PHASE-03: Paradox


Elsewhere, a strange-looking car is found parked in a nearby alley in a city within Orb. Inside the car's interior, a GPS map tracks Akiza's current location.

"I hope you are safe, Akiza. Tracking you around Orb is not an easy feat.", a voice spoke from a silver Haro perched on the dashboard. And that voice belonged to that of Dr. Paradox, who is presumed to have died in the future when Akiza escaped into the present.

At a mall, Flay manages to catch up with her friends who survived the war, Sai and Mirillia. She was saddened by the truth about Tolle's death, and Mirillia brought up that during the fight between Kira and Athrun, Tolle was caught in the crossfire and Athrun killed him. Even worse, Flay also learned that Kira also killed one of Athrun's comrades, Nicol. She knows that the chain of events was the result of her manipulating Kira.

Within moments, Flay is seeing flashbacks of Kira's apparent death, her supposed death, and then her fateful meeting with Akiza.

"Flay, Flay!", Mirillia snaps her out of her funk.

"What's wrong, you've been spacing out lately?", Sai added.

"I'm fine!", Flay managed to get a grip in response. "Other than that, back in Jachin Due, there's that strange mobile suit that just appeared out of a wormhole."

"We saw it, Flay.", Mirillia recalled the presence of the Paradox Gundam. "After that, it just disappeared out of the blue."

Even the Archangel crew themselves saw the Paradox Gundam's existence and they have no idea if it is a friend or foe.

"Say, how is Dearka?", Sai asked about Dearka. After Tolle died, it seems that Dearka briefly filled in the void left in Miri's heart.

"He returned back to ZAFT. And we decided to call it quits.", Mirillia revealed that she and Dearka had to break up, after Yzak came to get him after the war. "I know it hurts, but it was for the best we parted in good terms."

Mirillia didn't like the idea of being apart, but considering that Dearka had to return to ZAFT to face probable war crimes during his time with the Le Creuset team along with Yzak. She found the resolve to move on with her life, but Dearka had an encouraging words of farewell for her.

"Hey, I know we're not meant together. But, I know he's got your back, no matter where you go."

"That was sweet, Miri...", Flay is touched by the bittersweet end of Miri's relationship with Dearka, and likewise did the same with Kira after surviving the war.

"I assume that you and Kira had to part ways, too.", Sai continued, having heard that Flay parted ways with Kira, at the same time him and Lacus forgiven her for everything she has done.

"It was hard, yet but we had to let each other go.", said Flay. "Until one day I found this woman that was unconscious ashore..."

Akiza is seen sitting on the table next to the former Heliopolis students, overhearing their respective stories. She also happens to be behind Sai. For some reason, Akiza chose to wear a more masculine clothing, as shown with her red jacket over a tank top, dark grey jeans, and black sneakers.

"By the way, Flay. Where's that person you found at the shore?", Miri asked.

"Yeah, Flay. Tell him.", a familiar voice echoed nearby in a rather snarky tone.

And it turned out to be Akiza! Sai turned around, he stumbles in shock at the older woman was behind him the whole time.

"Aki! You were sitting behind Sai this whole time?!", Flay gazed at Akiza, followed by Miri. Akiza then grabs Sai and helps him stand up.

"Wait, her name is Aki?", Sai asked.

"It's Akiza."

Sai already got the gist why Flay calls her Aki, as if the two are grown closer to each other.

"Yeah. Aki can be very scary and unpredictable, but she's really a decent person."

Akiza lets out a shrug on her shoulders taking the comment as a compliment. But to Sai and Mirillia's surprise, Akiza is much older than the Flay and her friends as she looks more like in her early 20's.

The fact that no one must find out that Akiza is from the future, Flay agreed to pretend that she is her new roommate. In fact, Flay played along with it knowing that a slightest mistake can affect time itself especially if it involves an individual from another time period.

Within moments, Akiza's smartphone started beeping, and by checking it out, her GPS is notifying her that one of the components of the Paradox Gundam is nearby.

The same car seen at the start of the chapter somehow managed to park nearby the cafe where Akiza and the former Heliopolis students are. It looks more than just a snazzy hypercar, and Akiza seems to be familiar of it.

