(AN): I want to thank all who reviewed.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Destiny.
Chapter Twenty
Atmosphere
Battlefield
After she said that the battle was about to get worse as the wings on the Armageddon extended and they knew that meant he was about to launch his dragoon blasters.
Kira was about to released them.
"This…this feeling," Kira said as he sensed it once again and this time it was getting stronger and fast approaching.
Even before the alert went off Kira quickly turned around, it was then his suit alerted him to the threat.
Two beams were heading straight for him and not just at him straight for the joints of the machine.
Athrun and Cagalli knew Kira was winding up to launch what would easily have finished them, but they saw his attention averted.
With a quick dodge Kira saw the machine come into range and to his surprise it was a lone Windam unit, but the coloring was different.
Kira watched the Windam pull out a quick beam saber still charging for him.
Kira aimed his own rifle expecting to end this in one shot, as he fired the Windam spun straight around the shot not slowing down.
Never expecting this type of resistance from a small unit as a Windam this surprised Kira, but what shocked him more was after the dodge the suit followed up slashing straight for the Armageddon's cockpit putting his skill to the test Kira reached for his own saber quickly blocking the slash, but that was to close of a call.
Kira was growing angrier but this presence was tuning him out of this battle.
Athrun and Cagalli couldn't believe it, Kira was outmatching far better suits and now he looked almost on the defensive with this lone alliance machine.
The pilot however contacted over to the Orb machines, "I suggest you leave this area and join your ship."
Cagalli immediately recognized the voice as it was the voice of commander Lorrnoke.
With Neo
Upon retreating and heading back to the retreating alliance fleet, Neo had the same exact feeling as Kira. It had been awhile since Neo had these feelings but something in his mind told him it had to do something with his past. Ignoring the alliance ships Neo flew in the direction towards his feeling.
Once arriving he saw that machine and the feeling got stronger, Neo did the only thing he could do and attacked, something told him to do so.
Battlefield
"Are you crazy? You think you can handle him alone?" Cagalli replied over the com.
"I don't have time to debate this, I don't know why but I have to do this, now leave," Neo said switching off the com equipment.
Athrun looked at the situation, truth was they weren't in any shape to fight as he was running out of weapons and Cagalli's whole suit was outdated they took his advice taking one last look back at Kira before flying off.
Kira saw them go but didn't look, "You won't escape," was all Kira said but first he had to deal with this annoying fly.
Neo watched them go, why he was helping them he didn't know that yet, but something told him to, and now he saw what was in front of him.
"Well…this was a very good idea," Neo said looking at that machine again, but as he observed he got another feeling and one that told him to quickly dodge.
Kira wasn't going to let whoever this was interfere, as he saw Athrun and Cagalli leave out of sight, Kira quickly activated the plasma beam cannons that went over the shoulders and fired straight at the machine.
Neo's feeling was right as he started dodging at the moment Kira had fired and it worked.
Neo evaded the shot firing his weapon again.
Kira's anger only grew how this pilot was doing this he didn't know and it was driving him crazy.
Forcing Kira to dodge Neo made multiple shots all straight for the joints of the machine, Kira easily noticed this, however this pilot was they were definitely above most coordinators, though he didn't see how that was possible and these feelings he kept getting.
Kira dodged each attack but Neo was good at easily using the shots to get closer and pull Kira into short range attacks, he was keeping him straight on the defensive.
"You are beginning to annoy me," Kira said angrily as he had enough, flipping over one of Neo's attack he quickly spread the wings of the Armageddon once again successfully launching the dragoon units.
The eight units flew off as Neo caught sight of them.
Neo was forced to back off, as each blaster was fired.
The Windam wasn't made for this type of battle however as the machine just wouldn't move right, but for the first few blasts he easily dodged them but now it was becoming more difficult.
Kira was once again surprised as this pilot's ability, aiming his own beam rifle as the dragoon units kept firing he aimed for the cockpit and fired.
Neo was busy dodging but got the alert, Neo knew a small sacrifice had to be made here as he flew upward dodging the shot, but one dragoon blast hit his shield he used to defend himself, he didn't have time to turn it on the right side so it destroyed the shield.
Kira however caught sight of his long range radar and knew that his former allies weren't to far away yet, and if he went now he could catch them before they made it to earth.
As the dragoon's kept firing Kira flew off in that direction with the vow to return and finish this suit off.
After he was far enough away the dragoon's soon followed as they automatically returned and once again formed the wings.
