Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny: Athrun's Recognition
Phase 07
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Kira drifted in and out of consciousness, when bright lights shined and woke him. He looked ahead and saw Cagalli, Murdoch, and Miriallia all staring at him. He realized he was in the Savior's cockpit, and that must mean Shinn didn't kill him.
"Thanks, Shinn," Kira sighed. Shinn had finally fought back his anger; just enough to not skewer Kira for good anyways. But that was good enough for now.
"Shinn?" Cagalli asked. Kira smiled.
"He's a guy I met on the Minerva. He's a lot like me," Kira explained.
"Than he must be real thick headed," Cagalli poked fun. They all laughed.
"Actually, he really is," Kira replied now thinking about it. They laughed some more.
In the med lab, Kira finally reunited with Mu.
"Hey, kid," Mu said to Kira. "Though I guess you're not a kid anymore."
"I still feel like it sometimes," Kira answered while the doctor checked to make sure he didn't have any serious injuries.
"Mostly just a few cuts and scrapes, though your bullet wound will take some time to heal," the doctor said.
"I guess you got lucky," Mu said. Kira's eyes began to water.
"It's all of my fault," Kira said. "I almost killed you Mu." Mu sighed.
"Man, maybe you are still a kid," Mu spoke. Kira stifled his tears. "You didn't try to kill me, and you didn't kill me. That's that."
"Really?" Kira questioned.
"Really," Mu said. "Plus, I heard you brought home a new toy for me," Mu joked.
"I suppose you could use it, though the OS has to be reset and the beam sabers need repaired. However, I no longer have a mobile suit of my own," Kira said.
"I was joking," Mu said. "You need to lighten up a little. What's on your mind?"
"I'm thinking about Lacus," Kira said. "Have we heard anything from the Eternal yet?"
"They've received three new mobile suits, but they're no where near what we need to replace the Freedom," Murrue spoke up. "These new suits are related to ZAFT's newest model zaku and gouf."
"Then we'll just have to hope for something at Orb," Kira reasoned.
Back in the Arctic Ocean, Minerva continued its search for the Savior and Kira Yamato.
"We've found no trace of the Savior or Yamato, ma'am," several ZAFT divers reported to the bridge.
"Then we'll just have to assume Yamato managed to escape," Gladys replied, though she was not too unhappy. However, she didn't like the idea of Orb having the Savior. But she trusted the Archangel would be the only ones to use it.
Athrun heard the exchange in the crew lounge and was gladdened. Kira could still be alive.
"So Yamato made it?" Shinn questioned. Athrun turned.
"It seems he did," Athrun said with a smile. "I thought you said you killed him."
"I did 'say' that," Shinn replied with a smirk. "I had to make it sound for real."
"Thank you, Shinn," Athrun said. "Kira means a lot to me."
"I got to know the guy, and I decided that he didn't need to die," Shinn answered. "He was right about me. I am controlled by my anger. That's why I hated Orb and Freedom for so long. Now we have the damn thing in our hangar," Shinn joked.
"I'm glad you're maturing as a warrior and a person," Athrun said. "I know I have."
"Hey you guys," Luna said as she entered the room. "You guys hear about our meeting with Durandill?"
"Yeah," Shinn answered enthusiastically. Athrun tried to hide his disdain for that name. Durandill was becoming a darker figure the longer Athrun served on this vessel.
"Not to be rude, but I need to check on the Freedom," Athrun said. "Have to practice with it, since it's new to me," Athrun tried to explain.
"Sure," Luna said. Athrun walked through the door, and saw Rey leaning against the wall to the right of the door, his eyes closed.
"How long have you been here?" Athrun asked. Rey's eyes opened, but they seemed mildly threatening.
"You should worry about yourself," Rey warned.
"Okay," Athrun said in wonder. He was not pleased with Rey's tone or words.
Back inside, Luna and Shinn continued talking.
"It'll be nice to get off this ship for a little while," Luna said. Shinn edged closer to her.
"About that moment the other day," Shinn began. Luna raised her eyebrows, but closed her eyes when Shinn kissed her on the mouth.
"Wow," Luna said. "Maybe we don't need to leave the ship."
"Perhaps not," Shinn smirked.
Back at the Archangel.
"We've finally made it to Orb," Murrue told everyone in the Archangel. "However, we need to lay low still. Col. Kisaka will meet us on the far coast, where he's arranged a meeting. He's very interested in Cagalli reclaiming Orb control."
