PHASE-16: Friends Reunited
After a brief recess, the rest of the team gathered back in the conference room. And now, the main focus is the mobile suits from the future, namely the Paradox, Mach, and Sentinel. In addition to the three main mobile suits, is the technologies incorprated into the three future Gundams.
Flay and Rio already knew how the Paradox and Mach functions. Both are mobile suits designed for time travel. The latter was modified by the people from the Mars colony while Ian was helping them hold off the JUNO army at the time. In addition, the Mach has an alternate form that transforms into its Mobile Cycle Mode, which basically allows a bipedal MS to ride it like a motorcycle. The Paradox combines from four Gun Vehicles, but it's true potential lies in its second form.
Meanwhile, the Sentinel Gundam is a modular heavy-equipment mobile suit that can combine with auxiliary Gun Vehicles based on construction vehicles, given that it's based on a dump truck.
All three mobile suits, along with the Izayoi can utilize Mobile Suit Cards, allowing them to transform into different mobile suits in other alternate universes, as well as gain access to their arsenal. For example, scanning the Exia card can allow the Paradox to take form of the Gundam Exia.
But, Dr. Paradox begins discussing a glossary of technologies used in the future. Starting with a new power source used by the mobile suits of the future: a Hybrid Fusion Reactor.
"Fusion reactors?", Rio raised her eyebrow. "So you're saying that these mobile suits from the future can be powered by solar energy?" She managed to catch it quickly than everyone else, given that the sun itself is a natural fusion reactor.
"Precisely. But, these are more than just a fusion reactor. But, a Hybrid Fusion Reactor.", Dr. Paradox answered the Iron Lady's question. "A Hybrid Fusion Reactor combines the function of a Hyper Deuterion Engine and a solar reactor for a secondary power source. To put it simply, it's basically the equivalent of a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) that carried two sets of powertrains, like a Ferrari 296 GTB's 3.0L V6 engine with an axial flux electric motor."
Akiza also added, "So, solar power would act as a backup power source if in case of the absence of a nuclear-powered engine. I guess the doctor will further explain this."
"Like most nuclear-powered mobile suits like the Freedom and Justice, these reactors come naturally equipped with N-Jammer Cancellers."
"Umm, doctor. In case you didn't know, that the Junius Treaty had forbidden the use of N-Jammer Cancellers.", Rio continued, bringing up that the Junius Treaty is still in effect in the present.
"Rio, haven't you forgotten that the reactor uses solar power when nuclear power is absent?", Flay intervened. "And Aki and the others mentioned that another war is likely going to happen."
Ian added a foreshadowing, "This makes the Junius Treaty null and void."
"I see... But don't worry.", the professor continued. "Onto the next is the Firewall Protocol system. This is a security feature of most mobile suits from the future. It is an anti-virus software that prevents any mobile weapon from being hacked by JUNO. Years after the JUNO cyberattack, it took me almost 10 years to successfully create a countermeasure to prevent the enemy from hacking on any mobile suit."
"But, there's a catch.", Kiryu then brings up an interesting trait regarding the Firewall Protocol software, "This prevents enemy forces from getting any information on our mobile suits. For instance, if ZAFT forces were to encounter the Paradox, it will be unable to get any data from it no matter how they will attempt to analyze, and will be seen as an unidentified mobile suit."
Because Dr. Paradox developed a countermeasure software for the future mobile suits, this also prevents the enemy from getting any data on these mobile suits, not unlike stealth technology such as Mirage Colloid.
The professor once again continued, "The JUNO army's mobile suits and ROBEASTs use Anti-Phase Shift Armor based equipment. If you run into any of the enemies using this kind of weaponry, I suggest to be careful. The Triceratops ROBEAST was one such example that it effortlessly destroyed Rau Le Creuset's mobile suit, due having Variable Phase Shift Armor."
"And speaking of Phase Shift Armor, the Paradox, Mach, and Sentinel apparently use a variation of the Trans-Phase Armor - the ones used by the Calamity, Forbidden, and Raider.", Akiza then proceeded to the next part of the professor's presentation.
