to take care of the rest of the grunts. "They have to settle it between themselves."

Nicol turned on the invisibility mode and took Infinite Justice Head crest before Athrun could react. Appearing in front of Athrun, he said over the comm. "Like I had said, I'll take your head crest the next time we meet."

Athrun who was stunned at his action replied, "That doesn't mean you had defeated me. I'm standing right in front of you. Why are you with the URANUS?"

"Cut the crap, I'll come straight to the point. I came here just for the purpose to kill you, Athrun Zala! However, if you manage to take back the head crest I'm holding you win and we'll retreat. If I managed to kill you before that, you'll die and our army will take over the Archangel and the kingdom. How is the deal?" Nicol said in a calm tone.

"So, you mean if I snatch back the crest, you'll leave us alone?"

"Yes, this battle is between the both of us. Get your fellow pilot to retreat, I'll order my troop to retreat as well."

Athrun thought that it could be the best way to end the battle. He opened up his comm. to Akatsuki and asked Mwu to retreat and he would settle it with Nicol himself. Reluctantly Mwu agreed and retreated as the rest of the enemy murasame retreated.

"They are all gone. Shall we begin?" Athrun asked. Nicol smirked.

"Let's begin!" Nicol unleashed his boomerang immediately. Clashing with Athrun beam shield. Athrun used his extendable saber attempting to slash the Asterisk.


A/N: Another battle chapter. I hope to finish this part soon if the progress of my plot permits. I'm bad in writing battle scenes, please bear with it and review! Stay tune for the next chapter.