Endgame
Adjusting his controls, Diego pulled the Gundam Dinn from the side of Memento-mori. Watching Patrick Colasour blast on ahead he armed the external nukes and followed suit, knowing that at full speed they'd be able to avoid the blast and re-enter the earth's atmosphere in time.
"What's your status?"
"I'm good." Patrick Colasour huffed through his headset. Even in pain his pride came first.
"Don't screw with me. You're docking the moment we re-join the Colonel."
A giant explosion rocked the space around them as Memento Mori went up in flames. Looking back, Diego saw a nexus of light before the station burst into a glorious flame just as he re-entered the familiar atmosphere, however the flash of the satellite's last laser whipped down from behind. Diego and Patrick managed to avoid it by rolling out of the way.
White clouds engulfed him, light turbulence gently shook the machine before Diego emerged in the stratosphere. Scanning the ground below he couldn't believe what he saw. The elevator was hit and the top started to crumble.
"Colasour, we have to break the pieces, Now!"
There was no reply as the suit beside him continued in free fall. Diego lunged for the tower, but when his comrade whipped by him, still unresponsive, he gave chase.
Lockon watched the explosion from the scope of his high density rifle. The station blew up just minutes before he had the chance to fire. Setsuna's HUD displayed on his screen, showing the damage being done to the elevator.
The crew sat transfixed as the explosion played out from Setsuna's HUD.
"What just happened?" Lyle was the first to ask as he fought off a GN-X, barely evading its lance.
"Memento Mori just exploded from within." Feldt replied slowly. "How..."
"We'll figure that out later. Everyone concentrate your fire on the falling debris, the tower could destroy the entire city below." Sumeragi said, recovering first as she broadcast her message to all comms.
Hmmm, it just broke away. Guess it was no match for Lockon Stratos. Laughing, Lockon took aim and started with the debris. However, before he could control himself the zero system slowly started to freeze time again, everything moved in slow motion then as if by catapult the familiar feeling of seeing into the future started pouring over him. Lockon smashed his fist against an arm rest, the pain brought him back to focus on the present, countering the Zero's effect. Not this time, I'm not letting you take over again, Zero. With that he took off towards the falling debris, joining the suits in an effort to shoot down the debris. For the first time in ages Lockon relished the feeling of being back inside a Gundam.
Diego pushed the Dinn to full speed as he closed in on Patrick's unit. They crashed down into the desert just as Diego grabbed hold of the suit, somewhat lessening the impact. Kati's ship was not far behind, mobile suits flew around it in clusters, everyone seemed focussed on shooting down the debris.
Waking up in a bit of a daze he punched the hatch release and got out, running straight for his subordinate's unit. Bit's rained down on him as both comrades and enemies above continued to decimate the debris.
"Colasour, answer me!" Skidding to a stop, he climbed atop the Gundam, immediately trying to pry the hatch cover open. The raging war above them and Kati's distressed voice didn't register as all his focus was concentrated on getting Patrick out. He was hurt, I shouldn't have let him fly. Wrenching open the final lock, he threw the door aside to find an unconscious Colasour. Checking his pulse he didn't register the giant ball of debris that slipped past the other suits, not until it disintegrated just meters above him. Shielding his face from the bits, Diego looked up, catching sight of orange mobile armour as it circled and closed in on other stray blocks.
Grabbing Patrick he hoisted him and brought him down from the Gundam. Laying the Ace flat on the ground, Diego started to compress what appeared to be a bullet wound at his side. "Idiot, when did you get shot!"
"Lieutenant...wher...how..." Kati's voice echoed through his broken comm. He ripped it off, not needing any more distractions.
"Come on Colasour! Breathe dammnit!" He yelled, tearing his sleeve and rolling it into a ball before compressing the wound. "The colonel's waiting. Don't you dare die on us!"
Hurried footsteps sounded behind him. Keeping one hand on the wound he gripped his pistol with the other and whipped around to aim at the intruder. His eyes widened as he recognized the failed experiment they dared to call a super soldier.
"I can help." Allelujah said, staying still. A medkit hung steady at his side as he looked to Diego.
