Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FUTURE
Story:
Sequel
to The New Coordinate. Twenty years later, a new force rised to
threaten the peace forged over the years and intends to sent the
whole world succumb to its knees. How will the children born in this
era of peace cope with the chaos?
Notes:
GodNo127: Glad you like the suits I named.
Centurious: Sir yes sir! Do look forward to them!
Depressed suicidal writer: Fight, huh? Will you rate it 10/10 if I put em in? Be patient, my friend. Yeah, I'll be looking forward to your stuff.
Staber: Good to see another new reader. Hope you'll be enjoying the ride.
Minor spoilers: Some characters from SEED Astray/SEED DESTINY Astray will feature at some part of the story.
Sorry, sorry and sorry for the REALLY late update! It's because I was too busy with my life and barely have the time to type even one line of sentence. From now, updates won't come as frequent as the prequel. Bet you guys wanna kill me now, right?
I don't own SEED, SEED DESTINY their characters or anything else aside from numerous OCs I created.
Chapter 3: Dark Cloud
"Representative Athha, have you issued the command to the military about this matter?" One of the Emir asked.
Cagalli, with her now grown hair and many times stronger than she was, replied, "Yes, I already issued them to be on alert. But we don't need the public to know this until we are sure about their intention."
"But are we absolutely sure about this...mobile colony's existence?"
Cagalli nods. "The shots taken are authentic, I can assure you. My husband, Chairman Zala is already on his way back to PLANT to verify this situation before making any decision about this. The Earth Federation too had promised to wait until PLANT verify it."
Xander was evaluating the test of the three new mobile suits. Lowe and Jess looked over the screen. Earlier, Shinn, Mwu and Kei had left to conduct their own mobile suit test, leaving Laura, Elena and Adora.
"How are they doing?" Jess asked.
Xander smiled but not completely satisfied. "They're doing nicely. Ashton in particular is doing rather well. Rina got the basics of how to use the Neo Striker but Zack..."
"Uh...he's doing badly?" Lowe added. The three girls started to worry about Zack. Especially Laura.
(Zack...)
Xander looked up Valiant. He could feel his son's unwillingness to fight. Thus, affecting the perfomance of the mobile suit. Xander sighed. Jess patted his back.
"It's alright, Xan. Soon, he will know that there is always a good reason to fight. Like the rest of us."
"I hope so. I'll call off the test."
Lunamaria was leaving the Orb Military Headquarters after she was briefed on the current situation. After the war ended 20 years ago, she joined Orb as a Lieutenant and was then appointed as mobile suit instructor. She's been holding that position for ten years now and despite Xander's suggestion for her to retire, she just couldn't do so.
"Xan, I can't just sit down and relax at home while you and our children are away. I need to do something."
"Oh, fine then. As long as you can devote some time for the kids, I don't mind about it."
She smiled upon remembering the conversation. "One of these days, I should learn to be a real housewife..." she thought to herself.
Then, a car stopped outside the compound. Lunamaria glanced at the driver. She sighed then smiled.
"Meyrin..."
The now short-haired Meyrin Hawke waved at her. Ever since the marriage of her older sister, she had become stronger and capable of taking care of herself. She is now outspoken and not afraid of anything, especially men.
"Hey sis! Just went to your house and Mary said you might be here! How about a stroll?"
Lunamaria nods and got into the vehicle. Without delay, Meyrin instantly, pushed the pedal and the car accelerated, leaving a loud screeching sound behind.
"You just came back from PLANT? Lunamaria asked. "Where's your boyfriend...oh, I forgot his name."
Meyrin sulked upon hearing the question. "Don't you say his name even if you remember it, sis! I swear I'm gonna...oh, how is my favorite nephew doing?"
Lunamaria chuckled. "Hehe. Looks like only Zack will be able to cheer you up, huh?"
"Of course! I love teasing him. Does he have any love interest yet?"
"Not to my knowledge. He seems not interested in it, as always."
"I will have to teach him the arts of wooing girls soon. You just watch, sis."
Lunamaria frowned. "Oh, I will."
"By the way, how is Xander doing?"
"He's so into his work, as usual. But the day won't be complete without him screaming for Rina's head though."
"Hah. She STILL giving her dad major headaches, huh? So, anywhere you had in mind of going?"
"I'm planning to drop by Morgenroete. Xander told that three new mobile suits arrived. Just want to have a look at them."
Zack was staring at the ocean not far from the factory. While the others were enjoying lunch provided, he preferred to be alone.
"Zack."
He turned around to see Xander approaching him with a smile on his face.
"Dad. I'm sorry I..."
His father cut off. "Don't you start, son."
"But..."
Xander cut off again. "I said stop it, kid."
