(A\N): I want to thank all who reviewed.
Path Two begins.
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Destiny.
Chapter Eighty
Turn of Events-46
Armageddon Wreckage
As soon as Kira got up he wasn't focusing on anything as he tried moving around but lost his strength as he fell off the body, he slammed on a piece of debris and hit the ground in a sitting position.
Lacus at first moved forward when he fell but then stood back, their was something in her own flight suit as she was packing her own gun, but she thought of placing her hand on it but then backed off, he didn't look in any condition to fight.
One thing she didn't know was his mental state, she didn't know whether he was still thinking he was fighting Rau, or whether he was back in full control and would pull his own weapons and shoot her, she had no clue. He was right in front of her not focused on her at all; she could tell he was in pain.
For four years she had wanted this moment and now it was here, but things never truly work out for how anyone wants them to, this was reality and now she had to deal with it, their was just a part of her that didn't want to, maybe a little naive natural that still believed in the chance.
Lacus now slowly advanced forward as she noticed his eyes then locked straight on her.
Kira was busted up really badly pain racked through his body as he noticed a figure coming into his sights. Kira focused his eyes as he recognized that person anywhere.
Lacus couldn't believe it; despite his injuries he did truly look a lot different in person.
She cringed as she saw him pull out that fragment, his eyes straight on her as he didn't say a single word yet.
She watched him pull himself to his feet as she debated drawing her own gun over and over, but she couldn't.
Kira staggered to his feet as he continued to keep his eyes on her. His head was killing him as the events tried entering into his mind what had just happened.
"Look what crawled out of that small hole you have been hiding in, I do have to admit I never expected you to come after me," Kira replied focusing himself.
Lacus stared at him for a second as she only walked a few steps ahead; she knew his body was weak so she could afford to drop her guard a little.
"You're not in any condition to move Kira…just give up your done," Lacus replied.
Kira lightly laughed before stumbling back into his mobile suit, "Even now you still show that idiotic concern of yours…you really need to keep in touch with reality Lacus, I am not finished yet," Kira said standing straight up heading her way.
Lacus took a few steps back before placing a hand on her weapon.
"Hesitation is not something you should show now, I can feel the conflict inside you, debating whether to kill me or not…don't get all weak on me now, finish what you have to do," Kira replied with a smirk.
Lacus stood her ground, she had many questions to ask but she couldn't get them out, it was like he wanted her to kill him…no that was not it, it was almost as if he knew she wouldn't.
Kira stumbled clenching his side as he dropped to one knee, immediately after he remembered that voice of Rau again.
"Shut up!" Kira yelled quickly.
Lacus jumped back a little as she watched him grip something from his uniform, those pills again he was downing them left and right.
Lacus finally decided to take a hold of her gun as she didn't point it yet though, there was something totally wrong with him. She watched as he got his fix and then seemed to calm down a little.
"Shall I make this easier for you," Kira replied as Lacus watched him pull out his knife and pointed it at her.
Lacus did the same as it was a reflex.
Kira however slightly smiled as she watched his blood pour out of him, "That's more like it…what will you do now?"
Orb Waters
With Athrun
Athrun was being detained by all the Zaft mobile suits while he watched that one fly by with an escort of some kind.
Athrun knew he had to do one thing and that was get through, he got word what had happened to Kira and that meant they were either going to retrieve him or that machine.
Athrun felt the determination build up as something shattered in his mind as he went to work.
Orb and Zaft Ships
With the Zaft fleet arriving from which Ryu sent in full out war was taking place over the ocean. Orb still had a slight advantage since Zaft ships were still arriving. However they were not here to fight, they were here to recover Kira.
The units were already sent in and they had orders to retreat upon recovery.
Orb Island
Shoreline
Shinn and his group of Babi's had arrived as they did get some defensive fire from the Orb defensive force. However that was what Shinn's role was he started engaging the forces as the Babi's flew off.
Shinn didn't know their orders as they had different ones then him. They flew off however they as well started taking resistance and were slowed down heavily as they had to fight back.
Shinn was finishing them off as he flew ahead and that was when he ran into a golden machine.
Headquarters-and with Cagalli
Kisaka was in charge as he saw what had breached their shores. Kisaka sent forces as he contacted Cagalli.
Cagalli was still stationed in the Akatsuki outside as Kisaka gave her his report.