Diego gripped the trigger just a bit tighter. I can shoot him and take the kit. But shit, I can't have them rain down on my ass. "Toss it here."
"Let me help." Allelujah spoke again. His eyes darting to Patrick. "I have laser that can fix the wound. I can also revive him."
Diego too glanced at Patrick. His color was disappearing and fast. This wasn't the time for vengeance, though he'd be sure to get it when the time came. Lowering his gun he reluctantly beckoned the enemy closer.
It took hours for the elevator to stop disintegrating. When it did, both A-laws and Regular forces called a truce and backed off, the relief efforts for the city below and their wounded comrades took precedence on both sides. When the regular forces arrived at Allelujah, Diego and Patrick's location it was a moment of tense glances and hesitant movements. None of the regular soldiers knew how to act around the Gundam pilot, or their ex-platoon leader. Many, who recognized Dyson, seemed too weary to say anything as if fearing that their leader was just a figment of their imagination.
Diego watched as they loaded a now stable Patrick onto a gurney and marched him back to Kati's ship. Their careful perimeter and cautious glances somehow made him proud, he even remembered teaching the unit that particular defence move. Now he watched them disappear, while standing next to his enemy.
The winged one looked on, but before he could say anything a voice sounded behind them.
"Diego..."
His eyes went wide as the soft voice of Soma Peries caught his ears. The Gundam pilot beside him got the message and moved away, giving them space but Diego stood still. Unwilling to turn around for fear of not seeing her there. He would never admit what she did to him, what her disappearance really meant these past couple of weeks.
A soft hand found his shoulder, freezing him on contact. Clenching his fists he tried to shrug off the contact but his body had other plans. It missed her touch. He did to.
"Diego..." she repeated. He turned just in time as she jumped into his arms and hugged him close. "You're alive!" She muffled into his chest as he held her still. Trying and failing to let the Gundam pilot out of his sights.
"What are you doing here, Soma?" he murmured into her hair, still unable to let go. "You're with Celestial Being."
"No, I thought they killed you I went over there to get reven—"
He leaned forward and kissed her. It was unexpected for either of them, but he followed his instincts and she responded in kind by wrapping her arms around him, soft hands caressing his hair as if trying to commit the layout to memory.
When they came up for air, Diego couldn't care less about the Gundam pilot still behind them. All his attention was focused on the woman in front of him as they leaned their heads together, unable to acknowledge what just happened.
"It wasn't a question Soma." He said, as her fingers grazed his throat. "Even if you came there on a mission it's pretty clear that you're with them now." He glanced to the mobile armour that she flew, parked right beside the Arios Gundam. She looked ready to explain but he shook his head. "After what I've seen I think it's best if you stayed with them."
"What?"
"I'm serious. Kati's fighting, we're all fighting but I don't want this to be your battle anymore. I can't ask that of you."
Her eyes turned hard as she stepped back. "That's not your decision."
"No, it's yours." He whispered, holding his hands up in defence. "Soma, there are things going on with A-laws even Reg forces that I don't understand."
"Then let me help you," she said, eyes softening.
Diego shook his head. "You can't live with a ghost, Soma." He looked at himself, dressed in the black uniform that seemed foreign to him. "I'm going to do the best I can to stop being one. In the meantime you're safe here." He looked up but the sharp eyes of Soma were replaced with the forgiving ones of the girl called Marie. He smiled to her, "please keep her safe, Marie."
The girl nodded in understanding, smiling as he brushed past and reluctantly headed for the Gundam Dinn. For what it was worth, he even gave the winged one a nod and hurried thanks, as the cockpit closed on him.
There was plenty of work to do and he wouldn't let himself be satisfied until the A-laws threat was gone. He would fight for their freedom, to erase the mistakes they made. Only then could they truly be happy.
Allelujah stepped over to Marie as they watched the golden Gundam take off and drag the fallen mobile suit into the Kati's regular forces mother ship. The convoy headed out, leaving nothing but Celestial Being and many damaged suits on the battle field.
"Marie..." Allelujah whispered, unsure of who he was going to get a reply from.
She turned to him with a small smile, it was Marie. "Allelujah..." she said, back in control again. "We're happy."