Zack stopped apologizing. Xander smiled and stood beside him, looking at the clear skies above.
"Zack, it's good that you're not willing to fight. It means that you have a good heart."
"Dad..."
"But everyone have to fight at least once in their life. And they all have good reasons for it. And soon, you will find that reason."
Zack stared at Xander for a moment. "You...fought because of mom?"
Xander laughed. "That's one of the reasons. It was a promise I made to someone back then. And that was good enough for me to stride on the path I've chosen."
There was a moment of silence before Xander continued. "Uh, I think I better be going."
Zack turned to see Laura standing not far from them. Xander patted his shoulder and winked. "Good luck, kid." Zack winced before his father left. Laura then approached him, with a worried look on her face.
"Zack, are you...alright?"
"Yeah, I am. Thanks for asking."
Laura heaved a sigh of relief. "I'm glad to hear that. Uncle Xan didn't get mad, right?"
"Of course not. He understands my situation very well."
Dearka was dozing off in his office until his secretary, a young woman by the name of Mai Murakumo entered the room and slammed the door to wake him up. He almost instantly woke up.
"Boss, you're sleeping on the job. Again."
"Uh...Mai, I'm the boss here, okay? Give it a rest, okay?"
"But you're setting a bad example towards our subordinates. And that will be bad for this squad."
Dearka heaved a sigh and got up. "Okay, okay. I get it. If you don't have anything else to say, I think I'll be going back home for lunch."
With that, he opened the door and left the military headquarters. Like Lunamaria, he too had been briefed about the possible threat.
"I think I'm gonna have a look at my Buster. It's been a long time since the last time I actually maintained it..."
Mai sat down on her seat, heaving a sigh. She's been in the military for a few years now and was just transferred to the Elthmann squad recently.
"Now I know why his secrataries come and go. With that lazy attitude, it's no wonder this team was known as the worst bunch in Orb military."
She then thought of Cagalli's recent briefing about getting on high alert following the discovery of the mobile colony. She groaned.
"I never thought I have to actually use dad's parting gift. Damn that old man..."
Xander was having a chat with the others when he suddenly felt a presence. He then looked at a figure standing at the entrance. He was wearing dark clothings covered by red trench coat. His hair was jet black and was trimmed neatly except his bangs. His face was clearly young but he projected an aura of experience. Jess, Lowe and the children looked at Xander as he tried to remember.
(This...feeling...no, it can't be...)
"You're Xander Darklighter, correct?" the man asked politely.
Xander narrowed his eyes as he signaled Jess and Lowe to take the young ones to safety. They nodded and ushered them away.
"Yes I am. Who are you?"
The man smiled. "You are me. And I am NOT you. Get it?"
Xander closed his eyes as he remembered his battle against his female clone, Crystal Blue. Now, he have to accept the truth.
"I see. So you're another part of me..."
He then pulled out a pair of swords from his hips. "You can put it that way. But you should know that I am no longer a part of you. I am immortal!"
Xander smiled as he threw away his scientist coat. "Hm. Looks like you're completely different from that woman. Of course whether you're immortal or not is a different matter."
"Of course. Unlike her, I looked things on a bigger scale. And you are one of my many...obstacles that I need to eliminate."
"If you insist. Do tell me your name before we commence."
"Glad to know chivalry isn't dead yet. I am Valten Eckehart."
Without wasting any time, Valten attacked Xander with his twin blades. Without a weapon to defend himself, Xander was forced to dodge each and every attack launched upon him.
Suddenly, the sky turned dark as Zack and Laura met the others outside. "What happened? Where's dad?"
Panting, Sarina replied, "Dad...he was fighting with some...guy..."
"What? We need to help him!" Zack yelled.
As he about to leave, Lowe grabbed his wrist. "Don't. Your dad wants us to be safe first."
"But..."
Suddenly, a car pulled up and Lunamaria and Meyrin got out. "Mom! Aunt Meyrin!" Sarina gasped.
"What's happening? Where's Xan?" her mother asked.
"He's...inside fighting alone..." Jess replied.
Lunamaria instantly left for her husband. "Luna stop it!" Jess shouted. However, she didn't listened as she went inside.
"Hoo...boy..." Lowe sighed.
Suddenly, the alarm rang, saying that there are four unknown mobile suits appeared around Orb.
"Things just getting better..." Jess said.
"Well, what are you suggesting, Uncle Jess?" Ashton asked.
"Umm...I don't like this idea but I think I have to go with my Out Frame. Rina and Zack. I think you two should go with your mother. Lowe, take Meyrin and the kids to safety."
They agreed on Jess' plan and he made his way to the hangar housing his Out Frame. Jess breathed a sigh of relief to see it was still there, with its Aile Striker pack still intact after his last usage. He got into the unit and turned on the system.
