JC: Hey there! Here's Chapter 52. Time for Athrun to get some action. How is he gonna save Cagalli? Find out in this chapter.

Disclaimer: Oh please, should I even bother?

Gundam Seed: Mythical Legends

Phase 52: Rescue

He had just woken up from a dream, a memory that has been long forgotten. It was something from his past. It was about his ancestor, Alexander. There was no denying the fact. He remembered almost everything about his past, except for the part in Asgard.

As he tried remembering about Asgard, his mind would give him blurred images of the scenes. But he wanted to know about it so badly. Also, he could not remember how he died in the past. He was so close.

"Athrun-san!" uttered Stellar as she walked in. "You're finally awake." She pulled out a chair and sat down beside the bed.

"How long have I been asleep?" Athrun asked, setting his blanket aside.

"You've been asleep for 16 hours. It looks like Rey-san's power really took effect on you. And oh, Shinn carried you all the way to his house."

"Rey?" He suddenly had a flashback of Rey putting a spell on him before he fainted. "It only took 16 hours to recover most of my past." He sighed deeply.

"So, how was it?"

"Cagalli was…" He looked at Stellar sincerely. "She was a bit different before. She was so gentle and kind. The Cagalli I know now is hot-tempered, stubborn, and not at all girly."

Stellar giggled. "I was a little surprised myself when I saw Cagalli-san. She's kinda like the opposite of the past Freya-sama."

"But she's still the goddess we all love, right? Our feelings for her haven't changed."

She nodded slowly. "Especially yours, Athrun-san…" She pointed a finger at his heart. "Your feelings and Alexander's feelings for Freya-sama are the same."

Athrun's eyes softened, feeling pleased for what she said. Enough has been revealed to him and he felt like it was time to go and save Cagalli. He straightened up as he got off the bed. As he went to the window, he stared into the night sky with full of hopes and determination. "Cagalli, wait for me…"

Stellar rose from the chair and clasped her hands together. "I'll go get Shinn and the others. Just wait, okay?" she said, tilting her head. She then ran out of the room in a hurry.

It didn't take long for Stellar to bring the group to the room. Everyone seemed serious as they looked at Athrun. Stellar could feel the tension rising in the air. As she gazed at each one of them, she could see the determination within them. She was also determined, but she was also afraid. She has thought of the consequences the might happen in their battle against Gilbert.

What if the past will repeat itself again? She thought silently. She looked back at Athrun and remembered Alexander's death. Athrun-san…

"Since Odin has Freya now, I'm sure he has gone back to Asgard," Rey started, breaking the silence.

Shinn banged his fist against his hand. "We have to move before it will happen again." He gritted his teeth.

"Cagalli-san has no more control of herself," Jean reminded them, crossing her arms to think. "This will be difficult." She turned to her older sister, Miriallia.

"But we have the necklace, Jean." Miriallia approached Athrun and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Athrun, your help is greatly needed. Only you can stop Cagalli." She spun on her heels and faced the other gods.

"Onee-sama is right," Stellar added. "Athrun-san, we trust you!"

Fllay stepped forward, holding the necklace in her hands. She took a moment to stare at the necklace before she faced Athrun. "Please take this Brisingamen, Athrun-san." She handed the necklace to Athrun.

Athrun nodded and held the necklace tight in his hands. He then looked at each immortal one by one as he uttered their names. "Kira, Miriallia, Jean, Stellar, Fllay, Rey, Shinn… I'm ready. Let's go to Asgard."

With that, everyone nodded their heads in agreement. They were all determined and ready to fight and put a stop to Gilbert once and for all.

Asgard

Lying on a majestic bed, Cagalli slept soundly. She now wore a beautiful white robe and golden bracelets on her wrists and ankles. A long sash was tied on her right arm and she wore a simple gold necklace with a ruby gem around her neck. She looked so astonishing and beautiful. Her body was glowing mysteriously—a sign that her powers were continuously emerging from her body.

The room was filled with exquisite furniture made from the finest of materials. Two statues of Valkyries stood at the side of the entrance and the white metal door was large enough to fit an elephant. The floors were crystal clear and the fountain in the middle of the room was very attractive. Everything in the room seemed so perfect.