"You are sure about that?" Cagalli asked.
"They have breached the shore and look to be heading towards the hanger area," Kisaka reported.
"What about the forces I sent after Lacus? Are they there yet?" Cagalli asked.
"They will be arriving shortly, but if we don't slow down those forces they will arrive before us," Kisaka reported.
"I will go," Cagalli added.
"Lady Cagalli?" Kisaka said horrified.
"I can do this, just be quiet and run the operations…if I can stop that Destiny then that will by us more time, send our additional forces to whatever is heading towards the hanger," Cagalli said not giving them a chance to respond as she flew off.
Kisaka shook his head as he did as she said, he told all reserve forces they had to head after those Babi's and they did.
With Shinn and Cagalli
Shinn stabbed through a weapons tower as he got an alert heading for him.
Shinn was in the zone as he was attacking, a chance to end Orb once and for all he completely snapped. He was destroying anything in his site, however the alert he got he had to quickly turn his attention.
Shinn flew back and evaded a beam blast from the Akatsuki as it came into the picture.
Shinn stared at the machine, "You dare stop me, you and Orb will all perish," Shinn said with a war cry charging the machine.
When Cagalli arrived she knew this wasn't going to be easy in fact she likely had the disadvantage to a rage filled coordinator that wanted nothing more then to destroy all of Orb.
Cagalli saw his charge as she met him and their sabers clashed.
Recovery Team
The team Cagalli ordered to retrieve Lacus was on their way as the forces Cagalli sent were opening up many more paths for them to arrive quicker. They saw above Orb machines were engaging the Zaft machines.
"Speed up, we have to make it," the leader told them.
The trucks went faster as they were nearing the crash site.
Archangel
Bridge
With slight damage from the attack as well as the recovery of Neo, Murrue wanted to take her ship back into the fight, something was off however when she watched the crew bring Neo in, she wanted to see how he was doing but they wouldn't tell her anything yet.
Infirmary
When the doctor first retrieved Neo he was in for a quick surprise as he had to run some quick tests. His injuries weren't that serious but there was something bigger here.
Hanger
Shiho retrieved Yzak as he wasn't too pleased with her, after all he heard from the conversation he wasn't at all pleased.
Armageddon's Wreckage
With Kira and Lacus
Lacus was truly left speechless, she didn't know what to do, but one thing was apparent, for her children's sakes she had to survive…at all costs.
"Don't make me do this Kira…its over for you," Lacus replied again.
Kira moved forward again as he was a good five feet from her, "Nothing my dear will be over until this world is destroyed," Kira said locking his eyes with hers.
Lacus knew she made the mistake when she did the same.
Kira quickly spun kick the gun out of her hand, she was backed up and thought she was in deep trouble before she saw what happened.
Kira's wounds were to serious for even him as he tore them wider and strained himself heavily as she watched him starting to cough up blood, he was backing up as the blade was no longer pointed at her.
Lacus looked at her weapon and to Kira, however she heard him talk between his coughs.
"Don't even think about it," Kira replied as he spit out the blood.
"What are you waiting for Kira?" Lacus asked.
Kira stared up at her, "What are you yapping at now?"
"You have waited so long…why don't you just kill me and get it over with?" Lacus asked.
Kira stood straight back up, approaching her, "Do you really think I will make it that easy," Kira said stopping right in front of her gripping her chin making her stare at him.
Lacus stared into the hate of his eyes, "I don't know what truly happened to you, but I don't believe you will do it," Lacus replied.
Lacus was surprised quickly as she felt his hand around her throat; she quickly tried prying his hand off of her as she was struggling.
"Foolish, you took my power to lightly, the power that will end this world," Kira replied to her.
Lacus struggled and struggled, he could snap her neck at any moment and she knew that, but he wasn't.
Kira was squeezing before his head hurt again, lighting the grip he just remained there now gripping his head with his other hand.
Lacus could breathe a little again as she watched this, she saw him take another pill before he just released her.
Lacus dropped to her knees as she regained her breath.
Lacus looked over as she saw strange behavior in his hand.
Kira quickly shook his head as she watched him put his blade away as he took hold of his gun as he pulled that out, "Now it ends," Kira said as Lacus lowered her head and shut her eyes, though that small section in her heart told her everything was going to be alright.
