Ready for the next Phase! Cause here it is! READY!
I'm excited about this one! It's what I've been waiting for these past months! Please read and review afterwards!
Phase 37: Phoenix's Heart
She ran from the ship the moment the doors opened and she saw them; Kira, Leyas and Kiran were all there safe. She ran into Kira's arms and he held her close. Lacus was happy to be home. Kayla followed her out with Haro bouncing behind her as always. Andrew Waltfeld had also come. After all greetings were exchanged Athrun and Cagalli had made arrangements for them to be rushed out of the area and into tinted armored vans. No one was to know that Lacus was in ORB now, the war with the PLANTs had ended indefinitely and it was still unsure who they had waiting for them. Once inside the van, Lacus sat between Kiran and Kayla and Kiran let her treat him as if he was still a small child for he had put them through a scare. He was happy to see his mother now for the first time since the STING exploded in space. The whole family was almost all together.
"How is Yaro?" Lacus asked Kira. Kira turned away at the questions trying to hide his fear and doubt from Lacus, she didn't need to worry about what had happened, she had enough to worry over. He then started to wonder if it was possible to hide the truth of the person that Yaro had started becoming without them there. He turned back to her with a reassuring smile.
"It seems that his fever broke sometime in the night," Kira said to her, "and I saw him this morning, he was still very tired and he wasn't awake for long. It seems he just exhausted himself."
"That's not like him," Lacus replied to which Kira shrugged. He knew that she had caught on with that comment, and he was worried as well; showing exhaustion was not like him. He always tried to be stronger than the people around him and he rarely ever ducked in weakness against any challenge. Kira had a theory that Yaro was trying to avoid speaking of the events of the past months to anyone. He was still frightened by something and he didn't want anyone to know about it.
"Well at least he is alive and safe," Kira replied, "that's more than his comrade; he lost his friend Tripp to the battle. They had fought together through the war with the PLANTs." Lacus nodded, she hated hearing something like that. Yaro didn't need to deal with more loss in his life. She remembered some of her own friends who had joined ZAFT when she was young; she had lost so many as well. She always hated looking back at that time and she understood how hard it would be for Yaro to continue on with people's deaths haunting him. She had always hoped her children would never have to suffer as she had, but they were in a war and suffering was just part of the deal.
"What about you Kiran," Lacus said turning to her other son who had been involved in the war, "how are you doing with everything?"
"I don't know," Kiran responded with a little look of discomfort in his eyes. He still wasn't sure how he felt about everything, he hadn't really lost any friends. "I mean, it's been hard fighting and everything but I know that I have a reason to fight. I haven't really gone through anything too dramatic but sometimes it is a bit frightening out there. I have made some friends who are helping me learn everything though and now that dad's back he can teach me more about mobile suits." Kira smiled at this, he wasn't exactly sure how much he could teach. He had learned everything on his own when he was young in desperate times and when he had tried to teach Yaro he had realized how much he couldn't explain.
"Trey is teaching me," Leyas responded, "and he says I'm learning quickly!" Kayla did not like where this conversation was going, it seemed that it was becoming a good thing to pilot a mobile suit.
"You shouldn't be fighting on the battlefield," Kiran said, "you're a girl! You're too nice to kill anyone!"
"For your information Kiran, I don't kill people; Trey and I fight in the same mobile suit and we work to disarm other mobile suits," she said with a cocky voice, "besides we all need to do our part. What good can I do sitting back? I want to fight for what I believe in as well!"
"But mobile suits are primarily weapons created to take lives," Kayla said speaking up now with her ever wise voice, "no matter what your intentions are you can not forget that these machines exist to fight wars. I will never enter one and I hope a day comes where we can erase their existence from the world, because we want war to cease to exist." Kira smiled at this, listening to his family talk reminded him of the times when things were easier. The times when they had peace and there was no war to worry about, he prayed those days would return soon and that his family would be able to sit down together, Yaro included, and discuss these things. Yes this was the reason that he fought; for the love of his children and the hope of a peaceful world.
