Yo everybody. Another chapter up for your enjoyment. This chapter is jammed together. I suppose I could have stretched this into two chapters, but I desperately finish up their time in space and move onto Earth.

Hellshadow: Thank you. Wait until the end of SEED and the beginning of Destiny. The things I have planned will definitely surprise you.

Phase Nine: Stars Falling in Space

Chris opened his eyes when he heard the sound of the doors to the brig open. "Hello Flay." he said.

The girl looked worse than before. Her hair was a mess. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. Her demeanor was that of someone who was utterly broken.

"How do you make it go away?" she quietly said.

"Make what go away?"

"The pain!! This wretched pain that won't stop eating away at me!!" Flay shouted as she grabbed the bars of the cell. "I just want it to stop!!!"

"It never truly goes away." Chris said. "All you can do is let it consume you or use it."

"Ignoring those feelings, will cause them to bottle up and destroy from the inside. As it nearly did to me. 'Dealing' with the feelings, isn't any better. They just bottle up slower. The only effective way to deal with the anger. The sorrow. The pain. Is to harness those feelings and use them for something other than vengeance. That is what I was taught after Junius Seven."

"How?"

"That's up to you." Chris replied. "I put mine into my guitar and my martial arts training. And now I use it to protect this ship as well. But that's just me. Just find something to dedicate your time and energy to."

"Could you...teach me?"

"What?"

"Teach me how to play the guitar. Teach me your martial arts skills. Teach me anything." Flay desperately said. "Anything to make me feel something besides this pain."

He stared at her for a moment. He sighed. "Alright. When I get out of here, I'll teach you some things. So long as you obey my instructions to the letter."

The Next Morning

"The defendant fails to understand how much his actions endangered the safety of the ship." Ensign Badgiruel said.

"Your Honor, the statement is a gross exaggeration. I ask that it be stricken from the record." Lieutenant La Flaga said.

"I authorize it's omission." Lieutenant Ramius said.

"Let's see..." Mu said, scanning the military law book in his hands. "First off, I believe that taking a civilian as a hostage goes against Article 4 of the Corsica Treaty."

"The actions taken come under Exception Section C of the same article." Badgiruel replied.

"Section C...Ah..." Mu said frantically flipping through the pages of the book. "Well...The ZAFT mobile suits did withdraw eventually and the warships didn't immediately purse us because of the release of the hostage."

"But the situation could have ended differently. And the Raven was damaged as a result of his reckless actions."

'Damn. She makes it sound like I was out on a joyride.'

Murrue looked up at the defendant. "Christopher Dante, is there anything you would like to say in your defense?"

"I accept full responsibility for my actions." Chris said. "I accept any punishment you have prepared. I simply ask that you spare Kira, Liz and the others. It was my idea and I forced them to go along with it. They shouldn't be punished for it."

"Christopher Dante, your actions were in violation of Article 3, Section B, in violation of Article 10, Section F and in violation of Article 13, Section 3 of military law. In accordance with military law, I have no choice but to sentence you to death."

Chris just stood there, dumbstruck. Death? Okay, that was the one thing he wasn't prepared for. He thought they'd lock him up for a while. Or give him some demeaning task like toilet cleaning. But execution? Wasn't that a bit much?

"However, this is purely a sentence for those under court martial." Murrue said. "Military law has no provisions on civilians. I call upon Christopher Dante to consider his actions more seriously from now on. Court is adjourned."

Chris breathed a sigh of relief. "Wow...I was scared there for a moment." he said. "Oh, and Lieutenant La Flaga. Remind me to never hire your services again for legal matters."

"Then don't go and disobey orders again." Mu said with a grin, tossing the law book away. "Cause I wouldn't defend you next time around."

Chris chuckled as he exited the room. Outside, Kira, Liz, Sai and Miri, were waiting for him. "Well?" Liz asked. "What'd they say?"

"They let me off with a warning."

"What?! Just a warning!" Liz shouted in disbelief. "They gave us all latrine duty."

"That sucks." he replied nonchalantly.

"Hey! Isn't this where you're suppose to say, 'I'm sorry. I'll help you guys out.'" Liz said.

"I think you have me confused with someone like Kira." Chirs said. "I'm not that selfless. You guys can scrub toilets. I'm not touching them."