"Isn't that the Core GT?!", Akiza said.

"Aki, where are you going?", Flay then asked.

"I'll be back in a minute."

As Akiza reaches for the Core GT, she briefly shows Flay the middle finger, much to her, Sai, and Mirillia's shock.

"Uh, Miri, did she just..."

"I dunno... Maybe that's a universal sign of saying... thank you?", Mirillia replied in confusion.

Akiza enters the car. The silver Haro then spoke to her, and it's a voice of someone whom she thought to have died in the future.

"Akiza, where have you been?! I thought I have lost you..."

"That voice... Dr. Paradox?! Is that really you?"

Before Akiza left the future, Dr. Paradox uploaded a backup of his consciousness inside a Haro inside the Core GT's cockpit in order to operate the Core GT and the other three Gun Vehicles - Marine Braver, Land Convoy, and Jet Jaguar in order for them to regroup before combining into the Paradox.

Also, all of the Gun Vehicles have an autonomous beacon system that allows them to regroup with the Core GT before the transformation sequence. Meaning, if they are separated from their fellow components, they can easily track the Core GT's locations.

"What about the other Gun Vehicles, doc? It would be hassle to find them one by one..."

"Never worry, all of the Gun Vehicles have a beacon system that allows them to regroup with the Core GT even before combining into the Paradox."

"Okay, that was a perfect timing. But, doc... I f**ked up. I wasn't supposed to undo Flay Allster's death back in Jachin Due. And now it caused a divergence."

The doctor continued, "I know, Akiza. But, this is not the time to dwell in that. I know history will run its course, but we have to avoid making unnecessary changes in the past to prevent further distortions in the space-time continuum. But as for Flay Allster, the side effect of undoing her death causes her to develop survivor's guilt and PTSD from her experiences of the war, and that will persist for the rest of her life."

"I will have to bear that in mind. But, as much she can be a handful, I'll bring the girl wherever I will go. I want her to come out of her shell as she faces her inner demons."

Paradox is apparently surprised with Akiza's words, bearing the responsibility for undoing Flay's death.

"Even though saving Flay from death was not part of the mission, it can't be helped. But, a different path is waiting for her this time. But, I told her that no matter what lies ahead, she can't face it alone. And I... I promise that we'll have to shoulder that burden together."

"Akiza... I feel your sense of responsibility. It is something that Kiryu would dedicate his life to. I'm sorry for what happened to him."

Akiza's mentor Kiryu was the one who is supposed to pilot the Paradox. But, unfortunate circumstances befell him and Akiza had to take it upon herself to change the future in his place.

But, Akiza will do it in her own way, and she vows not live under the shadows of other people. "I will do it my own way, doc. If that's the case."

"We're not in a hurry. We will have to do it one step at a time.", Dr. Paradox continued.

"That's exactly what I had in mind.", Akiza replied. "By the way, at what exact time will the other Gun Vehicles find our position?"

"ETA, 15 minutes."

"In that case, we better do some quick maintenance checks."

Akiza and Dr. Paradox began doing quick diagnostics on the Core GT before the other Gun Vehicles gather in their position. And considering that Akiza herself is a Coordinator from the future, she can process information much faster than a normal human being.

"Well, all systems are functioning well."

Akiza proceeds to turn the Core GT's ignition through a special key, as the Core GT's engine letting out a roar. The Core GT's design is based on actual cars, with its body and rear wing being that from the Koenigsegg Jesko, the headlights of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, and taillights of the Apollo Intensa Emozione.

While Flay, Sai, and Mirillia are chatting, the engine's roar can be heard from their earshots. Akiza then proceeds to rev the vehicle and quickly spin it on the road at 360 degrees, producing smoke upon heating the tires.

"What's with the weird car?", asked Miri.

"It's like it's out of this world.", Flay added. "By the way, where did Aki went off to?"

The Core GT's door opens, revealing Akiza behind the wheel.

"She's driving the car?!", exclaimed Sai.

Flay had no idea that the car actually belonged to Akiza, and unaware of the fact that it is one of the components of the Paradox Gundam.

