A relatively quick update from me. This is mainly an information chapter and has a lot (probably too much) of dialogue. Though the end is more fun (I think that's the best way to put it). Oh and don't be afraid to follow me on Twitter. It's my homepage on my profile if you want to. Also thank you PhantomX05 My beta reader even if he did take ages this time.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but some of the plot. Matthias, Riyu, Ben and the Defender, Oh and the Toy box. Escapist belongs to Nightwish and Time of Dying belongs to Three Days Grace.
January 26 C.E. 71
The first guard to his feet raised his side arm at the back of Matthias's head flicked off the safety and fired.
Kira and Flay had already stopped watching by this point. Although he hated killing Kira understood that the older pilot was currently acting on his emotions and couldn't be held fully responsible for his action.
Riyu on the other hand couldn't take her eyes off the scene and tried to scream a warning from inside the Defenders cockpit when the gun was aimed.
What happened next was not what anyone watching had expected.
The whole station shook throwing the guards aim off at the last minute. The bullet whipping past Matthias's ear.
The blonde immediately span his right arm flicking out towards the offending guard revealing a metal wrist binder a black cable launched from a recess and wrapped around the unfortunate mans neck. A quick jerk of his wrist snapped the guards neck.
With that the remaining guards fled the hangar trying to get away from Matthias and to a safer point to wait out the attack.
Only Garcia remained frozen in fear of the man he had ordered to be killed along with his family.
The shaking brought Matthias back to reality. He quickly shook off the buzz left from the use of his powers. And stood their breathing heavily for a moment.
He looked up at the Strike to see it already moving to the catapult.
'Good Kira should be able to handle it so we can get away.' As he thought that his gaze landed on Riyu. She was staring at him slightly cautiously now but other than that she seemed the same as when he talked to her.
With everything that had happened Matthias hadn't actually got a proper look at her. She was wearing a plain red T-shirt and pale blue lightweight trousers. Both of these were baggy and hid her figure but he guessed that she was quite shapely.
'She's pretty good looking' he thought before mentally slapping himself. 'Now is not the time and remember look only.'
Quickly he dropped his gaze from her and turned to Garcia who was now trembling even more violently than before.
"I want to kill you, so badly it hurts. However I won't because doing so would make me the same as you." Said Matthias, his breath still slightly labored.
"I shouldn't have killed those men but I was lost in a blind rage, a rage directed at you. I'll leave you with that thought" With that he turned away and began walking over to the Defender.
Realizing he was no longer in danger Garcia stopped shaking. "Fool." He muttered reaching for his pistol. He never got to draw it. As a throwing blade hissed into his throat.
Matthias watched as the man he hated more than anyone else collapsed into a heap and lay there in a slowly growing pool of blood.
Slowly and deliberately he retrieved the blade wiping it clean on the dead mans uniform. Then made his way over to the Defender.
"Are you OK?" Asked Riyu when he reached the Mobile suit.
He looked at her gave her a small smile and collapsed, unconscious.
Outside Kira faced off against the Blitz with the sword pack. The black machine fired off its glepnir rocket anchor and Kira countered with his own the two claws bouncing off each other.
Flay squealed behind him as the Blitz charged beam saber activated.
That squeal drove home a point Matthias had made when he convinced him to pilot the Strike.
'Matthias is right I need to protect my friends or they will die.' He thought parrying the Blitz's attack with the Schwert Gewehr anti ship sword.
"There is no way I will let that happen.'
Flay let out another scream as the Strike shook from blocking another blow from the Blitz.
Around them the harbor began to explode from the damaged caused by the Duel and Buster that were at the entrance.
"Kira the Archangel is leaving out the other entrance. Return to the ship." Said Miriallia over the comm.
"Roger that." Kira replied before kicking the black and red machine away.
He then turned and boosted towards the Archangel. The Blitz attempted to follow but was cut off by a large explosion.
Quickly Kira switched to an open channel. "Please leave us alone I'm just protecting my friends." He said landing on the ship as it departed the station.
Nichol sat in the Blitz floating over the remains of the other harbor entrance. He had been the only one to get the communiqué from the Strike. He thought over what he heard. 'Yzak and Dearka won't think much of this and I doubt that the commander will either. I'll talk to Athrun when he get's back. He thought.
