Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: Athrun's Recognition
Phase 06
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Violet eyes stared out between iron bars. Green eyes returned the stare. Athrun could only guess what Kira was thinking at this moment. Perhaps about how his friend had betrayed him, how he'd allowed himself to be captured the enemy. Perhaps his mind was elsewhere, as Athrun had always known Kira to do.
"I'm thinking about Orb, and how I should be there, protecting the Archangel," Kira stated sternly. Athrun snapped back into the real world, surprised by Kira's sudden statement. "I should be there protecting Cagalli." Athrun frowned.
"Are you saying I should be there, always taking care of her?" Athrun demanded. Kira was unfazed by Athrun's outbreak.
"I didn't say that," Kira replied. "She loves you, you know." Athrun calmed down, and he was sad.
"I know. And I love her. I'm doing my best to defend this world, just as she has done and will continue doing," Athrun said.
"I know," Kira replied, and smiled. Athrun smiled back, but in the back of his mind, he was beginning to feel awful.
"I'm so sorry it's gotten this way, Kira," Athrun spoke sadly. "I wish there was no war, that we could still be standing on the coast of Orb, watching the sea and sky."
"Who says we can't?" Kira responded with smirk. "If we work together, then we can do just that. We can end this war, and return to our peaceful lives." Athrun looked up at Kira.
"If only it were that simple," Athrun replied. "But I promise we will see Orb again, and it will be in times of peace."
"That's enough time with the prisoner," the guard said, stepping in to the small room that served as the brig.
"Alright," Athrun answered. He headed towards the door to leave.
"Make the right choice, Athrun. I trust you," Kira said. Athrun turned back and saw Kira's pure smile. Athrun smiled again, but left before it made him sick.
In the crew lounge, Shinn and Rey sat at the benches, watching "Lacus Cline" on TV, performing live at PLANT. Athrun walked in, and Shinn turned to speak.
"You were talking to him for a while," Shinn said. "How is he?"
"He's well for a prisoner, but Kira's is good at keeping a cool head," Athrun replied.
"I guess you guys must be pretty good friends," Shinn said, with a hint of jealousy in his voice.
"Yeah. But we're friends too, aren't we, Shinn?" Athrun asked. Shinn smiled genuinely.
"Yeah," Shinn answered. "Maybe I should talk to this Kira," Shinn pondered aloud. Rey watched all of this conversation, taking in every word.
"You two shouldn't get too friendly with the prisoner," Rey said. "He is an enemy after all."
"Without Freedom he's no threat," Shinn quickly defended Kira for Athrun.
"You're wrong," Rey answered. "He's the reason why Freedom is dangerous. In his hands, any weapon is turned into a tool of mass destruction. He's still dangerous now, even in his cell."
"What's your interest in him anyways?" Shinn demanded. "I'm the one who should have a grudge after what he's done." Rey was silent, as was Athrun. "I'll go ask him myself how dangerous he is. And I'll see if he regrets killing Stellar." Shinn said in a serious tone. He stood up and went for the door.
"Don't do anything rash, Shinn," Athrun warned. Shinn turned around to face Athrun.
"Just trust me," Shinn said. Athrun was taken aback. But then he nodded.
"I will."
Murrue looked over Mu as he slept. His condition had been stabilized, but he had still not wakened. His vitals were strong, and he was breathing strong again.
"You're sop strong Mu," Murrue commented. She stroked a lock of Mu's long hair. Eyes fluttered, and blue eyes opened. Murrue's eyes widened.
"Hey there beautiful," Mu spoke in his usual smooth voice.
"Mu?" she asked.
"The one and only," Mu quietly answered, his voice still weak from not speaking for some time. "Murrue?"
"Yes," Murrue answered with tears of joy in her eyes. The doctor happened to walk in and see Mu's eyes open and his mouth moving.
"He's awake now?" the doctor asked in surprise. "My, he is a very resilient man."
"I make the impossible possible," Mu chuckled. "Now give me a kiss." Mu pulled Murrue down to him and laid a big smooch right on the lips. Murrue was surprised but gladly gave in. They finally released. "If I felt any better I'd say we need more," Mu began, "but I'm too… tired." Mu fell back asleep.