"Get in. I'll take you for a ride.", said Akiza, as she confidently readied up for the drive.

"I can't believe it...", Flay sighed at the commotion caused by Akiza. "In that case, Sai, Miri. I'll see you guys around." Now bidding farewell with her peers, Flay enters the Core GT and Akiza is prepare to hit the gas. But not before is surprised by the voice of the silver Haro inside the car's dashboard. "Gah! That robotic ball thing can talk?!"

"It's actually an artificial intelligence. Or rather this Haro houses Dr. Paradox's consciousness, the one who built the Paradox Gundam. I guess you got the gist of it.", Akiza introduces Dr. Paradox to Flay, albeit as a Haro with the scientist's consciousness already uploaded in its interface.

"Geez, Aki. You could have told me sooner!", annoyed, Flay voiced her dismay.

"The less you know, the better you don't spoil the good stuff this car has.", Akiza replied. "This is nothing compared to the Core Block system of mobile suits in other universes. This one has horsepower! You better fasten your seatbelt, as this is going to be a hell of a ride!"

Akiza then pressed on the Core GT's acceleration pedal as the car speeds onto an unknown destination.

"Okay. All systems go.", Doctor Paradox gives Akiza the signal before pushing the car to its limit. "Shall we drive?"

"Green light, Full Acceleration!"

Akiza drove at a normal speed around the city before reaching the expressway. From there, Akiza proceeds to at insanely fast speeds, her driving starts to scare Flay.

"Oh my God! Aki, slow down!"

Driving too fast can be already scary in and on itself, but Akiza takes it to a whole new level by pushing the Core GT to its top speed of 512 kph (318 mph). Flay tries to tell Akiza to slow down, only to see a rather unnerving smile on her face. She can't help but scream in horror knowing that a crash can eventually kill both of them.

However, the speed produced by the Core GT has a strange effect on both its driver and the passenger. Though Akiza already somehow had this experience before, it is Flay who gets a firsthand experience of this brand-new phenomenon. The Core GT pushes further than 537 kph, breaking the sound barrier, and the car disappears out of the blur.

From Flay's viewpoint, everything flashes to white as she and Akiza find themselves inside an energy field created by a cosmic force based around velocity and movement. At the moment, they were not inside the Core GT but they are moving within this dimension with their bodies.

"Where are we?", Flay said with her body and mind felt the world of speed, clearing her thoughts. "This feels warm..."

"This world of speed is part of a cosmic force based around velocity and movement.", Dr. Paradox explained, despite not around inside the dimension with Akiza and Flay.

Akiza provides additional facts, "Simply put, it is tied to many things when you pull back the electrical curtain and see it for what it truly is: Time. The fabric of space and time. Existence moving through reality. Kinetic energy. Temporal energy. A storm of intelligence that connects one person to everything and everyone. The feeling inside here clears your mind and soul of negative thoughts. It's really fun in here."

Paradox continued, "The people in the future discovered this cosmic force, but some were unsuccessful in the attempt to harness this incredible power. However, it is through the Paradox Gundam and its components that it can be used for the good of all existence. Therefore, this cosmic phenomenon is dubbed as the "Accel Force"."

Akiza also added another shocking fact about the Accel Force: "And guess what... Time flows much faster than in the outside world. In here, it's like two to three years have passed in here, while in real time it's merely three seconds."

As for the flow of time between the Accel Force and real time, time moves much faster than in the outside world. Inside the Accel Force, three years have quickly passed while time moves at least one second on the outside world. Akiza revealed that before arriving in C.E. 71, she passed onto the Accel Force with the Paradox Gundam, causing her to physically age almost three years older. Meaning, she was still 18 in C.E. 150, and currently she is 21 years old.

Flay, however, is beginning to experience the effects of the Accel Force. As her body likewise immediately physically age three years older, immediately turning 18 as a result of the flow of time moving significantly faster than in the outside world. Only those who have first entered the Accel Force can experience this phenomenon, and it stays permanent upon returning back in real time.

"It's incredible! I feel like I'm coming out of my shell.", Flay is overjoyed by her sudden physical growth.

