NOTE:

"Doryaaaaaaaaaa!": normal talking

"Charge!": special case

'Darn!': thoughts

GWA HA HA HA! : Giant creature speech

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING!

Chapter 3:

Inferno

The next day…

Athrun looked inside every house. The soldiers also began a more tight control over the area. The curfew was put to effect. No one is allowed to leave their house when the clock strikes 8. Those who were found after the clock will be harshly interrogated. But sometimes, some soldiers went overboard and barged in the house. Thus, the hatred of the people in Amaterasu grew.

'Damn! Come out now you damned naturals! Or do you want this city burns? I've burned and destroyed 4 cities… but please… please for the love of god, not this city. Not the city where my childhood friend lived. GET OUT NOW damnit!'

Athrun spoke the last part of his thought out loud, scaring some of the citizen. "Ah I'm sorry… that wasn't for you. Sorry." The raven haired boy closed the door behind him.

00000000000000

"I had enough of those Knights!" 6 figures were sitting in a dimly lit cave.

"My wife almost got raped by those bandits if I didn't arrive on time."

"We must fight back!"

"We're terribly outnumbered. A full frontal assault will be the height of idiocy." The seventh figure, the smallest and apparently the youngest of them all spoke.

"What do you suggest?"

"…send a runner. This accident must be reported to the Orb council. One of you will go, the rest of us will stay and we'll begin a guerilla assault. But, only… I repeat only if it's necessary. Our primary concern is not beating them. Our primary concern is to get them out of this city… we'll help them in our own way, to look for what they want."

"You're saying, we'll be looking for this… Mwu Eagle of something?"

"Yes. And most important of all, we must also protect the citizen."

The figures nodded in agreement simultaneously.

000000000000000

The next day, everything is seemingly still the same.

Seemingly.

Kira was yawning and just got out of his apartment… only to realize that he woke up too early. "Oh well… I'll probably get lost again anyway…" Much to his surprise however, he managed to get to the shop in less than 10 minutes. Instead of overjoyed, Kira was troubled. VERY troubled. 'How could I get here in less than… 10 minutes?' "I got a bad feeling about this…"

The brunette looked uncertain for a moment, but he decided to go in anyway. It was his sixth sense, if he should call it. Just as soon as he opened the door, a kunai narrowly missed his face by a millimeter. 2 sharp objects were pointed on his throat.

Damn his sixth sense.

"Put down your swords! That's MY waiter you almost killed!" Pore slightly panicking marched forward.

Murrue lower her weapon and Natarle reluctantly followed. Mwu sigh a relief.

"Master, whatever you're trying to pull, I have a bad feeling about this."

"You came here early was already a good sign of that."

Kira gulped. "Wh… what are you guys trying to pull? You want to… sneak past the guard at broad daylight? That's suicide!"

"No. It's actually dawn. The sun hasn't come out yet. We'll try to sneak past them." Mwu explained.

"That's impossible, you're crazy!"

"Exactly. It's impossible, that's why it's possible. I'm a man who can turn the impossible possible." Mwu announced proudly.

"…Verdict: you're still crazy." Kira sweat dropped.

"Tell me about it… how are you going to do this, guys? I was expecting some short of a plan."

"Sure the plan is… to get out of here."

"And how exactly how are you going to do that?"

"…I have a new technique. I'm sure it's going to work."

"For all our sakes… I hope it's good."

"See you, Paul." Mwu saluted.

Pore sighed. "Godspeed."

The three dashed out silently. It's still dawn, but it was totally quiet. No one was aware of what happened… or what was going to happen. Mwu dashed out front, and observed the gate. There were only 4 guards. All of them seem to be rather sleepy. "…okay…" Mwu grabbed 4 shuriken.

"Mwu, I don't think that's a good ide-" Before Murrue can finish; the blond Captain had already thrown the all four. 3 hit the mark, one missed.

"Oh crap."

The last guard suddenly alarmed that all three of his comrades were dead. He grabbed a horn, but before he can blow it, another kunai find its way to his throat, killing him instantly.

"Okay… that was close… that was very close." Mwu sighed.

"You can thank me for that… you should've let me done the throwing… you always suck at ranged attacks." Murrue sighed exasperatedly.

"Details, details. Who needs them? Come on. Let's open the gates."

The three pushed the gates, a few minutes of effort and sweat, the gate finally opened. The officers was prepared to dash… when they realized, waiting for them… was Mwu's sworn enemy, Raww Le Klueze.

Raww le Klueze sitting calmly on a chair drinking a tea.

"…" Both Murrue and Natarle were totally speechless.

"Good morning." Raww gave his smile. Just then, footsteps can be heard coming closer and closer. Before they know it, the three were already surrounded. About 100 Emerald knights aimed their weapons on their back.

Mwu was the only managed to force a smile. "Yep… I should've known… guys like me never get the easy way out."

"But isn't that how you like it, nemesis?"