Liz punched him. "Ow! What was that for?!"

"You know what that was for! And next time, I'm getting a food tray!"

Later

Chris stepped onto the hanger. Crews were working on the Raven, repairing it's damaged head. He approached his aunt, who was overseeing the repairs.

"How's the repairs going?" Chris asked.

"We've repaired the internal damage and replaced the armor on the side of the head. Unfortunately, we don't exactly have a spare faceplate to replace the damaged one." Johanna said. "We're gonna ding out the scratches and put in a metal plate under the faceplate to protect the internal components. But that will weaken the strength of the head's armor as a whole."

"Got it."

"What happened out there?"

"It's something I alone must deal with."

"Well. Are you staying then?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Well, you're not the only one. I won't be leaving with the rest of the civilians. I'll be staying to finish observing and compiling the Strike's and the Raven's combat data before leaving for Orb and Morgenroete with the data."

The Gamow

"While it is possible to catch up with them. By the time we reach them, we'll have only ten minutes until we're within firing range of the Lunar Fleet." Nicol said.

"You mean we'll have a full ten minutes." Dearka said.

"I suggest that cowards keep their traps shut."

"Shut up Yzak." Saul said. "It's unlikely that the four of us could stand chance with the legged ship, the mobile suits and the Lunar Fleet. You know that."

"Is there only ten minutes or a full ten minutes? It's all in how you look at it." Yzak smugly said. "If we have a window of opportunity to strike, then we should take it."

"I agree. The success of a surprise attack isn't measured by the actual time spent." Dearka said.

"I know that. But-"

"I heard that the Vesalius and the 11th Fleet will be turning back as soon as they hand Miss Clyne over to the Laconi Team." Yzak said. "We'll take out the legged ship before then. Got it?"

"Yeah."

"Very well."

"Fine." Saul said. "Let's be done with this whole thing."

The Archangel

"Okay Flay. I'm gonna teach how to fight." Chris said. "Now, this is to be used only for defense. Of either yourself or someone else. Not to beat people up or try to get vengeance on someone. If I've found out that you've been doing that, I won't teach anymore.

Chris grabbed a bag sitting on his bed. "Put this on." he said, handing her the bag.

"But this is a boy's uniform?"

"Yeah." he replied as he headed out of the room, to allow her to change. "All the women's uniforms have skirts. And those aren't practical for what we're going to do."

A few minutes later, Flay had changed and they began. Chris started off by teaching her some basic exercises. She was okay at it. He had seen people better at it. And he seen people worse at it. But she was determined. He'd give her that.

Suddenly, alarms went off. "All hands! Report to level one battlestations! Repeat..."

"That's it for today." Chris said. "You can practice the exercises on our own or you can wait until the next time we can do this."

The Moebius Zero, the Raven and the Strike, equipped with the Alie Striker, launched one by one from the Archangel. The Duel, the Blitz, the Surge and the Buster flew in tight formation towards the Archangel. Suddenly, they broke apart and a pair of beams from one of the Gamow's cannons, streaked past them. One beam missed while the other grazed the Archangel.

Mu activated his gunbarrels, firing on the Buster. But with it's phase shift armor, the bullets barely did anything to it. Dearka fired back with it's gun launcher and rifle. While the Surge headed for the the Raven. Saul fired his Hakenfaust claw at the Raven. Chris brought the Raven's shield up, blocking the claw. The Raven's left hand grabbed the claw's cable and pulled. Saul was caught off guard by this and the Surge was pulled to the Raven. When the Surge reach the Raven, Chris drove it's knee into the Surge's chest.

"Nicol, we'll handle the mobile suits. You get the legged ship." Yzak said, heading for the Strike.

"Roger."

The Blitz headed for the Archangel while the Strike and the Duel battled. The two mobile suits fought furiously, first blasting at each with their beam rifles. Then switching to their beam sabers when neither could gain the upper hand with their rifles.

The Blitz expertly dodged the fire from the Archangel's point defenses. Nicol landed next to the bridge tower, where the ship's point defenses couldn't reach him. He fired repeatedly on the ship, trying to wear down and pierce the Laminated armor of it's hull.

"Kira! Chirs! Where are you?! We're under attack from the Blitz!" Miriallia shouted over the comm.