Akiza then grabs Flay by her hand, "This is just a preview of what's to come, Flay. And I've just brought you here to witness it." The two exchanged smiles as their body and soul become one with the speed produced by the Accel Force.

Everything fades to white as the Core GT manages to emerge out of the Accel Force back into the outside world, with the flow time moving normally as usual.

Meanwhile, a wormhole opens in the sky as enemy mobile suits emerge from it.

Akiza looked at the rearview mirrors while Flay looked at the enemy mobile suits from the side mirrors.

"Looks like these assholes know that I'm here!", said Akiza, as she confidently lures the enemies.

"What are those mobile suits?!", Flay asked.

"Those are mobile suits are being remotely operated by the artificial intelligence named JUNO.", Dr. Paradox's voice spoke through the silver Haro. "JUNO is the corrupted AI that eradicated 98% of the Earth's population and killed off almost every living being in the universe."

"That's horrible...", Flay begins to understand why Akiza came into the past in the first place. "It's like what Le Creuset wanted, seeing the whole world burned down."

"It's much worse than his crazy-ass mind can think of. We're trying to prevent JUNO from being created before it could become a catastrophe at a cosmic scale.", Akiza added. "For now, let's give them a proper welcome!"

The mobile suits emerging from the wormhole are JDSZ-1001 Wisel, JDSZ-1002 Skiel, and JDSZ-1003 Granel. The Wisels are trooper mobile suits similar to the GINNs, the Skiels are high-speed combat-based mobile suits that transform into a gyro aircraft, while the Granels emphasize on heavy firepower, armed with two combinable beam rifles that form into a long-range cannon similar to the Buster.

As Akiza and Flay avoid the attacking Wisels and Skiels, one of the three Gun Vehicles, the YFJ2-5DS01 Jet Jaguar, a vertical takeoff landing (VTOL) aircraft, appeared out of nowhere and shot down two Skiels.

"It's Jet Jaguar!", Dr. Paradox exclaimed.

"Where are the other two?", Akiza then asked, only to find that there are two reinforcements approaching through the Core GT's map.

On the ground, a huge six-wheeler truck catches up with the Core GT. It's the YFLC-5DS01 Land Convoy.

"That's Land Convoy!", said Akiza.

Joining with the Jet Jaguar is the submarine-like machine in the form of YFMR-5DS01 Marine Braver.

"Everyone is here!", Akiza said in relief and happiness now that she can now form the Paradox Gundam.

The Paradox Gundam combines from the three sea (Marine Braver), air (Jet Jaguar), and land (Land Convoy) Gun Vehicles, with the Core GT acting as its core modular cockpit system.

Dr. Paradox then shows a deck of cards containing the abilities of the Paradox Gundam through the Haro's mouth. Akiza grabs the "Combine" card.

As Akiza grabs the "Combine" card, she maintained her focus, cleared her mind as she steels her determination to fight for the sake of a better future.

"No matter what lies ahead, I will keep going to my heart's content and create a future for everyone that can live in happiness. This is why the Paradox chose me.", Akiza thought to herself. "I will decide the conclusion of this battle!"

On the Core GT's Card Scanner, Akiza scans the card to activate the Paradox Gundam's transformation sequence, with Dr. Paradox announcing it.

"Limiter Removal, Level 4! Regulator open! All Clear!"

The Land Convoy transforms into the Paradox's feet and legs, as the Core GT transforms into its core unit. Marine Braver seperates into two separate components, forming the Gundam's arms. Jet Jaguar transforms into the head, torso, and wings of Paradox.

As the three Gun Vehicles combine, Akiza invokes a chant:

"Four machines, two souls. Bridging the gap between the past, present, and future. Become the guiding light that shines in the darkness! Come on, Paradox Gundam!"

Combine: Paradox Gundam!

And thus the Paradox Gundam reappears for the first time since Jachin Due. Unlike other mobile suits, the Paradox Gundam is bulkier and taller than any other Gundam as a result of being a combination of four Gun Vehicles.