With that he headed to the Gamow.
Kira exited the Strike to see Matthias Being carted off on a stretcher and 9 body bags lined up against the wall of the hanger with Badgiruel, Mu and the girl that been dragged with them by Garcia having a discussion nearby.
Kira turned to help Flay out of the cockpit only for the redhead to extract herself and head towards the exit as fast as possible.
Kira let out a sigh at that 'I can only hope that experience makes her see coordinators in a better light' He thought before heading over to Badgiruel, La Falga and the girl. Where the discussion had become rather heated between the two women.
"… Lost control of himself because Garcia was the man who ordered the operation that killed his parents. He did regain control of himself later and was willing to walk away though Garcia tried to shoot him." Said the girl.
"It doesn't change the fact that he's dangerous. Nor can we overlook the fact that he, somehow, killed 9 EA personnel including a vice admiral. He should be stripped of his weapons and confined to the brig." Countered Badgiruel.
To Kira's surprise the girl didn't back down.
"Oh like that's a good idea confine one of our two pilots to the brig. Also do you really think that, after this demonstration of whatever powers he has, the brig will be able to hold him?" Her voice was heavy with sarcasm.
"About those powers why didn't he inform us of… Ladies, ladies." Badgiruel started only to be interrupted by Mu. "He's clearly paranoid and so will keep a lot of secrets from us at first. So I suggest we wait till he wakes up so he can explain everything. Does that sound reasonable? Natarle? Riyu?" Both women nodded.
The two officers left to go about their duties leaving Kira alone with Riyu.
Riyu moved first turning to face Kira. She smiled slightly. "You OK?" she asked.
"I'm OK thanks but what's the matter with Matthias?" Kira responded tiredly.
"Riyu glanced at the body bags. "Over exhaustion the doctor said. I think from using his abilities in that manner."
Kira nodded. "Do you think he meant to do this?" Kira asked looking at the bodies pointedly.
"No!" the resolve and passion of the reply surprised Kira. "Well he meant to kill Garcia but he was going to let that slime live only for the bastard to go for his gun when Matthias turned his back. I have know idea how but somehow your friend put a throwing blade in the snakes neck before he could draw it." Riyu's gaze dropped to the floor. "When he killed the guards I don't think that was Matthias it was an animal lashing out on instinct and emotion."
"Thanks for explaining, miss erm…" Said Kira scratching his head.
"Oh sorry I forget that Matthias only asked my name after you left." She said now looking quite sheepish. "I'm Riyu Takama, just call me Riyu though none of that miss stuff."
Kira extended a hand "OK Miss Tan… Riyu I'm…" he started only for the girl in question to interrupt him.
"You're Kira Yamato pilot of the Strike you're like a celebrity on this ship. Matthias is too but I think the glowing eyes cause people to distrust him."
Kira blushed at the celebrity comment but quickly composed himself.
"Speaking of Matthias I'm going to go see him for a bit before I do the maintenance for the Strike. Why don't you come and see him as well?"
"Sure. It's not like I have something to do." The brunette girl replied casually.
Kira smiled mischievously. "You know with the way you are about Matthias I'd almost say you're interested." He said
Now it was Riyu's turn to blush but she immediately turned away to hide it.
"I am interested in him. Just not in that way. He's different really different. Yet at the same time he acts like a normal person." Kira sent her a funny look. "Well sort of. Anyway that's why I'm interested in him."
"If you say so." Said Kira not really believing her but deciding to drop the subject anyway. He then left the hangar Riyu following a few paces behind.
Matthias didn't wake up for 3 more hours. Kira had gone to work on the Strike as he had said but Riyu had remained. Mu had joined in the vigil part way through and Cyrus had somehow made his own way into the room as well.
Almost as soon as the teen was awake Mu was needling him. "So you finished napping while everyone else is working then?"
Matthias snorted. "You try slinging 14 guards against a wall without touching them." He countered sarcastically. "Anyway I wasn't asleep I was unconscious there's a difference."
Mu didn't have a comeback to that so he decided to shut up.
"How are you now?' Asked Riyu concern slipping into her voice.
Matthias rubbed his forehead and then raised his arm for Cyrus to land on.
"Apart from a slight headache I'm fine. Just need a shower and I'm ready to go."