A gun shot was then heard as Lacus didn't feel a thing; she slowly looked up only to see he fired over in the corner.
Lacus looked to see his eyes focused on something else as she stared over only to see an Orb soldier fall.
Recovery Team
The recovery team was in a few trucks as they raced to the situation.
"Up ahead," the squad leader said.
They were arriving towards the burning debris and hanger, they were on the opposite side of the mobile suit but they did hear voices.
"Deploy," the leader said as soldiers rushed off the trucks.
One took a look as the situation was reported, "I have the hostile there sir," one said looking over.
The leader took notice as Ambassador Lacus was in high danger. However they knew this target as well.
"Spread out and surround the target…double time," the leader ordered.
Soldiers moved around as they started deploying out, they were near hangers as a few started climbing buildings to get the high advantage while others went around to the other side of the mobile suit.
The leader and his people remained here as they were going to ambush him right then and there.
"Orders sir?" a few asked over their radios.
The squad leader gave the orders as he watched them moving into position, they didn't know how much time was left.
However that all stopped when they watched a gun being pointed at Lacus' head.
One soldier made the drastic mistake of being a little hasty as Kira caught on to that as a shot was fired dropping that soldier.
"To soon…move out now," the leader said.
With Kira, Lacus and Orb recovery soldiers
Kira dropped that one with his blurry vision and weakened strength as now he saw a bunch of bright lights.
"Stay where you are!" one said.
"Drop the gun!" another said.
"Stand back!" another said.
Kira looked around as the lights on some of their rifles were shinning straight at him. Kira looked around as they seemed to have him in a half circle. Soldiers were all around the mobile suit as well as on the hanger roofs.
Lacus looked around, as she had to be in a bit of relief, but you could call it crazy she was also fearful and it wasn't for herself.
Kira looked around as he wasn't dropping his weapon; he was staggering but not doing it.
"This is the lieutenant speaking, drop your weapon now!" The squad leader said taking control.
"What a situation," Kira replied staring towards the man.
"I will not tell you again do it!" the lieutenant replied harshly.
Lacus stared at him, "It's over now Kira…do as he says."
Kira looked down, "I am so touched by your concern."
"Just do it Kira, in your condition you cannot win…don't make anymore pointless death," Lacus actually replied.
Kira lightly laughed before almost losing his balance as the bloody mess he was.
Kira was waving that gun around.
"This is your final warning, do it now," the squad leader said again.
"You liar! You said you weren't going to say that again, your credibility just went done the drain," Kira replied yelling back.
The squad leader however wasn't taking this anymore as he got on the radio, "Prepare to fire."
"What about the ambassador sir?" one soldier asked.
"I was speaking to the sniper unit idiot," the leader replied.
The sniper on one of the side roofs got the word as the gun was pointed and aimed.
"I have a shot," the sniper replied.
The squad leader was about to give the order when they saw Lacus stand up.
"Enough of this…he cannot fight anymore, stand down," Lacus replied almost sensing what was going on.
Kira however took full advantage of that," Yeah…do as she says," Kira quickly said as he actually held holstered his gun; however he was doing that for another reason.
Kira quickly reached forward taking her again and holding a knife to her, "See…you better do as she says."
The units froze as now their shots were gone.
"I have to move position," the sniper said getting up and moving around.
The leader started cursing left and right.
"Weakling naturals…you waited to long," Kira said.
Lacus looked back as he was holding her from behind, "You won't do it Kira…I know you won't."
Kira heard her, "I guess I will have to prove it then."
One soldier heard that radioing it.
The squad leader heard that as he radioed to his sniper, "We have no choice take the shot now."
"Sir…" the sniper said.
"She doesn't have time, take the shot," the leader replied.
"Copy that," the sniper said dropping to a knee as the angle was close as he fired.
Kira stared at the side of her head where he held the blade as he dropped it closer to her neck, which was when something happened.
After that happened Kira's senses were too weak as he did hear the shot but at the last minute.
Lacus fell forward as she landed on her side and looked back, only to see the horror, only she wasn't let go because of the shot.
Near Crash Site
Orb and Zaft machines
Orb and Zaft suits battled each other as the Babi's gained the upper hand, they were held up to much already but finally they were able to break through as they started heading for the crash site.
With Cagalli and Shinn
With the sabers clashed, Shinn backed off quickly firing a few beam shots.