"Mu?" Murrue begged. The doctor placed his hand on her shoulder.
"It's to be expected. His body's been in overdrive healing him of his wounds. It appears he has a bit of an enhanced healing factor," the doctor said in amazement. "He should be quite better within a few days at this rate.
"I'm so glad," Murrue said. She hugged the doctor hard in glee, finally releasing him to leave.
"Oh my," the doctor said.
"Athrun, you've been asked here so I can tell you Kira's sentence," Gladys began. Athrun's eyes widened.
"Sentence?" Athrun questioned. Gladys' eyes narrowed.
"You didn't think he would be free from a sentence did you?" Gladys asked. "Though your expression tells me otherwise. He is charged with the deaths of at least a hundred ZAFT soldiers." Athrun was shocked.
"But they can't possibly hold that against him," Athrun protested. "That was in the previous war; ZAFT themselves were not in the right. Yzak told me himself that ZAFT soldiers were pardoned for their crimes during that war!" Gladys stood and stared intently at Athrun.
"Kira Yamato is not a ZAFT soldier, nor has he ever been one," Gladys answered sternly. "I've done all that I can, but Durandill has insisted that someone as dangerous as Mr. Yamato should be removed from this conflict, before he gets more people killed.' Athrun frowned.
"What is his sentence?" Athrun demanded.
"Death by firing squad," Gladys answered. Athrun's eyes widened as far as they could, his mind reeling. "I'm sorry. You are dismissed."
Athrun sat in the darkness of his room. Athrun's mind cycled through thousands of scenes and lightning speed. Calculations, friends, sides, events, people, places… And Kira!
"Durandill!" Athrun cursed in his mind. What was that man thinking? Kira didn't need to be executed. He didn't need to be 'removed' as the Captain had coldly put it. There was only one way to stop this. He would help Kira escape.
Kira looked up and saw a young man step in. The guard nodded, and left the room. Shinn walked slowly to the bars. Kira stood up but didn't come any further.
"Don't worry, I won't do anything," Shinn said. "I only came to talk, to ask a few questions."
"I don't know if I have any answers," Kira replied, stepping closer to the bars and Shinn. "I've been fairly clueless in this war so far, and I don't think it's helped anyone," Kira admitted.
"I can see why Athrun trusts you," Shinn said.
"Why's that?" Kira asked, honestly curious about this young man's ideas.
"You're honest. I can tell you're kind as well," Shinn said. Kira carefully studied Shinn, and then something dawned on him.
"We've met before. I met you at Orb, at the cemetery," Kira said. Shinn finally recognized Kira.
"So we have met," Shinn replied. 'And we've met on the battlefield. I am the pilot of the Impulse." Kira was surprised. Shinn appeared to be a normal soldier, but now Kira understood him to be something else.
"Then you're a SEED," Kira said. "You and I are alike."
"I am?" Shinn asked. He frowned. "How could we be alike?" Shinn fumed, outwardly expressing his anger at this statement. "You're responsible for the deaths of several people I cared about! How can you continue smiling like you do, when you've killed my family?" Kira stepped back, his senses picking up on the intense anger emanating from Shinn.
"Because I have to," Kira replied. "Because if I only dwell on the bad, all of the things I hate and regret, then I'll be consumed by it. I'm truly sorry for any harm I've done to you; I would never wish to hurt anyone," Kira spoke sadly. Shinn's anger subsided. "I've done many things I wish I could take back," Kira thought about Nicole, Tolle, Mu, many of the soldiers he killed. Shin found it harder to be angry now. Kira had admitted his wrong. Shinn would only be a hypocrite to say he never killed someone, made someone's children or spouse cry.
"But what can I do about it?" Shinn questioned aloud.
"You have to decide that," Kira answered. "It took me a long time to come to a conclusion. I can see you're kind as well." Shinn looked up into Kira's kind face.
"My name is Shinn Asuka," Shinn said.
"My name is Kira Yamato," Kira replied in turn.