The door creaked opened. Gilbert entered the room, obviously looking happy, and sat on the bed. He caressed Cagalli's cheeks gently and lovingly while he looked maliciously at her. Slowly, he bent down to place his first kiss on Cagalli's lips. But then…

CRASH! DANG! BANG!!

A loud noise was heard from within the premises of Gilbert's palace. He quickly stood up and called out for Auel. As the said god appeared before him, he said, "I have a bad feeling that Loki and the others are here. Send out the Valkyries and have them eliminated."

Auel bowed his head. "Yes, my lord." He rushed out to carry out Gilbert's order immediately.

At the center of the palace, smoke covered almost everything. When the Valkyries came, five of them used the power of wind to blow the smoke away. As this was done, the red-eyed trickster god Loki, otherwise known as Shinn, appeared wearing a black suit and a red trench coat. His boots and pants were decorated in silver. He held a mischievous grin as he looked at the female warriors.

"Now then…" He pumped up his fists as he rotated his head. "Time to have some fun."

There were ten Valkyries in total and they were armed with dangerous steeds and weapons. Two of the Valkyries swooped down for a swift attack, but Shinn moved away with lightning fast speed. A Valkyrie attempted to stab him with her spear and another tried to sneak up behind him. However, no matter what they do, Shinn evaded them all. He was simply to fast for them.

"And you girls are supposed to be Odin's bodyguards? What a shame!" Shinn thought that it was time to end his battle with the ladies, so he decided to use a skill which made him the god of trickery. He flew up and held his hands close together.

Three Valkyries tried to attack him again, but he easily dodged them and flew upwards. He stood upside down on the ceiling as he cast out his spell. His eyes become slit like the eyes of a cat. As he finished casting, a thick smoke quickly covered the whole area, rendering the Valkyries blind.

Shinn smiled at his work. "Wonder if they found that geezer… Hoping so…" He looked down at the smoke and saw the silhouettes of all the Valkyries. "This is gonna be fun." He smirked.

Loud and deafening screams were let out by the Valkyries and it was able to reach Gilbert's ears.

"My Valkyries… What happened to them?" Gilbert was currently at his throne room. He walked towards the mirror and touched it. The mirror glowed for a while and then it showed him the fight between Shinn and the Valkyries. "Loki, you scum!" He clenched his fists.

Athrun and the others were presently headed out to the garden. Nearing the exit, two shadow monsters emerged from the wall. Acting fast, Miriallia and Jean went in front of the group to counter the monsters. Miriallia was wearing a fitting light blue mantle and white low cut boots. Her right arm had a golden band as well as her left wrist. Her hair was tied in a band with a few strands falling on her face. Meanwhile, Jean wore a pink off-shoulder top and a white mini-skirt. A sash was tied around her waist and she also wore a golden bracelet on her left wrist. She wore a pair of mid-high white boots.

"We'll lure the monsters away from the exit," Jean said, standing defensively.

"Once that happens, you must go." Miriallia was heating up as she formed an energy sphere on her palm.

Stellar felt worried and offered to help her sisters. But the two goddesses declined and told her to guard Athrun. "Onee-sama...Just be safe, okay?"

"Who do you think you're talking to, Stellar?" Miriallia uttered with pride. She placed her free hand on her waist and faced Stellar. "These two won't be a problem with us." She showed an assured smile.

"And you, Stellar… If you ever mess up, there's a punishment waiting for you." Jean winked a playful eye at Stellar, giving her quite a scare.

"You're mean!" Stellar whined like a child.

"You're adorable as ever." Miriallia and Jean both laughed at the same time. Afterwards, they turned their attention to their opponents.

The Shadow monsters made the first move by firing black beams at them. Miriallia, who already charged her sphere, unleashed a barrier in time to block the beams. With the creatures busy, Jean ran towards their side and fired a crimson beam at them, pushing them away from the exit.

"The exit's all cleared. Guys, go!" Jean announced.

Athrun and others went into the garden and ran straight to the nearest entrance. The entrance led them to a spacious room with large paintings on the wall. They stopped for a while to examine the place. They realized that there were no doors. It was just a dead end.