Mwu gave a bitter laugh. "You were right about that part though, nemesis."

Natarle gulped. "This isn't part of the plan! Mwu-Taichou!"

"No Natarle… come to think of it… me creating that new jutsu… this has always been the plan."

The two women looked at the blond.

Mwu grinned. "Raww le Klueze, I, Mwu la Flagga, challenge you to a duel! Winner goes free!"

"And I accept." Raww swung his arm. The knights lower their weapons.

Murrue and Natarle decided to step back. Mwu grabbed Shiki and tossed it Murrue. "Can't use it anyway… it'll just gonna get in the way." The Captain proceed to take off his Haori, which, when fell on the ground, created a small crater, signifying how heavy it was. Revealed under the Haori, the man wears a black thick vest (ed. Imagine Mwu wearing Kakashi's outfit, minus the headband and the mask, and the vest is black less bulky).

Raww smiled and pulled out his weapon: A red ornament saber.

Mwu readied himself and pull out his weapon of choice: a Kodachi.

The two steady themselves.

Silence.

And suddenly they clashed. Sparks of fire burst as the two weapons made contact. The clash broke apart soon after the two jumped away. Mwu tossed several shuriken at his opponent. Raww cut all the shuriken as he charge forward. But by that time, Mwu had finished his handseals: "Katon, Goukyaku no jutsu!"

"Die Feuertaufe (German: Baptism of Fire)!" Raww stabbed his Saber to the ground. Two lines of fire encircle the blade before dash out straight at Mwu. The two lines of fire instantly pierced the mass of fire and went through Mwu. The masked man smiled. He raised his saber, and the next instance, the untouched ground between the initial two lines of fire began exploding towards Mwu.

The Captain had finished a jutsu by then though. "Fuuton, Gufuu no Genkotsu (Typhoon Fist)!" Mwu sent a straight punch, sending a whirling wind straight at the incoming blaze. The wind was strong enough to actually send the exploding flames back at the sender, with renewed intensity.

"Ignis Negatio (Latin: Flame negation)!" the flames disappeared immediately into smoke, somewhat blocking the view. Just then, he saw Mwu charging forward with high speed. 'He must be joking, charging without any… preparation?" Raww's last thought came in a shocked tone… as he saw Mwu's right hand glowing with something that formed a spherical shape.

"SHOGEKIGAN! (Shockwave Sphere)" Mwu rammed his palm with a roar at his nemesis.

Raww immediately blocked with his Saber… but he's definitely not prepared for the surprising strength the technique possess…or the after effect that follows. The energy went through his saber and went straight to his open chest. The masked man grunted. It was as if someone hammered his chest with a hammer, hard. The pain was enough to send him backwards by a few steps. The knights who watched the fight murmured in shock.

Mwu immediately back away, holding his palm, panting. 'Ha, ha! Shogekigan, success! The energy drain is a killer though…'

Raww pants and gasps. He coughed several times. And somehow, he wasn't shocked at all when blood start coming out. He wiped it off his face, and smirked. "It's been a while… since I saw my own blood."

The knights were somewhat panicked.

"Oi, did you hear that?"

"Commander Raww actually bleeds!"

"Whoa… that Mwu is really something…"

Mwu grunted. It was a new jutsu, he wasn't used to the power drain yet. 'Keep calm… he mustn't know the jutsu tires the hell out of me…' "You like it? Want some more?"

"Are you sure you can pull another one? Mwu, you're gasping for breath, you're holding your arm… it tires you as well."

"Not gonna be a problem. I can still hit you with it a few more times… as many times as necessary if that's what it takes to beat the crap out of you!"

"I expect nothing less from a man I recognized as my strongest nemesis." An aura began gathering around Raww. "Come! We barely began!"

Before the two great rivals can continue however, a loud explosion can be heard. The next second, the wall to their left exploded. A cannon blast.

Raww was shocked as well as infuriated. "WHO SHOT THAT?"

Before either can react, 3 more loud explosions can be heard, and next second later, three explosions bombarded the area.

"Back to the city, NOW!" Mwu roared. The knights, confused at the sudden explosions, forgot to put their guard. Murrue used the chance immediately. "Suiton, Daisuigan! (Water element, Great Water ball.)" A large glob of water mass shot out from Murrue's mouth. The glob splashed at the knights, disorienting them, giving the chance for the three to break through their ranks and, after a smokescreen bomb from Natarle, disappeared from the sight.

Another four shots were heard. But the Commander was furious. "Inferni Ignis! (Latin: Hellfire)" Raww clawed his sword. Sparks lit up, and the blade was covered in rotating blood red hot flames with purple aura. "Inferni Vallum! (Latin: Hell Wall)" Raww stabbed the sword to the ground, and as it turned to dust, a column of the same blood red flames rose up, creating a giant wall of flames. The Hell walls blocked all the cannon shots as they exploded on impact.

