Author's Note #1:

This chapter introduces the three notable crew members of the warship Gilgamesh:

- Captain Victor Valentine (fan cast voiced by: Takayuki Sugo (Japanese), Richard Epcar (English)): Vic is the captain of the Gilgamesh. Being a stark contrast to Murrue and Talia, he's hearty, bombastic, and rather approachable despite his rotund stature.

- Trent Payne (fan cast voiced by: Fumiya Takahashi (Japanese), Quinton Flynn (English)): Trent is a prodigy genius and one of the head engineers of the Gilgamesh, the older twin brother of Trevor, and an adept mobile suit pilot in his own right. I base him on Demetri from Cobra Kai, whereas his brother is to Hawk. As Trent is cool and level-headed, he occasionally acts as the voice of reason.

- Trevor Payne (fan cast voiced by: Arthur Lounsbery (Japanese), Aleks Le (English)): Trevor is the younger twin brother of Trent. He is pretty much hot-headed, reckless, and has a "shoot first, ask questions later" mindset that puts everyone around him on a very tight spot.


PHASE-09: Reinforcements from the Future


The past, January 24, 71 C.E., 1500 Hours

Team Paradox proceeded onward chasing after the mysterious butterfly, only the four wearers of the time medallions and time rings can feel its presence. However, that butterfly continuously eluded each of the five members. And they only have 12 hours remaining before Heliopolis could fall during the ZAFT invasion of the colony.

They establish a camping site just on the forest to spend the night.

The past, January 25, 71 C.E., 1200 Hours

As ZAFT soldiers infiltrate the colony, alarms start blaring all over Heliopolis. Forcing citizens to quickly evacuate before the colony is in the verge of destruction.

Team Paradox needed an escape plan. They all returned back to their Gun Vehicles as they drive into the road and find an exit, all while avoiding enemy mobile suits from attacking.

Outside of the colony, hidden among the ZAFT vessels, is another warship controlled by a mysterious third party. However, this ship is invisible to the ZAFT ships that it had surrounded itself with.

Kiryu, while driving the Slapshock GTR, leads the team finding an escape route.

"Damn, is there a fucking backdoor somewhere on this colony?!", exclaimed Ian.

"Hold your horses, Ian. We're not there yet!", Kiryu replied while focusing on driving, avoid incoming debris and pursuing ZAFT mobile suits. "Stay behind me. We can find our way out of here!"

"Just like old times.", Akiza chortled, missing the days of Kiryu's time as leader before she was chosen to succeed him. "Flay, you better hold on and get ready. Because this ride is about to get rough!"

After a long chase, Team Paradox managed to elude their pursuers. The strange butterfly would them follow them into the emergency escape tunnel outside of the colony. Where two unidentified mobile suits retrieve the Gun Vehicles.

"Where are they taking us?", asked Rio, in regards to the two mobile suits waiting for them on the emergency tunnel.

"Don't worry, they're friendlies.", said Kiryu. "Those two mobile suits belong to the Mars Resistance Team."

"The Mars Resistance Team?", Ian raised an eyebrow, and he does remember fighting alongside them. "Like dude, how the fuck did they know that we're here in Heliopolis?"

"Because Kiryu gave us the heads up!", a voice that both Kiryu and Ian were familiar of spoke into the dashboard.

"Holy shit... Don't tell me it's the Payne Twins saved our asses."

The Payne Twins - Trevor and Trent, are Coordinators part of the Mars Resistance Team, both piloting the two VGMT-XS50 Enkidu. The Enkidus are the Mars Team's mass-produced multipurpose mobile suits, developed from using combat data from the GAT-04 Windam and MVF-M11C Murasame. It comes equipped with MT41 "Todesschrecken Kai" CIWS machine guns, a DTR23 "Kiku-Ichimonji" beam katana, a wheel-shaped shield, and M360X Beam Rifle.

The two Enkidus take Team Paradox into a new battleship isolated from the ensuing chaos afar from Heliopolis. It turns out that it used Mirage Colloid Stealth System to avoid detection. The ship begin to reveal itself to the Enkidus and Team Paradox's Gun Vehicles.

"What's a ship doing here?", asked Rio.

"Those are the guys who saved my ass in the moon.", said Kiryu. "It's the Mars Resistance forces' mothership, the Gilgamesh."

The SYC-5000G Gilgamesh, a high-end mobile assault ship of the Mars Resistance forces, was developed from the Archangel. Unlike the Archangel, the Gilgamesh resembles an airborne aircraft carrier.

The Gilgamesh posesses much superior arsenal than its predecessor:

* The Lohengrin Zwei Hyper Positron Blaster Cannon: It's firepower is much stronger than the standard Lohengrin of the Archangel. The two main cannons are found at the front hulls.

* "Gottfried 2000" 225cm Dual-Energy Beam Cannon: The secondary beam weapons of the Gilgamesh, far more powerful than the Gottfrieds of the Archangel and Izumo-class ships. These Beam Cannons are at the front port side.

* "Woodpecker" 95mm Automatic Multi-Barrel CIWS: The Gilgamesh's machine guns, useful for intercepting incoming missles or enemy units and they are movable to shoot down targets from several directions.

* "Valiant 777" 110cm Linear Cannon: These are more powerful versions of the Valiants from the Archangel, and they are located at the back of the ship on each side.

* Other missile launchers includes the "Helldart 70" AA missiles, surface to ship missiles like the "Sledgehammer Kai" anti-ship missiles, "Korinthos M114 Kai" AA missiles, and "Wombat 2000" atmospheric missiles.

Once the Enkidus managed to enter the Gilgamesh and put the Gun Vehicles into the hangar, Team Paradox can only look in awe at the ship. Kiryu is already familiar of ship, since the Mars Resistance rescued him back in the moon.

The Payne Twins exit their mobile suits and meet up with Team Paradox.

"Hey, isn't that Ian?", the younger twin brother, Trevor ran towards Ian and hugs him. "I can't believe it is you! How are you guys wearing Orb military uniforms?"

"They've establish an Anti-Blue Cosmos Task Force in the present.", Kiryu said. "They're known as Team Paradox. Recently, I got recruited."

"Wait, Blue Cosmos... You mean those anti-Coordinator extremists?", the older twin, Trent spoke. "I get it now, you guys come from C.E. 72, I assume. That means, Blue Cosmos is still active even after the war ended."

Being Coordinator twins, the Payne Brothers have their own unique distinguishable traits: Trevor, the younger twin, is hotheaded, reckless, and impulsive; preferring to shoot first and ask questions later. Whereas the older brother, Trent is cool and level-headed, a prodigal genius in terms of machinery and very much wiser beyond his age.

