Lost Memories/Amnesia Girl Chapter 33

There's that feeling again…Amarante thought as she floated down a hallway. It had been happening for the last 30 minutes. She knew that they were going to stop the Eternal but what was this feeling? She saw Yzak coming her way at a quick speed. Amarante soon followed after he passed her to talk as he ran to where ever he was going.

"What's going on? We're not under attack," Amarante said in her innocent manner so much like Nicol. Yzak hated how they were so much alike. It made him regret not being able to protect Nicol. It was something that would haunt him for the rest of his life. He looked down quickly swallowing the lump in his throat.

"The Commander and I are going to sortie. That's all I can say. We're going to go look for that ship!" Yzak replied quickly as Amarante gave a push to his destination, the elevator leading to the hanger. Amarante sat there quietly and patiently trying to figure out what to do next. She then sensed the presence of her now present commander.

"Hello Amarante," Le Creuset said in his normal creepy manner. Amarante furrowed her eye brows in an angry glare.

"Hello sir," Amarante muttered.

"It looks like you sensed his presence as well," Le Creuset chuckled in amazement. She wanted to attack that man, she hated him. Amarante still didn't understand this feeling but this time she wanted to leave the ship.

"Who's presence sir," Amarante demanded.

"Well aren't you feisty? I want to see you in my office when we get back," Le Creuset ordered before going to the hangar. Amarante snorted loudly leaving the locker room area. She went to her room punching her fist into the wall. Shiho's back stiffened as she heard the metal clang with such fury.

"Is something wrong?" Shiho asked looking at her angered friend. She was still working on the improvements for her CGUE. Shiho had never seen Amarante that angered. Maybe William said something to her again, Amarante basically hated that kid.

"Yeah," Amarante began before her voice went into a mutter, "Damn that Le Creuset." Her back slid down the wall as Amarante went over her options. She didn't know if she should stay or if she should go, OR if she should attack Le Creuset. Immediately Amarante scratched off her last option knowing that she wouldn't be able to do get away if she did that.

"What?" Shiho asked getting off her computer. Yet Amarante was already off the ground rummaging through her things. She had made up her mind; Amarante was going to leave to join this other presence. It was warm and friendly unlike the one Amarante received from Commander Le Creuset.

"I'm leaving," Amarante replied pulling her duffle bag out of a drawer. Shiho flinched as Amarante's words echoed in her mind. Leave? How could Amarante leave? What had upset her so much that Amarante truly wanted to leave the vessel?

"What do you mean by that?" Shiho demanded. Her pulse began to quicken as she watched her friend go through her hair quickly before turning to look at Shiho's face. The red haired girl flashed a quick smile before going back to stuffing her bag with as many objects it could possibly hold.

"Exactly what I said, I'm leaving. For the longest I felt like I didn't fit in here. Now I know where I must go. I have to go to the Eternal," Amarante responded. Her friend's eyes widened, Shiho believed that she fat in pretty well. Amarante was revered as one of the best pilots and she was about to be given her own team. Yzak had told Shiho a fews days ago…he had so much faith in her.

"So you're going to betray us?" Shiho snapped. This was her best friend, how could she leave like this? Shiho had never encountered someone so kind and open-minded.

"I don't think the Eternal is betraying the PLANTs. I think something else is going on, no…I know something else is going on. Please Shiho, you must understanding what I'm trying to say," Amarante replied. She didn't want to leave like this…sometimes Amarante wished it could be as easy as just saying, "I'm leaving."

"Why?" Shiho muttered. This was going so fast causing Shiho to not even recognize that she was helping her best friend pack. She was completely dumbfounded, what could Amarante want with the Eternal?

"For one thing, I don't trust Commander Le Creuset. I have to go to the Eternal. It's like someone is calling me there," Amarante countered. Pompom barked loudly wagging her tail at the two girls busily packing a duffle bag. The little pup cocked its head as Shiho left Amarante's side taking something out of one of her drawers.