After a few seconds, the flames died down. Revealing a very pissed Raww. The masked man immediately made his way to the source of those Cannon fire. "A horse!"

A knight immediately gave his horse to his angry commander. Raww took it and made his ride.

000000000000000

At this point, everyone in the village has woken up by the sound of the explosions.

Pore in particular frowned. "That distinctive sound… 'Isolde' Long range bombardment siege cannon… Mwu… what have you done?"

000000000000000

Raww ride the horse and arrived at his camp, where he saw the Isolde Cannons has been deployed. "WHO ORDERED THESE CANNONS TO BE DEPLOYED?"

The knights obviously know that their commander is furious. "S… Sir… it's order… sir…"

"Under whose authority?"

"Lord Klueze, stand down and hear the orders from the emperor!"

Klueze blinked and immediately bowed.

000000000000000

Mwu pants and gasps.

"Why are you going here?" Pore groaned.

"I don't know. The first place I could think of."

"…" The former Captain groaned. "Anyway, I hope you're happy for yourself. Thanks to your daredevil tactic, the whole army now knows you are here."

Kira frowned. "…can I ask you something?"

The adults looked at the waiter.

"…did that army destroy 4 cities just to get you… or to get something else?"

"…well… I am a wanted man."

Kira still look unconvinced.

"Regardless, I hope you guys can take responsibility. Now we see they have no qualms of shooting the city, even when they know this city is under ORB's Jurisdiction."

"…" Mwu thought up for a moment. "…alright. I'll take responsibility." The blonde frowned. Hard.

Just then, six figures appeared out of nowhere. Alarmed, the three officers draw their weapon. But, in a flicker, a kunai took away their weapons. Hey were all surrounded.

"It's because of you, isn't it? That's why they're here!" One of the figures growled.

"Erhh… Pore?"

"…don't look at me. I don't know who they are."

One of the figures opened his cloak. A man on his 30s with short spiky hair and a fierce gaze looked straight at him.

Mwu recognized the man in an instant. "Well I'll be… one of ORB's High General: God of Fist, Barry Ho?"

"Our reputation precedes us, Eagle."

"Aren't they?"

"In your case, however, your reputation brought misfortune not only to yourself, but to the entire city."

"…true… very true…"

"GET OUT OF HERE NOW!" Another one of the figures yelled angrily.

"We've tried that once just now. See how it ended up?" Mwu groaned.

"Whaaat!?" The figure made an attempt to his weapon, but Barry raised his hand. The person stopped.

"…you tried to duel your way out of the city. You live up to your name, Eagle. I assume those explosions was something that both you and Raww le Klueze did not expect to happen."

"True. I swear to you. If possible, I wouldn't want to involve anyone."

"But you did. 4 cities. You involved them all."

"Those cities were already involved even before we get there. They were all Alliance controlled cities…"

"And so you tried to run here? Where it is controlled by ORB?"

"I'll be frank with you. I seriously think they wouldn't have the ball to raid a neutral colony."

"All those perceptions were proven wrong, aren't they? What are you going to do?"

Mwu thought an idea. "If you guys are you going to help me… then I got a plan that may work out."

"Why should we-"

"Our priority is the safety of our people. If this plan of yours is a plan that can put all those people in jeopardy, then-"

"No it won't. Tell me… you guys still got that tunnel network?"

000000000000000

"NO! I CAN'T-I WILL NOT DO THAT!" Athrun roared protest upon hearing the order.

"It's not your decision, Athrun!"

"I agree with Athrun. We attack this city; we'll turn ORB into our enemy! We'll be attacked by front by the Alliance and from the back by the Orb Republic. It's a risky move."

"But it must be done."

"NO IT'S NOT!"

"It is when the emperor orders it."

"TO HELL WITH THE EMPEROR!" Athrun exploded. When he realized what he just said, he turned his face. "If you insist though…I'll have no part of this."

Athrun walked out. 'Kira! This is bad… I have to get him out of here.'

"If you do not follow the emperor's order, you will be punished-"

"Punish and be damned." With that final sentence, Athrun slammed the door behind him shut.

Raww regretfully looked at Athrun's back.

"Your subordinate really needs some lesson in manners." The smug messenger grunted.

"What he said is the truth, though… are you certain this is the Emperor's will?"

"Signed and sealed."

The masked man exhaled. "Tomorrow. We'll prepare today, tomorrow we will attack."

000000000000000

Later that Night…

Kira sighed in his bed. 'Some plan that Mwu thought of… I couldn't believe he could Barry-dono to work together with him…'

Just then, someone throw a pebbles at his window. 'Hm? Who's there?'

Kira opened the window just in time to see a pebble bumped his head.

"Oops, my bad."

Kira looked down and saw Athrun.

"Athrun?"

"Kira! Come down! I need to talk to you!"

"…okay."

The brunette wondered what happened, though quite frankly, he had a rough idea on why. The two met and decided to take a stroll. "I know what happened at the gate. I take it you want to tell me something related to it?"