Dr. Paradox then followed, "This armor is called Triple-Shift Synchro Armor. In addition to using two layers that was carried on from the Trans-Phase Armor, the third layer acts as a solar panel that allows the mobile suit to draw the sun's energy to charge the secondary power source of a Hybrid Fusion Reactor. Given the fact that the sun itself is a natural fusion reactor."
"Amazing... To think that we now have this kind of cutting edge technology.", Flay seems to be impressed just how incredible to mobile suits from the future are.
Ian butts in, "You know how the old saying goes, "He who has the best toys wins"."
"But, I ask you all everyone gathered here in this room.", the professor asked the team on how to treat his inventions. "As much I don't want to repeat the same mistake like how JUNO came to be, I ask you to use my inventions for the good of all of humanity. Because they are the only ones that can help us create a new future."
"We will, doc.", Akiza reassures her godfather. As the rest of the team nodded altogether. "We don't know what the future holds, but as we work together as a team, we can make things possible."
"Count me in.", Flay then followed.
"Fuckin' A. So long as I get to kick some ass and chew bubblegum. I'm down.", Ian grinned, referencing a quote from a certain movie.
"We can do this together. No matter how the world will look down upon us.", Kiryu nodded.
"In that case, we will bear the burden of protecting mankind's future together. Now I understand what it feels like sharing a common destiny with everyone here in this room.", Rio folded her arms, giving a smile approving the same thoughts as her teammates.
"I thank you for your support and participation in this war room meeting. It will be an honor working with you all and fighting side by side.", Dr. Paradox finally concluded his session with the team. "From here on out, we will be preparing for the worst. As time won't be so kind to us, but preparedness is the key. With all things we discussed are now said and done, we can finally conclude this session now."
The team finally understood all of Dr. Paradox's glossary of the technologies used in the future. However, there are some of them that none of them were aware of that will be revealed to them in due time.
"Finally. We can finally enjoy the rest of the weekend.", said Ian. "I'm not even sure what to do, much less playing on the sim rig. I already finished the sim rig cockpit in the hangar."
Ian reveals that he and the Payne twins finished building the sim rig in order to play a racing simulator.
"A sim rig? Are you daft? We are soldiers, not race car drivers!", even Rio seems peeved of by the idea of playing a racing simulator.
Ian boasted, "Hell, we can be both! The mobile suits from the future have a unique operating system that can run faster than 400 kph. The Paradox's Core GT functions that of a European-made supercar that possesses that kind of speed."
Kiryu looked at Rio, "I guess Ian has a point here. As mobile suit pilots, our style of piloting does not involve the use of brute force. But we have the finesse and driving precision equal to that of a professional race car driver. Manuverability and mobility is one of the Paradox's strong points, and by transitioning to 2.0, it's speed exceeds far greater than that of a Formula 1 car."
"Not to mention, some of the Gun Vehicles we used are modeled after expensive sports cars. Most of them were Dr. Paradox's creations, while others were even mass-produced by the people in the Mars colonies.", Akiza further elucidated.
"I see... It would be interesting on how such futuristic cars can play cat and mouse with enemy mobile suits.", Rio chuckled at the notion of how the Gun Vehicles can do against an enemy mobile suit.
"Playing cat and mouse with enemy mobile suits is nothing new to us.", Kiryu continued, by his own admission, is no stranger with the idea either.
Flay then brought up the one noodle incident about Kiryu punching a mobile suit with his bare hands. "You even knocked down an enemy mobile suit with just one punch as what Aki said earlier."
"Unbelievable..."
Ian giggled, "Yeah. The most dangerous man in the planet is none other than Kiryu Fudo Nagare. He didn't even need a mobile suit at the time to be badass, he just goes One Punch Man at a Wisel."
"This is insanity. To think you were able to topple one mobile suit alone without even piloting one?!", Rio was left speechless, and couldn't help think of the words regarding Kiryu's feat. "First we have a pilot with supernatural powers, then you, Kiryu, a man with a rather abnormal Herculean strength. Then, what any other ability Ian possesses?"