"Time's up," the guard said as he stepped in to the brig. Shinn shuffled out, and Kira watched with interest.
"We're too alike," Kira sad sadly. "If he doesn't make the right choice, then he could end up like me."
Shinn lay in his bed, tossing and turning all night. His mind kept flipping over Kira's words, and his own beliefs he'd held for so long, the anger, the lust for revenge. Had he allowed it to consume him, to dominate his thoughts? He sat up with sweat dripping off of him. Shinn got up and took a shower, and then went to the crew lounge. He entered and saw Luna eating a snack of yogurt at one of the small tables.
"Why are you awake?" Luna asked.
"I should ask you the same," Shinn replied groggily. "I can't get any sleep."
"You just need someone to comfort you," Luna answered. Shinn raised his eyebrow. Luna stood up and hugged Shinn warmly. Shinn blushed.
"I thought you liked Athrun," Shinn said, breaking free from her grip. He did feel better now.
"How could you tell?" Luna demanded with her hands on her hips. Shinn sighed.
"Everyone could tell, Luna," Shinn replied.
"Well I don't like him anymore. He kept looking at a picture of some other girl, so I'm over him," Luna answered with her nose held high. "I guess this is a good opportunity for you," Luna said playfully.
"For me?" Shinn questioned bashfully and with red cheeks. Suddenly the alerts were going off.
"Prisoner on the run! Two men down, but still alive. Athrun's one of them!" Arthur yelled over the intercom.
Athrun stepped into the brig, with the guard's permission. However, the guard stay to watch, since it was night hours now.
"Athrun?" Kira asked, rubbing his eyes of sleepiness. "What is it?"
"It's… you're sentence," Athrun replied. Kira was wide-awake now.
"Sentence?" Kira asked. Athrun struggled with the words.
"Death by firing squad," Athrun answered. Kira was stunned, but was suddenly calmed.
"Then you must take care of Cagalli for me, and Orb," Kira said.
"You can't be serious, Kira," Athrun replied. "Don't just give up." He then turned around, leaving his back to face Kira. Kira was confused until he saw two pistols barely poking out from Athrun's belt. Within a second Kira had one arm wrapped around Athrun with a gun to his head, while the other arm pointed at the guard.
"You can't get out of here kid," the guard warned. "Just put down the gun now and you might get off easy this time."
"I'm leaving," Kira replied. His eyes changed, and he shot the guard in the leg, painfully disabling the soldier without killing him.
"Kira…" Athrun was cut off when Kira pistol-whipped him. Athrun fell to the floor unconscious, while Kira shot the lock to the prison gate.
"I'm sorry, but this needs to look real, for your sake," Kira said. He quickly hacked the key console to the door and opened it. He stepped out and looked to the right and the turned around to see two guards running up to him.
"Escaped prisoner spotted!" one of the guards yelled into his radio. They both opened fire, but Kira cleared the bullets and threw both of his pistols right into his enemies' chests, knocking the wind right out of them. Kira grabbed both guards' submachine guns and ran through the hallway, until the door to the crew lounge opened and Shinn jumped out with a pistol in hand. Kira aimed his guns, but couldn't bring himself to shoot.
"Don't hesitate!" Shinn exclaimed, shooting both guns out of Kira's hands. "I'm being generous, so surrender."
Kira stopped, but grabbed a fire extinguisher from the wall. Shinn fired deadly accurate, but Kira barely dodged and catapulted the extinguisher at Shinn. Shinn ducked, but was knocked to the ground by Kira's elbow nailing him in the stomach. Kira sprinted further, finally reaching the hangar, and he saw his beloved Freedom. But four more guards were already there. Kira used all of his speed, muscle, and acrobatic abilities to jump from one platform to another, until he felt his shoulder nicked. He sneered in pain, and he saw there was no way he could make it to the Freedom, so he chose next best and hopped into the Savior's cockpit. He quickly turned it on and prepared to leave. The soldiers' guns were worthless against the Savior's armor, and they all fled.
"Captain, the Savior is attempting to leave the hangar!" Arthur told Gladys as she briskly walked to her position on the bridge.