Neo saw him fly off at maximum speed and he quickly followed, but he was in a Windam and there was no way he could match that speed, he only hoped he could make it in time.
Athrun and Cagalli
Athrun and Cagalli were returning back to the ships, when they caught up with Yzak who was dragging Dearka's machine behind him, the Buster was a mess and Dearka was still conscious but in a lot of pain as the cockpit basically exploded.
"Did you get him," Yzak asked.
"No, but we hope that will hold him off for awhile," Athrun said.
They continued to fly as they caught up with the Orb fleet and saw the Eternal and Archangel.
Orb Fleet
"Captain, we have four machines incoming," both Miriallia and Dacosta said on their respective ships.
Both captains acknowledged.
Archangel
"Open the hatch and clear them to land," Murrue said.
Eternal
Lacus who was still a little upset by what Kira told her and if left her mind to wonder, but she was glad to see all four.
"Make contact with them," Lacus said.
With all of them
Cagalli and Athrun came on the screen as did Murrue, Lacus and Andrew.
"Are you all alright?" Murrue asked.
"The Buster took a beating, but Dearka will survive," Athrun replied.
"What about Kira?" Lacus asked.
Cagalli looked at her as she quickly explained the situation. Yzak led Dearka into the archangel as the hatch closed.
Lacus and Murrue took great interest.
"He was matching Kira's skill?" Murrue said.
"That's right…I don't…" Cagalli said but that was when suit and ship alerts went off.
"We have an incoming captain," both Miriallia and Dearka once again said to their captains.
Athrun and Cagalli already knew who it was as they turned around.
"Captain it's that machine," Miriallia said.
"We are close, go to full speed," Murrue said.
"I will hold him off go," Athrun said.
Cagalli grabbed his machines arm with hers, "We will hold him off, get it right."
Athrun once again knew there was no use in arguing but this time they couldn't retreat.
"How much longer Dacosta?" Andrew said on his ship.
"We still have a little while captain, we never took the eternal in the atmosphere before, if they fight they only have twenty minutes once he arrives." Dacosta replied.
Lacus heard those words, "We must continue on course…but be ready to back them off if need be."
Just as she said that the Armageddon was in range of their screen and once again those eyes seemed to reflect the pilot as Kira's mood went from bad to a lot worse.
Kira saw them heading for the Atmosphere, he was out of range from any Zaft ship so he was on his own, but he would have it no other way, now was the time to end the source of his misery.
All prepared as the Eternal and Archangel slowed a small bit to allow the other Orb ships a chance as if Kira ran into them they were gone, but they were still attempting to retreat, if they were going to win against him it had to be on their terms.
Time ran out as Athrun prepared himself but the suit was heading straight for Cagalli.
Doomsday
Once again the stress from firing the cannon caused it to receive minor damage.
"Status," Willard said.
"Cannon temperature is dropping captain, however charging time will be delayed again, structure problems have to be repaired," the chief mechanic said.
"Get on it," Willard said.
Outside the cannon started closing up, but it was left out practically so repairs could be made.
The bridge however was able to see the moons surface, a small smile escaped Willard's face.
"Damage estimate?" Willard asked.
"Damage was total sir, the blast reached far past the lower levels of the base, everything has been destroyed," one officer added.
Despite some small debris all they saw was a giant crater, the rest was vaporized.
"Captain, there are still some surviving alliance and Orb ships making a break for the earth," another officer said.
"Are they in our range?" Willard asked.
"Negative sir, we will have to pursue," the operations officer replied.
Willard thought this out for a moment, without Kira's order they couldn't go anywhere.
"Is their any word on commander Hibiki?" Willard asked quickly.
Sarah looked back, "Last contact he went out of range pursuing the vessels…I haven't heard or seen anything since," she replied.
Willard detected a difference in her tone, but that wasn't his business.
"Do I pursue sir?" the helmsman asked.
"…Stand down, our only orders were to destroy the base and we have done that, I don't think the commander will be pleased moving this ship any closer then we have to."
"Yes sir," the helmsman replied as they completely stood down.
Mobile Suit Hangers
As the machines returned they were given clearance to land in their respective docks. Each one split up and landed.
Getting out of their machines this was their first real victory.
Rey and Luna treated it as a normal victory, but Shinn wanted the respect he deserved after each one changed into their uniforms they heard the captains voice telling them to report to the briefing hall where he would join them shortly.