"This is very odd. The last time I went here, I was sure I saw a door here," Rey informed them. He was wearing a dashing white outfit with blue linings and silver decorations. He checked the wall to feel if there were any hidden switches to open a secret door.

"I also remembered a door over there since I used to come here a lot." Stellar pointed at a blank wall. "But now it's gone."

Kira noticed the big painting of his sister on the wall and took his time to examine it. He stood astoundingly with his black pants and trench coat. His shirt had the same color as his eyes. He must admit that his sister looked divine in the painting. He switched his sights on Athrun who was looking sadly at the painting. He knew what he was feeling because he was going through the same thing.

"Athrun, we'll get her back," Kira assured. "I'm sure of it."

"I know…" Athrun sighed deeply. He lowered his head and bit his lip. "Kira, I have a strange feeling about this place."

"What do you mean?"

"Most of my memories have been recovered but my memories of Asgard are still blurred. Even so, I felt like I've been to this place before…with her…" He looked up at the painting.

"Athrun…" As Kira placed his hand on Athrun's shoulder, Athrun suddenly got hit with a flashback.

"Ahh!" Athrun held his head and knelt down. "What's this?!" He gritted his teeth.

"What's happening to Athrun-san?" Fllay asked in concern as she knelt down to Athrun's level. She was wearing the same outfit that she used to fight Cagalli in the underworld.

Athrun started remembering his time with Cagalli in that room. It was the first place he saw when they arrived in Asgard. He remembered being held by Cagalli as she panted. She was tired. She had used too much of her energy just to teleported him and herself to the realm of the gods. Nevertheless, she still managed to fly over to her painting to touch it.

"This painting was painted by my mother. It was supposed to be a gift for me, but Odin had to take it away for himself. His admiration for me is unimaginable. But before Odin took it way, my mother placed a spell on it so all he could see is blank. Odin could not possibly throw this away so he decided to place it here in this secluded room with no entrances and no exits."

"That's what she said…" Athrun announced everything to the others what Cagalli once said to him. He was still holding his head as the memories kept flowing in.

"When Odin locked this painting here, the painting put up a barrier. The barrier was so strong that it was impossible for Odin to have access to the room again. The painting only admits mortals or immortals with a good heart and this room will involuntarily create an entrance and an exit."

Athrun let out one exasperated breath. "In other words, this is the safest room here in Asgard. Odin can't get us here." He slowly stood up with the help of Fllay and Kira. "Thanks…"

"So that's why I was able to enter here back then," Stellar said, poking her cheek with her index finger.

"I was able to enter here back when I was just merely a watchman." Rey added.

"Kira, touch the painting," Athrun told the brunette. "Cagalli said something important to me before we left this room."

"And what would that be?" Kira replied.

"Anyone who is related to the one in the painting can gain access to all the rooms in the palace." Athrun explained. "Kira, you're her brother."

"So when Kira touches the painting, we can go to Cagalli-san's room right away." Fllay said, sounding quite excited.

"Okay, I'll give it a shot." Kira flew up to the painting and touched it. Unexpectedly, the painting glowed in a bright color. He went back to the others to see what was going to happen next.

Below their feet, a portal was opening and it sucked them whole in a whirlpool of light. The portal opened in the beautiful room where Cagalli was at and dropped them on the crystal clear floors.

"Ouch… That hurt." Stellar complained as she soothed her butt. "Is everyone okay?" She turned to the Athrun and Kira who seemed to feel some pain.

"My back can manage somehow." Kira stretched out, holding his back.

"That was unexpected. It was a lot smoother with Cagalli." Athrun straightened up.

Fllay giggled. "I actually had a soft landing. Good thing this pillow was here." She patted the thing she was sitting on, not knowing what it really was.

"Um… Fllay…" Stellar shrugged. "That's not a pillow." She pointed out.

"Eh? It's not?"

"Please get off of me…"

The red-haired goddess glanced down to see her boyfriend, Rey, under her. "WHAT?! Rey, how did you get there?" She was so shocked.

Rey mumbled again, "Please get off me. You're kinda heavy." His face was flat on the floor.

"Well, excuse me!" Fllay retorted, standing up. She folded her arms. "I only weigh 45 kg. thank you very much."