"She's been very quite since last night," Yzak observed as Meiko sat beside her mobile suit with a laptop, "and she slept in the Phoenix last night." Milady nodded to him, Meiko was clearly on edge about something and she theorized that it was Yaro. She hadn't been the same since the battlefield, and it had been seeing Yaro fighting that had stirred her to act as recklessly as she had. Perhaps that was a good thing because it drove her to fight but it also could be a bad thing because she would put her life on the line to protect him and her life was more important than his if the world was to reach peace.
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder," Milady sighed thinking about it, "I really hope that nothing drastic happens between them." Yzak smiled at this, he was sure that things were already in too deep for Meiko to change her ways now.
"I don't know on his part," Yzak replied, "but it is very clear on her part that she cares a great deal for him; shows that you couldn't stop destiny from coming to full fruition through your actions back then." Milady sighed once again, she still didn't know how she felt about that. She had never predicted that Liene could be right about anything, but he had once said that Meiko and Yaro were destiny.
"Nothing has changed yet," Milady responded turning to Yzak, "perhaps things aren't as deep as they seem. I mean he did try to kill her in the battle against the STING, and before that. He was very angry with her and he has become a much colder person because of the events that have taken place. I am worried that somehow we can't prevent his own heart from turning away to a darker path, I hope Kira and Lacus are taking care of him as I charged Lacus to do so."
"Well we'll see how things play out this afternoon," Yzak replied, "Meiko might not even be with us afterward." This didn't alarm Milady as it was wistful thinking.
"She will be," Milady replied, "I don't know if she realizes that but she will be."
"Okay I know you don't want to be involved in the politics of this war but you kinda are by being an escaped ROW agent and the only one who can really identify their methods for us," Leyas said as she sat across from Trey in the Attha mansions dining room. He frowned at her statements and she continued, "you have helped us a great deal to avoid ROW ships in space and to identify areas they were hitting. You understand their tactics Trey and I just really wanted you there." What was she getting at, where did she want him.
"What are you talking about Leyas," she laughed a little at his response. He did not understand then she realized that she may have introduced it the wrong way.
"Cagalli called for a meeting with Redemption," Leyas responded, "my parents and Cagalli and Athrun are going to be there and I was invited as well because I insisted. I also insisted that you come as well. We're not sure how things will go with them and you're the person I trust most." He raised his eyebrows to this, something else was up as well.
"Well I am honored to be included but I'm not sure I really belong," he responded to her to which she laughed a little.
"Well you see," she continued, "that's only half of what I have to tell you. I was speaking to my mother and father last night and I informed them that I was going to ask if I could drop the ORB and Clyne faction guards now because I've decided that I want you to be my body guard." He wasn't really surprised at this, Leyas complained about the Clyne faction guards often and she had once asked him what he thought about being a body guard. He personally thought it was a good idea, Leyas was much more of a public figure than her siblings and he felt like she needed to be protected. "How do you feel about that?" she asked looking a little skeptical.
"I think that is a good idea Leyas," he responded with a smile, "I would be happy to attend the meeting as your body guard." She smiled at this, he had become her best fried in the short time they had known each other and there was no one that she was more comfortable around now. She was his first friend in this new place he found himself in and he cared a great deal about her, today was a good day to begin showing that.
Kira, Lacus, Cagalli, Athrun, Leyas and Trey all stood at one of the most obscure cliffs on the entire ORB island; the place designated for the meeting with redemption. They of course had brought a few ORB guards under the command of Shinn Auska, but this place was completely private and unknown to the public as it was the will of Redemption to completely avoid any media attention with this. They apparently had a proposition to make to the Clyne faction and to ORB that they didn't want anyone to know about. Cagalli was completely uneasy that they had not yet arrived but Athrun reassured her that everything was going to be okay, plus these people had been the ones to rescue Kira as well as her nation. Their motives so far appeared to be in the service of peace.
After what seemed like a lifetime a small shuttle was seen in the distance. The four were all relieved when it landed revealing Milady Redemption, Yzak Joule and a few other Redemption officials. Lacus smiled as the four proceeded forward to meet with these people. She was happy to see that Yzak was alive and well, he had saved her and Kira way back in the Gibraltar incident. She turned and saw that Leyas seemed excited at just being included in this.
"Greetings to you," Milady was the first to speak and everyone found it strange that she wore a mask, it made Cagalli more uneasy, "I see you are all looking well. The war hasn't beaten you down too bad."