"Oh, me?", when asked about any of his abilities, Ian pulls out a stick of dynamite, much to everyone's horror.
"You had to open your mouth, Rio...", Akiza reacts to Ian's antics with resignation.
"Ian, where the FUCK did you get that dynamite?!", exclaimed Kiryu.
"Go outside, you effing psycho!", Flay shouted. "Are you trying to kill all of us?!"
That said, the team went into the open field, the other four stayed clear out of the blast radius as Ian just gnawed the dynamite on his jaw. He pulls a lighter and proceeds to light up the dynamite's fuse. As soon as the spark reached the blasting cap, the dynamite explodes. The rest of the team looked away from the explosion, all while Flay had to cover her ears at the same time.
When the dust settled, Ian is still standing, alive and covered in black soot and smoke, from top to bottom by the explosion. While this is nothing new to Akiza and Ian, only Flay and Rio were speechless at this.
"Unbelievable... He is still standing and barely alive after being blown up.", Rio was lost for words.
"How did he survive that?!", Flay added.
Normally, explosions from a dynamite could have reduced a human being into smithereens. And the fact that Ian had a stick of dynamite gnawed onto his teeth while waiting for it to explode, he somehow survived like it was nothing. He even pulled out the dynamite out of nowhere.
"Normally, I would be dead by now.", Ian quipped. "The fact that I blew myself up with a stick of dynamite covered in shit instead means that my very own existence threatens the universal laws of physics."
"Ian's signature ability as a new generation Coordinator is cartoon physics.", Akiza elaborated. "Basically, Ian is a walking cartoon character. His very existence alone supersedes the normal laws of physics or even override them to his own liking, all mostly for the fun of it."
Kiryu followed, "It just shows how unpredictable Ian really is. He's capable of driving opponents insane, pulling out weapons from out of nowhere, and even surviving a fall from heights which would kill a normal human being."
Even though Flay and Rio, the latter being a Coordinator in the present day, don't possess any ability unique to the future trio seem to feel fine that their friends have their own abilities that makes them invaluable assets. Akiza has extrasensory perception, Kiryu possesses Herculean strength that allowed him to topple an enemy mobile suit in just one punch, while Ian is a walking cartoon character that can drive anyone insane if provoked.
Later that night, Akiza reads the news of a mobile suit theft somewhere in Orb. It appears that there was a traitor among the Orb Disaster Relief Team behind the theft of the MS. As soon as she finished reading the news, she closes the browser in her tablet.
"I can't believe it... There's a traitor in the ODR team?", Akiza snorted.
Rio replied, "Miyabi and her team did not saw the theft of the Eclipse R2 coming. And it came from one of her own members. A source also told me that the Suse family is trying to make a move. I don't want to get involve in a civil war amongst the other families."
"You mean that woman we saw at the party?"
"She's from the Kiou family. They are part of the five great clans - Athha, Kiou, Mashima, Tokino, and Seiran."
"Okay... The responsibility of Orb lies in the hands of political families, sounds serious business."
Even Rio understands the serious business of being a part of Orb's respective political bloodline. And the fact that Cagalli is now assuming responsibility as Chief Representative, she has to be working on all fronts 24/7.
As for Rio, since forming Team Paradox to expunge the threat of Blue Cosmos' extremism, she wants to make sure that anyone who threatens the safety of the people of Orb shall be met with extreme prejudice. And she will stay true to being Team Paradox's judge, jury, and executioner.
"I know that we have our responsibilities as members of Team Paradox. But, we shouldn't be hasty. Because lost time can't be recovered.", Akiza looked at Rio.
"That's true. Time is precious though. Sometimes it can be very unfair. But, that's what it is.", the Iron Lady replied. "I heard Flay is going out tomorrow to meet her old friends."
"Yeah. I'll be going with her. Don't think of it as a date."