He said as Cyrus looked down on him from his new perch.
"Are you sure you're fine kid? I mean this isn't exactly something minor here." Said Mu.
Matthias just looked at the older man and got out of the bed. "Don't worry mom." He said with a teasing smile. "I've had a lot worse."
Mu shrugged "If that's the case then I assume you'll want to call a meeting to explain everything." Matthias nodded and started doing some stretches.
"I want you, Kira and the entire bridge crew there." He said Cyrus flitting around him as he did the stretches. "Oh and Riyu to." Glancing at the girl and accidentally looking straight into her hazel eyes.
"Sure we can fit your girlfriend in as well." Said Mu as he left the infirmary.
Matthias immediately fell over and Riyu blushed bright red remembering what Kira had said earlier as well.
Matthias quickly jumped back onto his feet shaking his head. "Damn I wasn't expecting that." Matthias said and looked at Riyu.
"Sorry about that. Me and Mu tease each other a lot, sort of like brothers, seems he won that round." He said laughing slightly.
Riyu chuckled. "He does act like some kind of crazy big brother doesn't he."
Matthias nodded. "Yeah he's a nice guy."
"So are you." Said Riyu as the blonde coordinator stood.
"Am I really?" He said bluntly heading over to the door where he paused.
"Thank you." He said.
"For what?" Said Riyu confused.
"Treating me like a normal person." He said simply and left.
That single sentence made Riyu realize why Matthias was so determined to protect this ship.
'Everybody who has ever treated him like a normal person is on this ship and he doesn't want any of them to die. He really should have more friends he's a nice enough person.' She thought before leaving the room herself.
Archangel Bridge a short while later.
Matthias looked up as the door hissed open to admit Kira. Matthias just smiled at him. "Don't worry about excuses just find a space and listen."
Kira nodded and stood next to Tolle's station.
"Well you're all here for my explanation so I'll tell you. The simple version is I am a Psychic." Matthias started completely serious.
Natarle stepped forwards. "What are you trying to pull psychics don't exist."
Matthias focused his attention on her. 'Oh really' He projected.
Natarle immediately took a step back eyes wide.
Matthias then used telekinesis to pick up a drink bottle brought it over to him and had a drink from it.
"Anyone else want to say that psychics don't exist?" No one said anything. "Good. Any questions?"
Riyu put her hand up, as did Mir.
"Oh yes Mir sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I was referring to Murphy's law it's an old adage. 'Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.' Does that answer your question?"
Mir nodded not sure if Matthias had remembered or read her mind.
"OK Riyu what's your question?"
Riyu shifted uncomfortably before asking. "What psychic abilities do you have and what are their limitations?"
Matthias smiled at her uneasiness. "That's a perfectly reasonable question. Well there's the obvious. Mind reading, telepathy and telekinesis. All useful but not without limits. Telekinesis uses a lot of energy, while mind reading and telepathy work for most people there are exceptions and they have a limited range. So I can read the mind of a normal person at about a mile away."
Matthias turned to look at Mu. "Lieutenant La Flaga here is much harder for me to read I think it has something to do with his ability to use the gun barrels. Anyway with him the range drops to about to around 3-400 meters. Then there's Kira." He said turning again to face the brunette who now had the look of a deer in the headlights.
"Who I have to have physical contact for it to work why this is so I don't know this is but it does make life interesting. Then there's the next stage where I can't read them at all. Riyu you are one of these people another is Commander Martin of ZAFT."
A collective murmur went around the bridge before quickly subsiding.
"Now for some of my more obscure abilities. First I can heal myself. This is sort of Telekinesis. Most of the time I have to use small synthetic crystals called source stones to pull this off. Source stones slowly create psychic energy and store it using them gives me a power boost."
Mu chuckled. "Sounds like a video game power up."
Matthias shrugged. "The principal is similar. Anyway moving on. I can manipulate psychic energy into constructs. Simple thing like blades or a shield only though. I can also use it to improve my physical performance. I also get premonitions." Now everyone was staring at him.
"These are most annoying as touching something or hearing a phrase can set one off. The premonition is always related to the phrase or the object touched however it is only a possible or likely future I see not a definite one. The main problem is I freeze completely whenever a premonition happens."