"Greetings to you as well Milady Redemption," Cagalli said speaking first as it was her nation they were all meeting at, "we have nothing but gratitude to offer you for coming to the aid of our nation in such a critical time, we would not be here if it weren't for you." Milady nodded with what seemed like a smile, it was hard for them to tell.
"Well we could not allow such a thing to take place," Milady replied to Cagalli, "ORB is one of the most important nations in the world and if it had fallen then there would be no hope left for anything. That is why we come today, because we recognize the importance of your nation and the importance of your alliance with the Clyne faction. Your alliance may have been the cause of some trouble but it is very important to the safety and security of the world if it is to turn back to the peace we had under both you Cagalli and you Lacus." It was now that Athrun spoke up as he saw Cagalli was becoming uneasy by the mask Milady wore.
"Excuse my comments," Athrun said before speaking anything else, "But is it necessary for you to wear a mask? We're all friends here, surely you can trust us with your identity." To this Yzak spoke next.
"One can never be to careful," he responded looking at the group that had accompanied the four, "Milady's identity is in question anyway. It is important to our operations that she remain masked and under the protection of our military." Before anyone could speak anymore a roaring sound echoed through the air and they looked to see a mobile suit approaching fast.
The Phoenix was flying in. Milady's breath caught in her throat as that morning Meiko had not spoken to any of them of her plans so Milady had left without her. She had expected Meiko to back out of her appearance but it seemed the girl was not too pleased with that assumption. Milady saw that Kira and Lacus were both wide eyed at the machine, it was truly beautiful in the sunlight. Hopefully it didn't attract any attention from the shoreline. It landed behind the Redemption shuttle and it's weapons were brandished.
"Before we continue talks I think we should disarm all weapons," Kira said stepping forward, though he expected no violence, the appearance of the machine did make everyone uncomfortable.
"The Phoenix is her own solider," Milady responded to him, "she accompanied us but she is not under our banner, as she does not wish to be associated with any faction. Perhaps if you ask her to she will come down, but I have no authority over her." Just as those words were spoken the pilot of the Phoenix opened her cockpit and began to lower herself from it. Once again no one could see her face behind the tinted glass of her helmet. She was dressed in all black and seemed to be wearing quite a few weapons.
When the pilot had made it to the ground she walked behind Milady and Yzak and came to stand alongside her mother. She was a little shorter than Milady but no one could see her face as she crossed her arms and seemed to want to say nothing, only to be included in the peace talks. Leyas felt a strange sensation at the approach of the girl, as if she had met her before. Something about her was very familiar. This caused Leyas to venture closer and Trey noticed how Leyas looked at the pilot, he remembered what Meiko had said about maybe revealing herself. He wondered how long she could hide it with everyone picking up signals from her. Leyas had know her before and if Leyas identified her things were certain to change so he grabbed Leyas's arm and made a face as if to say it wasn't polite to share.
"Well now that is settled," Milady said but before she could speak anymore Meiko grabbed her arm and stepped forward and threw a gun to the ground. She felt an odd sensation as everyone watched her as she began to slowly remove her helmet, her long red hair pouring out of it. She raised her head as her violet eyes seemed to carry a fire in them shocking everyone there as they looked on the face of Meiko Virea, the girl who had sacrificed her life for them before and the person none of them ever expected to see again. Kira blinked quite a few times before determining that it was indeed true. A story untold.
"Meiko!" Kira gasped in shock, "but you destroyed the STING, you died." Milady felt the tension of the moment and sought to relieve it but there was nothing else to be said. He couldn't believe his eyes, neither could anyone else there who knew her. She was the one Uzumi had died for and she had put her life on the line for them. How could they be seeing her now. How could anyone have survived. Meiko seemed to ignore Kira and looked directly at Cagalli.