Several crew members of the Archangel entered into Orb, while Murrue and several others stayed to guard the ship.
"Kisaka," Cagalli said, first shaking her friend's hand, and then hugging him.
"It's good to see you back in Orb," Kisaka said. "But we must make haste. Djibril is being held within Orb, and Yuna will not give him up to ZAFT."
"That purple haired bastard," Cagalli cursed.
"Only too true, but words are not enough," Kisaka replied. He led Cagalli, Kira, and a now walking Mu into a sealed off hangar. "This is Orb's, and your father's most secret possession." The doors opened, and within a golden mobile suit stood. The Archangel members were quite amazed at the sight. "The Akatsuki."
"Though this suit belongs to me, I'm entrusting it to my brother, Kira," Cagalli said, turning to her surprised brother.
"Really?" Kira asked.
"I trust your judgment, Cagalli," Kisaka said. "But you still need a mobile suit, and I'm afraid the Strike Rouge won't be enough. I guess we'll need the other mobile suit then."
"Other mobile suit?" Cagalli asked.
"Well, we rebuilt the Freedom, but it just didn't feel right only rebuilding it," Kisaka replied. More lights came on beside the Akatsuki, and the Justice stood, fully restored, completely rebuilt.
"You guys are really good at this," Cagalli gasped. "I guess I'll take the Justice then."
"It only seems right for you to use Athrun's machine," Kira said. Cagalli nodded.
The next day, Athrun and Shinn walked into a large room, onto a platform, where Durandill stood.
"Glad that you both could make it this far," Durandill said. Shinn smiled wide like a kid happy to see his dad from work, but Athrun only feigned minor amusement.
"What is this room, Chairman?" Shinn asked.
"I'm glad you asked," Durandill answered. Lights came on, and to the right of the platform stood two brand new mobile suits: Gundams. Shinn's expression now matched that of a child on Christmas day. "These are your new mobile suits. The Legend and the Destiny."
"Why do you need these?" Athrun asked. Durandill finally picked up on Athrun's tone.
"We need more power to defeat Logos. I'm sure you're well aware of the trouble we've had with them thus far," Durandill continued. "And now Orb continues to harbor Lord Djibril, the most dangerous one of them all."
"What?" Athrun asked. "Does that mean ZAFT intends to attack Orb?"
"I don't intend to. However, if they continue to hold Djibril, we have no choice but to attack," Durandill said.
"But Orb…"
"Is allied with the Earth Alliance," Durandill cut in. Shinn had already returned to reality and was now listening to the conversation. "We must do what is necessary to secure peace for PLANT and the world. But I assure you we will give Orb it's fair warning."
"I'm sure if Representative Atha can regain control that they will surrender Djibril," Shinn added.
"I hope so," Durandill said. He began to move to leave, but Athrun stopped him.
"One more question," Athrun started.
"Go on."
"Why is it necessary to remove Kira Yamato?" Athrun questioned. "He was the first one to aid in stopping the Destroy, and he was responsible for the victory in the last war."
"Kira had a role to play, but now he doesn't," Durandill said. "A man like him, with as much power that he has, is dangerous to everyone, and simply in the way of obtaining peace." Athrun was displeased with this answer. "But you and Shinn understand your roles; you both are ZAFT soldiers, and that is all you need. It is unfortunate that Kira could not realize his true destiny."
'Athrun, soldier of ZAFT,' Lacus' words stung again.
"Your destinies are to stop Logos and bring peace to this world," Durandill said. "Anymore questions?"
"No," Athrun replied quietly. Just whom was he working for?
A few hours later, in Durandill's quarters, Rey spoke with Durandill.
"I've listened to all of their conversations, and I can't trust Athrun," Rey said. "His true allegiance still lies with Orb and the Archangel, namely Representative Atha and the pilot of the Freedom."
"I see," Durandill responded, thinking on all of this.
"But there's worse news. I think Shinn is nearly in Athrun's pocket. If we don't act soon, we may lose Shinn to him," Rey warned.
"That is not about to happen," Durandill answered.
Athrun sat in his room thinking, mulling over Durandill's words, when Meer burst in.
"You shouldn't…"
"Listen, Athrun," Meer shushed him. "I overheard Rey and Durandill talking, and they don't trust you. Rey told him everything from conversations he heard on the Minerva." Athrun growled.
"That little fuck," Athrun cursed.
"I think they plan to kill you," Meer cried. "But you can try and reason with them, show them that they can trust you."