Ian introduces the Payne Twins to his teammates, "Kids, meet up our newest crew members. That's Akiza over there. The other hottie over there is Rio, the heiress of Orb's Tokino family. As for that bitch over there, that's Flay Allster, she used to have a weird relationship with some guy called Jesus Yamato."

Despite Ian constantly hurling volatile insults towards Flay, she does seem to get used to it, aside from leading to constant bickering. As she has just recently met new people coming from the future, she'll have to make an exception.

"Talk about making friends in higher places.", Akiza commends Ian's connections to the Mars Resistance forces. "I assume you knew these guys before, right?"

Afterwards, the captain of this ship appears before Team Paradox.

"Welcome to the Gilgamesh, ladies and gents. The name is Victor Valentine.", the ship's captain introduced himself as Victor Valentine. "Are these guys your buddies, Ian?"

"Long time no see, Vic.", Ian gave the captain a high-five. "How did you guys know we're here in Heliopolis?"

"Kiryu gave us the green light.", said Victor. "We also managed to save his ass back in the moon."

"With all due respect, let's save the introduction 'til we return back to the present, shall we?", Rio interrupted.

"'Yer wish is my command, princess!", Vic happily accept Rio's request. Even for the captain of the Gilgamesh, Victor comes off as a hearty, approachable and passionate person, befitting his rather tall and rotund stature.

Of note, the Gilgamesh is no ordinary warship. It's been designed for time travel as well. That said, Team Paradox can return back to the present.

The Gilgamesh then proceeds to set sail as a wormhole opens. The ship entered the wormhole, and soon the wormhole closed afterwards upon entry.

The present, C.E. 72

The Gilgamesh arrived in the present with Team Paradox in space. What they did not expect is the JUNO army waiting for them above the Earth's orbit, consisting of Placido and Lucciano-class warships. Besides sending out platoons of enemy mobile suits, the JUNO Army unleashed their first ROBEAST, a T-Rex ROBEAST.

"All hands, Level 2 battlestations! I repeat, Level 2 battlestations!", the intercom began alerting the crew of the Gilgamesh as the alarm is sounded.

"Oh, great. They're expecting us.", Kiryu can only lament by the bad timing of the JUNO Army's presence.

"Not to mention, they sent out their ROBEAST.", Akiza added.

"What's a ROBEAST?", Rio asked.

"Robotic Organism Biological Extended Alteration Synchronized Tuning. They are JUNO's mobile suit-sized cyborg mutants.", Akiza continued. "These ROBEASTs were originally humans who were subjected to horrific experimentation by JUNO. Basically, when humans lose their will to oppose JUNO, they ended up becoming converted into soulless killing machines."

"If subjecting humans into such cruel experiments isn't disturbing enough, then I don't know what is!", even Rio is appalled by the idea of how robots in a post-apocalyptic future treat humans worst than animals.

Trent butted in, "Well, that's what our post-apocalyptic future looked like. JUNO took everything away from us: our families, our loved ones, and the old world as we know it. That's why we're going to do whatever we can to prevent it from holding the entire universe hostage."

From the ship's command center, Victor alerts Team Paradox of a ROBEAST in another time period. The second ROBEAST is within during the final offensive at Jachin Due. This second ROBEAST is a Triceratops ROBEAST. The kicker, that's where the Paradox first appeared and saved Flay from death. However, Akiza cannot risk changing the past again. But, the presence of the ROBEAST can also affect Flay's existence as well.

"That ROBEAST in Jachin Due is something that I must be worried about.", said Akiza.

"What are you talking about, Akiza?", Kiryu raised an eyebrow.

"It's Flay's existence. If that ROBEAST gets close into the escape shuttle where she was on board were to be destroyed by that thing, she's a goner. Back in the original timeline, it was the Providence's DRAGOON what killed her. When I first piloted the Paradox, I unintentionally interfered with the fight between Le Creuset and Kira Yamato. And undoing Flay's death resulted in a butterfly effect."

Hearing the word "butterfly effect", Kiryu finally figured out how the butterfly pendant came into his possession. As it turns out, the creation of the incomplete pendant was the effect of undoing Flay's death. And before Kiryu was rescued by the Mars Resistance forces, that butterfly came into his person and became the medallion, resulting in the creation of the incomplete time medallion.

"I see. I figured out how the blue pendant came to be, through the butterfly effect you've mentioned, Akiza.", Kiryu continued. "Something tells me that you need to create a stable time loop in order to complete the pendant. And Flay is that key."

"What?", Flay shook her head, as Kiryu may be up to something.

"The butterfly pendant was somehow created when a butterfly effect took place when Akiza first arrived back in Jachin Due.", Kiryu points out the symbolism with the medallion. "In order to complete that, a time loop has to be created."

To everyone's surprise, the butterfly time medallion is tied to Flay's existence. So, changing the past again will most likely complete it.

"This is going to be a two-way ROBEAST battle.", Kiryu formulates a strategy. "We're going to have two parties one with that T-Rex ROBEAST here, and the other one in Jachin Due."

"It's five of us. Plus, we got the twins on our side.", Ian added.

In the present, the T-Rex ROBEAST is waiting for Team Paradox to make a move, while the Triceratops ROBEAST is in Jachin Due about to wreak havoc in the midst of the ensuing chaos. Ian, Rio, and Trevor will handle the T-Rex Robeast. While Akiza, Flay, Kiryu, and Trent will head to the time of the final offensive of Jachin Due.

And the fact that Team Paradox's Gundams are still in the compound at Onogoro, Akiza is able to transport the Paradox using the "Transport" function of her G-Phone. Both Ian and Rio immediately did the same thing with the Mach and Izayoi, respectively.

Also, Kiryu also has a Gundam of his own: the VGMT-5DS2000 Sentinel Gundam. Keeping up with the vehicle themes of the Paradox and Mach, the Sentinel Gundam is themed after construction vehicles, in this case, a dump truck. It transforms into two modes, MS (mobile suit) and MCV (mobile construction vehicle).

"Our one-man working crew is back in action!", said Ian after seeing the Sentinel fully repaired. "I almost forgot that this and the Mach, Kiryu and Akiza stole these mobile suits from the JUNO Army while the Paradox was still in development back in the moon."

Instead of piloting the Enkidu, Trent decides to pilot a drill-tank Gun Vehicle called the CXR-3000 Motorhead. While Trevor goes on to pilot his own Enkidu. The Motorhead can combine with the Sentinel on its left arm to form the VGMT-5DS2000+CXR-3000 Motorhead Sentinel Gundam.