"It's been so long. Astray Out Frame, system online."
Starchase, Galaxy and Nova were laying waste upon the city as Roy in his Legacy Gundam watched everything from the sky.
"Try to minimize the damage as much as possible." he said.
"Sure, sure. As long as a strong enemy will appear, that is." Anton replied.
"Got that." Irene said.
Maya didn't say a word until a group of the new X1 Astrays approaching in. "The Astrays are coming. I'm engaging them."
Then, Nova Gundam met the squad head on and Irene follwed her. Watching them engaging the Astrays, Anton moaned. "Hey, let me join the fun!"
Roy watched his three companions easily overwhelmed the Astrays. Then, he detected the presence he felt earlier. He turned around and saw a golden mobile suit approaching him. He remembered of seeing it during the final battle near the moon.
"The Akatsuki, huh? So you are Mwu La Flaga?"
"Mwu is my father. Who are you and how do you know him?" Kei asked.
Roy smiled. "His son, huh? My name is Roy Le Gard. I am your...grandfather."
His words caused Kei to gasp. "How..."
"You have to ask your father about it."
With that, Roy pulled out his beam javelin and Kei countered with his beam naginata. The two weapons clashed fiercely and sparks flashed across the darkened sky.
Anton, Irene and Maya just dispatched the last of the Astrays when they saw Jess' Out Frame approaching. Anton smiled.
"Oh yeah. Looks like a worthy opponent finally apprears. I'll engage this one alone."
Without waiting for the women to reply, he attacked Jess in a one-on-one contest. Jess countered it by firing a few rounds from his beam rifle which the Starchase Gundam easily avoided before resorting to beam saber.
"I will have to hold on until they arrive..."
At the balcony of their home, Kira and Lacus could see sparks caused by the battles across the sky. Lacus touched her husband's hand.
"Kira..."
"Laura is with them, right?"
Lacus nods. "Yes. She will be alright."
"I can feel Xander's difficulty, Kei's inexperience and Jess' disadvantage..."
"Kira..."
Kira turned to her, smiling. "I'm going, Lacus." She looked at him solemnly before she nods.
Both of them then went down deep into the basement. Standing before them was a huge door that lead into a mobile suit hangar. Kira entered the password and disabled the security to open the door. It opened with a loud hum as the cold breeze swept from inside. Kira hugged Lacus.
"Thank you."
Lacus smiled and the two kissed. "Be careful."
"I will. Do wait for my return."
Kira then went inside towards the 'sleeping' Strike Freedom. He got into the cockpit and turned on its system.
"It's been almost 20 years. Strike Freedom, awaken!"
He pushed forward as his unit shot up as the doors along the vertical tunnel opened.
Valten was attacking Xander relentlessly and the latter had started to feel tired and this affected his speed.
"You're getting old, Xander! I'm going for the kill!"
With that, Valten launched a spinning twin blade attack to form his own version of tornado. Xander have no choice but to evade the bladed typhoon as it destroyed most of the equipment within the hangar.
(Damn! At this rate...)
"XAN!"
He glanced to see Lunamaria tried to approach him as she was restrained by Zack and Sarina.
"Mom, don't! You're gonna get killed!" Sarina shouted.
"XAAANNN!"
The blades had almost reached Xander but he just smiled.
"Very well, Valten! If you wanna kill me so bad, my pleasure!"
With that, he launched a powerful upperkick to protect himself. The blades connected with his leg with a mighty clang and to Valten's surprise, the leg wasn't chopped off. Seizing the chance, Xander launched another kick, this time it hit the abdomen of his opponent. Valten was sent flying and crashed to the floor. Lunamaria finally broke free from her children and ran towards her husband. She hugged Xander tight.
"Xan!"
Xander smiled. "Maria, don't worry. I'm alright." He then glanced at Valten who had already stood up. Wiping the blood from his mouth, he smiled.
"Good. Very good. But since my friends already here, it's time for me to retreat."
"Wait!" Xander shouted at him.
Valten turned around to leave. "We'll meet again, Source." Then, he disappeared within a blink of an eye.
The military headquarters was in chaos as the Emirs and ministers frantically issuing orders to evacuate the civilians. Cagalli slumped on the chair, wondering what is the next plan of action.
"Dammit! Why now?"
"Chief Representative."
Cagalli looked up to Yvonne. "Yes?"
"Isn't it time to launch it?"
Cagalli considered the suggestion before agreeing. "Very well, I'll gather the crew and you make the necessary preparations."
PLANT Chairman Athrun Zala barely arrived when the news about the attack on Orb reached him.
"Darn it!" He cursed but then remembered many of his friends were there.
(I trust you all to protect Orb. Kira, Xander, Shinn...)