Kira's eyes went wide. "So down in the hangar just after Heliopolis collapsed you had a premonition." He said pausing to think. "Also you didn't touch something so it was something I said that set it off. Right?"
"Correct on both counts Kira however I will not tell you what set it off or what I saw because it could stop it from happening and I would rather like it to." Kira nodded slowly but pouted slightly all the same.
"Right is there anything else? Oh yeah I can sense peoples emotions in a 30 meter radius around me only people like Riyu are exempt from that. Any other questions?"
No hands went up. "OK then everyone can go about their business. Though I'd like to talk to Captain Ramius if that is OK?" He said kicking over to the brunette woman.
She looked at him curiously. "Why wouldn't it be?" She asked causing him to do something that no one present had ever seen him do before he grinned.
"I have a request. I've noticed that a lot of the crew and civilians are quite stressed and in need of a relax. So would it be possible for me to set up a stage in the hanger and put out some of the instruments I have in the toy box for use by off duty crew and the refugees?" He said.
Murrue thought about it for a second it was definitely a good idea, mu had told her about the toy box, and they seemed to have shaken off their pursuers. Also it was a good way to play on her XO's sense of military protocol.
"I don't have any objections to it. I'll even let you pipe it round the ship if you want." She said.
"Only if it's worth hearing. OK I'll get that organized now." Said Matthias clapping his hands together.
"I could send an announcement round the ship if you want." Offered Sai having overheard the conversation.
"Thanks I should be ready in about an hour or so." Said Matthias floating towards the door.
58 minutes later Matthias finished plugging in the last instrument. He looked up to see who had shown up to have a go with the instruments. He let out a sigh when he saw that there wasn't that many. A few of the mechanics and one or two of the crew and none of the civilians.
'Oh well let's get this going anyway.' He thought moving towards the small gathering of people.
"OK everything is ready. You can use all the instruments that are out with the exception of my guitar" indicating the black and dark blue electric guitar hanging from his shoulder. "Just please be careful with them and have fun."
With that all the people dashed to the instruments of their chose there was a few of each so everyone got what they wanted. The stage remained relatively quiet as all the instruments were wired up to headphone so only the user could hear them.
Matthias folded a chair out of the stage, sat down and started to play a few random chords looking rather down.
He continued playing until someone walked over to him.
He looked up to see Riyu.
"What's up you look kinda depressed." She asked.
Matthias smiled at her sadly. "I was hoping more people would come."
Riyu looked over the stage. "Well at least you got some people to come."
"I suppose." He said still playing the odd chord.
"So you play?" Riyu asked after a few moments.
Matthias looked up again. "I can play anything here pretty well but I prefer the guitar."
Riyu looked around that was quite a few instruments, on the stage was drum kits, Various brass and wind instruments (All small and mediums ones) and a number of string instruments (None bigger than a guitar) even a keyboard.
"Wow that a lot of things you can play." She said.
Matthias looked Riyu up and down. "You don't play anything do you?" He said half to himself. "No. You don't play... You prefer to sing."
Riyu looked at him. "I thought you said you couldn't read my mind." She huffed.
Matthias chuckled. "Lucky guess that's all." He assured.
Riyu looked at the guitar than at an unused output jack.
"Didn't you get permission to play something over the ships intercom?" She asked suddenly.
"Yes. Why do you ask?" He said uncertainly.
"Well you could play and I could sing. Could attract people down." She said shrugging.
Matthias smiled and quickly went to pick up a small radio like thing.
"Right here's the rest of the band." He said holding it up. "What do you want to sing?"
Riyu thought about it for a moment. "Can you play Escapist by Nightwish.
"Just one of my favorite songs." He said confidently plugging in all the equipment and selecting the song on the music box.
"OK let's do this then." Shouted Riyu picking up the mic.
The music started playing orchestral strings starting the intro.
Then the drums and Matthias's guitar kicked in people on the stage stated looking at them.
Just as the lyrics started Matthias stopped.
Who's there knocking at my window?
The owl and the Dead Boy
This night whispers my name
All the dying children
The Guitar kicked off again only to stop as the lyrics stared again.
Now everyone on the stage had stopped and was watching and listening to them.