With Team Paradox being able to successfully transport their mobile suits into the Gilgamesh, it is time for them to start their first mission. Akiza then sends Kiryu his new pilot suit data through their G-Phone. As soon as everyone is all set, they all suit up.

Ian, Rio, and Trevor are then set to sortie in their mobile suits.

"Ian Joule, Mach, ready for action!", the Mach Gundam is catapulted out of the Gilgamesh.

Followed by the Izayoi, "Rio Nagi Tokino, Izayoi, taking off!"

And lastly, Trevor's Enkidu, "Trevor Payne, Enkidu, launching!"

On the other side of the Gilgamesh, the opens a "starlight road" connecting to a time-space gateway, allowing for the Gun Vehicles to enter into the time stream. So, it's Akiza's party will make way into the past.

Akiza is inside of the Core GT's drivers' seat, as she is ready. Flay decided to man the Jet Jaguar, as it forms the head and torso of the Paradox. Kiryu and Trent are now on standby as the launch sequence begins with Akiza.

"Akiza Izinski, Core GT, rolling out!", the Core GT makes a head start as Akiza puts the car into drive.

"Flay Allster, Jet Jaguar, launching!", the Jet Jaguar, along with Marine Braver and Land Convoy proceeded onward.

"Kiryu Fudo Nagare, Sentinel, it's go time!", the Sentinel followed after.

And lastly, the Motorhead piloted by Trent, "Trent Payne, Motorhead, proceeding into combat zone!"

The Gun Vehicles are launched as they entered the space-time gateway. From there, the Core GT fuses with Jet Jaguar, Marine Braver, and Land Convoy to form the Paradox, while the Sentinel transforms from its MCV to MS mode. The Sentinel carries the Motorhead behind its back as the two Gundams head into the past.

After transforming into its mobile suit mode, the Sentinel's activation screen reads:

MOBILE SUIT FUTURE OPERATION SYSTEM

Ver 1000.1

G-Force
Universal
Neutrinoic
Downforce
Acceleration
Metasystem

VGMT-5DS2000 SENTINEL Ver. 1.0

-Mobile Construction Vehicle Mode-

[-Mobile Suit Mode-]

Meanwhile, as Ian, Rio, and Trevor prepare for battle against the T-Rex Robeast along with a small fleet of Placido and Lucciano-class ships, the Gilgamesh is right behind them.

"It's a two-way battle between timelines. In that case, it's open season!", Ian bantered as the Mach, Izayoi, and Enkidu engage the JUNO forces while being backed by the Gilgamesh.

Meanwhile, inside the time stream as the Paradox and Sentinel make their way into the past. From Akiza's perspective, an aura of resolve and desire to protect someone she loves is becoming more prevalent around her. And from Kiryu's perspective inside the Sentinel's cockpit, he remembers the time Akiza's first girlfriend died fighting a ROBEAST back in their era. He saw it before his own eyes. Knowing the fact that a ROBEAST might also threaten Flay's existence, she has to once again change the future.

From the Jet Jaguar's cockpit of the Paradox. Flay gets a radio call from Kiryu.

"I assume you've never piloted a mobile suit before, besides seeing how Akiza fights.", the older Black Eagle said.

"Yeah. But, Aki is always full of herself when piloting that thing.", Flay replied.

"However, there's more to her than meets the eye.", Kiryu then starts telling Flay that Akiza previously had a relationship with a woman long before undoing Flay's death. "Akiza used to fall in love with one of our comrades back in our future. However, she was killed in combat by a ROBEAST, taking a deadly blow meant for her. That incident left her with a much worse kind of trauma."

"Aki..."

"And that's why I swear through every fiber of my being, that I will not allow that ROBEAST, or even JUNO's army, destroy everything we hold dear!", Akiza affirmed her resolve.

Akiza felt the same, if not entirely, of seeing a person she once cared about die right before her eyes like what Kira felt when Flay died in the original timeline. The fact that she and Flay are now an item, Akiza is more willing to pull out all the stops to protect her and her friends.


The past, September 27, 71 C.E. - the final offensive at Jachin Due

A wormhole opens, the Paradox and Sentinel (with Motorhead carried on its back) emerge from it. Akiza's team realizes that they are far from the line of fire, as they see the Freedom and Providence engage in combat.

However, the Triceratops ROBEAST is making its presence known in the middle of the ensuing chaos, being able to decimate every single ZAFT and EA mobile weapons in sight.

Trent then gives Akiza and Kiryu a heads up, "Guys, the spikes in both of the ROBEAST's horns and arms can penetrate Phase-shift armor. So you guys be careful."

"Copy.", Akiza took Trent's instructions. "We need to hurry before it reaches that escape shuttle!"

"We'll distract the Providence. Good luck, Akiza!", Kiryu splits up with Akiza as the Paradox goes on to proceed to recover the escape pod.

However, due to the Paradox's bulky size, as a result of being combined from four Gun Vehicles, it's top speed has been halved. Making it difficult for Akiza to reach the escape pod in time, otherwise the ROBEAST or Le Creuset in the Providence might be able to destroy it.

But, Akiza did not react to panic while under pressure. As Dr. Paradox reveals that the Paradox has a second form.

"Akiza, now it might be the time for the Paradox to show its true form.", the silver Haro spoke.

"True form... You mean..."

"Exactly. Once the Paradox sheds its shell, it will be able to break further into the speed of sound."

Dr. Paradox opens his Haro mouth, revealing a new card: "Evolution: Paradox Version 2.0". Version 2.0 is the Paradox's sleeker form, sacrificing durability favoring speed and offense by casting off its armor.

"Aki...", Flay spoke with genuine concern.

"In that case, this is where the real battle begins.", Akiza then takes the card and scanned it on her G-Phone.

"Evolution: Paradox Version 2.0!", the G-Phone proclaimed as a lever appears in the dashboard. Once pulled, the Paradox's armor will break away, revealing its true form.

Akiza presses a button in the steering wheel, teleporting Flay back into the passenger's seat.

"Flay, I will show you the full potential of the Paradox.", said Akiza. "The evolution of the bond between the two of us!"

"Aki... Now I know why. I finally understand your true feelings and I finally know what it is like to look forward into the future."

"Even in the harsh realities of war, what motivates soldiers to keep fighting is the bond they formed with their friends, no matter if those who perished lived forever in the hearts of those who are still alive.", Akiza continued. "Because they have entrust the future to them."

"Right. Let's do this, partner!", Flay finally calls Akiza "partner" for the first time, as they step foot into the battlefield together.