Rey gradually raised his head to look up at the goddess. "You still have the guts to tell me that after you fell on me…" He stood up and straightened up a bit.

"It wasn't my fault I fell on you. You just happen to be there."

"Can it, you two," Athrun reprimanded. "We're on a mission here."

Stellar and Kira had already examined the whole room and there was no sign of Cagalli anywhere. It was strange. The secluded room could never be wrong in bringing them there.

"Where is she?" Kira walked over the bed and noticed that the sheets were disorderly. He touched the bed and felt Cagalli's faint aura there. "My sister was here a while ago."

"Are you sure?" Athrun said, approaching the bed. As he was about to touch the bed, the earth started to shake. "Woah… What's going on?" He tried to maintain balance.

Out of the blue, pearl white chains emerged from the walls, floor, and ceiling. Each chain bound the gods and lifted them in the air. They tried using their powers to break free, but the chains had a special attribute which can render a god powerless.

"These chains…" Kira muttered, struggling. "Don't tell me…"

"I can't break free!" Stellar shouted.

"Rey, what should we do?" Fllay asked, holding her skirt up since she was held upside down. "I don't know if I can take this."

"Such chains can't be controlled by any god. This could be the work of…" Rey turned to Kira who gave him a frontal nod.

"Hold on!" Athrun uttered. "I'll get you down." He was about to hold the chain binding Kira when…

"Stop! Don't touch it!" Kira told him right away. "These chains can only be touched by gods. If a mortal touches it, you'll be paralyzed."

With that, Athrun backed away from the chains and looked up at Kira. "What should I do?"

"Use the necklace."

Athrun pulled out the necklace and raised it up. "Here it is. What should I do next?"

"Just hold it. I'll start the chant."

But Kira was not able to because the chains started pulling them towards the walls, floor, and ceiling. Like ghosts, they all just went through the said things and disappeared.

"Kira, Stellar, Fllay, Rey!" Athrun yelled out. "Darn it!" He punched the wall, feeling so aggravated. He was not able to help out again.

"Don't feel so down, Athrun Zala…" a recognizable voice suddenly spoke.

Athrun quickly spun on his heels to see Gilbert standing a few feet away from him. "You!" He narrowed his emerald orbs and clenched his fists. "Where's Cagalli and what did you do with the others?"

"Why should I tell you?" Gilbert smirked evilly. His sneaky eyes were enough to scare a guy but it was sure not affecting Athrun. Athrun never looked so serious before.

Throne Room of Odin

The chains came out of the wall, pulling Kira out of it and slamming him hard on the floor. After that, the chains released him and disappeared back to the wall.

Kira struggled to stand up. The slam was able to break some of his ribs, but he could still keep going. He looked around to see where he was. When he turned to look at the throne, he saw someone sitting on it.

"Freyr, it's been a while."

"Freya…" Kira approached the throne slowly while holding his chest with pain. "Freya, let's go." He stopped a few inches away from her and held out his hand.

"Go where…?" She raised her eyebrow, thinking absurdly of him.

"To the human realm. Com on, Freya, let's go back to our friends."

She laughed out ominously. "What makes you think I would want to go back to Midgard, huh? And what's with this 'friends.' I don't have friends anymore, got it?!" She glared at her brother like she didn't care.

"This is just like before…"

"Oh, you remember?" She stood up and walked towards him.

Kira could see how she has changed. He felt so hurt that he was not able to protect his sister yet again. "I'm a failure as a brother."

"You just realized that?!" Cagalli laughed out again. "You're so pathetic, Freyr. You were never a good brother." She touched his cheek and leaned forward. She gazed into his amethyst eyes so intensely.

"Freya…" He held her shoulders and shook her. "Please snap out of it!"

"It's useless, Freyr. All of my hidden powers are finally out. Ragnarok will be accomplished."

"No, you mustn't let Ragnarok come! All of humanity will be erased from the face of the earth. I know deep down that you don't want that. Freya, I know you—you're a kind goddess who loves the world so much."