"Yes. They decided to take over the city."

"That's crazy. Orb will hear of this!"

"It's a direct order from the Emperor, even Lord Raww has nothing to say. I swear to you. Lord Klueze and I strongly disagreed with the plan!"

"Well clearly, merely strongly disagree is not enough isn't it?

Athrun looked at Kira and turned his face, apparently in remorse. "…no. You're right. It's not enough."

"At least this accident reminds me why I never applied to become Zaft's citizen."

"It ain't so bad?"

"I don't think I would like serving an emperor whose face I've never even saw. And besides, if I did, I would end up in the same position as you do."

Athrun grunted. "Good point."

"…so what are you planning to do?"

"…the attack will begin at dawn. I can still get you out of here."

"And go where?"

"Come with me to Zaft! You can just stay in my house!"

"It's not that simple Athrun. My friends are here too."

"So what? They can come! I don't care! A friend of yours is a friend of mine!"

"Even if they're naturals?"

Athrun's face tensed a bit.

"Back then, I did say that my life has been nice. But I tell you it isn't so. It has its ups and downs. Not all natural that live here are as tolerative as my friends. And there are times I could break down. I got lucky. If they are to come with me, how can you guarantee what happened to me will not happen to them?"

"I…"

"What happened to me yesterday was a good example too. Yes I do get punched quite often when we were kids. And back then you saved me in a nick of time. But what if there's no second time? What if you're late? You expect my friends to go through that same routine too?"

Athrun slumped down, silently agreeing with a nod. "…they'll start the attack at dawn. You need to get them out of here before then."

"It's done."

"What?"

"Preparation has been made. I can't tell you any more than this. You see, I'm not exactly on talking grounds."

"I understand." Athrun sighed. "But if they are safe, then you can come-"

"No Athrun. You still don't get do you? I told you. I'm not on talking grounds… not anymore… since I'm part of the plan, now."

"Part of the…"

"Orb's plan. Me, meeting you right now is already a direct offense. You better go back."

"…" Athrun tried to say something, but realized he's out of words. The raven haired boy regretfully nodded and left. "…preparations have been made. Whatever plans you're concocting you better hurry up."

Once the boy went out of sight, Kira turned around and was about to walk home when suddenly a figure tackled him from the side and pinned him to the wall. The figure hold his neck with a leg.

"What did you told him!?"

"Nothing" Kira choked as the person's leg pressed his windpipe. The figure is a ninja. About his size, and the only thing visible is the person's gold eyes.

"Nothin?"

"Nothing. Except we have a plan and I'm part of it. Beyond that he barely scratches the surface."

"…who is he?"

"A childhood friend. And apparently a top ranking official… he told me the time of when the army will begin attack."

"When?"

"…dawn, tomorrow."

"…" The ninja pulled away his leg.

Kira gasped. "…you better tell that to Barry-dono."

"You'll still proceed with the plan?"

"Does it look like we have any other choice?"

The ninja sighed. "You better." And jumped away from the sight.

0000000000000

A few hours later, midnight…

People start scurrying out from houses to houses. Quietly. Barry Ho and his group of ninjas oversee the evacuation.

"Only bring what you can carry. Things you need. We're evacuating through the emergency underground tunnel."

"That thing is already working?" One of the villagers look surprised.

"It is some time ago. We never told the public about it."

One by one, the villagers were moved into the underground tunnel entrance. Time passed by and it's already passed midnight, and yet, there're still so many people. But evacuating a half million people in one night is no easy thing.

Back in The Zaft army camp…

Athrun had just returned when a band of knights welcome him.

"Where have you been?" The squad leader asked.

Athrun frowned. "Taking a stroll."

"As far as the village?"

"Is there anything wrong with that? I'm doing the patrol."

"We found them tied on a tree not far from here. They could've sworn they saw you attack them." The squad leader pointed at a group of knights, bruised and battered here and there.

"They must be drunk." The raven haired boy chuckled.

"Not from what I see. You may disarm, now."

Athrun saw there's no way around it. Thus, he put his Claymore to the ground and let the squad took him. Raww and the Emperor's messenger saw the whole thing. "Some man you have there, Lord Klueze."

Raww sighed. "He's just doing what he think is right."

"Hm. I suppose we can assume the enemy is already well aware of what we're up to. That's the last straw. We attack now."

"I beg you to reconsider. We attack this city, we risk making the sleeping giant our enemy."

"It's not for you to decide, Lord Klueze. Attack now. This is the Emperor's orders!"

"Yes, my Lord."

Klueze march out of his camp and yelled an order. "To your stations! All troops sortie!"

The army, upon hearing the order, hastily arm themselves. Some quickly finished their dinner and took out the fire. Within moments in an impressive display of military discipline, the army had all lined up. Barry's subordinates heard the noises outside the walls. He climbed up and was shocked when he saw the Zaft army all lined up, ready to attack.