From the Core GT's dashboard, its activation screen is shown in the monitor:

MOBILE SUIT FUTURE OPERATION SYSTEM

Ver:1000.1

G-Force
Universal
Neutrinoic
Downforce
Acceleration
Metasystem

VGMT-5DS01 PARADOX Ver. 1.0

COMBINATION SEQUENCE COMPLETE

The Paradox Gundam completes its transformation as it pulls out a pair of Beam Revolvers called "Star Platinum: THE WORLD". The Paradox starts firing at the swarm of Skiels.

While piloting, Akiza seems rather confident and cool, but at the same time, there's more than just that. She appears to be rather turned on when fighting. Even Flay is disturbed by Akiza's rather unnerving smile from earlier and while fighting. It seems that there are times that Akiza feels aroused by fighting. This seems to be weird even for her.

But, for her, fighting is the only way she can think of she want to change the future and protect everyone she cares about. And since then, Akiza has since possessed nerves of steel and never letting her emotions cloud her judgment. Compared to Kira, whose psyche took a heavy toll on him by the horrors of the war, is prone to break down emotionally, having seen so many deaths in spite of his impressive piloting skills, Akiza never, if rarely, flinches, and this is why she is so confident and focused at all times.

From the Paradox's cockpit, Akiza pulls out two Mobile Suit Cards. The cards depict the Sword Strike Gundam and the Sword Impulse Gundam, the latter mobile suit that is yet to appear one year later.

The cards, in addition to granting additional abilities for the Paradox, can create weapon replicas of known Gundams of the Cosmic Era, this even extends to the ones that have yet to appear in the future.

[Equip: Sword Strike]

[Equip: Sword Impulse]

By scanning the two cards, the Paradox is armed with the Sword Strike's shield with the Panzer Eisen Rocket Anchor on the left arm and Schert Gewehr Anti-ship Sword on the right arm. Surprisingly enough, because of its bulky structure, it is able to wield to Sword Strike's Anti-ship Sword with just one hand! The Paradox then impales a Granel with the said weapon, the Sword Silhouette is then summoned. Akiza then uses the Flash Edge Beam Boomerangs to slash through multiple Wisels and Skiels.

"She's amazing...", Flay is left astounded and speechless after Akiza managing to demolish the attacking enemy mobile suits without breaking a sweat.

Akiza then pulls out another card, this time the Strike Freedom Card. The Stirke Freedom, the Freedom's successor, that has yet to exist two years later. But considering that the MS Cards have power of not just pre-existing mobile suits, but also the ones that have yet to be developed.

[Equip: Strike Freedom]

By scanning the Strike Freedom card, the Paradox manifested two replicas of the Strike Freedom's two beam rifles which combines into a long-range rifle. The Paradox proceeds to finish off the last wave of enemy attackers with it. Afterwards, the wormhole closes and the battle ends.

"It's over...", Flay took a deep breath, followed by a sigh of relief.

"They'll be back, one way or another.", Akiza assumes that JUNO's robotic forces are not yet done with her.

As the Paradox stands tall in the skies, another mobile suit stood beside it.

"Wow, nice of you to show off some moves Akiza!', a young man's voice radioed into the Paradox's OS.

"That voice...", Akiza seems to recognize the voice, and it also happens to be an acquaintance of her's. Also, Akiza starts to learn that she is not the only surviving human from her dystopian future to come into the year C.E. 71. "No way! It can't be you, Ian!"

"Yes way! The one and only!", Ian's face then appears on the Paradox's monitor. "Ian Joule! This story's "sensei of speed" and 4th wall breaker!"

The mobile suit Ian pilots is also a Gundam, the VGMT-ST911 Mach Gundam.

"For a second there, I thought you might not show up.", Ian snickers after catching up with a fellow time traveler.

"What are you after this time, Ian?", Akiza demanded answers from him.

"Cut me some slack, Akiza. You need to wind up for a while.", Ian casually dismisses her question, while breaking the fourth wall. "I know we have to deal with a Terminator plot bullshit in a Gundam fanfic in our timeline, but please... Just settle down for a while, you know, like you go get laid with that bitch whose death you've undone?"

"Hey!", Flay gets offended by Ian's crude antics.

"Anyways, I better go and find some asses to kick. Smell ya later!"

The Mach Gundam immediately took off, Akiza tried to stop Ian as she insisted asking him for answers. But to no avail.