"You have lost the most out of anyone Lady Cagalli," Meiko said to her, "your nation has been under constant attack and the life of your son was claimed by ROW. I have come today because I was once in ROW, and if anyone is responsible for the things that have taken place it is me. I revealed the whereabouts of the Clyne family to Liene back then which he leaked to the PLANTs. I have now ended the war between the PLANTs as atonement, but I am sure that if you are looking for someone to blame you can look no futher. For all I have done I am truly sorry because I did not realize there was another way. Redemption saved me, they are good people who are here now to further offer you help. You should hear them out without prejudice, for if you should hate anyone hate me." Everyone there were shocked by the speech that Meiko had just made and Milady felt fear at what Meiko was doing. The girl was purposely incriminating herself before the group of people there. She had already atoned for everything, surely no hate should be placed her her head.
"No," Athrun said now stepping forward, "you're not to blame. You were as much of a victim of the events as we were and as Uzumi was. You don't deserve to be hated now for that, and I know for a fact that you are the reason every single one of us is still here today. You rescued Yaro and brought down the STING, and if that wasn't enough you came back and saved ORB. We can only offer you thanks for putting your life on the line for us the way you have. What I wonder is how you did survive." Something in Meiko's eyes changed at his words, she never dreamed that the father of Uzumi would forgive her the way he had, she had caused his son's death. He was surprised to see her alive now but he knew whatever had brought about these events, Uzumi had been the one to saver her and Athrun knew that he had to show her the kindness his son had. She was more important than she knew. Lacus recognized something there in her eyes, a light and a sorrow of a life that was smothered in guilt.
"He's right," Cagalli said to the girl kicking the gun away from her as she saw the light in Meiko's eyes as well, "you are not the darkness you claim to be Meiko. I now see what is in your heart and I see what my son died to save, for you are truly an angel sent to us to save us from the events that have happened. No matter what you believe you have changed us all for the better and because of you we stand here." With that Cagalli saluted her now shocking Meiko, "please accept my thanks for everything that you have done for my country and for everything that you are to this world."
Athrun, Lacus and Kira all gave her a salute in honor. Leyas was still feeling extreme shock and a bit of resentment at seeing Meiko there. Everyone was forgiving her like it was no big deal but something in Leyas was ignited in anger. Meiko Virea had caused everything and no matter what right she had done she had done so much wrong as well. At this moment Leyas looked to Trey who also seemed happy at the events then she remembered that he was once in ROW as well. He had fought against then in their initial escape from the PLANTs and she had forgiven him, then she turned back to Meiko. Perhaps it was the same, Meiko deserved forgiveness as well. If she could find it in her heart to come here and lay her life to their judgment then they all could see the goodness in her. Leyas then followed her family in giving Meiko a salute.
"We owe you our lives Meiko," Lacus spoke now, "to you we are truly thankful."
"Now the talks can continue," Yzak said stepping forward, "I am sure there is much to discuss."
"Yes," Cagalli said standing up, "I am ready. For we will ally ourselves with you heart and soul, for you have brought back light into this world and whatever your intentions we will side with you." Milady knew no one could see the tears in her eyes now at the reception her daughter had gotten back by the people she so sought approval.
"Thank you Cagalli," Milady replied, "thank you."
"We first must address the issue of docking and resupplying," Yzak said taking over for Milady as he saw she was overwhelmed with emotion now, "our fleet is like any other, we need a place to resupply after that battle and it is a little difficult to head back to our base. You must be protected, your nation is important." Cagalli nodded at this, it was true she had been wondering how they expected to stay supplied.
"You shall use our docks," Cagalli responded, "for will would have it no other way after how you came to help us." They all smiled at this.
"And our main operation will take more to discuss," Milady said, "for I am sure you know we are an anti ROW group, and our main purpose is to see them destroyed. No matter how you set them back they are still at large." It was Meiko who spoke now.
"Surely you don't expect to lay out all the details here," Meiko spoke with authority, "I request that we continue to the military base now, we need maps and computers to show all the information Redemption has. I am sure after seeing what your plan is Milady they will join in with us. Alliance was the step for this meeting."
"If your plan is it defeat ROW we are with you completely," Kira responded to Meiko's words, "for they have twisted our world for too long, and we will see them defeated."
Milady was very happy at this, the outcome would be peaceful. The three factions had come together now under the pact of defeating ROW. Now the next steps the would take would be to see Liene fall and to see the world restored to peace. Meiko's presence had changed everything, every tension had faded as the Phoenix stood before them all in bright and shining light. She was everything Milady had hoped for and she was the healing to the world and she would be brighter than the sun as she took to the skies in flight.