"That's not going to work on these guys," Athrun told her. Several knocks were made at the door.
"This is security. We need to bring in Athrun Zala for questioning."
"The hell with that," Athrun muttered. He ran and opened the window, quickly slipping out. The door was kicked down and three soldiers came in. They immediately noticed the open window and ran to it. Athrun swung in the window frame and kicked two soldiers in the face, flipped, and planted his heel against the third's forehead. He then jumped back through the window to escape.
"Wait, Athrun!" Meer cried, chasing after Athrun through the rain.
"Escape with me, Meer," Athrun said extending his hand. "The Chairman only keeps those around he deems useful at the moment. Once he's done with you, he'll try to kill you, just like he's trying to kill me." Meer shook her head.
"But I'm Lacus!" she lied to herself.
"No you're not," Athrun argued. "You're just a tool to Durandill, and he'll grow tired of you soon enough." Meer bit her lip, and shook her head.
"Okay," she agreed.
The two ran as far as they could till they met a tall brick wall.
"Can you get up there by yourself?" Athrun asked her.
"Yes, I was a great athlete in school," Meer answered. She grabbed the rim of her strange skirt and tore it off to reveal naught but some small underwear. Athrun blushed severely. "It's not easy to move in this dress." She then proceeded to climb right up the wall as easy as a squirrel.
"She's defenetly not Lacus," Athrun mused.
Shinn and Luna sat together on a couch in the main lobby to Durandill's mansion.
"It's nice to just sit back and enjoy a nice fire," Luna said, her head leaning on Shinn's shoulder.
"Yeah," Shinn simply agreed.
"Shinn!" Rey yelled, running in. Luna moved her head and Shinn stood up.
"What is it?" Shinn asked.
"There's a traitor, and he's escaping with a hostage," Rey said.
"Who?" Shinn asked again.
"Athrun's kidnapping Lacus and escaping with military secrets," Rey answered. Shinn couldn't believe his ears. "He's been working for Logos all along. That's why he didn't want to fight Orb."
"That can't be true! Athrun's my friend," Shinn argued.
"He only wanted you to think that, so he could turn you to his side. He just wanted to use your talents for Logos. We've been told to pursue the stolen Freedom in the Legend and Destiny."
"Just hold tight, Meer," Athrun told her. He secured her as best he could, but it was no easy task to fit both of them into a cockpit made for one. "Freedom, show me what you can do!"Freedom launched from the hangar and made for the ocean. Athrun hoped to make it to Orb, and only Freedom had the power to do so. There was a storm moving through, but otherwise it had been mostly smooth so far. But now Athrun could see targets on his radar. Two, and they were the new Gundams Durandill showed him. Hopefully Freedom could handle them.
"Athrun!" Shinn yelled over the radio. "Why have you betrayed us?"
"I haven't betrayed anyone," Athrun responded. "I didn't agree to play into Durandill's little game, and now he wants me dead."
"But that can't be true," Shinn argued. "He's constantly talked about his plans for peace. He can't be who you described!"
"He's not, Shinn! Athrun's only trying to manipulate you further," Rey claimed.
"Rey's lying!" Athrun replied. "You heard Durandill himself! He described us both as nothing but ZAFT soldiers, that that was our only destiny. I didn't fit right into that; I'm not just some pawn for him to move on the board! What will happen to us when this war is over. Soldiers won't be needed and he'll toss us away anyways!"
"Durandill has only offered the world peace, not through manipulation as Athrun claims, but by granting certain individuals the power to change the world," Rey spoke. Legend fired all of its beam cannons at Athrun, and Freedom was hard pressed to dodge each shot.
"I'm your friend, Shinn! I trust you to make the right decision," Athrun reasoned. Shinn's mind went back and forth.
"Don't listen to him, Shinn, he's just…"
"Shut up!" Shinn yelled at Rey, smacking the Legend with the blunt end of his anti-ship sword. Legend fell into the water, but was quickly back up.
"Athrun is my friend, and you're not! You've always listened in, always throwing in reverse arguments. The whole time you were trying to use me, like when you did to get me to kill Kira! Well I beat you there, and now I'll beat you here!" Shinn screamed. Destiny's beam wings ignited and Destiny charged with its anti-ship sword.
"Shinn!" Rey protested. Destiny smashed his sword into Legend's beam shield, launching Legend far down into the ocean.
"Let's get out of here, Shinn!" Athrun yelled.
Shinn looked down into the ocean, thought over his actions leading up to this point. "Alright."
To be continued…
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