"I…I… I DON'T UNDERSTAND!" Shiho hollered. Amarante heard the click of a gun as she placed Pompom in her crate. Pompom whined before Amarante turned off the little puppy. Amarante smiled, she knew something like this would eventually happen.

Flashback

"Shiho do you know why I called you here?" Le Creuset asked in his calm and cool manner.

"No sir," Shiho replied. Le Creuset then stood up floating over to a map of the world. He had kept it up for this very meeting for Shiho.

"Amarante used to be a part of the elite Waltfeld team," Le Creuset began. On the map he touched the area of the former Base of Banadiya. "They're idealistic as you can see…and sympathizers with Lacus Clyne. As you very well know, her former Commander, Andrew Waltfeld is with Lacus Clyne. I believe Amarante is faking her amnesia, so she can receive information on Z.A.F.T. for her commander, before leaving this ship. I want you to watch her every move. She claims that she is "remembering" her past but do you really believe that Shiho?" He was now looking over at the girl whose body had shrunk a few sizes.

"I am unable to answer that sir," Shiho replied before biting her lip.

End Flashback

"Shiho," Amarante said softly. She turned around to see her face; it was scrunched in anger and confusion. Shiho was breathing quickly and loudly as Amarante stood up. With shaking hands Shiho pointed the weapon at Amarante's head.

Flashback

"Yzak," Commander Le Creuset began attracting the boys attention, "From now on Athrun is your enemy…Can you shoot him down?" Yzak made a slight frown knowing that since he knew Athrun it would be harder to shoot him. He stayed quiet for a moment debating his options.

"Yes sir! As I would any traitor!" the boy replied. Shiho thought about the statement as well. Of course she'd be able to shoot any traitor.

End Flashback

"Please don't do this. You're my best friend," Shiho pleaded. She had encountered several soldiers but she rarely encountered female pilots and most thought that they were so above her. Amarante was different, she was open to her. Amarante developed a lump in her throat thinking of her wonderful friend.

"You are my best friend and friendship transcends the battlefield," Amarante replied. Shiho snorted slightly, Amarante was still very naïve. How could Amarante believe that? If Shiho didn't shoot her down…then Amarante would.

"You're now an enemy!" Shiho snapped closing her eyes. Shiho could hear Amarante zip up her duffle before allowing the gun to be pressed against her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open to see that Amarante was looking Shiho straight in the eyes.

"IF I'm your enemy then you would have already gunned me down," Amarante replied. Shiho lowered her shaking weapon closing her eyes. Amarante gave Shiho a bittersweet smile placing a hand on her shoulder before leaving the room. Shiho stood there for a couple of minutes before leaving the room. She left her weapon floating in the air. She had to shoot Amarante down when she took out her GuAIZ. If not she could be executed for not shooting down Amarante. Shiho raced down the hall passing by several soldiers. Some shouted rude remarks towards her as she pushed past them.

"Where are you going Shiho?" a female mechanic asked. She was another good friend of hers. Her name was Rim…and she was the only one that took care of Amarante's and Shiho's machines.

"I have to stop Amarante from doing something stupid," Shiho replied. Coming to the female locker room Shiho opened the door cautiously seeing that Amarante was still in the room. She was staring at the mobile suits debating if she could REALLY leave. If she did, there was no coming back. She wouldn't be able to see her friends in Z.A.F.T. ever again. She wouldn't be able to visit Nicol's grave site…ever.

"Shiho?" Amarante said astonished turning her attention to her. I'm a little surprised that she followed me here, Amarante thought. She was already in her flight suit and her uniform packed away in her large duffle. Shiho grunted slightly pushing off the ground towards Amarante. Predicting her movements Amarante pushed past the rapidly approaching girl grabbing her customized helmet before proceeding out of the room and into the elevator which would take her to the hangar.