"Let's shake this off!"

As the Paradox head out, Akiza grabs onto the lever, as she prepares to shed the Gundam's heavy armor.

Dr. Paradox begins announcing the "Hyper Syncross" sequence as soon as the lever is pulled: "Limiter Removal, Level 20! Regulator Open: All Clear"

Like how Akiza first combined the Paradox, the Hyper Syncross sequence needs an incantation.

"Flay, get ready for Hyper Syncross!", said Akiza as she starts the invocation, "The courage and power..."

Flay followed, "...to protect the future of this planet is a revolution!"

The two simultaneously yell, "Become the path the light it shines upon!'"

Akiza finishes the last sentence, "Hyper Syncross! Show us your true form, Paradox! Version 2.0!"

[*BGM: "Aki Izayoi Battle Theme" OST from Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's*]

The Paradox's activation screen now reads:

MOBILE SUIT FUTURE OPERATION SYSTEM

Ver 1000.1

G-Force
Universal
Neutrinoic
Downforce
Acceleration
Metasystem

VGMT-5DS01V2 PARADOX Ver. 2.0

VERSION UP COMPLETE

Within moments, the Paradox begins to discard all of its heavy armor from top to bottom, revealing the VGMT-5DS01V2 Paradox Gundam Version 2.0. Compared to the normal Paradox, Paradox 2.0's appearance is based that on a hypercar; the aesthetics and details specifically invoke European-made hypercars, given how the Core GT is meant to resemble the Koenigsegg Jesko.

A projection of energy surrounds the Gundam's neck, forming a "beam muffler/scarf". From the Paradox's cockpit, Akiza activates the Gundam's DRS (drag-reduction system) function, causing the mobile suit's flaps from the spoiler on its back to open. The Paradox 2.0 proceeds to dash at a very insane speed, breaking the sound barrier as it's about to approach the ensuing battle between the Freedom and the Providence.

Meanwhile, the Freedom fought the Providence to a standstill, but the Providence slowly destroyed the Freedom's METEOR Unit piece by piece. As they fought, Kira and Rau entered into a philosophical argument about humanity, meaning, and existence. Rau believing that Kira shouldn't be allowed to exist because if people knew he existed they would want to be Coordinators like him, and Kira telling Rau that his strength isn't the only thing that makes him who he is. During the fight, Kira saw Flay's shuttle and flew toward it as Rau fired at it. Kira blocked the shot with his shield.

As the Paradox is about to once again intervene the battle between the Freedom and Providence, one of its DRAGOONs are about to fire on the shuttle. However, Akiza enters SEED Mode, letting out a smirk. Her time medallion began to glow, and time suddenly stops within the fabric of space, while the Paradox (along with its pilots) is able to move during the time stop. The Paradox pulls out its beam revolver, shot down one of the DRAGOONs, destroying it, allowing the Paradox to recover the escape pod safely.

As soon as time returns to normal, both Kira and Rau can look on in utter disbelief of what happened. While carrying the shuttle, the Paradox Gundam gives Rau the middle finger before heading towards the Archangel. Moments later, the Sentinel Gundam arrives.

"What is this?", Rau could not grasp that someone has interfered the battle.

"Wait, where's Flay?!", exclaimed Kira. As he somehow intercepts a radio call from the Sentinel.

"She's safe.", Kiryu said. "Flay Allster's death has been undone. However, this was not the first time that this happened."

Akiza is the only one who remembered how Flay's death was undone for the first time, with the Paradox in its first form from the earlier timeline. As a result, this ultimately created a stable time loop.

Le Creuset was shocked that time travelers interfered. "Interlopers from the future?! Don't you realized what you have done? You've created a time paradox!"

"Yeah, that time paradox was out of necessity.", Kiryu replied back. "And that Gundam's name is called Paradox for a reason!"

The fact that Flay's death is undone for the second time, this has now become a stable time loop. Despite occuring in a different scenario, but the cause of the bootstrap paradox is done at the hands of the same person: Akiza.

Meanwhile, the Archangel intercepted a transmission from the Paradox Gundam.

"Archangel, come in."

Murrue, the captain of the ship replied, "Identify yourself."

"This is Akiza Izinski, the pilot of the Paradox Gundam. I've come to escort the escape shuttle into this ship, request permission to aboard the ship, over."

To Sai and Miriallia's surprise, the Paradox managed to save Flay from death. Yzak and Dearka, who managed to return to the ship, had no idea a Gundam like that ever existed. Murrue then decided to accept Akiza's permission to enter.

The Paradox entered the Archangel, along with the escape shuttle. Both Akiza and (Future) Flay get out of the Paradox as they help the remnants of the Dominion out of the shuttle. As Past Flay is the last person to exit, she approaches Akiza, whose face is obscured by her helmet's visor. Past Flay was about to break down.

"You can cry if you have to.", said Akiza. "But that's okay. The fact that you are still alive that proves that you still deserve a second chance in life." Then, Akiza removes her helmet, revealing herself to Past Flay.

"Y-You're a...woman?!", Past Flay exclaimed before she finally breaks down crying on Akiza's chest. As Akiza comforts Past Flay, Future Flay looked on, seeing the sight of her past self a miserable wreck after witnessing too much bloodshed. Within moments, Sai, Yzak, Dearka, and Miriallia find (Past) Flay, and at the same time learning her rescuer's true identity.

"The pilot is a woman?!", Yzak exclaimed.

"Flay!", Miriallia calls out Flay. Only for Future Flay to remove her helmet and reveal herself to everyone on the scene.

"Wait, there's two of them?!", Sai had no idea that there would be another Flay Allster existing. Not realizing that this Flay is from the future, given that Future Flay looks a bit rather haggard, as a result of being worn out by the war.

As Past Flay finally stopped crying and looked at her future self, she soon realized that Future Flay and Akiza are closer together.

Akiza wipes a tear from Past Flay's eyes with her thumb, she said, "Whatever happens from here on out, you have to move forward, never look back. Don't let the mistakes of your past determine your future, and let people judge you for what you've done wrong. Life can be sometimes cruel and unfair, but that shouldn't stop you from moving onward through the positive side of it."

As always, Akiza can see through the deep-seated guilt of (Past) Flay, as this was the same way how Akiza told Future Flay to never let her past actions dictate her future. Future Flay then went on to interact with her past self, "Once the war ends, it's never too late to start over. My partner told me that."

To Sai and Miriallia's shock, the fact that Akiza and (Future) Flay are already an item, indicates that Flay will most likely let Kira go. Seeing Future Flay have become changed for the better shows that (Past) Flay will eventually experience the same thing as her future self, even if it is not yet set in stone.