Leyas was surprised by all the commotion as five hours later Redemption was settling into the military base. There were so many people she didn't know wandering around and being let onto ORB soil. The Reversal was docked in one of the main hangars and it seemed that there was a lot of commotion around the Phoenix's arrival. Leyas stood on one of the upper balconies looking down into the large hangar as many people just started at Meiko as she ordered the Redemption personal on how to handle her machine. She treated the machine like it was a part of herself and in a way it was, it was her sword in the coming battles and the previous one. Leyas was also surprised that she kept her tinted helmet on as if she was wary of the people around her. So many people approached her to thank her and she was polite but she was clearly on edge about the attention.
She walked to a more controlled area and Leyas saw her approaching Yzak, Kira and Athrun whom were all hovering over Kira's new machine which Lacus had brought to earth. Apparently the Clyne faction still hadn't figured out how to finish it. Leyas sighed as she watched all the commotion. Apparently Milady was speaking to Cagalli and Lacus alone aboard the Reversal and Leyas didn't understand why the boys didn't join the meeting but there was nothing she could do.
Meiko noticed Leyas watching her from the balcony and she wondered if Leyas was once again subject to the strange feeling. Meiko had been wondering since encountering Yaro if perhaps Leyas had a super seed as well, or any of the people around her. Meiko turned toward Kira and Yzak who were discussing something about an operating system. She listened closely as she had been the one to completed the Phoenix's, perhaps she could help them. Meiko was uncomfortable taking off her helmet but then she remembered her mother's own mask and in that moment decided she would not be like the older woman so she took off her helmet once again causing a bit of a stir among the workers in the hangar. They were instructed not to take any photos of the new guests but some of them were surprised that the girl behind the mask was so young.
"You say that the Clyne faction scientists wrote most of it," Meiko said referring to the machines system. When she looked up at the machine she saw that it was indeed very powerful and she could feel power radiating from it thanks to her heightened awareness that came with having the super seed. She was surprised that Kira hand not overseen all the details of such a magnificent power himself, letting multiple people work on one system was a surefire way of causing problems. In ROW it was very clear that Liene believed in the power of the individual and as such it was often one scientist alone who made discoveries. This was how ROW had become so powerful, through individuals.
"Yes," Kira responded to her questions, "I was busy working out details in the base and progress on this needed to continue, we couldn't have it just stopping every time I was busy." She nodded understanding that thought and the division of time the way he needed it.
"It's so powerful," Meiko commented as she felt something else through her mind. Kira noticed as she flinched at something. She then felt a pressure in her head and she looked at Yzak with alarm, he would understand. She wasn't supposed to have outbursts any more but occasionally the super seed did act up, it was because she still wasn't used to having raw power inside her head. Kira saw a flash of pain then cross her face and he knew that something was wrong.
"Meiko?" He asked her and that caused Athrun to notice. Yzak put a hand on her shoulder silently understanding her as she moved her hands to her head as if trying to shield it from something. Her breathing increased as she started to loose focus and visions of Liene started to fill her mind followed by visions of things she still didn't understand.
"Do you want me to get Milady Meiko?" Yzak asked her as her breathing increased.
"What's wrong?" Kira asked as he saw the girl suddenly look like she was in pain. He didn't understand what was going on.
"No," Meiko responded as tears filled her eyes and she fought it back with all her strength. The visions began to fade as the pressure began to leave. She looked up at them with tears in her eyes as she felt her strength partially drained from fighting it back so hard, "no I got it Yzak, I have to learn how to beat it. I won't always have someone there to help me." Yzak nodded as he realized that for the first time Meiko had just beaten it on her own. He looked at the people around and wondered if her proximity to them had helped in any way.
"What was wrong?" Athrun asked confused, "if you need to rest we have rooms prepared for all the Redemption people, I can get someone to show you there now." Meiko put on a fake smile.
"No," she responded, "it's nothing, I just get these short headaches from time to time." She then walked toward the Phoenix a little embarrassed that she had shown weakness in front of them. Kira turned to Yzak as if to ask for answers.