"Damn that girl," Shiho grumbled. Cursing under her breath, Shiho began to take off her clothes to put on her flightsuit. She had to stop her. Amarante stealthily went through the hangar not attracting anyone's attention, but there was a mechanic at her machine. Amarante frowned…Rim was supposed to be her one and only mechanic. Yet she wouldn't have to worry about that anymore.

"Hello Louis," Amarante said cheerfully. She immediately got into her cockpit causing the mechanic to look around confused. He was young and he kind of looked like Nicol. Amarante thought he was so cute and innocent, but he was not Nicol, and he would never be Nicol.

"Amarante? Where are you going?" he asked looking into the cockpit. Amarante hated what she was about to do to him. He was a good kid and he didn't need to be involved in this.

"I'm not sure. I want to go back up Yzak. Is that a floating duffle bag over there?" Amarante said distracting the boy with a question. She had tossed it aside knowing that it would have been too obvious that she was leaving.

"Huh? Where?" Louis asked turning around. At that moment Amarante stood up in her cockpit before kicking Louis out and away from her cockpit. She then quickly closed the hatch before bringing the system online. After that Amarante released anything and everything connected to her mobile suit. Several mechanics began to panic trying to get into contact with Amarante. A nearby mechanic grabbed the dazed Louis pushing him out of the way of the leaving mobile suit. Her GuAIZ had been customized by that mysterious man named Andrew Waltfeld, the same person who gave her the customized flight suit.

"Get out of my way. I have no interest in hurting any of you," Amarante said over her mobile suit's loud speaker. She could hear the workers in the hangar screaming about in a large frenzy.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING AMARANTE? RETURN YOUR MOBILE SUIT TO ITS DOCK IMMEDIATELY!" the lead mechanic hollered. Making sure she didn't hit anyone Amarante just aimed at the hatch leading to the catapult.

"Open the door or I'll shoot. Don't take my lightly," Amarante snapped. She knew she had to be stern with them. Amarante wanted to return to her docile side but not while that man was still in control of this ship.

"Do as she says," the lead mechanic sighed. Coming into the hangar Shiho gasped at how far Amarante had gotten. She pushed herself towards her mobile suit as the hatch was opened for Amarante. Shiho was surprised to see Amarante's duffle just floating around. Pushing herself towards it Shiho took hold of its strap before going to her mobile suit's cockpit. Shiho thought about why she grabbed it but she shook the thoughts out of her mind as she prepared to leave the ship as well.

"Captain, a mobile suit just left the ship," the operator alerted Ades. He was shocked, who would be leaving without his permission.

"Who's the pilot?" Captain Ades asked. The operator listened closely to what the mechanics had to say before stiffening.

"The mechanics say that Amarante is the pilot. Shiho has also left the ship," the operator answered. As the CGUE DEEP Arms also left the ship. "Should we alert Commander Le Creuset?"

"Not yet. Try to get in contact with Amarante or Shiho," Ades replied. In space Amarante was alerted of an incoming heat signal which she dodged gracefully. Looking back Amarante saw Shiho. She gave a groan wishing that her best friend wasn't that persistent.

"AMARANTE STOP THIS!" Shiho hollered firing once again. That weird feeling came again as Amarante dodged once more. She wasn't sure what to think about this sensation. Amarante knew that this wasn't normal…should she believe what Le Creuset told her? She shook the thoughts away trying to get away from Shiho.

"Shiho I'm not going to fight you," Amarante replied coolly.

"If you don't come back now…I'll be forced to kill you. Even if you come back, I'm not very sure how they'll treat you…BUT I know you won't be killed. Please consider this Amarante," Shiho said in a kind voice. The two mobile suits flew towards the Mendel Colony with Shiho still trying to damage Amarante's unit. Amarante began to get annoyed with this activating her beam claws. Turning around Amarante charged Shiho causing the girl to back away.

"Shiho. If you don't stop I will destroy your weapons," Amarante snapped. Amarante then continue towards the colony, wanting to be by this warmer presence. Entering the colony Amarante noticed that this was a bad move on her end since it was a narrow passage way. Amarante turned around shooting the machine gun out of Shiho's hand. It created an explosion momentarily causing Shiho to disengage in her assault.