Sighing with relief he inquired, "Who is?"
"Soma and I." She looked to the retreating convoy, "He's different. Focussed and not lost."
Allelujah pondered her assessment, but failed to come to the same conclusion. "Well...he did let me help the other guy..."
Marie took his hand. "That's not all. He's changed into someone better." She said, squeezing his hand lightly. "Good things can come from conflict."
He couldn't understand her optimism. Many people died today and many more will join them tomorrow, but none of that mattered as they looked out into the open sky and held hands. Allelujah smiled, she was here. His Marie. That's all that mattered.
Two hours after the orbital elevator fiasco...
Lyle unzipped his suit before tackling the shoulder armour. A piece of it curved on impact and was now stuck to his arm. He struggled against the metal, all the while hoping beyond hope that nothing was broken as a sharp pain ripped through his bicep.
Continuing to tug he didn't notice as Sumeragi entered.
"Lyle, have you seen Ne..." she stopped when he jumped around, startled by her voice. "Are you okay?"
He nodded and sat down before resuming his tugging, "Yeah. Anything you need?" He didn't want to sound gruff but truth was the more time he spent away from them the better for all. At least that's what he wanted to believe. This situation with Katharon required secrecy and there was no way of keeping that intact while babbling.
She came to stand before him but Lyle only ignored her. Trying to keep still, but the shooting pain was getting worse, making freeing his arm a top priority. Maybe Anew can get something...
Without warning she reached behind his shoulder and pressed down hard. Lyle yelped, but something in the armour clicked and released his shoulder instantly. The piece fell to the bench with a clank. He flexed his freed arm, happy to see no lasting damage aside from a bruise. Smiling he looked up to catch her worried gaze.
"Thank you."
She still looked solemn as she nodded slowly and folded her arms. He didn't want to seem rude or ungrateful, but truth was he really wanted to see Anew and the tactical forecaster was making that a bit difficult.
"Lyle," His patience was rewarded when she began to speak. "I think we need to talk."
He sighed. So it's gonna be like that huh. "What's on your mind?"
She sat down next to him, eyes downcast as she looked to be fighting for words.
"Any day now, Sumeragi-san," he urged, unwilling to spend his downtime in the locker room.
"We know you're a spy," She said, calmly.
He froze, for the first time being acutely aware of the gun in his room. "I don't know who—"
She waved away his protests, clearly not in the mood. "Lyle look I know you're not trying to hurt anyone. Katharon doesn't seem bloodthirsty, but..."
He tried to resist the urge to sigh but did it anyways. We've gotten this far, can't say I blame her if she kicks me out. "But what?"
"I don't think it's sitting well with Neil."
Lyle furrowed his brow, looking to her quizzically. "I'm surprised it's not affecting you."
She laughed, "Lyle we both know if you were endangering my ship, I'd kill you myself." Meeting him at eye level, letting him know she'd make good on her threat, "I mean that."
He nodded, deciding not to test her words. "I can't exactly change his opinion. Not that I care."
"I'm not asking you to! Your brother is in pain because he doesn't want to see you get hurt, what part of that is hard to understand." She yelled, exasperated before catching herself. Lyle only stared at the floor, willing for her to finish. "I'm letting you continue because Katharon hasn't hindered us yet. But if they do, you can bet that there will be consequences."
She left a moment later, not exactly angry but Lyle could feel her disappointment. Shaking his head he wondered where his brother got such a woman, but as he thought about it he took off after her unwilling to let his voice go unheard.
Neil sat in Cherudim saga's cockpit, smiling from ear to ear as he unscrewed the last bolt of a box labelled Z.E.R.O, before removing its circuitry from the dash. After a long discussion with Ian, both of them agreed he could remove the system's assistance as soon as his eye was fixed. Seeing how the two eye surgery technicians were due board Ptolemy in a couple of hours, he saw no harm in ridding himself of the burden right now.
Yanking the box, he heaved a heavy sigh and sat back with it on his lap. "A.I, what's the status of the zero system?" He asked the onboard computer, still attached to his suit.
"Zero system is disengaged, please confirm manual detachment."
