A Fallen Star ( Kira Yamato) Entry Three
Ah, I have realized this chapter is mostly showing Athrun and how he feels, or should I say a mayor turn in the twins relationship? O.O Gasp!
Also, this one is very short. But after this one, the story gets much, much better. XP
"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself."
Andy Warhol
ENTRY THREE: GOODBYE
Mai swallowed the last of her muffin, sighing contently as her and Nicol sat in the cafeteria. No one else was there, most likely because the crew members were all done with their own meals. Once in a while someone would come in for a drink, but that was it.
She looked up to him as he sat across from her. "Nicol, your last name's Amalfi, right?"
"Yeah, why?"
Mai stared to the ceiling. "I don't know why but that name seems really familiar..."
"It does?"
"Yeah..." Several seconds passed as she racked her brain for any useful information. Her friend Junari always said she was bad with names..."Ah! That's it!" She looked back to Nicol, "Do you know someone named Shaina?"
He smiled and nodded. "She's my older sister. Do you know her?"
"Yep! She was one of my best friends in Lunar Prep school. So, how is she now?"
"She's a pilot in training now for Zaft. Her graduation is soon, though."
"Really? Wow, she always said she end up in the military."
The two talked about some other things as the moments passed, until Mai's face fell slightly.
"Hey... Nicol?"
"Yeah?"
"Why did you become a soldier...?"
Nicol stared at her for a second, then smiling softly. "I felt like I needed to do something after Junius 7."
Mai giggled, only earning a confused look from her new friend. "Sorry, it's just that's exactly why Athrun joined." Her face fell again, "Our mother... she was on Junius 7 too."
"I'm sorry."
She shook her head. "No, don't be. It's just... ever since he joined he's changed, you know? He's not the same Athrun I knew. He barely ever smiles anymore, and he's always asking me why it is I can be so happy. I know there's a war going on, but still I believe in my smile. I mean, I believe that if I smile, someone else will. And if they smile, others will smile as well. It's one of the many chains this world has.
"I try to bring hope to the people, that is why I sing as well. All my lyrics are my own, so the people know I'm not fake."
"So... why are you here then?"
She smiled. "There's nothing much I can do for my brother at home, so instead of me sitting around waiting for him, I decided it's time that I come to him. And while I'm here I'm going to try my best to bring hope to the other soldiers!"
"Well, you're here. So why don't you sing?"
Mai stared at him, "Um... excuse me?"
"You should sing, Mai."
"Well, okay... if you say so..." She looked down at her black robot pet still on her lap. " Mewmo, a tune please?"
"Mew!" It cheered.
Inside the cat was a system Athrun had put in, so Mai could have her music anywhere.
And so, she began to sing her song.
Mai groaned as people shouted from outside her room. Someone called over the intercom.
She sat up and stayed there for a minute, until she realized what was going on. Mai bolted out of bed and threw on some clothes, not worried about her hair and other things, to hurry out the door. The door closed behind her, and she spun around the corner, only to be forced into a wall by a bunch of soldiers. She looked around frantically, and found who she was looking for.
"Athrun!" Mai called, grabbing his shoulder as he floated past. "Brother, what's going on?"
"The Vesalius is preparing for battle against the Legged ship."
"The what?"
"The Legged ship; the ship we're following."
She didn't answer, and instead nodded.
"I'll be back, so stay in your room!"
"But, Brother! Wait -- "
It was too late; he had floated down the hall and out of sight. She turned to the floor sadly, before walking back to her room. She looked around, the lights still out and Mewmo staring at her from her bed. She went to the small window and placed her hand on the cold glass.
All she could see was the stars. Shining above her, dancing in the sky.
She turned to the cat, and smiled again.
"Well, Mewmo, Athruns about to go into battle. So let's wish him luck." She mewed, and Mai giggled.
Their happiness was cut short when the ship drastically began to shake. Mai screamed and covered her head, kneeling close to the ground. She had to admit to herself she was scared, that there was no hiding it. Standing, she looked out the window again, her breathing heavier than normal. In the distance she saw an explosion of pink smoke. She saw the familiar red of her brothers Gundam, and the others as well. And it was there too. The Strike.
Mai couldn't tear herself away from the window. She felt so hopeless, standing there in her small room. Being such a coward.
You have to do something, she told herself, just think of what.
"Wait..." she whispered.
Mai floated to her bed, but held on to the bed rail when the ship shook again. When it stopped she tore through her bag, and she found a scrap of paper and a pen.
She raised the pen, but was at a loss of words. Sighing heavily, she portrayed her feelings, feelings that had been bottled inside since the death of her mother.
Dear Brother,
Please don't hate me for what I'm going to do, but it's something I feel I must.
I have decided the outcome of this war is in our hands, war is much too serious a matter to be entrusted to the military and the Council. There's a chance I could be killed by doing this, but you know, sometimes you're the only one who can make a difference. I want to do whatever it takes to end this war, I know deep down it's what Mother would've wanted.
Love, Mai.
Slowly, she folded the paper and held it close to her heart as she walked over to her brothers' room across the hall. This room was also dark, and Athruns bed was unmade. She brought the paper to her lips before placing it on the bed.
Mai hurried back to her room and snatched her bag again. Mewmo jumped into it, and she slung it across her back.
After leaving her own room, she stared at Athruns' for a second, before tearing herself away from it and floating down the halls. The teenager seemed to wander aimlessly, before she spotted the emergency room, where inside were the escape pods. She walked in and stepped into one the pods. It wasn't very complex; they were made for easy escape. She watched the door close, and smiled softly.
'Athrun... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry...'
"What do you mean she's gone!?" Athrun yelled.
"She's not in her room, sir. And we couldn't find her anywhere else on the ship," the soldier repeated. He stood in front of the door, while The Le Creuset team stood in the lounge.
This soldier was told to warn Athrun Zala of the news that his sister was missing. He had also told him about the escape pod that was missing as well. The other members of the team were silent.
Athrun clenched his fists and growled in anger before storming out of the room. He wanted to see for himself what this soldier was telling him. He walked until he reached his twin's now empty room, and he couldn't believe it.
Maybe she's in my room, he thought.
He walked towards his own room, expecting to see his sister smiling that silly grin of hers; Mewmo purring on her lap. But there was nothing. Only an unmade bed in the darkness.
That's when he saw the note.
With a shaking hand he reached out for the folded paper, and he opened it just as slowly. His eyes scanned the familiar writing, taking it in word for word.
"Stupid..." he snapped, crumbling the frail paper in his hand. "Why are you always so stupid!"
Meanwhile, in the ship known as the Archangel, a young man walked through the hallways. The hallways were empty then, mostly because everyone was either asleep or at the bridge. His mind wandered away from the ship under his brown hair and violet eyes, thinking of things he's had on his mind. The boy stopped in front of one of the doors, and it opened to let him. A little pink sphere bobbled around on the desk when it heard him.
"Haro!" it sounded.
The door closed behind him. "Hush, Haro."
Lying in one of the beds inside the room was a girl with long pink hair. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and stared at her night intruder.
"Come on, Lacus. I'm going to get you out of here."