Flay's death being averted turned out to be a miracle. As the butterfly that Team Paradox have tried to capture managed to resurface and then proceeded to fly around (Future) Flay. The incomplete medallion began glowing as Flay pulls it out. The butterfly quickly merges with the medallion, completing it.

"The medallion! It's finally completed!", Future Flay then shows the medallion to Akiza. That being said, creating a time loop by averting Flay's death succeeded, in the process completing the butterfly medallion; which in context, symbolizes the butterfly effect of saving Flay from her doom.

The butterfly medallion's powers began to kick in, as (Future) Flay saw a vision of the Freedom, Sentinel, and Providence about to be attacked by the Triceratops ROBEAST. As Flay begins to realize that the medallion has the power to see into the future.

"Your name is Akiza, am I right?", Past Flay asked. "Is it okay that I will call you Aki?", as she smiled with tears of joy, realizing that someone else other than Kira finally accepted her for who she is.

"Go ahead.", Akiza replied, smiling back at Past Flay, as she hugs Akiza. Future Flay seems okay with it as this is in fact her past self after all.

[*BGM: "Lua's Awakening" OST from Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's*]

Afterwards, Akiza and (Future) Flay put on their helmets back on as they return into the Paradox's cockpit. But, not before the two leaving a parting words to Past Flay.

"Once we go back in the battlefield and help a friend of ours, I will let Kira know everything you've gone through.", said Future Flay.

"I think this is not the last time we'll be seeing each other again. Perhaps, fate will lead us to each other.", followed by Akiza, in a rather cryptic manner before winking.

"Let's go, Aki.", Future Flay nods at Akiza.

"Yeah, partner.", Akiza likewise replied as the two head back into the Paradox's cockpit.

Past Flay's thoughts are now on Akiza, as they will be fated to meet again, "I will be waiting for you, Aki..."

The Paradox leaves the Archangel. Inside the Gundam's cockpit, Flay asks Akiza to pilot it herself. Unlike the current mobile suits that are restricted to some Coordinators and Naturals in terms of operating system, the Paradox possessed no such limitation. So, it would be possible for Flay to drive the Paradox 2.0.

Both Akiza's obsidian pendant, along with Flay's butterfly medallion began letting out a faint glow, along with Kiryu's topaz ring. Meanwhile in the present, Ian's own time ring and Rio's magatama began to let out a glow.

"Inconceivable... Who is now the fifth bearer of the time medallion?", Rio observed her magatama's glow. "Could it be...?"

"Oh yeah!", Ian felt a stimulation as he uses the Mach to shoot into the T-Rex ROBEAST's mouth using the vulcan guns in its wheel shield.

Back in the past, the as Akiza and Flay head for the GENESIS, they discovered one of the METEOR units drifting afloat in the battlefield. This is probably when the Justice dismounted the METEOR when Athrun and Cagalli enter Jachin Due. The Paradox then mounted itself into the METEOR unit with the intent of destroying GENESIS before returning back to the present.

In the chaos of the battle, the Eternal and Kusanagi broke through ZAFT's defensive line and fired all their weapons at GENESIS, but their attempts were unsuccessful, as the superweapon's nuclear-powered Phase Shift Armor proved powerful enough to even resist the Kusanagi's Lohengrin cannons. The Providence attacked the Kusanagi and Eternal, destroying many of the two ship's weapons and several M1 Astrays.

Meanwhile, the Sentinel teams up with the Freedom. Kiryu's mobile suit proved to be durable considering the construction vehicle motif of his Gundam.

"Sentinel Fire!", Kiryu unleashes the Sentinel's "Brahmastra" anti-mobile suit flamethrowers, transformed from the Gundam's MCV mode's smokestacks. Once the Brahmastra is used as a weapon in MS mode, the smokestacks form a pair of cannons into the mobile suit's shoulders, firing a stream of flames at enemies. The Brahmastra is potent enough to melt through Phase Shift Armor, and even destroying one of the Providence's DRAGOONs.

Within moments, the Paradox arrives with the leftover METEOR unit, catching up with Kiryu. To Kira's shock, he learns that not only Flay survived, her future self is piloting the Paradox!

The butterfly medallion begins to warn Flay of the attacking DRAGOONs. That being said, Akiza forces Flay to switch positions, as she is now back in the driver's seat. Akiza went into SEED mode again, followed by her time medallion glowing.

"Paradigm Shift system, activate! Time Freeze!", Akiza invokes the Paradox's Paradigm Shift System, harnessing her time medallion's power into her Gundam. Time is suddenly put to a complete stop within the fabric of space. Even the beams fired from the Providence's DRAGOONs are rendered temporally frozen. This allows the Paradox to fire at the DRAGOONs one-by-one. With all DRAGOONs destroyed, the Providence is vulnerable.

"This is impossible!", Le Creuset reacts to panic the moment that his DRAGOONs are destroyed in one fell swoop.

"This is the Paradox's power to manipulate time, based on the pilot's time medallion.", said Kiryu. "In Akiza's case, the obsidian pendant allows her to stop time even in space itself. Rendering your mobile suit's DRAGOONs obsolete!"

"You witch!"

As the Paradox and Sentinel engage the Providence, Flay communicates through the Freedom while in the Paradox.

"Kira, can you hear me? This is Flay. Or rather, this is Flay from the future... Past me is safe in the Archangel. It was this mobile suit that saved me from death in an earlier timeline. So, that means, the Paradox caused a time loop that I cannot be killed in any way."

[*BGM: "Yusei Fudo Battle Theme" OST from Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's*]

"No way...", Kira is dumbfounded when he learns Flay's death being undone not once, but twice. "Glad to hear you're safe."

"Kira, I wanted to say this, especially on my past self's behalf...", Flay continued. "I wanted to apologize for so long. I was so hurt and deep down I was scared, I had no clue about everything.", then Flay proceeds to echo what she learned from Akiza, "And please, whatever happens afterwards from here on out, don't let your failures define you for who you are. Let go of the chains of guilt that bind your heart. As my partner told me, keep moving forward and never look back."

From the Eternal, Lacus hears the conversation between Kira and Future Flay.

Flay continued, "Once this war is over, Kira, I want you to be happy with Lacus. You deserve her more than me. I'd better be off leaving you alone for now. Because, I already found someone who is willing to accept me for who I am.", this even shocks Lacus (and Past Flay) that (Future) Flay decided to break up with Kira on her past self's behalf.