Pumping his fists in the air, he gave a wild yell of joy. Unable to believe that not only did he gain a new suit, but one that could transform into a cannon just by docking atop of Ptolemy. He could finally go out on real missions and still come back to Ptolemy if there was need for extra punch. It felt amazing to be back as a real meister!
"Wow, what's the excitement all about?"
Neil looked over to the cockpit door, where Anew stood leaning in on the edge. "Hey, just celebrating my freedom, that's all. Was I too loud?"
She laughed and shook her head, "not loud enough, I don't see Feldt anywhere."
Neil gave her an un-amused look. "Let me guess, Lasse or Tieria?"
Anew threw her hands up in defeat, "Joking, joking. But just between you and me, Lasse sure can talk when he's drunk. Don't put it past the guy."
"Well remind me to punch him later," Neil said, shutting down his controls. "Congratulations with Lyle, by the way. If he's broadcasting to the ship, you must be something special."
"Thanks," A fleeting look of concern came of her, quickly replaced with wonder. "To be honest I didn't really expect that...I mean so much is bugging him, it's just...I didn't think he was this interested."
This was the one discussion he'd hoped to avoid, it just didn't seem right to let any more people know of Lyle's double status. He was family after all. Looking up from his close down checks Neil studied her carefully, "Not that it's any of my business, but you have to give the guy some credit. For as long as I've known him it felt like he put things that mattered on the backburner. But Lyle's different now and I may have you to thank. If what he said is true then I'm happy for both of you."
Anew looked to him in awe, clearly unaccustomed to such an observation. "Well, gee look at you Neil Dylandy, master of relational observations. Sumeragi is one lucky woman I'll tell you that."
Neil laughed, thankful that she didn't push the matter forward. "It comes with the territory I guess. Four years ago I wouldn't even think a relationship was possible. But life's like that you know, things change." He smiled. "Sometimes for the better."
"Well I'm glad they did for you, really," Anew replied. "Lyle's got one hell of a good brother and it's a shame he doesn't see that."
Neil looked down in guilt, "I wouldn't say that. Seriously."
"Well I would," Anew said, looking him square in the eye, something akin to apology momentarily flashed within her orbs. "I would also like to say I'm sorry."
Before Neil could reach for the pistol in his compartment, Anew held the muzzle of hers right against his temple. Breathing hard he tried to think of his next move while trying to remain calm.
"Can I ask why?" he said, keeping still as she jabbed the barrel against his head.
From the corner of his undamaged eye, he could see her glance at the zero system box in his lap. "It's nothing personal, really. You just have something I need." Shifting his legs, he made the box fall to the far side of the cockpit, earning him another jab. "Get it!" she commanded.
He sat still in defiance. "Do you plan to just waltz out of here with that thing? Even if you kill me Celestial Being's not going to let you go."
"You're right, not unless I have a hostage." She said, calmly while seemingly calculating how to get the box herself.
"I'm not gonna be your damn hostage!"
"They won't know if you're dead or alive. The point is they won't shoot me down if one of their own is believed to on board, and at the very least this machine is powerful enough to decimate Ptolemy, wouldn't you say?"
Neil laughed, "If you think you can control Zero then be my guest. But I'm warning you, to get to it you'll have to go through me."
Anew only shook her head in dismay, clicking her tongue in disgust. "I watched you struggle with that thing. I would've thought it'd be clear by now, humans can't handle this machine or that system."
He had to smirk at her observation. "And if you had been paying attention you'd see I did just fine on Almagest. Saga won't be any different."
Her eyes shone in the trademark innovator way as the pieces of the puzzle finally fell together. "Innovators," he spat in disgust, "creating so much distortion through your own technology, all the name of helping humanity. You have no idea what it's like being human."
Now it was Anew's turn to smirk. "I had my taste. It may not be a lasting one but I'm still glad for the experience. All you people ever do is fight and neglect. If that's living then I can't wait until you're all gone." She reached forward for the box but Neil blocked her way to the back, getting the pistol shoved in his face this time.
"Even Lyle?" he pressed, unwilling to move. The thought of what innovators would do with such technology more than unsettled him.
"Don't talk to me about, Lyle." She whispered, trying and failing to shove him out of the way. "I only needed him to get aboard."