"News flash, bro, this is the real me. I already told you this before." She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought her face closer to his. "Better get use to it…"

"Freya, you can't—" His words got cut off because Cagalli suddenly kissed him on the lips. He froze like a statue. He was so shocked, not because Cagalli was kissing him, but because of the fact that the same thing also happened in the past. It was the same place and the same atmosphere.

He wanted to pull himself away, but the kiss was a perfect way to bring Cagalli back to her old self. It was only half-effective back then but it was enough to block her powers for a while. So without hesitation, he entwined his arms around her waist, closed his eyes, and deepened the kiss.

At the same time…

Gilbert was enjoying his time torturing Athrun with his telepathy. He had thrown the mortal towards the walls and the ceiling. He had shocked him with lightning and almost drowned him in the fountain. "Who knew that you were actually the reincarnation of Alexander?! No wonder you annoy me…"

Athrun was in mid-air, struggling with breath. "W-where's C-Cagalli?" he asked.

"Persistent, aren't we?" Gilbert slammed Athrun again against a wall. "Alexander, a love between a mortal and a goddess is forbidden. Can you not get it through your thick head?"

"Screw the rules! Cagalli and I don't care just as long we love each other." Athrun managed to blurt out.

"Hmph… Because of your love, things turned out to be the worst. My plans of Ragnarok were ruined!" The great god brought the mortal closer to him. He placed his palm on his face. "But now, my plans will succeed and I'll annihilate you to make sure of that." His palm started glowing black aura.

Athrun spurted blood out of his mouth and glared at Gilbert. "I-I w-won't…allow it…"

"Give it up! How can you possibly defeat a god like me when you're just a mortal?"

"B-being…a mortal…" Athrun coughed out blood a bit. "Being a mortal doesn't…make me weak…"

"You're saying nonsense as usual. You never did change, Alexander."

"Odin, like in the past… I-I will s-stop you!"

With his words of determination, the Brisingamen in Athrun's hand began glowing. The aura coming out of the necklace enveloped Athrun, thus freeing him from Gilbert's wrath. Athrun was finally able to breathe normally and with the help of the necklace, he regained some his strength back.

"Impossible!" Gilbert's eyes widened. "The necklace responded to you. How? This never happened before." He backed away a few steps, trembling in fear.

"Things are way different now, Odin. Don't expect it to be like the past." Athrun held the necklace eye and it transformed into a golden wrist band decorated with gemstones. The band automatically attached to his right wrist.

"What the?! How can this be? You're a mortal." Gilbert was feeling more afraid now. "No mortal can ever use the power of the necklace."

"Hel… The goddess of death…"

"Huh?"

"She told me everything." Athrun glanced at his new accessory in amazement. "When Alexander died, she infused a part of his soul into the Brisingamen. She said it was my dying wish."

"Dying wish…?" Now that he thought about it, Gilbert did remember Alexander uttering his dying wish. However, he did not expect it to be something that would involve his soul. Wait a minute… 'She said'? Does this mean he doesn't remember everything yet? There might be a chance for me after all.

"What should I do with you now?" Athrun slightly raised his fist.

"Athrun Zala," Gilbert spoke calmly, "it looks like this is the end for me. After all I did, I am sure that you want to kill me. But before you do, let me ask you one thing." He held his hands together behind him.

"What is it?"

"Who killed you back then?"

"What?" Athrun gasped, gritting teeth. "Who else? You!" He pointed straight at Gilbert.

Just as I expected… Gilbert laughed hard and sinisterly. "This proves it. Not all of your memories have returned yet."

"So what? I am still sure that you're the one who killed me."

"Do you really think so?" Gilbert motioned his hand in a circular motion until the wall behind him turned into a wide screen. He turned around to the view the screen and was shocked to see an unbelievable scene.

At the same time, Athrun also had the same expression as Gilbert did. He was seeing Cagalli sharing a passionate kiss with Kira.

"Freya and Freyr…?" Gilbert grumbled, rage and jealousy growing within him.

As for Athrun, a range of flashbacks was filling up his head in an instant.

To be continued…

JC: Thank you for reading!! Okay, more and more of Athrun's past will be revealed in the next chapter, including the one who killed him. Oh yeah, just wanna inform you that Lacus, Meer, and Meyrin will be in the next chapter. Just please leave a review. Flames will just be ignored.