The mechanics worked on whatever damage to the machines as the three pilots meet up on the way to the briefing hall.
"I heard the commander isn't back yet," Luna said.
"Maybe he was destroyed," Shinn said with a small smile.
"He pursued the fleeing ships, it's his policy not to let any survive," Rey added.
"Doesn't that seem weird," Luna said again.
"No matter, I cleared the Doomsdays path and because of that this mission succeeded, I will get the respect I deserve," Shinn said walking ahead of them.
"Do you want another busted nose, calm down," Luna added.
The three continued until they entered the briefing hall while they waited for the captain.
Zaft Fleet
In total Zaft suffered only five percent losses in both mobile suits and battleships, this was one of the best victories for Zaft ever documented.
As the Doomsday fired the Genesis cannon victory was granted to them, the alliance was fleeing to earth and space was now cleared.
Mobile suits were recalled and ships now awaited orders to return home, but as they were waiting celebrations was in order as for the first time in awhile the threat of nuclear strike from the alliance was now over, with all of space they could easily set up better defensive measures they had the naturals cornered on earth.
Minerva
Despite the damage and the withdrawal by the Minerva, they still had the victory.
Once the massive cannon was fired Talia still couldn't help but think they were going too far with that ship, and she had a feeling it was far from over.
"It appears we have won ma'am," Arthur said.
"We have," was all Talia said but what would happen next was making her feel uneasy, whatever the chairman was up to she knew it wasn't a good thing.
The pilots of the Minerva separated as well, Shiho watched the battle and since she knew what was going on she decided to assist commander Joule and feed any information she learned to him, going public with the news she had would do no good and would get her killed, she knew the best way to overthrow this chairman was to fight and to win they needed more power and as much intelligence as possible, she vowed to get that by any way she had to, and to do that she would have to find a way to get in closer to Ryu and Kira.
Aprilious One
Council's Chambers
The council watched the entire battle as they never expected such a strong victory, they had faith they would win but not just like this.
Around the Plants
The battle that was publicized was watched by all, and for the first time they like with the soldiers felt as if they wouldn't have to constantly worry. Many people were completely relieved with very few critics of the methods used to do it.
Ryu planned this well as they mostly watched Kira clear the way single-handedly, they watched as the Doomsday fired the shot and many were publicly aware it was because of Kira they are now safe, Kira's name was released as the reaction to him was just what Ryu wanted and needed for them to move forward.
Ryu's office
A smirk and light laugh was heard as the shot was fired.
Ryu knew ordered the cameras only to show the Zaft ships to the media as they were in victory celebration.
Ryu pressed a button on his phone as a soldier entered, "Yes Excellency."
Ryu looked at him, "Order our ships to begin returning to home."
"Yes sir," he said as Ryu spotted the Doomsday in a standing position.
Which Ryu immediately contacted.
On the ship Willard was still waiting for Kira, but he got the signal from the chairman.
"Yes Excellency," Willard addressed respectfully.
"Where is the commander?" Ryu asked.
"He went after the fleeing Orb and alliance ships sir…he hasn't contacted us in fact he severed the link several times," Willard replied.
"Should we return?" Willard asked.
"Hold your position until he returns," Ryu said as Willard acknowledged and Ryu signed off.
Ryu knew what he was doing and he was now going to path into Kira's com link but suddenly he froze.
His head lifted a little, "He's not alone, this presence is one I haven't felt in a long time," Ryu said as he like with Neo and Kira had the same reaction, but for Ryu he felt it at such a long distance.
Ryu now quickly tried patching into Kira's com signal, Ryu knew he wasn't ready for this type of action as he didn't prepare Kira for this, he didn't think it was necessary but now that had to change.
Using a code that would override any locks Ryu got through.
Battlefield
When Kira arrived on scene he made it but time was running out, their was no way he could head down to earth after them so he had to finish them before hand, and as he saw two ship and two suits all the ones he wanted mostly destroyed were right there for him.
Kira looked at his radar and decided his so called sister would be the first.
Activating the gun launcher he fired the long range shot before quickly returning it and pulling out all four of the sabers connecting them all together until the beam spear. With the four sabers combined Kira activated two long beams from each side.
He accelerated the suit and headed straight for Cagalli.
Cagalli and Athrun got the alert of the beam shot as Cagalli quickly evaded, but as she did both saw Kira flying straight for both of them with that long beam spear.