"Damn," Shiho mumbled activating her two beam cannons.

"Shiho you know you don't have the right input and output for those weapons," Amarante told her. At this time it wasn't a taunt for Shiho to fire but genuine concern for the girl inside her mobile suit. Shiho disregarded her comment firing her weapon at Amarante but at that time they were at the colony center.

"I told you to stop! Or I will shoot you down! I repeat, I will shoot you down!" Shiho hollered. They both landed on the ground continuing their assault. The two girls used their proximity weapons on each other before Amarante back away turning off her machine. What is she doing? Is this some type of trick? Shiho thought.

"Shiho," Amarante began, "I already told you. There is something about being with the Le Creuset team that I don't agree with. If you're going to shoot then I'll come out of my cockpit so you can make it quick." With that Amarante opened her cockpit before standing on its ledge. Shiho aimed her beam cannons at her but she knew she couldn't do it. Amarante was her best friend pilot wise. Remembering that Amarante's duffle bag was in the back Shiho also opened her cockpit. Getting out of her own cockpit Shiho held her duffle bag out to her. Amarante was shocked that Shiho would pick up that thing. Why was she doing this?

"Come get it," Shiho called out going down the line. Amarante did the same approaching her friend. Once Amarante was on the ground she took off her helmet going towards her friend. The two friends stopped as Shiho held out her duffle bag to her. Amarante took it before placing it on the ground. She then pulled her friend into a hug.

"Why don't you come with me?" Amarante asked pulling away from her. She wore a bittersweet smile before Shiho shook her head. Her helmet remained on tightly and Amarante tapped it lightly. She loved her friend like a sister, and even if she had her memories…probably more than her blood sister.

"I can't," Shiho replied regretfully. She couldn't betray the PLANTs or Yzak that quickly. Amarante chuckled softly…Shiho would probably be a better soldier than she ever would be.

"I won't force you into anything," Amarante began, "If something goes wrong I'll be back here before you know it. I'll probably be executed…but at least I came back." Amarante laughed at her own cruel joke but it quickly died away from Shiho's harsh glare. Shiho defiantly did not want her to die and so did many others.

"Well I guess this is good bye," Shiho sighed. She was ashamed of her friend's decision and Shiho knew that she would face some intense heat from Amarante's leave.

"You're not going to shoot?" Amarante asked still shocked at Shiho's decision. They could have fought intensely before eventually killing each other. Yet there were so many people dying every day and their deaths would just add to the endless death count.

"No…You're my best friend," Shiho answered before leaving Amarante who went in the other direction to her own machine. Amarante waited for Shiho to leave before leaving herself. Well she was in the colony…yet where was this feeling coming from? Amarante retreated to the back of the colony trying to figure out her options. Turning off her machine Amarante waited and waited hoping to get that weird sensation again. There was nothing, sighing Amarante decided it may be better to search for it. The colony rumbled as Amarante began to turn on all the systems in her machine. Was it falling apart or was someone attacking it from the outside.

"I gotta get out of here," Amarante said quickly. She heard her commander's voice over their frequency causing Amarante to panic. (A/N: I mean Le Creuset.) She proceeded further into the colony to avoid detection. After she couldn't find any other machines on her radar Amarante began to explore the colony from above. She found an open passage way in which she followed. There were no ships in the hangar and Amarante began to get discouraged. She continued through until she was outside where a battle was now taking place. What's going on here? Amarante thought watching the battle in awe and disgust. Why did there have to be wars and battles? Why couldn't they live in peace? They couldn't continue to murder each other until there were no more people to murder. She stayed at the open hangar before noticing that she was surrounded by Orb mobile suits. On a universal distress line, they ordered her to surrender but Amarante already beat them to the punch. She immediately got out of her mobile suit and surrendered not wanting to fight anyone.