"Was falling in love part of the plan?"
She slammed the butt of the pistol towards his face, but Neil anticipated that and caught her wrist while dodging a punch. Wrenching her gun hand down the pistol discharged and fired a round through one of the Gundam's panels. Neil tried to restrain her, but doing so and not getting shot was turning out to be a big problem in the cramped space.
"Neil?"
Sumeragi's concerned voice over Lyle's yells to wait up, drifted from the hangar bottom to the Saga's platform, alerting both him and Anew. With a hard punch she shoved him back and dove from the cockpit, gun levelled she aimed at Sumeragi just as Lyle ran in behind her.
Horrified Neil launched himself from the cockpit, but fell short by a hair just as the resounding crack of a pistol silenced the entire hangar.
Neil scrambled to sit up, his heart strained against him as looked down, realizing neither Sumeragi nor Lyle were hit. His gaze switched to Anew who stood frozen, the gun slipped from her grip and crashed to the floor. She managed a step forward before collapsing face first, revealing Setsuna a few feet behind her. Setsuna walked the rest of the plank to Saga's cockpit, his gun still drawn with smoke coming from it.
Lyle's primal yell faded into the background as Neil observed Anew's wound. It was a clean headshot, and turning her over revealed none of the previous light in her eyes. She was dead.
It was Lyle who shoved him roughly out of the way before kneeling down beside Anew, cradling her body like a child while yelling phrases Neil didn't care to understand. The shock of what just happened left him cold as he tuned everything out.
Sumeragi's warm hand landed on his shoulder as she knelt down beside him, uttering some words of command to Setsuna who disappeared.
"Neil? Are you okay, did she hurt you?" Sumeragi asked, as Neil sat transfixed on the floor. His eyes never leaving a devastated Lyle. "Neil, please talk to me."
Ian and Lasse wheeled Anew's body away, while Tieria and Allelujah tried to restrain Lyle and drag him away from the scene. Neil continued to sit in one spot, unresponsive. Sumeragi, still crouched beside him, trying her best to get through to him while commanding the other's to get things under control.
Neil watched, unattached as Ian returned and took Zero's box from behind Saga's cockpit. Against, Sumeragi's shouts, he sat down and spoke something, but Neil couldn't make out what. The last moments of Anew's life just played on loop in his mind as he disengaged and thought of how close he came to loosing the two people that meant the most.
Ian eventually gave up when Neil still had yet to say a word. Later, Marie came with some blankets, Sumeragi took one and put it around him still unsuccessful with getting a response. But she sat still, holding his hand as if afraid he'd disappear.
"Dr. Moreno is coming, just hold on okay? I think it's just shock," Sumeragi whispered a sentence which Neil finally heard.
"Call him off," he said, finally coming out of his reverie. Sitting taller he looked to her beside him. "Lees', you okay?" he asked, rubbing his head and looking around. Unable to believe it was all over.
Her only response was to hug him tight, resting a head against his shoulder as they sat in the dimly lit hangar thankful to be alive.
Moments later both Neil and Sumeragi decided to pay a visit to the hangar's conference room. Unwilling to let her break the news alone Neil followed despite her repeated commands to go and relax.
"I can handle this, please just go I'll come by soon. You've been through a lot today." Sumeragi pleaded, as they walked the short hallway to the conference room.
"I'm not a freaking invalid, Leesa." He snapped, before relaxing and putting an arm over her shoulders. "I just want to check on him too, she's gone Lees', I think it's fair if I'm the one who tells him why."
Sumeragi seemed ready to protest but in the end seemed to refrain from it as they walked inside the conference room to an unbelievable sight. The crew stood in a mortified half circle of hesitation as Lyle continued to punch the crap out of Setsuna. Brushing past Allelujah and Marie Neil launched himself between Setsuna and his brother. Enraged, Lyle landed a blow to the older Dylandy's uninjured eye. After the brief struggle, Allelujah and Tieria decided they've seen enough and took over as Neil turned back to Setsuna.
"Tieria, Allelujah, take him to confinement." Sumeragi ordered, as she made her way towards Setsuna.