"She went through a lot," Yzak responded to their questioning looks, "when we recovered her she was all but dead and it took quite a while to get her strong enough to stand much less to fight in a mobile suit. She still suffers from an injury that Liene inflicted upon her mind, I'm sure you remember her mind moving a mobile suit that she didn't want to move." Athrun was shocked and looked back toward where Meiko now sat, he saw Milady and the girls walk and and Milady immediately went to the girl and gave her a hug. Athrun remembered that system well, it had taken Uzumi's life and made them all think it was Meiko's fault.
"We had no idea that it could have ever caused anything like that," Kira said turning to Yzak.
"Well it was barbaric of Liene to use it," Yzak replied as he noticed Meiko trying not to cry as she spoke to Milady about it. He knew it was going to take some more time, but Meiko was really suffering because Liene had awakened her super seed and in time she would master it and be able to use it's power. Now it was still so new to her that just accidentally triggering it could hurt her.
Meiko hated leaning on Milady even though she was her mother because there was still a tension between them. Meiko was hurt that the truth had not come out in the beginning when she had first been brought to that place, but at this moment she had to tell her mother what had just happened. Milady had helped Liene research the super seed so she was the only one who really understood what it was that was going on in Meiko's head. Listening to Meiko describe it hurt Milady because she was distant from her own daughter because of her own actions.
Yaro walked into the hangar as Kiran had been bragging to him since he woke up about all the commotion he was missing. Kiran had been polite enough to fill him in on how Redemption had ended the battle with that one mobile suit that had saved him. Kiran also informed him that it seemed ORB had allied with Redemption and let them dock in their hangars. Yaro had been asleep for most of the day apparently and it seemed no one had wanted to wake him for some reason. He quickly got discharged from the medical center after then had found that there was nothing wrong with him. He then headed over to the main hangar to find his father and ask what exactly was going on. With this purpose in mind he entered through the open gates and noticed all the excitement that was being generated by the new arrivals.
He spotted his father and Athrun talking to someone with silver hair. The man wore a Redemption uniform and he seemed to know Yaro's relatives. Yaro walked quickly to where they were knowing that he really wanted to understand what the alliance entailed. He was also very interested in how the Phoenix seemed to hold the entire PLANT fleet hostage in order to save ORB. It was a lot for him to take in as well as his father being back. He couldn't believe his eyes when he had first seen it but now it was definite as he saw his father there and a new mobile suit with him. But hadn't his father been in the Justice earlier? This new machine was probably incomplete.
Yaro saw his chance as Cagalli approached to take Athrun away and the silver hair redemption officer left Kira alone. Now Yaro would be able to seek his fathers help in the things to come. Athrun had said Kira understood more than Yaro really knew, now was his chance to find out just how much.
"Father?" Yaro approached still unsure of himself and everything that happened. He knew he didn't want to hide himself away because of it but he also was afraid of how everyone viewed the darkness that they saw in him. This was different than that darkness Uzumi had felt because Uzumi had felt a darkness of future events, now Yaro felt a darkness in his own actions. To Yaro's surprise Kira looked at him with an excitement and joy upon seeing his son alive and well.
"Yaro!" Kira said with relief, "It's good to have you back." Kira was a little uncomfortable knowing the task ahead and Yaro felt unworthy thinking of the things that were behind. He had accused Kira of not understanding and he had determined in his heart that his father just didn't care but now he saw things so differently. He knew now that he needed Kira, and though he had renounced him in the past he knew that Kira would always be his father despite the fact that Yaro was adopted.
"I'm so sorry," Yaro began, "I've done terrible things, and I just don't know if I can do this alone anymore. It's been too dark father, and I don't understand what it is." Kira took his turn now.
"We all make mistakes Yaro," Kira said realizing how easy Yaro was making this, "and sometimes we feel like everything is our fault but it's not Yaro. I'm sorry that I didn't even try to understand what it was you were saying to me. Sometimes I feel like a complete failure but I promise that I won't be like that anymore." It was then that Yaro felt something strange and he turned his head slightly to see something he never thought he would ever see again in his entire life. At that moment she turned her head as well and their eyes locked as every event hit him at once. Meiko Virea.