"Hehehe. You are the only person who managed to set her down to the right path. So it's fine that you should be around guiding her."
Even Rio knows how Flay and Akiza are close as a couple, the idea of that a bratty young lady (Flay) can get along with a serious and no-nonsense romantic partner (Akiza) seems to be a complex kind of chemistry.
"You don't say.", Akiza smirked. "What about you? What are you planning to do during the weekend?"
"Visiting my father's grave. Paperwork. And keeping myself in top form. Rinse and repeat. It's the same boring routine I usually do on and off duty. But... since we share this quarters together with you and Flay... Mind letting me know if you two are up for it again?"
"I'm in.", Akiza is interested to have another threesome again. "I'll let Flay know."
It was a typical Saturday morning, as Akiza and Flay go on to meet with Sai and Miriallia. Rio is once again busy with office work. Kiryu and Ian are still asleep, and they are apparently active at night than day.
Akiza wears her usual red jacket and black tank top with jeans and sneakers. She even puts on her sunglasses. Surprisingly, Akiza keeps her usual serious and stoic behavior while on public, which peeved Flay.
"Seriously, Aki. Why are you always so serious even while we're going outside?"
"Like do I care.", the taller redhead deadpanned.
"Come on, Aki. Try to have some fun for once!", Flay grabs her partner's hands as they enter the clothing shop. "Let's buy you some clothes... and new bras too, since your boobs kept growing for some reason."
"You don't have to tell me twice!", Akiza argued back, as if they sounded like an old married couple.
That said, both Flay and Akiza begin looking for a set of clothes for them to fit on. However, Akiza has a rather odd fashion sense. Given that she always wear masculine clothing, she rarely wears feminine ones. When Flay gives her a set of clothes that look a bit retro, this leaves Akiza with a bad impression:
"I feel like a disco tech reject and I feel absurd!"
"Now, now... Don't go moping around like that, Aki."
"(sighs) Is there anything else?"
Akiza decides to take a Victorian-like dress, consisting a high-collared, low cut red corset with short, light green puffy sleeves underneath a sleveless, magenta trenchcoat flaring behind her, being shorter and pleated in the front. Coupled with a black, elbow-length fingerless gloves with gold bracelets above them. On the bottom, comes with black stockings and high-heeled pumps connected to a skirt by suspenders.
Once Akiza gets out of the fitting room for Flay to see what her partner wanted to wear, Flay seems to be lost for words. While Akiza seems to be very familiar of this kind of outfit.
"This feels nostalgic... It's been 15 years I've last worn these."
"What are you talking about, Aki?"
"Just a blast from the past. I'll be the ones paying this."
That said, Akiza bought and paid the clothing she found. Afterwards, the two redheads went on around the mall, meeting with Sai and Miriallia.
"Hey, long time no see Flay!", Mirialla waved her hands to her former Heliopolis schoolmate.
"Sai! Miri!", Flay greeted her old friends. And to Sai's surprise, Flay had somehow grew a bit taller than Miri and managed to get a much more toned physique. Other than the fact that Flay looks a bit more haggard due to being worn out from the war.
"Seems you've been working out lately.", Miriallia replied.
"Yeah... That's a long story though. Aki has been training me with some martial arts."
"That's great.", Sai followed, considering that he saw Flay, Akiza, Ian and Rio on live television during Cagalli's 17th birthday fighting robotic soldiers inside the auditorium. "You and Akiza are an unusual kind of a combination."
"You're something. For a second there, she was like Kira and Lacus in one package.", Miri even insinuates that there's a parallel between Kira and Lacus in the Black Rose Witch.
However, Akiza proves her wrong. "Guess again.", while not bothering to open her mouth, Akiza telepathically speaks on Miriallia's thoughts, much to her shock.
"What the heck!? She didn't say anything!", exclaimed Miri.
"She has psychic powers.", Flay continued. "But, unlike Kira... Aki is a bit... you know, "edgy"."