Virgin snow beneath my feet
Painting the world in white
I tread the way
and lose myself into a tale
Come hell or high water
My search will go on
Clayborn Voyage without an end
A few of the crew entered to see what was going on.
Riyu smiled at Matthias who nodded in response.
A nightingale in a golden cage
That's me locked inside reality's maze
Come someone make my heavy heart light
Come undone
Bring me back to life
A nightingale in a golden cage
That's me locked inside reality's maze
Come someone make my heavy heart light
It all starts with a lullaby
Now a few of the civilians started coming in obviously curious about the source of the music.
Journey homeward bound
The sound of a dolphin calling
Tearing off the mask of man
The tower-my sole guide
This is who I am
Escapist
Paradise Seeker
Farewell, time to fly
Out of sight
Out of time
Away from all lies
More and more people started coming in and the pair found themselves with a somewhat large audience.
A nightingale in a golden cage
That's me locked inside reality's maze
A nightingale in a golden cage
That's me locked inside reality's maze
Come someone make my heavy heart light
Come undone
Bring me back to life
Matthias had shut his eyes but continued to smile and play. To all present he was more relaxed than they had ever seen him before.
A nightingale in a golden cage
That's me locked inside reality's maze
Come someone make my heavy heart light
It all starts with a lullaby
A nightingale in a golden cage
That's me locked inside reality's maze
Come someone make my heavy heart light
Come undone
Bring me back to life
A nightingale...
In a Golden Cage...
The music finished and the pair suddenly found themselves being applauded by the entirety of the people in the hangar and probably most of the ship as well.
"Seems like it worked." Said Matthias.
Riyu beamed at him. "Yes it did didn't it." She replied. "Though it did get me thinking. Can you sing?"
"Yes." Said Matthias not realizing that the conversation was being picked up on the mic.
"Come on sing then." Shouted someone from the crowd Matthias guessed it was Murdoch.
Soon the whole crowd was calling for Matthias to give a song.
"Looks like I have no choice." He muttered heading over to the music box to choose a song. Heading back to the mic to the sound of cheers.
He nodded to Riyu to set the music going and launched into the short intro then started singing.
On the ground I lay
Motionless in pain
I can see my life flashing before my eyes
Did I fall asleep?
Is this all a dream
Wake me up; I'm living a nightmare
Riyu went wide eyed at the last line realizing that Matthias chosen the song for a reason not just on a whim.
I will not die (I will not die)
I will survive
I will not die, I'll wait here for you
I feel alive, when you're beside me
I will not die, I'll wait here for you
In my time of dying
Again Matthias closed his eyes sinking into the music. While the crowd cheered him on.
On this bed I lay
Losing everything
I can see my life passing me by
Was it all too much
Or just not enough
Wake me up, I'm living a nightmare
I will not die (I will not die)
I will survive
Riyu started crying slightly realizing the message of the story she also notice a tear run down Matthias's cheek as well.
I will not die, I'll wait here for you
I feel alive, when you're beside me
I will not die, I'll wait here for you
In my time of dying
I will not die, I'll wait here for you
I feel alive, when you're beside me
I will not die, I'll wait here for you
In my time of dying
I will not die, I'll wait here for you
I will not die, when you're beside me
I will not die, I'll wait here for you
In my time of dying
Matthias accepted the cheers now dry-eyed before leaving the stage hurriedly.
Riyu immediately walked over to him. "Who was that for?" She asked sounding a little jealous.
Matthias looked at the floor but didn't answer.
"Sorry. Not my place to ask." Riyu apologized.
Matthias looked up eyes full of tears. "It was for my sister. I never actually saw her die so there is a chance that she's still alive. Also it was about my life." He whispered only just audible to Riyu.
"I-I didn't know sorry." She stammered.
Matthias waved it off. "Don't worry it wasn't your fault."
"It proves my choice of song correct though." Riyu said quietly.
Matthias looked at her curiously. "What do you mean by that."
"The ship may have escaped Artemis but this is you escaping." She explained indicating the stage and his guitar. "Escaping from what you have done and your past."
Matthias chuckled once. "I can't even hide anything from you can I. You're right I am trying to escape." He looked at the mic then at his guitar.
"I think it's about time I found someone else to sing that song for." He muttered.
"Who would that be though?" Riyu asked slightly wary.
