Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: Athrun's Recognition

Phase 03

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Berlin was engulfed in fire, while a gigantic monster towered over the destruction it had caused.

"Kill everything!" Stellar screamed, firing numerous beam cannons at the same time, destroying even more building, humans, and terrain. Destroy's thirst for death could not be quenched.

'This is what the Earth Alliance will do to win?" Shinn asked aloud, as he and his fellow ZAFT members watched a televised report on the event. Shinn spoke for everyone in the room; none could look away at the terrible situation before their eyes.

"We've been personally ordered to stop this monster," Captain Gladys told the crew. Several of the crewmembers sighed or groaned quietly in fear of this new Earth Alliance weapon. But Shinn was glad to stop such a creature. Athrun scowled. The Earth Alliance just kept getting worse and worse in their tactics. Now they were destroying their own cities, their own people. How such a government had lasted as long as it has was something he could not answer.

The Minerva finally made its way to Berlin, and everyone grew tense. The air was fresh with the smell of death and debris.

"Launch the Impulse and Savior!" Gladys commanded.

Athrun and Shinn stood in the hangar when they received the order. Athrun turned to Shinn.

"This enemy is very dangerous," Athrun started. "I hope you and I can really work together on this one." Shinn took this in.

"Sounds like a plan, Athrun," Shinn responded with a smirk. Athrun smiled back.

"This monster is just massive," Kira said in surprise. Freedom dodged each and every shot from Destroy, but this took all of Kira's concentration.

"Just die!" Stellar screamed, launching the Destroy's arms. They hovered about firing at Freedom. Freedom maneuvered out of the way and unleashed all of its weapons on Destroy, but the attack merely bent around the Destroy's impressive beam shield, causing even more unnecessary destruction to the ravaged city.

Force Impulse and Savior approached at high speeds. Kira read this on his radar, but only had time to spend on the Destroy. Athrun tried firing his cannons and rifle, but the blasts had no effect, as did Impulses rifle.

"We need to attack him at close range," Athrun said. "I'll distract it while you go in with your sword."

"Alright!" Shinn agreed. He racked his rifle and charged forward with his sword in hand. Freedom finally noticed the Savior and Impulse.

"Athrun?" Kira asked over the radio.

"Kira!" Athrun responded, finally catching sight of the Freedom. "We can't fight right now, Kira! It's more important to destroy this enemy."

"I know," Kira replied. "So let's defeat it together."

"Yeah," Athrun nodded. "Impulse is going in with his sword, so let's just hit the giant suit with everything we got."

Savior transformed and held his guns to bare, as did Freedom. They both unleashed their full power, four beam cannons, two beam rifles, and Freedom's rail guns. The blasts did little to Destroy, but it did catch its attention.

"Go to Hell!" Stellar exclaimed, once again unleashing several massive blasts, all aimed at Savior and Freedom.

Shinn took the opportunity and flew in, slicing into the Destroy's chest. Though his sword cut true, the Destroy's thick armor did not give way so easily. Impulse kept slicing, until someone else attacked Shinn. Shinn dodged a beam saber attack by an oddly colored Windam. The suit continued pursuing him, even when Shinn opened fire with his beam rifle.

"You can't fight that machine,' a familiar voice said over Shinn's radio. "Stellar is the pilot of the Destroy."

"Stellar?" Shinn questioned in shock. Images of his encounters with her ran through his mind.

"Now we need to attack!" Athrun exclaimed. Savior and Freedom charged with their beam sabers towards the damaged Destroy.

"No, Athrun! Stellar's in that thing!" Shinn yelled to his commander. Athrun stopped and dodged one of Destroy's beam cannons. But Freedom was undeterred, and it continued forward, stabbing into the right side of the Destroy's chest. "Stop it!" Shinn yelled, the Impulse slashing at Freedom. Kira quickly dodged, very much confused by Impulse's sudden attack. Shinn returned to the front of Destroy and could see Stellar through the torn cockpit. He opened his own, and yelled to her.

"Stellar, stop fighting! You won't die, I'll protect you!" Shinn assured the deranged girl. Stellar actually stopped her attack, comforted by Shinn's words.

"Shinn… protect Stellar?" she softly asked. Shinn smiled, but Athrun and Kira frowned.

"Shinn, we have to destroy that thing. It's already killed so many," Athrun explained.

"But I can stop it," Shinn argued. He turned back to Stellar. "I will protect you Stellar. You just need to get out of that crazy machine. Come with me."

"Shinn…," Stellar spoke in hesitation.

Just then, Neo's Windam attacked the distracted Freedom. Kira sensed this move and turned with its beam saber. Kira turned without thinking, and his beam saber slid right through the Windam's cockpit.

"No!" Kira gasped at his mistake. The suit exploded, and Stellar's eyes were wide.

"NEO!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. Destroy smacked Impulse away like nothing, nearly sending Shinn flying from his open cockpit.

"Shinn!" Athrun yelled. "Stop this, Stellar! You don't need to be controlled by your rage!"

"Stellar must fight to protect Neo!" Stellar replied, ignoring Athrun's words. She fired at Savior, but it easily dodged by entering mobile armor form.

"Please, Stellar," Shinn begged, Impulse now back in the air.

"Shinn…," Stellar began to wind back down. Kira watched, but he was convinced that Stellar was hopeless.

"This will only keep repeating itself. I need to stop this now!" Kira proclaimed. Freedom rushed forward with its double beam saber.

"No!" Shinn commanded Kira. "Impulse held up its hands to stop Freedom, but Kira was sure Shinn would only attack him again. "I'm sorry, but get out of the way!" Freedom spun its double blade and sliced Impulse into pieces before Shinn realized what was happening.

"Kira!" Athrun yelled.

Kira ignored Athrun and sliced right into the center of Destroy.

"Don't kill Stellar!" Stellar screamed as her mobile suit exploded. Kira shed a tear, but he knew this was the only way.

"I'm sorry." Freedom slashed one more time, and Destroy was finally dead.

"STELLAR!"

To be continued…

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