"The last time we saw her in the Archangel, she's seems a rather nice person. I didn't expect for her to be that scary.", said Sai, noting that Akiza always maintains her stoicism and scowl. Its her uncompromisingly serious persona hides her kind and caring nature.
"I haven't gotten used to getting along with you guys.", Akiza takes off her sunglasses. "It's like it's the first time I've get to interact with the two of you."
"Aki, you've met both Sai and Miri before. Don't tell me you've forgotten about them?!"
"No, I didn't. Technically, when we went back in the past, that's the first time I knew about your friends. Then, after the war, that's probably the second time I've met them. Yet, I was just right behind you when you three are hanging out."
"Okay. We get the point now.", Sai interrupts the lesbian couple's argument. "I hate to admit, she's very pretty. And she's much a far cry from both Kira and Lacus."
"Hey, want to go at that all you can eat buffet restaurant that I'm talking about? The treats are on me.", said Miri. "Flay, mind if you bring Akiza along?"
Akiza's body language of shrugging her shoulders says "yes". As Flay replied. "Yeah. We're in."
Miriallia leads the three into a fancy all you can eat restaurant. Flay has never been in these before since Heliopolis. Ever since the war changed everything, and given how she survived through a time paradox, it felt like that she wanted to enjoy everything what she wanted all these years.
Akiza, Miri, and Sai ate in silence while Flay is voraciously eating her meal in a gluttonous manner, much to Akiza's dismay, wanting to smack her forehead in disbelief.
"Take it easy, Flay.", Akiza tapped her partner on the shoulder. "I know that in this post-war era, you may have missed a lot of things. But, don't stuff yourself too much. Don't even talk while your mouth is full!"
Miri takes notice how Akiza keeps a watchful eye on Flay shows that two are more than just partners. It's like an older sister doting on her younger sibling. Given that the Black Rose Witch herself is much older than Flay.
"Hey, Akiza. We heard that you're from the future and may I ask something from you?", Miriallia questions Akiza.
"Go ahead."
"Were you the only one who managed to enter in the present alone?"
"I'm not the only one. But, I was the first of the three surviving humans that made it here in this era.", Akiza recounts her first entry into the present, through Jachin Due. "Several months after the war, my psychotic adoptive brother would follow me here.", then referring to Ian. "And finally, my mentor and father figure would end up here as well."
"What do you mean "psychotic" adoptive brother?", Sai asked when Ian is brought up.
Flay finished her meal, and brings up Ian, "His name is Ian Joule. He's the descendant of that Yzak guy from the PLANTs."
"Yzak? You mean Athrun and Dearka's friend?", Miri clarified, since she has seen Yzak in person.
"Yeah. And you guys won't believe this, that maniac even blew himself up by lighting a stick of dynamite... and he survived!"
And the fact that Ian's signature ability being "toon force", Flay insinuates that Ian is a terrifying force of nature on the battlefield as his very existence alone breaks the universal laws of physics. And despite the occasional vitriol she experiences with the Silver Fox, she's afraid of making Ian angry.
"You mean, he survived blowing himself up like it was nothing?!", exclaimed Miri.
"Ian is that unpredictable. Make him angry and he'll drive you insane.", Akiza said. "And Coordinators in the future are able to attain such unique abilities. I'm an ESPer, Ian's existence can override the universal laws of physics in cartoonish fashion, and Kiryu is capable of toppling a mobile suit in just one punch, despite that not being a Coordinator nor a Natural himself."
"Wow... Looks like you've got so many friends in high places, Flay.", Miri smiled before changing the subject. "Have you visited Kira lately?"
"No, I haven't.", Flay's smile quickly turned into a frown. "I'd be better off far away from him."
Flay wanted to distance herself from Kira after the war, but as what Akiza told her, she can't bring herself to forget him despite everything she had done to him in the past.
"Flay..."
"That's already in the past, Flay. I know Kira and Lacus will understand.", Sai reminded her ex-fiancee that she should at least visit Kira for once.