"Dammit." Chris cursed as he ducked under a sword strike from the Surge. "Kira! I can't get to them! You-"

The Surge kicked the Raven, interrupting him.

Kira turned to the Archangel. They were counting on him to protect. He wasn't going to fail them again. In the back of his mind, a purple seed shattered. He took off, heading for the Archangel.

"You coward! You're not getting away from me!" Yzak shouted as he pulled out his beam rifle and fired.

The Strike effortlessly dodged the beams, surprising Yzak. A moment later, Kira reached the Blitz, swing his beam saber down on the mobile suits. Nicol barely avoided the attack, only to have the Strike's knee driven in the Blitz, knocking him back. At this moment, Yzak tried to attack the Strike from behind. But Kira was faster. He dropped his beam saber and drew one of his combat knives, stabbing in the left side of the Duel's waist. There was a power surge in the Duel's cockpit, causing the main screen to explode.

"AAAAARGH!!" Yzak screamed as shrapnel flew into his face.

"Yzak!" Nicol shouted as the Blitz moved alongside the Duel. "Are you alright?"

Yzak howled in pain. "It burns! It burns!!!"

"Saul! Dearka! Yzak's hurt! We have to retreat, before the enemy fleet can fire on us!" Nicol shouted to his teammates.

"Damn. Withdrawing." Dearka replied.

"What is with that ship and those mobile suits?" Saul said as he fled with his comrades. "No matter what we bring against them, they beat us back every time and escape."

"That was amazing Kira." Chris said, coming along the Archangel.

"No. That was beyond amazing." Mu said. "That was incredible."

The Archangel Hanger

A Few Hours Later

"We've joined up with the Fleet. So why are we in such a hurry to get this fixed up?" Kira said, his head sticking out of the cockpit of the Moebius Zero.

"Because I don't feel secure with it damaged." Mu replied.

"And the pilots of the 8th Fleet are all wet behind the ear." Murdoch added. "If we come under attack, the Lieutenant will have to sortie."

"But what about the Strike and the Raven?" Kira asked. "Should we leave them as is?"

"Well...If we change it back, it will dramatically lower abilities of the machines."

"Actually, it doesn't matter for the Raven." Chris said as he floated up. "I'm staying."

"What?" a shocked Kira asked. "You're staying?"

"Yeah. There's something I need to do. And I can't do it unless I stay. But like I said before, you don't have to do what I do, Kira. Make up our own mind."

"Then I guess I won't have to convince you." Ramius said, floating to the group. "Sorry to interrupt. But I just wanted to talk with Kira."

"Huh?" Kira said, staring at her.

"Don't give me that suspicious look. Though I can't really blame you." Murrue said. "Come. Let's get out of their hair and talk, Kira."

The two floated away, towards the Strike.

"Well...I suppose I should tell Liz and the others that I'm staying."

"What?!!" Liz shouted. "You're staying?!!"

Flay, Sai, Tolle, Kuzzey and Miri all had similar expressions.

"Yes. Could you tone it down?"

"I'm staying too then." Liz said.

"No. You are not." Chris bluntly said. "You're getting back on that shuttle and going back to Orb."

"No! I'm staying. I'm not letting you do something stupid by yourself." Liz argued.

Everyone else watched as the two siblings argued. Save for Flay. She was deep in thought. She needed Chris. To help her deal with her pain. She honestly didn't believe that she could deal with it on her own at the moment. She was going to stay. She needed to stay.

Aboard the Vesalius

"The legged ship is now with Admiral Halberton's 8th Fleet." Rau said. "Based on their position, we can safely believe that they are going to send the legged ship to Earth. But we should try one last time before leave our backyard."

"We can be assure that they'll protect the legged ship with everything they have. Even with their very lives." Diana Kessel said.

"But remember, the 8th Fleet isn't our target." Rau said. "It's the legged ship and it's mobile suits."

"I want all GINNs equipped with ballutes for this one." Diana said.

"But that will slow us down." Zane said.

"This is an orbital battle, boy." Diana coldly said. "Anyone in a GINN that gets caught in the Earth's gravity, won't survive reentry. It's a standard safety procedure."

"I agree. While the new machines can survive reentry, the GINNs cannot." Rau said. "All GINNs are to equipped with ballutes."