"No," Yaro whispered as he saw everything in his mind again. The first day he met her, their times in ORB, the time when the darkness fell and she told him the truth of everything, the day Uzumi died, The day he pointed a gun at her when he should have offered her safety and the day she gave his life to save him. Kira turned to see what was happening and he realized, this wasn't something he could change. Yaro had found out the truth in a way he shouldn't have, and now it was up to Meiko to explain everything. Yaro saw in her eyes sorrow as if she was begging him to forgive her, to accept her despite how she had lived and let him live on thinking she was dead. He felt in his heart something shatter and reform as if he had always known. She never really could leave, she was always there. He had been lost for so long because he had lost her and now she was here. He felt he should be running to her but instead he found himself running away from her as if he was unwilling to face that she had seen right into his soul and it was black.
"Yaro!" he heard her voice as he left the hangar and ran faster and faster, farther and farther. He had to face it but how could he believe it? It was too much to handle, how could he face her when she wouldn't even face him? It seemed she had let everyone else know but she had not come to him. How was it even possible that she was here?
Meiko stood there devastated as she watched Yaro run. She herself had been frozen by seeing him there staring her way because everything she had done was really for him. She had kept memories of him with her when she was frozen in the darkness and they had helped her come out of it. She couldn't bear his reaction now as he ran even as she sad his name. Tears formed in her eyes after all the dark she had faced how could she bring herself to face the one person who could break her?
She closed her eyes willing for everything to stop and now she felt someone beside her and a hand on her shoulder and she looked into the face of Kira Yamato, the only person who had caught the exchange. He seemed to understand everything she was feeling, she could tell by the look in his eyes. Why is it that he felt so much compassion on her?
"He's changed," Kira said to her thinking about the past few months, "but I believe that you are the only one who can bring back his light Meiko. He's been in the dark but you have to help him." Meiko felt what was now Kira's plea to her to face her fears, not for him nor for herself but because of Yaro. Because she needed to show him the truth of her own new found light and bring him back from the dark. She tried so many times to believe that she could come back and face it all but she now saw how hard it would be. It still all felt like a dream to her as she saw clearly the path she would have to take.
She found Yaro at the cliffs of ORB, where so many important events in their lives had taken place. This was where they had first met and where he had first threatened to kill her. This was where she had thrown her own gun down and declared that she had wanted death. For what was worth living if the one person who had changed her life wanted her dead? It had been so dark then but she had been freed by a light within her and by the light from Uzumi while he had been left in the darkness. She had known he would be here, for she knew him. He knew that she was there, she knew this as well. They were as two strangers who were somehow thrust into destiny's grasp back then; they had been forced to become enemies and when they had been forced into separation they had both longed for each other to be back. Now that they had everything they wanted they were both still waiting for the other to say something, waiting for each other to confirm the dark that had been plaguing them since the day they fell apart.
"You died," he said as she stood there in the distance away from him, just watching and waiting for him to speak. He was facing the sunset and not facing her as she knew it was hard to look at him at all. A memory of the past floated in her mind of them watching the sunset together. She breathed in thinking of everything, playing it over in her head and trying to think of something to say. She was so frozen by the darkened past that they both shared as feelings she did not realize she still had began to resurface through everything.
"Yes," she whispered, "from what everyone knew, including myself. I died to the darkness, and when I myself sought death it did not claim me. I do not understand for what reason I was spared but I was. I was spared from the darkness of death but now in life I have found a redemption from my past, and I wonder if I even deserve that." He now turned to her and she saw tears in his eyes. She knew he was as broken as she was by everything but behind the tears she saw a coldness that marked the time he spent so long in the dark. He was angry with her for it all and he deserved to be; for she had kept away from him in fear of what he would say and do. She was also angry with him for how he had let the darkness affect him, for the things she knew he had done because of her.
"But you're here," he said trying so very hard to understand, "why didn't you come back? Why did you go one and let me believe that you were gone forever? Why Meiko? I can't understand why because you made me promise to survive when you had no intention of doing so as well! You knew you were going to give yourself up to death! You knew and you made me promise to live. How could you make me promise that? How could you just lie to everyone again?" He then held up something, something she had forgotten. She had forced him to promise something that she wouldn't even promise him, and she had given him her necklace. He still had it, and he had it there in his hand. It was a symbol of everything that they had been and everything that they had given up because of her decision that had been selfish yet at the same time so unselfish. It was something that was so wrong yet it had been done with the motives of love and truth that she felt. She had wanted to save everything that she held dear, to save him from the dark yet it had come back to claim him despite it all.