Matthias smiled at her. "Oh I have an idea." He said cryptically, putting his guitar down as he spoke.
Riyu thought about it for a moment then turned to walk away only for Matthias to grab her arm and turn her back round and pulled her close.
"You're different from every other girl I've met." He whispered into her ear causing her to blush. "Now there's just one thing I want to do." He finished and leaned in to kiss her but just before he their lips touched the blonde teen shifted his grip and tossed Riyu over his shoulder Judo style.
The brunette was both surprised and disappointed at the move but quickly maneuvered her body so that she landed in a crouch and immediately swept Matthias's feet from under him. He immediately rolled with the fall using the momentum to propel him back onto his feet. Just in time to duck a vicious kick and drive his elbow into Riyu's stomach.
The girl immediately let out a gasp of both surprise and realization. The blow had been pulled so it only winded her slightly and also made her realize something.
'He's not trying to hurt me. So this is just a test? In that case…' She realized snapping her head back to avoid another punch before countering with a palm strike.
Matthias moved to block the blow only for Riyu to stop it short and grab his wrist. A quick twist and he found himself in an arm bar.
"So… How did I do?" Riyu panted the smugness in her voice obvious.
Matthias didn't reply he just jumped, twisting out of the hold in such a way that he hit straight into the brunette girl knocking her to the floor. As she fell he wrapped his legs round her arms and upper torso. They landed like that and Riyu found herself pinned.
"Impressive." Matthias said plainly though he was smiling. Incredibly he wasn't even breathing heavily.
"Though you shouldn't have let your guard down at the end there." He added getting off her and helping her up.
"So do I pass?" She asked still slightly dazed from the take down.
"As long as you remember never to let your guard down in future. Then yes you pass." He said getting a pair of drinks bottles out of a cooler.
"You enjoyed that didn't you?" Riyu asked as she accepted the drinks bottle.
Matthias blushed slightly at the question but still managed a retort. "So did you."
He said looking straight into her hazel eyes.
Riyu just nodded looking straight back into his blue eyes with the dancing glow within them.
"Pretty." She muttered surprising Matthias.
"What is?" he asked confused. Riyu blushed deeply she hadn't meant to say that out loud.
She didn't want to answer but the blonde just caped staring at her curiously till she gave in. "Y-your eyes" She stuttered out.
It was Matthias found the rapid change in her demeanor highly amusing. Though her answer surprised him. "Really?" he asked Riyu was too embarrassed to answer with anything more than a nod.
He just stood there for a moment thinking. "I'd never thought of them as pretty before. Thank you." He said eventually looking back into her eyes they just stayed there lost in each others' eyes until a shout brought them back to reality.
"Just kiss already!"
Both finally looked back over the stage and saw that everyone was watching them and probably had been doing so for some time.
Both teens went a particularly alarming shade of red as everyone watching took up the chant of "Kiss, kiss, kiss."
Though he was embarrassed Matthias was still observant of his surroundings and so noticed with a degree of surprise and satisfaction that Flay was joining in albeit hesitantly.
Riyu turned to look back at him. "Do you want to?" She asked shyly.
Matthias smiled at her. "Let's just say I have no real objections so…" He didn't get a chance to say anything else as Riyu put her arms round his neck and kissed him full on the lips. The action stunned him as the crowd cheered but after a few moments he started kissing back as well. They pulled away after a few seconds.
Matthias just looked at the girl no young woman that had just kissed him.
"OK truthfully how long have you been 'admiring me from a distance'?" he asked cheeks burning.
Riyu some how went redder than she already was. "Erm well since about a week after you came to Heliopolis." She admitted.
Matthias took her hand. "I see. Why don't we join the others?"
The brunette nodded. "Continue being escapists. Why not." With that they went down to everyone. Almost like a signal everyone went back to playing with the instruments. And for that night on the Archangel everyone was able to escape from the reality of war and enjoy themselves. Even Natarle.
Well that's done a lot quicker than expected. Though the end bit ended up being revised a few times. The kiss just fitted too well not to do it. A lot of dialogue but a lot of info as well and a bit of dun as well. I think Matthias will pretty my stay as he his psychic ability wise but we shall see. Lacus makes her appearance next chapter however after this rather rapid chapter writers block will probably set in again. Please R&R.