"That's WAY too early!" The ninja took his whistle and blow it as hard as he can. No sound came out. No one can hear them, except the Ninjas. Barry felt a stinging pain in his ears.

"They're coming!"

"What? But I don't hear any sign!" Murrue blinked.

"You won't if you're not a ninja." Mwu also felt the slight pain. "That whistle is specially made, it emits ultrasonic level voice. A ninja's ears are several times sharper than normal people. Hence only we can hear it."

Somewhere in the village, Kira groaned as the pain pierced his ears as well. "That's the whistle… The army charge in earlier…"

"I still can't believe how Mwu managed to talk you into this." Pore tapped Kira lightly on his back.

"I have to do something. Besides, it's just a scouting mission."

"This hole will take you straight behind the enemy's main army. Off you go then." Pore nodded as he saw his protégé ran off through the hole. "Saa te… I think it's time I'm on my way too."

Rows of knights march on forward in an orderly fashion. And then suddenly, two figures appeared before them. The knights stopped, pondering who they are. Raww however, instantly recognized them.

One, his nemesis: Eagle of Endiminion, Mwu la Flagga.

And the other, Orb High General: God of Fist, Barry Ho.

Raww smirked. "Coming to finish the duel, nemesis?"

"That. And this guy wishes to say a few words." Mwu jerked his thumb at Barry.

The man looked at the masked man. "Hakutenkun (White Heavenly Noble), Raww Le Klueze. An honor to meet you."

"The honor is mine, God of Fist Barry Ho."

"I'm godless. I believe in no God."

"Yes, so I've heard."

"Now, I shall go straight to the point. This incursion. I hope you have a reasonable explanation for this."

Meanwhile, as Barry and Mwu managed to halt the main army at bay, Kira rendezvous with Murrue and Natarle at the woods, near the bombardment cannons. Right behind the main army.

"Is this pieces of papers are supposed to… explode or something?" Natarle skeptically looked at the small talisman like papers. It has some writing inscribed on it, and currently they were carrying hundreds of it.

"It better be. When Mwu said he wants to prepare some explosives I was expecting he got gunpowder or something…" Murrue folded some papers.

"It's just like Mwu-san predicted. The main army's gone. The base is almost empty, safe for those guarding the bombardments."

"We'll take care of the bombardments. In the mean time, you have to warn us if the main army's back."

"I still strongly disapprove of you carrying that thing around. What was Mwu thinking?" Natarle glared at Shiki, which rested on Kira's back.

"Well, Mwu-san did say this…"

"A precaution. The same principle with condom: better have it when not need it, than need it but don't have it."

"But I don't know how to use swords?"

"Just swat it on the first person that tries to hurt you!"

"Well… if everything goes as planned, I won't even have to leave my spot. I'll blow this whistle if there are any patrols."

"It's not ultrasonic sound or anything right?"

"No. just ordinary whistle."

"Good." The two women nodded and quietly, they began moving into the base. Kira watched them and then climbed the nearby tree. Once on top, Kira turned his attention to the army while occasionally take another look on the Amaterasu. The evacuation is progressing nicely, but they'll need more time. He turned to the base. Murrue and Natarle had infiltrated the base after they slit the guard's neck. Everything progresses quite nicely, so far.

The main plan was simple: when the main army finally marches, Mwu and Barry will confront them and attempt a negotiation. Because the whole main army's at the front, the guards of the base are a bit off. And what little men they can spare, they focus their defenses on the cannon batteries. In the mean time, Murrue and Natarle must infiltrate the base and put explosives on the cannons. But the cannons are not their primary target. There are three primary targets: the ammo depot tent, the provision storage, and finally the command control. Enough explosive on the depot would blow the place straight to hell. If the negotiation gone sour on Barry and Mwu's part, they'll blow things up and the main army will then be forced to split their force in two, or even better, retreat altogether.

"I just hope to dear God, it'll all go according to plan… Hmm?" Kira saw something that made his heart skip a beat. Just right behind the ammo depot was a spot the army used to hold prisoners… So obviously, that place is in the blast radius. They probably wouldn't give a damn… but Kira do. Reason: Athrun is tied right there in the point blank range of the blast zone.

"Athrun!" Kira instantly forget his mission. Quickly and carefully, he went down the tree.

00000000000000

Back at the front gate…

"Weapons? The Alliance has secret weapon here?"

"Yes. My Nemesis here might be able to give a better explanation for it?"

Mwu sighed. "I… throw it away."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I throw it away. After our small bout at the front gate, I realized I may never get out of this place. So I throw it away at a local furnace. And I watched it burn to smoldering glob of metal."

Barry nodded. "So you see, there's no more reason for this invasion to take place no?"

"Indeed. Though… I wonder… where are the good ladies?"

Mwu tensed. "They're inside."

"May I see them?"

"Why?"

"To ensure they're not encroaching my base as we speak of course."

At this, the two widened their eyes slightly.