"Tell Shinn and Athrun to pursue in what ever the hell we have!" Gladys ordered angrily. "Yamato cannot escape, especially with one of our newest weapons!"
"Shinn, Athrun, you must pursue the Savior at all costs!" Arthur spoke over the intercom.
Luna quickly helped Shinn up.
"What a way to ruin a moment," Luna sighed, though honestly upset by the event.
"I'll be back for it!" Shinn said, looking back as he ran to the Impulse.
Athrun finally woke up from his painfully induced slumber.
"Damn it Kira," Athrun breathed. He speedily helped the prison guard to the med lab and then left for the hangar.
"He stole the Savior, Athrun," Luna warned Athrun as he ran in. He looked at the mobile suits left over, and his eyes fell on Freedom.
"Then it looks like I'm upgrading," Athrun replied with a stifled laugh. The idea of him piloting Kira's machine was unbelievable. But this was no humorous matter.
"Launch Force Silhouette and Sword Silhouette!" Shinn ordered.
"Roger," Meyrin answered, finally at her station again.
"Archangel! Archangel, do you copy?" Kira spoke over his radio. He desperately tried to contact the ship, his only escape.
"Kira? Is that you?" Cagalli asked over the radio.
"Please, I'm in the Savior, attempting to escape the Minerva! Please assist," Kira replied. "Send the Strike Rouge to pick me up."
"Roger, I'm coming as fast as I can!" Cagalli answered.
Kira noticed his radar and saw two mobile suits behind him, with one quickly trailing him while the other tried to catch up. Kira suddenly turned and drew the Savior's swords, blocking Force Impulse's double bladed anti-ship sword. The Impulse had clearly combined more than one set of weapons.
"I'm sorry Kira, but I can't let you escape!" Shinn said over the radio. Impulse pushed past Savior's guard and swiped at Kira with his spinning double blade, but Kira used Savior's mobility well.
"This isn't the Freedom, but it is still a powerful machine," Kira remarked. "I don't want to fight you either Shinn!" Shinn frowned.
"Why does this have to happen?" Shinn begged, once again spinning his blades at the Savior, each swipe barely missing Savior's limbs as Kira skillfully evaded the attacks.
"Don't let him twist your mind," Rey suddenly spoke through Shinn's radio from the Minerva. "He'll escape, and then he'll help Orb. He'll fight ZAFT, and he'll kill ZAFT soldiers."
"But we won't have to fight if Orb surrenders any Logos members to ZAFT!" Shinn argued.
"But they're allied with the Earth Alliance, and Logos controls the Earth Alliance," Rey argued back. "It will happen. But you can keep it from happening. You can keep another Stellar from happening." This cut to Shinn's heart, and the former rage and lust for revenge begged to take over.
"Stellar!" Shinn screamed. He struggled to fight his feelings.
"Shinn! Don't give into your anger," Kira warned. "Even if you defeat me here, kill me for revenge, then you'll only desire it more."
"But you killed Stellar! You killed my family! I can't let that go!" Shinn exclaimed, SEED mode completely in control of him now. Impulse forced his blades towards Savior, but Kira stopped both blades, lining Savior's cockpit with the center of Impulse's double blade. He split his blades, catching Kira by surprise, and broke Savior's guard. He sliced both saber hilts, destroying the blades, and charged forward with his double blade aimed at Savior's cockpit. "I'll kill you!"
"No, Shinn!" Athrun yelled. Shinn's life flashed before his eyes, and finally rested on Kira's smile. "Damn it!"
Kira could only stare forward at his approaching death, when Shinn shifted his aim, and impaled the Savior several feet to the right of the cockpit. Shinn released his swords and Savior fell down into the ocean. There was a small explosion, and a large mass of bubbles forced its way to the surface. Shinn stared, but felt his heart grow lighter. Freedom stopped right next to Impulse and Athrun looked down into the waters.
"How could you Shinn?" Athrun begged.
"I've killed Kira Yamato," Shinn smiled. Athrun could only glare at Shinn.
To be continued…
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