Cagalli pulled up as she fired back.
Shinn easily dodged the attacks as this pilot was good, however he could tell not in his level.
Shinn flew in more as they started battling back and forth.
Cagalli was keeping up at first but that machine was wearing her down, she didn't have the coordinator stamina.
They were doing damage to the surrounding areas as Cagalli blocked another attack however Shinn quickly fired that Palm beam cannon which made her fall backwards, the shot did melt some of the shoulder armor as she landed on the ground with the mobile suit.
Cagalli looked ahead as she then saw that the Destiny placed its foot on the Akatsuki's body holding her down and the rifle was pointed at her.
Cagalli was stunned for a second as Shinn was about to fire.
Shinn was in one of his rages as he prepared to fire, however he soon found his rifle cut in half.
Shinn looked over as a saber was thrown and went straight through the rifle.
Shinn turned only to see that Justice.
Shinn flew back a little as he landed and got a power alert; he was running out of juice and quickly.
"You," was all Shinn said.
Cagalli looked over as she saw Athrun landed next to her.
"Are you alright?" Athrun asked.
"What took you so long?" Cagalli asked relieved and angered.
Athrun now laughed, "Mobile suit traffic," Athrun replied as he turned his senses towards Shinn.
"Let's see what he has," Athrun said.
Shinn kept looking at the power meter as it was going down fast.
Shinn drew his saber as he headed for Athrun.
Athrun however surprised him as he didn't meet him as he flew up towards the sky and took aim.
Shinn was so enraged the problem Kira knew he had just happened as he let the rage take over. The beam Athrun fired struck the mobile suits forearm as that immediately was destroyed.
Shinn yelled angrily as he looked up before seeing something in the horizon.
Armageddon's wreckage
With Lacus and the Orb units
Lacus sat back up as she watched Kira fall to the ground, the bullet struck his other good shoulder as he fell, however that wasn't what made him fall, she knew that as his body gave out.
She heard the soldiers say they got him but she knew that wasn't true his body passed out long before that…and there was something that was on her mind as something strange happened before that.
The guns were still drawn as Lacus saw the soldiers heading over there.
"Ambassador are you alright?" the leader asked.
Lacus kept her eyes on Kira, "I am alright."
"We have this monster…for Orb we will finish it," another said.
"My whole family was destroyed with Orb," another added.
"Innocent children and everything this animal didn't care at all, we must finish him," another said.
Lacus quickly got up as she stood in front, "We will do no such thing."
The soldiers turned to her in amazement, but also anger and confusion.
"What are you saying, he caused everything," one said.
"I had infant children on Orb and he destroyed it," another said.
Lacus lowered her head a little, "I cannot tell you how sorry I am…but if you do that you will be no better…then him, we must take him alive…many questions have to be answered."
"Do you honestly think Zaft will just leave their commander here, this is our chance," another said.
"I know your losses as I have lost as well, past and present, but if you do that you will be no lower then him…show them that we are better," Lacus replied softly.
The squad leader stepped up, "We will do as the ambassador says…I know how you all feel, but we are not him."
Some soldiers did back down as others still he hatred.
Lacus looked down again as he was out cold, however mobile suit sounds were getting closer, "We must leave."
The leader ordered Kira be lifted up and taken back as some did and some wouldn't touch the monster.
They quickly got Kira's body as there was no time as they rushed into a nearby hanger.
"We will stay down here," the leader said as others took cover around as the Babi's arrived.
Lacus stayed with there as she looked at Kira, it was amazing he survived but two reasons why she did what she did, the first was she listened to that small voice in her heart and second was she wanted answers.
Lacus looked down again as she knew their would be answers he had as before he passed out she knew the truth about what had happened and she had to know the answers to that.
Zaft Mobile Suits
Armageddon's wreckage
The Babi's landed as they saw a mess of a suit.
"Where is the commander?" one pilot asked.
The Babi's scanned around as they couldn't find him anywhere, "What now sir?"
The main pilot radioed back as they couldn't find him anywhere and now they were hearing more and more mobile suit clashes as that was Athrun and Shinn.
"Sir?" another one asked.
The pilot looked back, "We have no choice, gather up the machine as told and prepare to take it out."
The pilots did that as they started reading the machine for flight as the remaining pilot looked around, there was a body near the wreckage but that couldn't have been the commander.