Much to Akiza's surprise, she couldn't help but chuckle as she looked at her partner's eyes. "Shit, Flay. You've almost turned the whole battlefield as some kind of a scene involving a break up story!" Within moments, the Triceratops ROBEAST attacks the Freedom, Providence, Paradox, and Sentinel. "Ggh. Scratch that! We got bigger fish to fry.", she said.

Rau then charges at the Paradox. "You! You should have not changed the future, witch!"

"This feeling. It's more than just hatred that feeds on this man's nihilism.", Akiza once again felt the familiar emotional sensation from Rau's nihilism. "It's more than just his own mere existence.". Akiza then pulls out the Paradox's beam rapier to slice off the Providence's left arm. "Do you really think that wiping out all of humanity along with yourself is going to free you from the pain you've gone through?!", Akiza then rebuked Rau's nihilistic beliefs.

"Who are you to have the audacity to show sympathy towards the likes of me, child?"

Akiza continued as the Paradox overpowers the Providence, "Every human being has one shot at life, it doesn't matter if the world is cruel to you, but it also sets you free. If the universe ends in death, every humiliation you suffered in your life will be but a distant memory. You should not let your past determine your future! If being alive is all we get to experience, that's the only thing that matters. If the universe doesn't have any principles, the only principles relevant are the one we have the right to decide on. If the universe doesn't have any purpose, it is us who get to dictate that purpose! Yeah, mankind will most likely face extinction at some point, like what happened in our future, but before that happens, humans will get to explore themselves and the world around them."

Le Creuset finds himself stunned by Akiza's words, hearing that someone telling him to not let his past determine his future is nothing new to him. It's not because that Akiza is no stranger to living on a world where everything is reduced to a barren wasteland, as the world is still worth living even if it's still scarred by the war.

For Rau, this is not the first time someone tells him to not let his past dictate his future. Nor, telling someone the same thing. Rau finds himself having flashbacks with a man in long, black hair; who happens to be his sole confidant, and a young man who shares the same genetic property as he, with accelerated aging and defective telomeres.

"I know what you've been through, Rau. I don't think wiping out all of humanity and yourself would free you from your pain. You should not let your past control your future. I will be there for you, your whole life, always. I will be here to understand your suffering, and want to make sure no one has to go down that path you're walking on.", the long-haired man told Rau, while he was still a red uniformed soldier.

Then, came when Rau had to take care a young blonde man, who is more like a younger brother to him, "Looking at you reminded me of myself... But, you have a young, yet delicate face. As much that I find myself realizing that we are both clones of that man... I want you to etch this into your mind, boy. Don't let the past determine your future. Be who you are, and never live under my shadow."

"Gil... Rey...", Le Creuset muttered quietly before he is suddenly impaled by the Triceratops ROBEAST's arm spikes.

"NOOOO!", both Akiza, Flay, Trent and Kiryu screamed in unison as they see the Providence struck onto the torso.

The ROBEAST's spike pierced the cockpit from the Gundam's torso, the visor on Le Creuset's helmet breaks as he coughs blood.

In his last moments, Rau sees the Paradox. "So, that's the Gundam with the power to change the future... Interesting, I'll look forward to the future you'll create."

The Providence explodes, killing Rau Le Creuset. This leaves the Paradox, Sentinel, and Freedom to face the Triceratops ROBEAST and the GENESIS.

Meanwhile, inside Jachin Due, Athrun and Cagalli, accompanied by an M1 Astray pilot, entered the command room. Only to find Chairman Patrick Zala already dead, after being shot by one of his subordinates, whom he shot earlier after defying him. Immediately after, an unknown program activated, starting Jachin Due's self-destruct system and ordering GENESIS to fire when Jachin Due exploded. At the PLANTs, loyalists under Patrick Zala were immediately arrested by the moderate faction led by Eileen Canaver, to hold them accountable for war crimes.

As Akiza, Kiryu, Trent, and Kira fight the Triceratops ROBEAST, they notice ZAFT forces retreating from Jachin Due. Akiza sensed something is wrong. That being said, the fact that GENESIS is being abandoned, not to mention it is now rigged to self-destruct upon firing. The butterfly medallion then gives Flay a vision on what would be like had the GENESIS fired.

[*Music: "Clear Mind" by Masaaki Endoh from Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's*]

"Aki, GENESIS is about to fire soon!", Flay exclaimed. She then convinces Aki to switch back into the Paradox's wheel and decides to fight the Triceratops ROBEAST. "Let me take the wheel this time!"

"Flay, what are you-", said Akiza as Flay once again controls the Paradox.

Once in the Paradox's steering wheel, Flay is now focused, even though this is the first time she pilots a mobile suit. By taking advantage of 2.0's speed, while avoiding the Triceratops ROBEAST's spike barrages and thrusts, she is able to avoid the attacks without reacting to foul temper or panic.

Flay has set free of all negativity in her mind and heart, most likely being able to give herself a closure to her past and accepting the fact that she must now leave Kira for Lacus. All while being able to focus at the battle at hand and nothing else. Both Akiza and Kiryu recognized this ability, as both of them have achieved this mental state before.

"How is Flay able to pilot that mobile suit?", Kira asked while he mounts on the METEOR unit.

"This is...", using her telepathic powers, Akiza felt a strange aura of willpower from Flay.

Kiryu guessed it right as he points out, "...Clear Mind! It's a zen mental state that both Coordinators, Naturals, and Carbon Humans can achieve. This is notoriously hard to master, as like its name suggest, the user must clear their thoughts to focus on the battle."

"So by letting go of her guilt and overcoming her fear, Flay is able to attain Clear Mind by herself.", Akiza added. "Flay, don't falter! I know you can do this!"

Flay spoke, this time her voice deepened, "Leave it to me, Aki."

By achieving a zen state of mind similar to SEED mode, Flay is able to hold off the Triceratops ROBEAST as the Paradox 2.0 dishes out a world of hurt on the monster. With the ROBEAST weakened, Team Paradox has to finish it off before GENESIS can fire.

"Trent, let's initiate a formation with Motorhead.", Kiryu gives Trent a heads up.

"Got it!", Trent nodded.

The Motorhead transforms into a drill arm, as the Sentinel's right arm and shoulder are folded into its back, the Motorhead attaches itself where the Sentinel's right arm supposed to be, transforming it into the Motorhead Sentinel Gundam.

The Motorhead comes equipped with the massive VTRDX-07 "Beowulf" Anti-Phase Shift Armor High-Frequency Penetration Drill. The drill can penetrate phase-shift armor, so it would be possible for the Sentinel to pierce through the multi-layered dense phase-shift armor of the GENESIS.