AN: Ballutes are actually from Mobile Suit Gundam Zeta. They're basically a balloon/parachute device that when activated, slow down a mobile suit's descent, allowing it to safely enter the atmosphere. I figure that ZAFT would likely have something similar for battles close to the atmosphere.

The Archangel

"Discharge papers?" Sai said.

"Yes. In order to avoid any legal complications, you've all been declared as soldiers of the Earth Alliance." Captain Hoffman explain. "Signing these papers will allow to leave the Archangel with the civilians."

"I don't need this. I'm staying." Liz said, handing her papers back.

Hoffman nodded. "Very well then."

"Excuse me." Flay said, raising her hand.

"You were not involved in any combat. Therefore, you don't need discharge papers."

"That's not it." Flay paused, searching for strength to say the next part. "I would like to join the Earth Alliance Military."

"Flay?" a surprised Sai said.

"You realize what you're saying." Ensign Badgiruel said.

"Look. I'm not saying this for the fun of it. I've been thinking about since my father was killed." Flay said. "After that happened, all I could think about was how I couldn't bare it. And I realized that this has been happening since the war started."

A fresh set of tears rolled down her cheeks at the memory of her father. "If I join the fight, that means that I can at least try to help bring an end to this war. Even if my abilities are of little use to the military, I'll still do whatever I can to bring an end to this war."

"Very well then." Badgiruel said. "Come with me."

The two left. Sai looked at the paper in his hands. He tore it in two. "What Flay expressed was my sentiments as well. Besides, what kind of person would I be if I left her here by herself."

"They said the Archangel was short-staffed. I'd feel bad if it got shot down somewhere down the road." Tolle said, tearing his own papers.

Miriallia then tore her own papers in two.

"Miri?"

"If you're staying, than so am I." she replied.

"If you're all gonna stay, than so am I." Kuzzey said, shredding his own papers.

Elsewhere

"Well, Kira. I guess this where we part ways." Chris said as they approached the line up for the shuttle. "Take care of yourself."

"Yeah." Kira said. "You take care too."

Suddenly, a little girl floated up to the two boys. The girl reached into her little bag.

"Thank you for protecting us." the little girl said, handing them both little paper flowers.

"Thanks." Chris said, taking the flower and patting the girl on the head.

"Hey Kira!" Tolle shouted as he, Sai, Kuzzey, Miri and Liz approached the pair.

"Hey. I've been looking all over for you guys. Why-"

"Here." Tolle said, handing him a piece of paper. "You can't leave without your discharge papers."

"You're going alone. We've all decided to stay." Tolle said.

Chris sighed. "I see you didn't listen to me, Liz. Again."

"Yes." his sister replied "If you're staying, I'm staying. And I'm not the only one. We're all staying. Even Flay decided to stay."

"What? That's a surprise." Chris said. "I figured that she would have left we everyone else."

"All hands. Report to level one battlestations. I repeat..."

"They're playing my song again. Well, good luck Kira." Chris said before leaving.

"Yeah. Good luck Kira." Tolle said, patting Kira's back. "You better not do something stupid without us there to watch your back."

"Good bye Kira." Miri and Kuzzey said.

"Bye Kira. Don't worry. I'll make sure my brother doesn't do anything stupid." Liz said.

"Good bye Kira." Sai said. "Take care of yourself."

"Well, we better get to our battlestations." Tolle said. "And you have a shuttle to catch."

Kira watched his friend leave the hanger. He stared at his discharge papers. Then he turned to the paper flower. Torn between what he should do. Images of his past battles filled his mind. The destruction of Heliopolis. His battles against the stolen Gundams, alongside Chris and Lieutenant La Flaga. His failure to protect the Montgomery and Flay's father. Finally, the little girl that had give this paper flower.

"Are you coming kid?"

"Please. Go on without me." Kira said, tossing the discharge papers as he left the hanger.

The stolen Gundams, a crimson GINN and the mobile suits of the 11th Fleet launched, heading for the Earth Forces 8th Fleet. "Hey Yzak, are you sure that you're able to pilot the Duel in your condition?" Saul asked.

"Just shut up and stay out of my way!" Yzak shouted from the Duel, now equipped with an armor shroud. "I'm gonna take down the Strike once and for all!"