More Orb reinforcements were arriving as well as they were being recalled in.
"We have to leave, let's go," the pilot said.
The Babi's lifted off with the Armageddon as they pilot looked one last time before flying off with them.
With Athrun and Shinn
Shinn was being forced back by the wreckage by Athrun's assault.
Athrun however glanced something off as he saw the wreckage being taking off.
Shinn was radioed to hold him off a little longer.
Shinn however said screw it as he started following the machines as he was drained of power and his armor was off; he fought all he could for this battle.
Athrun watched him go as he was about to pursue before Cagalli stopped him.
With Cagalli and Athrun
"Let him go Athrun," Cagalli told him as she now approached.
They were getting word from the battlefield that Zaft was retreating.
Athrun agreed as they remembered Lacus however they soon got a com straight from her.
Zaft Fleet
The Babi's radioed in they had the Armageddon but no commander. That word traveled up the chain of command as all of them got final orders to completely retreat.
Zaft subs and mobile suits started retreating as the Babi's landed on the command sub with the wreckage.
Shinn landed as well as he was once again beaten down however the news he heard wasn't really troubling to him at all.
Atmosphere
Ryu was preparing for his decent down to earth when he got the news.
"Are you certain?" Ryu asked.
"Yes sir, no commander anywhere, this will not sit well, a top commander being killed," one aide said to him.
"The commander is not dead, they likely have taken him," Ryu replied as he would have felt that.
"If that is true sir, then shouldn't we send in a rescue team?" the aide asked.
Ryu remembered the situation, "No…not now."
"Sir, you're leaving him to Orb?" the aide asked.
"The commander will be fine for a few weeks, I cannot risk losing this chance to destroy Jibril now…they won't be able to do anything with him…I didn't work this hard for them to have their way now, once Jibril is destroyed if he hasn't gotten out already we will go back after him…there is no worry from Orb they don't have the means," was all Ryu said.
The aide was surprised at the confidence, but it was one thing all learned you never question the chairman on these matters.
The ship then entered the Atmosphere as Ryu was back on earth.
Onogoro Island
Orb Waters
Todaka and the rest were treating this as a victory as Zaft retreated, finally they were on top.
Luna survived as she was heading back to the island.
Auel was going around like nuts trying to find a battle before being recalled.
The Archangel had drama of their own as they were recalled along with the rest of the suits and machines. All they knew was this battle was over and it was a win for them, they were about to get two shocks though.
Hanger
Lacus and the crew watched as the soldiers flew off with the Armageddon.
It was after that they got in touch with the headquarters.
Headquarters
Kisaka heard what they said as he was stunned as well as then he transferred the call.
With Athrun and Cagalli
"Lady Cagalli, Miss Lacus is on the call for you," Kisaka said.
Athrun and Cagalli both sighed, she made it.
They both saw her on the screen.
"You made it, you did it, your plan worked perfectly," Cagalli said happily.
Lacus smiled, "I am alright…thank you…and they took the machine."
"I understand that, tell me was Kira destroyed?" Cagalli asked.
Lacus stared at her, "No, he survived the incident."
"You mean they just took him?" Athrun asked.
Lacus shook her head, "No…we have captured him."
Cagalli and Athrun were stunned however they were more stunned when the saw the image Lacus sent them.
"I need someone to pick us up," Lacus said signing off.
Cagalli and Athrun were silent for a second; however they just realized, they got Zaft's main weapon.
Cagalli had a lot of mixed emotions and anger.
Athrun had the same but he was like Lacus in wanting to get answers and learn more.
Cagalli radioed back in as now they had the first ultimate victory since the war started; with him they probably had victory.
With Lacus
Lacus stopped the report as they had a way back; they were taking Kira back to the headquarters where they would begin.
Lacus however had a lot on her mind.
Kira was loaded into a chopper that arrived under heavy security, Lacus rode in that chopper as well as now maybe the war could go there way, but she had one more thing in mind as well and that would begin when they arrived back to the headquarters.
What was she going to do now, Lacus couldn't think about that yet as she was about to have many problems.
To be continued...
(A\N): The next chapter Kira arrives back as many emotions are expressed, as well as a lot of other things, you really have to forget about the dark path on this one as things will be different then they were in that path. See you later.