"Wait! Dammit, Ian..."

Elsewhere, an Orb officer oversaw the Paradox's battles in a monitor. Somehow, she had an interest in it, or with its pilot?

"Interesting... Whoever piloted this mysterious mobile suit got my attention."

Following the aftermath of the battle, Akiza and Flay arrive at the cliff watching the sunset. As Akiza still ponders of what is Ian planning around the present, Flay looks in the Core GT's side mirror, as she is astounded that the Accel Force caused her to age into a young adult, as time moves faster while inside the dimension.

"Hey, Aki. Do you even know that guy piloting that mobile suit?", asked Flay.

"That's Ian Joule. He's the descendant of the PLANTs' Joule family. He has white hair like Yzak Joule, but he's kind of a clown. Not to mention he has a knack of breaking the fourth wall. But still, to think he managed to escape on this timeline make me want to ask what is his goal of changing the future for?"

Dr. Paradox in his Haro form sat on Akiza's shoulders. "Ian is a very determined, yet reckless young man. Deep down, it's like he just began his journey here like you Akiza. He has yet to search the answers on his own for now. And when the time comes, both of you will reach out to one another when the opportunity arises."

"Seems you're right, doc. And besides, we're not in a hurry anyway. There's time to enjoy what life in this timeline has to offer, and enjoy while it lasts forever.", Akiza manages to clear her thoughts and settle down for a while.

Dr. Paradox continued. "Even if the future we once knew is gone forever, we have the power to create a new one with our own hands. This is why the Paradox is designed to be this as such."

"Oh, yeah. I almost forgot one thing..."

Akiza then approaches Flay. The two women face each other as if Akiza has something to say towards her.

"Aki, what is it?"

"Umm... Flay, I know this is rather awkward for me to do this. I forgot one thing you should know about me..."

However, Flay seems to figure out what is on Akiza's mind before the latter could. And with that, she kisses her on the cheek. Akiza let out a surprised rook in reaction.

"Let me guess, you're attracted to girls."

"H-How did you know I'm a lesbian?"

While Akiza is already tomboyish from the get-go along with her confident and mature personality, it seems that she's more interested in women than men. Flay already found out that Akiza had an interest in her ever since their first meeting.

"Oh, don't deny it Aki. You've got your eyes on me since we first met!", Flay further teases Akiza, causing her to blush.

"For cryin' out loud, Flay! I was drunk at the time when I hit you on the bed!", Akiza argues back, humorously... "And it was a bad idea for me to make an advance for someone too young!"

"Don't bother, thanks to that whole speed dimension thing you're talking about, I'm barely legal! Say it, Aki! You do like me, do you?!"

"Alright, I give up... You win.", Akiza then chuckled. "Geez, you beat me to it Flay."

As the two girls argue, Dr. Paradox watches them with him saying, "Love knows no gender... Perhaps this was fate after all."


Author's Note:

- Doctor Paradox is based on Krim Steinbelt from Kamen Rider Drive. And more surprisingly, he died in the previous chapter, only to return as an AI stored in a Haro. This is a reference to how Krim's consciousness being uploaded into the Rider's belt. Dr. Paradox is voiced by Krim's actor, Chris Peppler.

- The Paradox Gundam is basically a vehicle-themed mobile suit, composed of sea, air, and land-based vehicles and a hypercar acting as a "Core Fighter". The Core GT is based on the Koenigsegg Jesko, with headlights of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, and taillights of the Apollo Intensa Emozione.

- The Paradox's gimmick of creating replicas of weapons of other mobile suits (such as the Sword Strike) through Mobile Suit cards is basically inspired by the Rider Cards used by Kamen Rider Decade. In fact, I'm taking inspiration from Kamen Rider Decade and Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger when it comes to the idea of using other Gundams' weapons.

- UPDATE 5/4/2023: Added the activation screen after the Paradox's combination sequence and some of the equipment summoning announcement.

** The Paradox's G.U.N.D.A.M. OS actually stands for G-Force Universal Neutrinoic Downforce Acceleration Metasystem. This is because it is a mobile suit being themed after vehicles.