"You have every right to be angry Yaro," she replied to him as she thought about how unfair she had been, "every single right in the world. I was wrong to not come back but I was scared. I was so unsure of myself, I could hardly face the people around me. How could I face you Yaro? You are the only one who can break me! Now I'm asking you to please understand, it's been dark for me as well." How could she still remain selfish about this? He was trying to hold onto his anger yet she made it melt.
"But you don't know how dark it's been for me," Yaro accused now, "how many times I've struggled alone. I forced myself to deal with your death as if it wasn't hard! I struggled to put on a mask of strength and every day I died in anger over the world. Anger over how everything happened. I have been angry at you Meiko for so long! Angry that you left the way you did!"
"I know," She replied to him, "I can see it in your eyes Yaro. It's been hard for everyone to face this war, not just for you. I've been dying to know now if there is any chance in the world that you will forgive me for the darkness that I brought. I'm here now Yaro. I'm here because I couldn't stay away any longer. Don't you see that I've always been here. I've been there in the dark with you every time for every moment I couldn't let you go! For everything I always saw you there in my dreams and my darkest fear was loosing you! I can't go on unless you tell me that there is a way to change this." She looked at him and he couldn't deny how her eyes broke into his soul like they always had. He couldn't hold anger against her when he saw her agonizing as much as he was. Time was too precious to waste in regret. There was a distance between them but a gravity was pulling at them. As their eyes locked in mutual understanding of the pain they had both felt they found themselves running toward each other till they were in each other's arms holding each other tight.
The sun disappeared on the horizon in that moment. All the dark and all the things that had happened were now behind them, as the night was upon them and the day was over they realized that in everything that had happened the sun had to rise again. She felt as he slipped the cold metal heart necklace into her hand as they stood there both unwilling to let go of the other, both fearing that war could tear them apart again.
Liene smiled as he watched on tape, a new weapon unveiled. The country before him now was completely devastated, a newly conquered land. No matter what Meiko was she would not be able to stand against him. He was determined not to let the new found truth stop him. His plans would continue, he would destroy the world and recreate a new one where all people would have the same mind and same thoughts. He would make sure the world never felt the pain even if in the process he destroyed himself.
Nothing Redemption or anyone else did could stop him now as he saw before him his plans. Everything was changing now. Everything was becoming stronger in his heart.
"Make sure the new mobile suits are ready," Liene said to Mike Shustre who was working on something nearby, "make sure the main base knows my full orders. We are getting ready to abandon Mars for good." Mike nodded as Liene smiled in his twisted way. Now all that remained was for Meiko to come and he was ready for her now. She sought answers that no one was giving her and she would have them, only she would not expect them to be what they were. He knew that he was walking on shaky ground with this one especially with the truth being in the favor of another of his enemies, but he needed her to think. He needed the Phoenix to back down for a moment and to give him an opening to destroy everything.
This time he would not fail. This time he was stronger than ever before. This time Meiko would hesitate, Meiko would waver and Meiko would die.
This could be my last update for break, as I have to start school again in a few days. So I know it's not really ending with a bang, but this is a huge moment for our heros as Meiko has been returned to them. I really wanted this chapter to be more about the shock of her return and the strengthening of an alliance between Redemption and our heros. I wanted Meiko to be displayed as a symbol of that. I also worked hard on her reunion with Yaro, I had originally planned her to reveal herself on the battlefield but I decided to change that a few months ago. I wanted this moment to be important, as a highlight of the story. I hoped I succeeded in conveying all the emotions of wonder, fear, accusation, anger, confusion and at the same time acceptance and a different kind of hope.
So there is so much encompassed in this chapter emotionally that I really felt was important in moving the plot forward even though the plans Redemption has will not be revealed till the next chapter.
So stay with me though the next update might not be for awhile. Tell me how I am doing so far and please leave a Review. If you have read this chapter I am begging you to please tell me what you think! PLEASE REVIEW!
-WinterChill