"You alright kid?" Neil asked as he examined Setsuna's eye. He smirked, "You must think us Dylandy's are all nuts, always beating on you."
Sumeragi was the one to shove him out of the way and take over. "God, Setsuna we need to get this looked at." Turning her wrath onto Neil she added, "See this is exactly what I wanted to avoid!"
"Believe me I would've avoided punching myself."
"Med bay. Now. And don't even think of arguing your way out of this one." She glanced to Lasse and Ian who stepped closer. "I'll meet up with you later. Don't play the tough guy, just go."
With that she brushed past them all and rushed out, heading straight for the confinement cells.
Lyle slumped against the cold wall of his cell, trying to put the images of her lifeless face out of his mind. Not wanting to believe that she was dead. If I shot that idiot she'd still be here. She'd still be here if I pulled the trigger on the stupid little terrorist! He punched the wall, which did nothing to dull the ache in his heart.
He heard the sound of a door opening, but kept his back to the visitor. Thinking it's either Tieria or Allelujah coming back to talk bullshit. She's dead...there's nothing to talk about...
"Lyle I know you're angry with Setsuna but you do know that he saved our lives, don't you?"
His head jerked up at the sound of her voice. Rage blinded him as he spun around, ready to kill. But the sorrow in her eyes betrayed her calm exterior, backing him up a few steps. He was never one to hurt a woman, especially an innocent one. Just like Amy and now Anew...
Taking a few paces he tried to calm himself but couldn't quite do it. "That's how we save lives? We sacrifice our friends? Guess I should've read the fine print."
"Was she even really Anew then? Would the woman you love betray us this way?"
"OF COURSE SHE WAS!" He yelled, punching the wall again for lack of anything better. "You were right there, she thought we were enemies...she wouldn't have fired...then the bastard..." Clutching his head, trying his best not to break down he slumped against the wall and sank down to the bottom.
Scoffing, she crossed her arms. "Is that really what you believe? Stop lying to yourself Lyle. She was an innovator, she came here to steal Ian's work. She could've killed your brother, why can't you see that?"
He swallowed hard. All those nights of seeing her eyes shine, he pushed thoughts of her loyalty to the back of his mind. There was no doubt in his mind that Anew would choose him in the end. It was the only choice that made sense, she was his woman. She'd choose him over any ridiculous organization. Would you choose her over Katharon? Over Celestial Being? He pushed those devilish thoughts out of his head as well.
"She wouldn't harm anybody. God if you only gave her a chance you'd see she's different. She loved me." he spat.
"I know that you loved her, and maybe the feeling was mutual but Lyle think of her choice in the end. She chose them. I'm sorry that in the end they used her like a puppet."
Chuckling bitterly he looked up to her from behind blurry eyes. "Don't talk about Anew like that. If she was a puppet then she never really had a choice. Besides, you're the one sleeping with the real puppet, my perfect brother."
He took some sick sense of comfort when for a moment her features changed from shock to anger before regaining her calm steady demeanour. It seemed easy to judge others when it wasn't you on the stand.
"Neil is not a puppet and far from perfect!" She snapped, before catching herself. "Anew made her choice, she chose the innovators over you."
Lyle shook his head in defiance, unwilling to believe her lies. "She loved me. I'll kill that bastard for taking her away from me, believe that." Smirking he added salt to the wound, "And you think Neil isn't a puppet? What exactly do you know about him? All he did was take orders day in day out, not giving a damn if what he did hurt the people who cared about him. What do you think he was doing before showing up here? Playing the hero? Changing the world? He's a damn puppet!"
She only looked down to him in pity. "I know Neil wanted a better planet for all of us. I know he had the courage to take it upon himself to become a meister and take responsibility for that change. Neil did this, knowing that many people will hate him for it." Taking a few steps forward, she knelt down before him looking directly into his eyes. "And I know if I were somehow to betray Celestial Being and its ideals, if I stop being Leesa Kujo, then he will shoot me himself. He won't have a problem doing so because then I wouldn't be the woman he fell in love with."