One of his aide interrupted his thoughts. "Chairman sir?"
Athrun shook. "It's nothing. Please tell the council that an emergency meeting will begin in 30 minutes. I won't accept any excuses for absentees."
"Damn, this guy is fast!" Jess excalimed as he dodged another blow from Starchase's lightning speed melee attack.
"Hahaha! This guy is good! I'm having so much fun!" Anton shouted in almost maniacal glee. "But too bad you're just not good enough to go against me."
Suddenly, Starchase disappeared from view.
"He's vanished! Where is he?" Jess looked at his radar but by the time he discovered it, it was too late. Within seconds, four quick attacks had disabled the Out Frame as it lost both its arms and legs. Anton then went for the killer blow.
"This is the end!"
Suddenly, a boomerang was thrown at Starchase and Anton dodged it. The thrown weapon then returned to its owner. It was Shinn in his Destiny Gundam.
"This could be a problem." Irene remarked. "I'm going in. You stay here, Maya."
"But Irene..."
"I can handle it."
Shinn pulled his powerful beam rifle and launched a massive blast at Starchase but Galaxy Gundam suddenly appeared and used its wings to absorb the energy blast. Ignoring it for a while, Shinn quickly approached the damaged Out Frame.
"Jess! Are you okay?"
There was a moan. "Ugh...yeah. What took you?"
"Sorry about that. Return to the hangar immediately. Let me handle these two."
Shinn then activated the Wings of Light and went towards both Anton and Irene, with the anti ship sword in hand. This had caused his opponents to see the after images of Destiny.
"Is that the infamous Wings of Light? Looks awesome." Anton remarked.
"No time for that, fool!" Irene yelled as she pulled out a beam scythe and engaged Shinn head on.
In another aerial battle, Roy calmly avoided the attacks from Kei's Akatsuki.
"You are not worthy of killing, boy. Give it up!" Roy mocked.
"Shut up! As long as you and your pals are here, I will continue fighting!"
Kei then fired the beam cannons from his unit's Oowashi Pack. Roy activated his beam shield and the blast was easily deflected.
"Persistent fool!"
The Legacy then approached Akatsuki with a speed that Kei never anticipated and the golden unit lost its left arm within a moment. Then, Roy tore out the flight pack from behind, before kicking it down towards the sea. Kei tried to regain the balance but because of what Roy did, the unit's booster was taken out as well.
"Ugh...is this...it?"
Suddenly, Strike Freedom bolted towards Akatsuki and managed to get hold of it. Kira then carefully guided the damaged unit to the mainland.
"Are you alright, Kei?" Kira asked through the line.
Kei groaned as he checked his body for any signs of injury. "Urgh...yeah. So that is the legendary Freedom..."
Kira chuckled. "It's hardly a legend. But I will allow that. Now let me take care of that thing." He then turned at Legacy and he remembered the battles against Providence and Legend.
"So, it is you again, Rau Le Creuset..." Kira thought.
Xander was discussing on what to do next until Lowe, Meyrin, Ashton, Elaine, Laura and Elena returned.
"Oh? You're back? I thought you already went to the evacuation center."
Lowe glanced at Ashton. "The kid insists on us to return. Just can't decline it."
"Still acting to be a hero, huh? Xander..." Meyrin said sarcastically. "I won't forgive you if you ever make my sister cry."
"Of course I won't do that." Xander retorted and both of them started to argue.
Ashton then approached Xander, breaking the argument. "Uncle Xan. Please let me launch in that unit."
Xander turned to the Neo Justice and then back to the boy. "No can do. Do you have any idea how dangerous it is? With your lack of training..."
"But if I...we don't do something, we won't stand a chance! Many people will be...killed...And I...won't permit that..."
Everyone looked at him. Adora then held his hand. "Ash..."
Suddenly to everyone's surprise, Xander laughed.
"Dad, this is not laughing matter!" Zack shouted.
His father stopped laughing. "Relax, Zack." Then, he turned to Ashton. "I see you have a strong sense of justice like your dad."
Ashton was surprised by Xander's words. "I am?"
Xander nods. "Very well, you may go but you must come back alive. Or I have to answer a lot to your parents."
Ashton smiled before climbing into Neo Justice. "I will."
"Ash, be careful out there!" Adora shouted from below.
Ashton nods before closing the hatch. Lowe then ushered the others to move away. "Alright kids. Let's get out of the way."
After tuning everything to his preferences, Ashton turned on his unit. The roof was automatically opened to allow him launched directly to the sky. This will be his first mobile suit battle but to his surprise, he didn't get nervous about it.
(A strong sense of justice, huh..?)
He smiled the moment he thought about it.
"Ashton Zala, Justice. Launching!"
To Be Continued...