"But still, I can't bring myself to forget all of that. I'm already happy that I have found a place to belong. It's been six months after the war and I have been soul-searching, finding my purpose in life to make amends from my past mistakes. I'm no longer the bratty, airheaded princess that I used to be. Ever since meeting Aki and her friends from the future, I wanted to follow Aki's... as well as Kira's example on what it means to protect everyone."
"So you did change, Flay. The war changes everybody, for better or worse.", Sai saw that Flay became a much better person than she was. Not because how she ended up while under Le Creuset's captivity in that she begins to realize that Coordinators are people too, and the truth about her father being linked to Blue Cosmos did a number on her.
"You are lucky to have a lesbian girlfriend for a mentor, Flay.", Miriallia added, Akiza took that as a compliment with a smile. Akiza herself is a far cry from both Kira and Lacus, while she's not as airheaded as the latter or overly emotional as Kira, she knew how to keep her cool even when put on a tight spot. Akiza is already used to the battlefield, and her recent experiences suggests that war is nothing new to her.
"Not to mention, she's older than us.", Sai followed.
Age gap aside, given that Flay was exposed by the space-time dimension known as Accel Force, as time inside that dimension moves faster than in real-time, Flay's age accelerated to 2 years older (18), as she was previously 16 before that. Both Sai and Miriallia were unaware of the fact that Flay had somehow aged almost two years older than her old friends. However, she is not allowed to disclose anything about the Accel Force to anyone outside of Team Paradox. Akiza is 21, but was 18 before she entered the Accel Force.
"You got that right.", Flay smiled. "Perhaps this is why opposites attract for a good reason." as she clings onto Akiza, much to her annoyance.
Meanwhile, Rio meets up with the Sahaku family head, Rondo Mina Sahaku. After the meeting with Dr. Paradox, it seems that the professor had to entrust something with the heiress of the Tokino family.
When Rio opened the files prior to that, the professor reveals it contains the blueprints of a Gundam that is combined from five Formula 1-like vehicles.
"Professor, what is this?", asked Rio.
The doctor replied with lights flashing from his Haro eyes, "These are schematics of a prototype mobile suit. I forgot to elucidate that the Paradox Gundam Akiza piloted was an experimental version. What you see on this blueprint is the true Paradox Gundam.", the Paradox piloted by Akiza is revealed to be an experimental mobile suit. The Formula 1 car-like components on this mobile suit is what combines into the other Paradox Gundam. He continued, "This version of the Paradox was developed based on the Gundam Astray series of mobile suits."
"Then, why give me this?"
"You know Rondo Mina Sahaku, right? She piloted her own version of a Gundam Astray. It won't hurt to let her develop this mobile suit for us. This is the only Gundam that can defeat JUNO."
As soon as Rio enters the Sahaku family mansion, Mina felt her former protegee's presence.
"What brings you here, child?"
"I know this is a lot to ask, Mina. But, one of my companions from the future asked me if you can help us develop this mobile suit. Here's the schematics.", Rio hands Mina a USB memory containing the blueprints given to her by Dr. Paradox. Mina connected the flash drive using an USB adaptor in her tablet, she examines the file. What fascinated Mina is that this mobile suit's head has a resemblance to that of an Gundam Astray, at the same time this MS is formed with five F1 car-like components.
"How intriguing... I've never seen such magnificent details. For what are you planning to do with this machine?", Mina asked.
"Whatever it takes to create the future.", Rio answered. "But I can't do this alone, as long as I believe in my own ambition to protect Orb's ideals and the future I want to create with my comrades."
Rio had a feeling why Dr. Paradox wanted to ask Rio to have the other Paradox Gundam developed in secret at Morgenroete, given that the Sahakus owned this company. Outside of Team Paradox, there's no one within Orb's noble families Rio could trust than Mina.
"I want to see if this is the "Ultimate Gundam" that the professor is talking about that can create the future...", Rio said before her eyes gaze at Mina. "This mobile suit has a very much superior design compared to the current ones, given that it comes from the future."