To say that what she told him rattled him would be an understatement. He was mortified that love could reach such ridiculous proportions, let alone be accepted by both parties. With Anew it was different, there was a bond of understanding yet the more he thought about it, the more it seemed like understanding stemmed from being in the same situation then rather from unyielding love. Yet he was unwilling to share this discovery, not when it hurt so damn much.
Clapping, he slowly stood up to full height. She mirrored him, her eyes filled with determination and at the same time concern.
"He doesn't love you," Lyle said, unable to understand how such a profound statement made him feel better. "If you never met in this battlefield he wouldn't have laid eyes on you. If you were not Sumeragi Lee Noriega, he wouldn't look twice." Studying her he tried to assess the damage, but she wouldn't let him see any of it as she stood strong and undeterred.
"I don't know what would happen if Celestial Being didn't exist. I can't even say if Neil and I would've even met. But back at you Lyle, if you were not a meister, the heart of Celestial Being, do you think Anew would bother with you?"
He stepped back, not expecting such a wave of emotion, much less a question which put his back against the wall. True they may not have met, but even if he wasn't here, Lyle was sure Anew would see right through Neil's good guy act.
"He's a classic hypocrite." Lyle whispered, "Everything he does is an act to please everyone, just so he can be the perfect brother under god's eyes." He was so in tuned with his thoughts he barely noticed Sumeragi register his confession.
"You may think Neil is a hypocrite, trying to please everyone else. But have you ever thought that maybe he just loved you all?" she whispered back. He caught her look of great sadness as she turned away. There's no way she knows anything. Neil doesn't talk about family, that's for damn sure. How much did you tell her, bro?
"I love my brother," Lyle spoke, unable to determine what kept his mouth running tonight. "But he's sitting on a pedestal; it's just so high that I can't possibly match that. So why does everyone think I should?" Feeling exposed he moved away from her, trying to block the thought that plagued him through most of his life. Geez, you sure know how to cope, man.
"Personally, Lyle, I don't think you could ever match up to Neil." He closed his eyes against the statement, deciding that segueing into Neil was a horrible way to move on from the heartache of Anew. The clicks of her heels stopped behind him as she continued, "I also think the world doesn't need another Neil, one is more than enough." Lyle let out a soft chuckle as she laughed too. They stood in silence before he turned to her, trying to yet ultimately unable to say anything. "Lyle, be your own person, you can be someone different. Who's to say that Neil is even better than you? You each have your different talents."
She took his hand in both her own. At first he wanted to withdraw, but the hope in her eyes and the much needed warmth she provided wiped the image of Anew's blood from them. "Don't blame this on Neil and certainly not on Setsuna, you can move past this. I know you can."
"I didn't want to dump this on you, but it seemed like everyone wants me to be more like my brother, even when we were kids, it was always Neil did this and Neil did that, Amy and I always came second." The words rushed out from his mouth and for the first time in ages he felt powerless to stop them. "No matter how hard I tried I couldn't break free of that. It was like my legacy to become my brother. Maybe if I was I would've been able to help Anew." He said, looking to her again. "I looked up to him. In some ways I still do. Yet it's like he doesn't even know I'm there. I try to help and he pushes me away."
"And then when Neil knew that Celestial Being needed someone they could trust, someone capable, he thought of you."
"Yeah and look how that turned out." It sounded ridiculous even to him. He laughed, and was happy to see that so did she.
Releasing his hand she came to stand before him. Even after everything he tried to convince her otherwise, he could see that hope was still in her eyes. That hope of everything he could be.
"He put all of our lives in your hands. He put my life in your hands, Lyle, how much more convincing do you need?"
"Don't worry you got the sales pitch down." He said, she only rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Look, it's just hard to swallow all this from him. I mean we haven't spoken for 15 years prior to Celestial Being. How do I know what he thinks of me if he doesn't talk?"
"He tends to be like that. She smiled in reminiscence, "even with me, he tends to keep a lot of things inside until I push him to tell me. I admit he should've talked with you more, but this is something you two brothers can and need to work out."
Her last line snapped him from his thoughts. Coming from anyone else he would've dismissed everything as bullshit, but from Sumeragi, the woman closest to his brother it felt oddly genuine. His thoughts turned to Anew and the countless nights she spent trying to get him to open up or at least patch things up with Neil. It wouldn't be right to honour her memory by pushing away her last request.