The Earth Forces deployed all of their mobile armors and their warships opened fire. But they were no match for the technologically superior ZAFT Forces, and one by one, the Earth Force's mobile armors were destroyed and their warships were either destroyed or crippled. However, those crippled ships that were fleeing the battlefield were quickly shot down by the Vesalius.

"Firing on retreating forces." Diana said in disgust at Creuset's tactics. "What a cowardly and dishonorable man."

"What'd ya expected from the masked snake himself?" Ajay said, gunning down a mobile armor.

Elsewhere, the Creuset Team were pushing further and further into the 8th Fleet, searching for the Archangel and it's mobile suits. "Where is it?!" Zane said in frustration as he fired at a mobile armor, destroying it. "Where is that damned Raven?!"

Chris zipped up his flightsuit as Kira entered the room. "Kira? What are you doing here?"

"I've decided to stay."

"Happy to hear that. I was little worried that I was gonna have to pilot the Strike." Chris said. "It's a good machine, but it's not my machine."

Kira quickly put on his flightsuit and the two took off for the hanger. When they reached the hanger, they found Mu arguing with the Captain over a comm line. "But Captain, their target is this ship. If the kid and I deploy, we'll be able to draw some of the enemy mobile suits from the Fleet."

"Our ship wasn't been singled to join the battle. Please remain on standby." Captain Ramius said.

Mu swore and punched the wall. "Why isn't the Captain letting us launch? We're under attack, aren't we?"

"Yeah. She's worried about getting a sudden order from Admiral Halberton and the two of being too far to lend a hand." Mu said, turning around.

"Hey. What are you doing here kid?" Mu asked Kira.

"I've decided to stay." Kira replied.

"Alright. Well that's good to hear." Mu said. "Well, you heard the Captain. Let's get to our machines."

The 8th Fleet was putting up a valiant fight. But their pilots were just too green and their mobile armors were just too outclassed to stand a chance against ZAFT's elite 11th Fleet. A trio of black and purple GINNs raced through the Earth Forces ships, explosions followed them. Basque Gideon fired on a pair of Drake-class battleships with his shin mounted missiles and Barrus cannon. Missiles and beams struck the warships, destroying the first and heavily damaging the second. A trio of Moebius mobile armors fired on the Tyr from behind.

"I don't think so, pals!" Ajay said, ambushing the trio.

He gunned down the first two and slicing the third in two with one of his combat knives.

Lucius turned to Ajay, aimed and fired. Two mobile armors exploded behind Ajay's GINN.

"Even without the dreaded Black Hawk, the 11th Fleet is still devastating." Admiral Halberton said as more casualties were reported in.

"Sir. Incoming communication from the Archangel."

"Put them through." he said.

"Admiral, I would like permission to begin the Archangel's descent to Earth." Murrue Ramius said. "The Archangel is their target. If we withdraw, we might be able to save the Fleet."

"Go. You have permission. We'll cover you for as long as we can." Halberton replied, before cutting the line.

"Sir! A Nazca-class and a Laurasia-class, as well as the Buster, the Duel, the Aegis, the Blitz, the Surge and a GINN, are heading for the Archangel."

"Bring us between them and the Archangel." Halberton ordered. "We cannot allow the Archangel to be destroy. No matter the cost."

The Archangel started it's descent into the atmosphere. But they weren't alone. The Duel, the Buster and the red GINN flew past the Menelaos and the other nearby Earth Forces warships. Their target. The Archangel.

"Captain, please let us launch. We can fight till the last second before returning." Mu said from the cockpit of his Moebius Zero.

"According to the specs, both the Strike and the Raven can enter the atmosphere on their own." Kira added.

"Besides, if we launch now, we may be able to draw some of the fire from the 8th Fleet." Chris said.

"Very well. You may go." Ramius said. "But be careful."

The Raven launched first, followed by the Strike and then the Moebius Zero. "Damn." Chris said as Earth's gravity pulled on the Raven. "This is definitely a stupid thing to do."

"You won't get any arguments from me." Mu said as the trio pushed their thrusters to the max, heading for the ZAFT attackers. "This is the first time I've ever done this."

"At last! The Strike!" Yzak said with a smirk, drawing a beam saber. "Time for some payback."

The two mobile suits clashed as Dearka fired on the Moebius Zero. Mu dodged the shot and deployed his gunbarrels, firing on the Buster.