000000000000000

Kira quietly sneaked past through the bodies of the dead guards. Natarle and Murrue did not realize that the boy was moving off the plan, and continued to plan another set of explosives on the provision storage. The warden guarding Athrun did not realized they were about to be blown to pieces. Kira managed to get to the ammo depot, that being said, he's very close now. "…I need some distraction…" he looked around and saw a pebble. He took it and with a well aimed throw, scored a hit on the warden's head.

"HEY! Who did that?" The wardens looked around. Natarle and Murrue, having heard the yell were greatly alarmed. They immediately hid behind a crate. Kira immediately ran to the other side of the tent, throwing another pebble to the second warden. The two wardens were now pissed off. "You sweep that side, I sweep this side! We'll catch whoever rascal did this!"

Kira smirked. Everything's going as planned. He quickly entered the Ammunition storage and gasped. Murrue and Natarle had put most of their stock of explosives in this place. The shells for the Isolde Bombardment cannons are stacked, and my, were they huge! Kira shook off his amazement. He got a friend to safe. Reaching the end of the tent, Kira effortlessly pulled out Shiki and cut open a hole. The brunette quickly grab his friend's shoulder and muffled him before he could scream.

Athrun looked behind to see his assailant. And he was shocked to see "FGIRA!"

"Ssssh!! Quiet!"

"What are you doing here!?"

"The plan. You have to get out of here. Away from this base." Kira cut off the bindings.

"What do you mean?"

"Two officers of the Alliance are putting several explosive in the ammunition storage tent, just behind us, and there's enough in there to blow a hole in the world. You have to get out of here, now!"

"I can't leave! I have to tell my comrades about it!"

Just then, a flaming arrow was shot from the direction of the army. And all the sudden, troops appeared from the trees, much to everyone's shock.

"What the…? The main army's back already?"

"No… it's a different army… it's a trap!"

"Damn it! We have to get out of here, now!"

"We've done our part; Kira should've sent a signal to Mwu by now!" Murrue and Natarle managed to throw the last of their tags into the ammo depot.

The boy in question however, suddenly found himself at the mercy of several Emerald Knights, all of them pointing their swords at him. Athrun immediately stood up and hold both of his hands. "Hold! Everyone wait! He's a friend! Listen! You have to leave this spot! There's a large amount of explosives planted nearby!"

"There's none." An orange colored knight stepped out of the hole Kira made earlier. "Except this pieces of papers."

"Miguel!" Athrun was shocked to see his senior. "You're here?"

"Yesterday, Lord Klueze sent a message, asking me to come. I suppose it was quite in the nick of time too. But seriously…I can understand if they want to plant explosives in our ammunition tent… but are these things really are explosives?"

The emerald knights all snickered.

000000000000000

Mwu grunted. They've been read down from square one.

"A great warrior you are, Mwu, a cunning strategist you are not."

"So it seems." The blond chuckled. "…then how do you say we finish what we started yesterday."

"My pleasure… THAT is what I wanted to say… but… I'm sorry. Between personal gratification and the cause of my home country, you know what comes first. And… it's not like I have anything more to say about this…"

000000000000000

Just then, the Emperor's Messenger got out of the Command Control tent along with Athrun's teammate: Yzak, Dearka, Rusty, and Nichol.

The knights still don't know what to do, and they still don't know just how dangerous the explosive tags are. Then again, neither did Kira. Miguel presented the tag to the messenger. "We found dozens of these plastered on the cannons and all over the place."

"I see… so this is the so called explosives… Raww must've fried Mwu's brain in one of their bouts."

The knights laughed. Kira still remain silent and so does Athrun.

"But still… you know well of the enemy's plan… regale me on how you have the knowledge."

"I… uhh… let's just say… I was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Athrun smirked. "He overheard the plan. And then he came to warn me the danger."

"I see. Thank you. You've done the Emperor a great service, young man." The messenger nodded slightly at Kira. The brunette replied with a slight smile. "Still… unless I'm mistaken, that's Barry Ho speaking with lord Klueze right now. And next to him, Mwu. Has Orb finally decided to side with the Alliance?"

"No. I don't think so. Lord Ho's interest has been the safety of the people. Orb still side with no one."

"Indeed? How would you know?"

"I don't. But I think remember clearly Lord Attha had once declared they will not aid and hence will not receive aid from any other side of the war, no?"

"Politics changes boy. And this is a disturbing notion indeed. If Orb decided to ally themselves with the Alliance… then we cannot allow that, can we? Ready the Cannons!"

Kira gasped. "What? Wait! You can't do that!"

"Don't overstate your boundaries boy. The power is not given to you to question my command!"

"And since when a messenger had the right to control the army?" Athrun angrily roared. Nicol and the others gasped at the sudden outburst.

"Since I bear the emperor's seal. Now be quiet. Miguel! Ready the Isoldes!"

"Yes, my Lord."

Kira gritted his teeth. Now, there's only one way to stop it. "…Athrun, run."