"Look, thanks for this...its been a long time since I got any insight on my brother. But the truth is Anew just died, I don't think I can face him rationally right now. Him or Setsuna."
"You're welcome. I'm glad I could help, and I understand you will need time. However I'm absolutely sure about one thing. He loves you, all of you. He almost shot Setsuna when he found out he was a part of the KPSA. Take your time Lyle, but don't ever doubt how much your brother loves you."
Lyle nodded lightly as she stepped back. She seemed to understand that he needed more time to think so she left the room, but kept the door open.
Neil protested against Dr. Moreno as the old man tried to scan the afflicted area with one of his many painful lasers.
"Geez, doc, be gentle on the eye, it's not a pin cushion."
"You seem to be doing fine," Leesa commented as she walked towards them from the door. Stopping by Setsuna's table, where Feldt tried to keep her amusement in check while scanning a cooperative Setsuna.
"Hey, where've you been?" Neil asked, jumping from the table against the doctor's advice.
"Talking to Lyle," she smiled casually at his fallen expression when he neared.
"That's... an interesting person to talk to...what did he say?"
Receiving a nod of okay from Sumeragi, Neil heard the retreating steps of Doctor Moreno behind him. In the other area, Feldt finished up with Setsuna before leading him away. He shook his head, still unaccustomed to this new status which provided them with instant privacy.
"Hmm...It's confidential." She said, taking his hand as he threw his arms up in exasperation. "But I think you need to talk with your brother."
"How'd he take the news?" Neil asked, subconsciously running light massages on the hand in his own. She seemed a bit more tense than usual, and try as he might he couldn't shake the feeling that Lyle said more than a few grievances. I told you I wanted to be there, Lees'.
"He loved Anew, this is painful for him you have to understand that." She whispered, looking to him with a pleading look.
"I do," Not wasting time he closed the steps between them, kissing her forehead before taking her into a hug. "If anything happened to you, I would've killed someone."
"I know," she briefly smiled against him before pushing back. "But he needs you Neil, more than anyone. As for me I have you to protect me and therefore nothing to worry about, isn't that right?"
He smiled, "right you are." Pondering for a while he asked, "why now though? I mean you went down there to diffuse the Anew situation so how does it link to me?"
"I don't know, maybe it's his way of avoiding the subject of her all together." She said, briefly closing her eyes in exhaustion. "All I can say is that you need to talk to him. The sooner the better."
Neil nodded, concerned over what exactly she wasn't willing to tell him. Not that he had any right to know, but at the same time she looked to have taken more than a few verbal blows. "He said something to you, didn't he?"
"He wasn't exactly polite in his remarks about you and me but I'm fine. I'm not the one you need to worry about right now, Neil. He is."
Deciding that she had enough of arguing with Dylandy's today he only nodded, leaving but not entirely dropping the topic. Doctor Moreno, followed by two Celestial Being surgeons, entered the room before he could say another word.
"I'm sorry Lockon but these gentlemen have to be back at HQ as soon as possible. We're ready for your eye transplant."
Neil groaned, as Leesa lit up. "You two arrived early. This is good, we'll be at full strength sooner rather than later."
"Yeah, but now of all times?" Lockon complained.
"I'm sorry, please hurry up Lockon, the room is prepared and we're set to start."
With that the medical party left. Leaving Lockon alone with Sumeragi again, this time she looked ecstatic. Reaching up she traced a finger along the edge of his eye patch. "I can't believe we're getting this fixed. You're getting full eyesight back, that's amazing!"
"Yeah but what about Lyle?"
"Get the surgery, but talk to him right after. Now I'm going to do some damage control, try to be a good patient?" She kissed him before leaving the room, smiling over her shoulder. "I'll be there when you wake up. Promise."
He smiled, watching her retreating form. "I know you will, Lees'. I'm counting on it."
Authors' Note: So there you have it folks, that's the end of the One Suit I Was Counting On. I've still got an epilogue left for you which takes place weeks after the final battle. It'll be up soon. Thank you so much for reading, and I'm so sorry that updates took forever.