Athrun removed his beam saber as Cagalli did the same.
However right before Kira got in front of her he pulled the spear in half as now he had two sabers connected and two more beams came out making a total of two short spears and four beams.
Slashing straight into Cagalli she blocked the shot but the impact sent the Strike Rouge flying backwards as Athrun slashed with his own saber.
Turning the saber backwards Kira quickly evaded and blocked the slash but turned the wrist up making Athrun block the attack quickly that was just pure luck the Saviors arm wasn't taken off.
Kira decided they weren't worth all this and he quickly put two of the sabers away and unconnected the last two now having one saber in each hand, but he decided that wasn't worthy of them either and put one more away leaving him with one.
Cagalli switched to her rifle as her suit was to slow for the Armageddon, Kira charged at her slicing her rifle in half as she tried blocking with her shield but Kira activated the rail cannons on the hips and it forced her to drop the shield from her hand.
Kira sliced the shield in half as he slammed the Armageddon straight into her.
Athrun made it over to him as he slashed and Kira met his slash with one of his own blocking the attack.
"Are you alright Cagalli?" Athrun asked.
"How much stronger can he get?" Cagalli said trying to regroup.
"He fighting on pure rage now, we have to hold out," Athrun said trying to gain the upper hand.
Cagalli saw he was losing and activated her own beam saber charging at her brother back.
Archangel and Eternal
All watched the battle as it wasn't looking good for either of them.
"Can't we assist?" Murrue asked as they kept watch on the clock as they kept going for the atmosphere.
"They are to close captain, we risk hitting them," an officer replied.
Murrue watched as this wasn't looking good.
Lacus watched with worry, she saw Kira fighting and knew something had to of pushed him over the edge.
"Ten minutes sir," Dacosta said.
"They better hurry," Andrew said.
Battlefield
Kira easily knew his so called sister was charging for his back, with a quick push he knocked the Savior out of the way taking the beam saber with it as Athrun was now out of weapons.
He only watched as Cagalli was now helpless.
Cagalli slashed down at Kira's back but Kira's speed was to much as he quickly turned the mobile suit around and caught the Rouges arm in his own hand.
Cagalli was shocked.
"You will have to do better then that," Kira said as the Armageddon pulled the Strike Rouges arm straight off.
Cagalli watched as Kira's saber turned straight for her and down at her cockpit.
Athrun snapped. Kira wasn't holding back so neither was he.
Athrun quickly accelerated the Savior's speed to maximum as the thrusters were starting to over heat.
Athrun had only one thing in mind, and if he could save Cagalli's life then so be it.
Athrun quickly reached for the self destruct mechanism but saw the circuits were burned out so he could only do one more thing, accelerate the thrusters until the exploded.
Athrun put it to beyond full power as he quickly contacted Cagalli.
"Move back," Athrun said.
Kira became aware of what he was doing.
He turned leaving Cagalli.
"Are you stupid," Cagalli said in a panic.
"This ends here," Athrun said.
"You fool I told you killing yourself is the easy way out, you can't do this," Cagalli said in hysteria.
"Trust me and back away now and head back towards this location," Athrun quickly said signing off.
Cagalli trusted him and moved away as Kira was focused on Athrun's suicide charge.
Athrun was right on course as he quickly hit the eject button, as the back opened up and launched him out into space.
Cagalli now knew what he was doing as she circled to retrieve him.
Kira saw the Savior and the thrusters burning up the machine.
As the Savior was straight in front of him, Kira stabbed it straight through the torso as it slammed into him creating a massive explosion.
Cagalli caught up and with her remaining suits arm retrieved Athrun.
"That was foolish," Cagalli said.
"But it worked," Athrun said as they looked in the direction and still saw smoke.
The archangel watched as they couldn't believe it went this far to destroy their former friend.
Lacus' hands started shaking she didn't want this but something quickly told her something as she looked.
As the explosion faded away all saw one thing as the reddish black eyes once again flashed.
It cleared away as all saw not a single scratch on the Armageddon, the Savior was completely destroyed.
Athrun and Cagalli saw Kira looking straight at them, they were sitting ducks.
Kira watched with no smile and no emotion, "Foolishness Athrun, foolishness…I wouldn't let what happened in the first war happen again," Kira said to himself as Athrun already knew that was the case.
Kira with one saber still drawn pointed it straight at them as he quickly got another alert from behind.
With Neo and Kira
Kira once again sensed that presence.