"Sky Phantom Rending Combine: Motorhead Sentinel Gundam!", both Kiryu and Trent proclaim the appearance of the Motorhead Sentinel.

Athrun and Cagalli escaped Jachin Due, only to find the Freedom having used the Justice's METEOR unit, and witnessing the Paradox and Sentinel teaming up with Kira.

"I've never seen those mobile suits before. Are they a friend or foe?", asked Cagalli.

"Considering that they're about to destroy GENESIS, I could probably say they're allies.", Athrun makes a quick guess.

Meanwhile in the Paradox's cockpit, Akiza pulls out the GF13-017NJII God Gundam mobile suit card. Now it would be the perfect time that both Akiza and Flay have to work as a pair while piloting the Paradox together.

The Paradox's earlier form is restricted into creating copies of weapons of mobile suits from different universes. However, 2.0 now allows transforming into different mobile suits like with the Mach and Izayoi. The Sentinel likewise possess the same ability, but Kiryu chose not to use them.

"Flay, now's the time for the Paradox to be able to tap in other mobile suits of other universes.", said Akiza as she prepares to scan the card into her G-Phone. "Now, be prepared to be amazed by the philosophy of the School of the Undefeated of the East!"

"Change: God Gundam!", the G-Phone announced after the card is scanned.

Akiza raised her hand and snapped her fingers, causing the Paradox to transform into the God Gundam; much to the shock of Kira, Athrun, and Cagalli. Not to mention that the Paradox now has the ability to transform into different mobile suits from other universes.

The Freedom uses the METEOR's large beam sabers to cut through Jachin Due, followed by Motorhead Sentinel raising its drill arm before unleashing its finishing move.

"Calamity Strike!", Kiryu called out the attack as the Sentinel prepares to thrust its drill unto the Triceratops ROBEAST and the GENESIS. The "Beowulf" pierces into the superweapon all the way into the reactor itself as the Sentinel stayed clear out of Jachin Due afterwards. The ROBEAST is immediately destroyed after being thrown into the GENESIS's reactor.

Akiza and Flay emerge out of the Paradox while assuming the God Gundam. Surprised, Trent is shocked that the two are planning to replicate the Sekiha Love Love Tenkyoken.

"No way!", exclaimed Trent.

"Yes way!", Kiryu smiled. "Akiza knows better how to put her heart into the Paradox's abilities. Since she and Flay are closer together, this is bound to happen."

The two redheads proclaim, "These hands of ours are burning red!"

Akiza yelled, "Their loud cries tell us...", as her hand manifests the King of Hearts symbol for a moment. Followed by Flay, "...to grasp happiness!"

"ERUPTING! BURNING! FINGER!"

"Seki!"

"Ha!"

"Love! Love! Tenkyoken!"

The God Gundam unleashes the Sekiha Love Love Tenkyoken, destroying Jachin Due, along with the GENESIS. Afterwards, the Paradox 2.0 reverts back to its base form. From each of the Three Ships Alliance, they can look on in the aftermath of the GENESIS' destruction as the war draws to a conclusion, thanks to the interference of Team Paradox.

Once it is all said and done, the Paradox and Sentinel immediately depart to parts unknown, or rather, returning back into the present day. A wormhole opens as the two Gundams enter, and the wormhole closes afterwards upon entry.


The present, C.E. 72

Ian, Rio, and the Gilgamesh were able to wipe off the floor at the enemy fleet.

"Street Saber Straight!", Ian unleashes the Mach Gundam's finishing move with its Street Saber, defeating the T-Rex ROBEAST.

The T-Rex ROBEAST gave both Ian, Rio, and Trevor a hard time. But if it weren't for the Gilgamesh, they would have most certainly lost. However, Ian and Rio's chemistry in combat proved to be a blessing in disguise, as Rio's graceful fighting style and combined with her tactical knowledge, and Ian's application of brute force and hot-bloodedness. They might be opposites to each other, but they sure hell put up a fight.

"That's a wrap!", Trevor declared the end of the battle.

All enemies are neutralized. Within moments, the Paradox 2.0 and Motorhead Sentinel emerge from the wormhole as they regroup with the Mach, Izayoi, and Enkidu.

"What took you guys so long?", asked Ian after seeing the Paradox in its second form.

"It's a long story short.", Kiryu chuckled. "Besides, the fifth medallion is here with us now. And guess who is now holding it?"

Rio already got the gist of it, since Kiryu gave the incomplete pendant to Flay, "I understand now..."

Inside the Paradox's cockpit, Akiza is back in the wheel, and Flay somehow passed out. As her piloting the Gundam proved to be taxing, despite the Paradox's OS can be operated by either Coordinators or Naturals.

"Flay sure knew how to put up a fight with the Paradox. By the time we return here, she already passed out.", said Akiza. "Now that her death has been undone twice, it seems that her friends in the past will remember everything that happen."

"Shit, Akiza. Did you even taught her some tricks?", Ian clarified.

"No. She just went for the wheel and took on that ROBEAST without even flinching. There, I realized that she managed to clear her heart and mind of negative thoughts. Is it because that she finally came to terms with her past?"

"I assume that's the reason why.". Rio added. "It's because she has finally learned to let it go and look forward to what the future holds."

Team Paradox returned to the Gilgamesh. Flay is somewhat okay, due to the fact that having piloted the Paradox for the first time proved to be taxing for her body, which explained she passed out after the entre ordeal. Flay wakes in the quarters shared with Akiza, with Kiryu waiting for her to wake up.


[*Music: "YAKUSOKU NO MELODY" by Masaaki Endoh from Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's*]

"Where are we?", said Flay.

Kiryu replied, "Back on the Gilgamesh. I assume you passed out after you piloted the Paradox."

"Where's Aki?"

"She's on the lobby.", he replied again. "In fact, we're going to be stuck on the ship in the next 24 hours for the time being. We might be able to safely return to Earth sometime tomorrow."

With no time to complain, Flay decided to get out of the cabin and find Akiza around the ship. The butterfly pendant decided to follow her, Kiryu gives Flay heads-up about her pendant is that it is actually sentient, because it was created by the time loop of undoing her death the second time. Meaning, the butterfly itself is an extension of Flay's existence.

At the ship's portside lobby, Akiza observes the twinkling stars within the fabric of space from the ship by herself. In a moment of philosophical soliloquy about what the future holds for herself and the rest of the team, she said:

"Here I am now, together with my foster family, Ian and Kiryu, a young girl who lost everything during the war whose death I have once again prevented, along with a noblewoman from Orb. We find ourselves entwined together, sharing a common destiny, as our paths led us into the unknown. With JUNO having destroyed the world we once knew, we cannot return home, not ever, even if the future is changed. From here on out, this era is our new home, and forming a family of unrelated people, and the next chapter of this story is yet to be set in stone. Knowing that the next war will be inevitable, we have to be prepared, even if history is going to move in a different direction."