"This time there's no pink haired brat to save you." Zane said as he fired at the Raven.

"How did you become like this Zane?" Chris said, dodging the round. "You were never had an ounce of hatred in your body."

"As I told you. That was then, this is now." Zane said, firing again and again. "But the time for talk is over."

Chris continued to dodge. He couldn't bring himself to fire on his friend. Even when he was in this state.

The Gamow pulled ahead of the Vesalius, heading for the Archangel.

"They're making a suicide attack!" Captain Hoffman said.

"Focus all fire on the Laurasia-class. And deploy the civilian shuttle." Halberton ordered. "We've come too far to allow that ship to be destroyed."

The Menelaos brought itself alongside the Gamow as the civilian shuttle was launched. The warships furiously fought their final battle. In the end, both ship exploded. Captain Ramius, Ensign Badgiruel and Commander Kessel all saluted the heroic sacrifice of their comrades.

Kira and Yzak were still locked in their fierce battle. Even as Earth's gravity pulled them down. Elsewhere, the duel between Chris and Zane intensified. Neither could gain the upper hand. Suddenly, the civilian shuttle appeared between the two.

"What? Cowards fleeing the battlefield? Well then, DIE!" Zane said, taking aim at the shuttle.

"NO! Don't! That's a civilian shuttle!" Chris shouted. "There's only innocent civilians on board!"

"Innocent?! There is no such thing as innocence amongst the human race!" Zane shouted back. "It's time you learned that!"

Zane fired his railgun. The round tore through the shuttle, like a knife through paper. The shuttle exploded, kill all on board. "NOOOOOO!!!" Chris screamed as somewhere in the back of his mind, a grayish-green seed shattered.

"No..." Kira whispered.

"Firing on a civilian shuttle. What a monster." Yzak said in disgust.

The two mobile suits started to shake. The gravity was starting to become too great. "Dammit. I can't stick around here any longer."

The Duel took off, trying to escape the planet's gravity alongside the Buster while Kira headed for the Archangel.

"ZANE!!!" Chris roared as he fired his railguns at Zane's GINN.

Zane laughed as sidestepped and fired back. The Raven effortlessly dodged the rounds and it's left hand drew a beam saber. The GINN's railgun ran out of ammo. "Dammit." Zane cursed as tried to reload.

Chris, seeing the opening, struck with his beam saber. Zane hit his thrusters, trying to dodge. But he wasn't fast enough. The saber sliced off the GINN's legs at the knees.

Zane swore. "I'm not done yet!"

Zane aimed his reloaded railgun at the Raven. At this range, Chris wouldn't be able to dodge in time.

Warning. Terminal velocity reached. Ballute system activating.

The GINN's ballute deployed. Dramatically slowing down the machine and sending it upwards.

"Gah! Dammit! Stupid ballute! Not now!" Zane cursed.

He was vulnerable now. One shot and his ballute would be destroyed, leaving him to burn up in the atmosphere.

However, Chris wasn't in any position to attack. The g-forces and heat from reentry were growing too great for him. Chris quickly extended the Raven's wings, slowing down his descent. But it wasn't enough and he passed out.

"Chris! We have to get back to the ship!" Kira shouted. "Chris?! Can you hear me?!"

There was no response. Kira swore and headed towards the Raven. He reached out and grabbed the Raven. He put his shield in front of them, trying to further slow down their descent. He tried to move back to the Archangel. But the Strike's thrusters weren't strong enough.

"Bring us to the same trajectory as the Strike and the Raven." Murrue ordered.

"Captain?"

"This will all be meaningless if we reach Alaska without the Strike and the Raven."

The Archangel's thrusters pushed it towards the two mobile suits. As soon as the Archangel was underneath them, Kira landed the two machines on the hull of the vessel. He then passed out as well.

Yay! Finally! They're on Earth! Finally, the real fun can begin. Of course, any fans of Gundam Seed Purpose by SOLDIER-MS, which is a great story that I recommend, will know who's appearing in the next chapter.

One final thing. I don't want to come off as a whiner, but the last chapter generated a number of hits, favorites and alerts, yet I only one review. I like to hear from my fans. And I feel that it's polite that if you put a story in favorites, you should take a few minutes to submit a review. Thank you and please review!