"Kira?"

"Stay away from the camp!" with that, Kira began to ran, much to the shock of knights. The messenger yelled. "Stop him!"

A knight prepared an arrow pointed at Kira.

"NOOOO!" Athrun rammed the Knight before the arrow was shot at his best friend.

Kira immediately grabbed his whistle and blow as hard as he could thrice. At the front gate, Mwu, Raww and Barry heard the whistle blows. "Hope you like fireworks!" Mwu quickly made a tiger seal. "Katsu!"

On the Zaft base, every explosive tag began burning red, including the one in the messenger's hand. The man looked at the tag a bit closer. The next second, the piece of paper explodes; leaving a bloody mess that was the messenger. Athrun looked in shock at the explosion. Kira weren't joking, the papers DID explode! "EVACUATE THE BASE!"

Murrue and Natarle did their job well. One by one, in the order they were set, the explosive tags began to explode, taking the object they were plastered on. Starting with the cannons. One by one, their cannons exploded. After the fourth cannon explode, the provision storage was the next on the line. Apparently, and thankfully, the ammo depot was saved for last. The knights were immediately thrown into chaos. Athrun grabbed his fellow team members. "We have to get out of here! They had plastered many more in the ammunition tent. If it explodes, it's literal hellfire! COME ON!"

The knights who regained their composure quickly ran away as far as they can from the ammo tent. Three more cannons left still standing. One second passed and one cannon exploded, taking out an unfortunate group of knights who ventured too close.

"GET OUT OF HERE NOW!" But the chaos and utter confusion resulted by the sudden explosion clearly hampers the knight's evacuation as they bumped into each other every so often.

"EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF!"

Another one explodes, one more cannon remaining. And just then, a part of the command control tent exploded. Some knights still haven't grasped the situation and they're still questioning what's going on when the last cannon explodes.

Kira had almost left the vicinity, but realized the explosion would happen any second. He takes one last look at the base and he saw knights panicking, yelling and running aimlessly. Before he can observe whether his friend had reached safety or not, it happened.

It was chemistry, really.

One explosion on a tent filled with giant bullets and the obvious chain reaction followed. But the explosion was nothing he would expect. It was large, and hot. The knights were turned to roasted skeleton in a blink of an eye. The very air of the explosion jetted him away as it sear his skin. "AAAAAAAARGH!" Kira was sent flying into the woods.

In the front gate…

Raww looked in shock as fire arises like a red hot sun rise from the direction of his base. The knights were shaken when they realized their base was gone. Mwu chuckled satisfyingly. "You were right, Raww. A cunning strategist I am not… but… I got the guts and reliable comrades to back it up! Heh!"

The masked man had to agree. "I dispatch a message for reinforcements yesterday… either they are late, or you have a very competent underling setting the bomb."

"I'd like to think the latter." Mwu smirked.

"My Lord! What should we do?"

Raww chuckled. "…ha, ha, ha… this… is what you want right, Mwu?"

"Get on with it. This is what we both wanted. That explosion probably took out the emperor's messenger with it… now you can probably do things your way."

The two nemeses looked at each other… and they began to laugh. And hard.

Raww ended his laugh immediately. "…send squad 3 and 4 back to the base. If possible, salvage the situation. Find survivors and give aid. If not… put out the fire and then stay there until we return. After that, we will begin our long march home."

"But Sir! Our standing force-"

"Did you not see that fire? That funeral pyre of our brethren? We've lost ammunition, provision, and did you blow up my command center as well, Mwu?"

"Judging by the size of the fire… yes. It's standard base disarming procedure. You know the drill."

"In short: Our standing forces, gentlemen, had just went from battle ready to dying and gasping a few seconds ago. Now go! And HURRY!"

"Yes my lord!" The knight saluted and began shouting orders at his squad. Half of the army retreated.

"Is this… part of your scenario, Nemesis?"

"The scenario did not include you reading my plans like open book."

"Yet, it seems I missed a few space and comas in reading the book that is your plan."

"Apparently so… now…"

Raww smiled. "Where were we?"

In an instant, the two combatants clashed weapons once again, continuing their battle from yesterday.

000000000000000

Back to the blazing base…

An earthen sphere stood firm in the midst of the inferno. The sphere start rolling away from the heat. Once it reached safe distance, the earthen sphere break up, revealing a beat up Dearka, a pissed off Yzak, a panicking Nichol, the bewildered Athrun… and finally, the dying half burned Rusty.

"At the wrong place at the wrong time eh Athrun!? That guy was the pivotal part of this infernal ploy!"

"Rusty-san! Rusty-san! Hang in there!"

"Arghh…ARRRGHH!!" The poor red haired boy jumped into the protection a few seconds too late. The blast burned three quarter of his body.

"And he was supposed to hold fire as an Elemental Soldier." Dearka grunted.