"You again," Kira said turning to face him.
Neo got on the radar, "This is becoming too constant, get to your ships and quickly," Neo said.
Cagalli heard that, "We only have five minutes left."
"I will hold him off and join you now go," Neo said quickly.
Cagalli understood and quickly went for the archangel.
Murrue heard that voice again; he came and saved them but why.
Lacus saw it as well.
Kira's anger grew, "I have had enough of you," Kira said charging at him again.
Neo responded by the same strategy as he fired at Kira's joints forcing him to activate the shield generator. Each shot was precise and accurate to a fault.
Neo once again got up close heading into short range battle.
Kira blocked his slash and pushed him back but Neo responded but a quick shot with the rifle.
Kira once again had to slow his assault to block it.
Neo was relying on his abilities and they were working, these feelings were keeping him alive and ahead of Kira's movements.
Kira was getting them as well, but not as in tune.
All watched it was clear Neo was matching that suit.
Archangel and Eternal
"Unbelievable," Andrew said.
"Three minutes sir," Dacosta said.
Lacus watched, this man Neo seemed to be on par with Kira and in a less effective suit, but something didn't seem right with Kira at the moment, Lacus knew something was up.
Neo knew he had to end this fast, as time was running out.
Reaching into hip he pulled out a Stiletto the anti armor penetrater and waited.
As Kira fired Neo quickly evade and threw it straight at him while firing a shot.
Kira activated the generator blocking the beam but as he did the Stiletto stuck straight into the shield generator.
Kira saw it hit but what happened next was the Stiletto blew up.
The explosion rocked the Armageddon as it destroyed the generator and blew the armor plating off the left arm. The arm was still in tact but without armor.
Kira looked down at the arm, and snapped as something shattered in his mind.
Neo watched as Kira once again fired but this time he was firing in full out rage, one shot nearly missed his head, but what he saw next was the wings extending.
"Not again," Neo said as suddenly the Archangel and Eternal fired from behind.
The Archangels remaining Valiant fired while the Eternal launched missiles straight towards Kira.
"We have one minute hurry," Murrue said over the radar.
With Kira evading Neo saw his chance and quickly went for the archangel.
Kira fired a payload dodging the missiles and saw them enter the atmosphere.
"You won't escape," Kira said about to follow but a signal broke in on his com.
"Stop pursuit Kira," Ryu's voice came on.
Kira was in rage, "I can still stop them," Kira said wanting to go.
"They will get their soon enough, let them go for now," Ryu said.
Kira slammed his pills, "That feeling…"
Ryu nodded, "I felt it as well, I didn't prepare you for this, let them go and return to the ship."
Kira looked at him, "I need something stronger these don't work anymore," Kira said showing him his pills.
"I will handle it, return to the ship," Ryu said signing off.
Kira quickly turned around and headed for the ship.
The archangel and Eternal had their suits as they descended to earth.
After Ryu signed off he slowly smiled a bit, if their was one thing he knew about the ultimate coordinator is whenever he is beaten he would come back ten times stronger, Ryu knew Kira had more power inside him and now was his chance to bring out the true killer.
Earth with Jibril
Jibril saw they lost the base, but this was far from over, they had a major setback but as long as he was breathing this was not over.
Doomsday
"Captain, I am detecting the Armageddon on screen," Sarah said a little relieved but still shocked at the events.
"Captain, look at the arm," an officer said.
They saw slight damage to the machine, which was shocking.
Kira's hanger opened as he flew in, and landed.
Once inside Kira struggled to get his helmet off as he was breathing heavily.
Kira quickly opened the door, and since the artificial gravity was activated he got on the lift heading down, leaning on the railing for support.
Once down the crew took one look at his eyes and avoided him.
Kira stumbled into his ready room and threw his helmet against a locker, his breathing was heavy as he failed to destroy them and that suit was on par with him. Kira quickly grabbed on to a table that was built into the wall and ripped it straight off of the wall throwing it against the wall, he quickly slid down the door grabbing more pills to make his headache stop.
"Commander," one soldier said on the other side.
"Go away!" Kira shouted as the officer heard the murderous tone and left.
Kira shut his eyes as the Doomsday was turning around to go return to base.
Though today was a massive victory for their goals, today he failed to purge his pain, and now it was only making him worse which in turn was making his personality far more deadly.
To be continued…
(A\N): The next chapter will take place fully in Zaft. Bye for now.