Akiza ended her monologue, and is surprised by Flay.

"Flay? Aren't you supposed to be in bed?"

"I'm okay now, Aki. The first time I had to take the wheel, it felt like I've overcame my fear. I didn't know I had it in me."

"That's because you've finally set yourself and Kira free from the same guilt you two experienced.", Akiza continued, "And you took my words right out of my mouth."

Flay replied, "It's because you taught me that, Aki. And I know Kiryu did that for you. I'm very grateful to have met you. I'm so happy..."

Akiza pulled out her G-Phone and opened its camera app. The two redheads take a selfie in front of the lobby's window with the background revolving around outer space. Akiza took that picture to serve as a collection of memories with her bond with Flay.

"In case if Kiryu didn't told you something, that there are five precious things even in the far reaches of space that you must protect with every fiber of your being."

"What's that, Aki?"

"A promise, love, a family, bonds, and a future to look forward to."

Flay didn't need to say anything as she finally understood what Akiza is talking about. Ever since finally putting her past behind, the two made a solemn promise to protect each other and willing to stake their lives for the other. Through Akiza's love and understanding, Flay finally rediscovered the meaning of love; breaking up with Kira was the toughest decision, something that she had to do on her past self's behalf during the second divergence. And the fact that Flay ends up with a group of unlikely people that share a destiny together, she slowly comes to value them a family she never had. And lastly, given that she is given another chance to be alive, Flay is ready for what the future holds for her.

"For a second there back when we first met, I thought you were a really scary person.", Flay remembers her meeting Akiza when she found her unconscious ashore back in the beach. "But, knowing you deeply, you have a good heart and you keep holding onto it while surviving in a cruel and unfair world. People see you as somewhat rough around the edges despite being so attractive."

Akiza broke into a chuckle, "You think so? I'll take that as a compliment. What about you? I've never seen you this so happy. It is like you before the war began."

"No. I'm different than before and after the war. Now that I had to make things right with myself and with Kira, by changing the past... again. Everything is going to be okay from now on. I am ready for what lies ahead."

"Yeah. Now we have Kiryu with us. We have nothing to fear, we all be watching each others' backs from now on.", Akiza said while letting Flay lean on her shoulder while floating through the zero-gravity of space. "Back in our world, we shared laughter, tears, and all the hardships. And had to go on separate paths when we escaped here. But now, we are together again. Even if we prevent JUNO's uprising, we can't return back to the world as we once knew it. This era is our new home now, and I swear it with every fiber of my being to protect it."

"We'll protect it together, Aki. You are the reason why I still have a chance in life.", Flay replied. The two redheads then faced each other. "You are the reason why I am able to smile again."

"Don't lose that smile, Flay. Even if the world is against you, that shouldn't stop you from being kind towards people.", Akiza looked into her partner's eyes, "No matter what happens from here on out, don't let your past define you for who you are. Keep moving onward no matter how many times you waver."

"Thank you, Aki. And, I love you..."

"I love you too, Flay..."

They both closed their eyes and hold on each others' hands, Akiza gently kissed Flay on the forehead, and the latter would return the favor with one on her partner's cheek.

Not far from where the two redheads are standing, Kiryu, Ian, Rio, and the Payne twins look on at the lesbian couple.

Once Akiza and Flay opened their eyes and exchanged glances, they are surprised by their teammates and the Payne brothers.

"Sorry to interrupt your intimate moment.", said Rio. "But, it just goes to show that the power of love between the two of you is a sight to behold."

"A lesbian romance between a Coordinator and Natural, huh? Now that's one for the books.", Trent commented, considering that Akiza is a Coordinator from the future and Flay being a Natural. "Don't mind my words, I'm really used to seeing some yuri romances anyway."

Ian taps Flay on the shoulder, "Welcome to the big leagues, Allster. I heard that you got some spunk to pilot a mobile suit back in Jachin Due. And man, you and Akiza pulling out that Master Asia shit like a boss back there!"

"I almost forgot one thing to ask...", Flay pondered. "If Kiryu is indeed Aki and Ian's big brother, or father figure, or whatever. Why is he still this young?", Flay takes notice that Kiryu looks just like a man in his mid-20s, never mind his androgynous looks.

"Actually, I don't age.", said Kiryu, revealing himself to be a Carbon Human. "I'm actually a Carbon Human. I happen to possess the genes of a ZAFT pilot named Shinn Asuka."

Kiryu's revelation doesn't seem to shock Flay at all, Akiza and Ian already knew what he is and already accepted him for who he is since they have been close together as a family. And despite having the DNA of Shinn, Kiryu is very much a different person than his DNA template.

"Shinn Asuka? Never heard of him.", Flay replied, as if Kiryu was joking. "So, this means you're immortal?"

"Not exactly. I've been through 70 years and my body never aged. Probably I am one of the last Carbon Humans on Earth to have survived the JUNO uprising."

"Fuck it. Doesn't matter if he has the blood of some lame-ass angsty kid, he's still the same Kiryu Fudo Nagare we know.", said Ian.

"Yeah. Even if he's a Carbon Human, we still loved him like a big brother and a father figure at the same time.", Akiza added. "And besides, Team Paradox has three Coordinators - myself, Ian, and Rio, Flay being the only Natural of the team, and Kiryu being the only Carbon Human. That's all there is to it."

With Team Paradox now a band of five soldiers unrelated by blood, and their first mission a success. This marks a new beginning for the five bearers of the time medallions as they embark into the unknown. What lies ahead before them shall be known in due time.


Author's Note #2:

- The Paradox's transition from its original bulky to a sleeker agile form is a callback to the Virtue and Nadleeh from 00.

- And keeping with the Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's homages to the story, Paradox 2.0 is based on Junk Warrior, Yusei's ace monster, with the color scheme of Black Rose Dragon.

** Akiza and Flay invoke Lua's chant for Life Stream Dragon when Paradox version ups to 2.0, all while adding Yusei's "Become the path its light shines upon!"

- The Sentinel Gundam is based on the Daibouken from GoGo Sentai Boukenger (or DriveMax Megazord from Power Rangers Operation Overdrive), due to having a construction vehicle motif, in this case, a dump truck.

- UPDATE 5/4/2023: Added the activation screen for the Sentinel, as well for the Paradox Ver. 2.0 after transitioning to its second form.