Athrun stared silently at the blazing flame with mixed feelings. A side of him wanted to go find Kira and ensure his safety. The other side of him wanted to capture Kira and interrogate him. But when he realized both desires had actually the same purpose, he also realized there are other things that require his attention: such as his dying friend, the possibility of survivors in the real life purgatory flame, and the fact that, with this, the army had finally been crippled.

"Arghhh…" Rusty's yelling stopped abruptly.

"Rusty-san! Rusty-san!" Nichol shook the burned boy several times. No reaction. Athrun opened Rusty's burned clothing and checked his pulse…

"…he's gone, Nichol." Athrun now understood completely why his friend died even though he was the Fire Elemental soldier. At least a dozen ammo shrapnel had went through his lungs and burst through his back.

"Rusty-san…" The green haired boy mourned.

Athrun don't know what he should say… in fact, he didn't think he has any right to speak at all. He was partly responsible for it. He began to reassess all the things and every element involved in the disaster. Two Alliance officers infiltrated their base, plastering explosive tags on critical structures. Kira, judging by the whistle he blew, was the one who should've give the sign on when the explosive can be set off. Kira was the critical part of the mission. But at the same time, Kira was also the one who spill the beans and tried to save his life. So it would mean that: "…he was forced to cooperate?"

"What?"

"Nothing… nothing…"

"They could hang you for this you know?" Dearka pointed out.

"I suppose."

"I don't think this is Athrun-san's fault!" Nichol argued. "I mean… he did warn us of the explosion?"

"…it wasn't me… and besides, I attacked the patrol, speak up against the Emperor's messenger, and let go a possible… enemy." Athrun choked the last word out of his throat. "…if I'm lucky, I'll probably only get demoted and serve time."

Quite some distance from the blazing base, Kira regained his consciousness. He was lying on the bushes. Still in one piece. After he shook away the last bit of dizziness in his head, he took another look at his… well, handiwork: a roasted still-blazing-base straight from Hell's Kitchen. "…oh God… Athrun…I hope you're okay."

Before Kira could stand up, a snap from his back revealed that he was not alone. The boy struggled to get up and turn around. A knight in a heavily singed orange armor stood panting. A part of his helmet is missing, revealing a boy with blonde hair, about his age. His left eye was burned out. And thus, the boy removed the helmet altogether and look at him with his functioning eye, filled with the intent to kill.

"You… you killed my comrades… my friends…" Miguel grabbed his sword tightly.

"…you guys forced my hands. If you just leave the village alone I might have never go through with that plan. That's my home, and you guys have been trashing it around in the last few days."

Miguel growled angrily.

"What? If we came and screw your home too, would you stand quiet and watch?"

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! Just SHUT UP!" The blond lost it and charged at Kira.

The boy, having never used a katana before, crudely blocked the simple vertical slash, and in an instant, was brought to his knees.

"Die… DIE!" Miguel brutally decked him on the head and then kicking him on the chest, sending him flying and gasping for breath as his body landed. His maddened opponent haven't finished with him however and yanked his hair. Kira realized that, at this rate, he'll die. And to further emphasis the feeling, Miguel also pointed his sword on his throat, ready to stab.

Kira looked helplessly, ready to be killed… when suddenly, a flash of image appeared on his head, making him squirm slightly.

"This is for my buddies you killed! DIE!" Miguel pulled his sword, and for Kira, in an instant, time stops. Flashes of images and voices start hounding his head.

"STAY AWAY FROM ME!"

"He's a monster, born and bred."

"Akira…"

"Kill or be killed, that's the rule."

In an instant, new emotion filled him: panic. 'Get off me… "GET OFF ME!" In desperation, Kira wildly swing Shiki at his would be killer. And then, in a bright flash of white light, Miguel's eyes widened. The bright light blinded Kira to an extent, he closed his eyes. A few seconds later, he dared himself to open his eyes and his mouth turned aghast. Right in front of him, a large cut extends all the way from his spot to a cleaved rock, a few hundred meters ahead. And on the cleaved rock, Miguel Aiman laid dying, gasping for air, his eyes were empty and a large gash smeared on his chest.

"What the…" Kira looked at the Katana. It was brimming slightly. He looked at the Katana, and then to the cut, and fro. Finally deciding to sheath it, Kira found himself more interested in the things that just happened to him. 'Those voices… I don't recall having memory of those voices… and who's… Akira?' But thinking about it made his head aches so badly, Kira almost fell. Supporting himself on a tree, he contemplated to go to the base and checked his friend's safety, regardless of the fact that if he walks in there now, he would most definitely face the execution squad. But before the boy can do away with his plan, another pair of footsteps came closing in. Kira turned and saw Murrue and Natarle came running at him.

"Kira-kun! Where have you been? You look… burned… Kira-kun… you weren't, by any chance, got caught, were you?"

"I…" Kira tried to answer, but then suddenly realized his voice won't come out. And following, his consciousness faded soon after.

000000000000000

000000000000000

000000000000000