"Say no more. I will thoroughly study them. I hate to say that this Dr. Paradox is an impressive inventor.", Mina gladly accepted her former protegee's request. "Anything else do you want to ask?"
"Umm... I also have another blueprint for another series of mass-produced mobile suits. I'm going to bring with me are engineers who come from the same future as my other comrades."
"Again, say no more. I know exactly what you are thinking, Rio.", Mina got the gist of Rio's intentions. "Your loyalty to Orb is stronger than Cagalli's. I know why you come here to give me these blueprints."
"I'm different than Lady Cagalli. I will protect Orb in my own way, even if I have to get my hands dirty."
"Glad to hear that you still remember everything I taught you, Rio."
Later, Flay and Akiza continue their weekend bonding with Sai and Miriallia. They went into an amusement park and go on various rides. Akiza, however is apparently is somehow unaffected and unperturbed throughout in all of the rides, as shown when she kept her arms folded and wearing her aviators. While Flay, Sai, and Miri are all screaming at the top of their lungs when they are pushed to their limit.
To Flay's surprise, Akiza showed no signs, if not entirely, of visible fear for some reason.
As sunset passed, Sai and Mirialla parted ways as Flay stands and looks over across the city at the sea with Akiza. With the two redheads alone together, this gave Flay enough time to reflect on all of her adventures with Akiza, and knowing that the next chapter of her life is about to be set in stone.
Flay reflects the good days she had with her fellow Heliopolis friends and time with the Archangel. Back then, her volatile comments about Coordinators alienated her friends. The fact that with her death being undone and was able to reconcile with them, she is at least able to catch up and made peace with them ever since, wanting to have fun with her old friends.
"This Sai person, he used to be your fiance, am I correct?", Akiza questioned Flay's past relationship with Sai.
"Yeah. That was until I had slept with Kira.", Flay recalls the time she took advantage of Kira's fragile emotions, especially when the latter was overcome with grief when the Duel shot a civilian shuttle.
"I see...", Akiza replied. "Go on. I'm listening."
Flay continued, "Despite that I ended up falling for Kira. I soon realized that everything I did back then only pushed each other away. Kira had been facing so many dilemmas, especially with Athrun, who he had to fight as his enemy.", then brings up when Le Creuset put her in her place, "But for me, considering I ended up pushing away my friends, and the fact that I'm not cut out to be a soldier like what Le Crueset told me during my time with ZAFT, it made me realize not only how war can bring the worst in people, but the pain I felt through it all still lingers inside me. I feel I made a complete fool of myself for not understanding about it and still hated myself for it."
As Flay reflects how her fear and trauma back in the war did some damage to Kira and eventually alienating him made Flay realized her foolishness. Her romantic ties to Kira did nothing but push each other away. And Akiza points out that Flay is not supposed to do that knowing that Kira's emotional scars would become a part of her for the rest of her life as well.
"Even for a pilot like him, you should have not pushed him to his limits. Doing that will worsen his psyche. Kira is lucky that someone like Lacus Clyne was there to understand his pain and set him straight."
"I know that, Aki. And it was a tough decision for me to let him go so he can live happily with Lacus.", Flay said, while she leaned closer to her older partner. "The fact I'm still alive and after hitting rock bottom to that fateful day I met you changed me forever. The old Flay truly died in the war, now it's time for the new Flay Allster to live. I wanted to prove that I can change myself for the better. No matter how many times I stumble and fall, I can still stand up and keep going like what you always said, Aki. I won't allow myself to be led astray ever again."
If Lacus has the eyes and ears that will gaze upon and answer Kira's sorrow, the same can be said with Akiza for Flay. Akiza reminds Flay even her old friends cannot bring themselves to forget about her despite everything she has done in the past. They are still her friends nonetheless.
"At least they knew that you've changed since surviving the war.", Akiza remarked. "Do they know on what you're planning to do from that point on, considering of your obligation as member of Team Paradox?"
"Maybe or maybe not. But I can't say for certain on the path I've chosen. I don't even know what lies ahead. Being a member of Team Paradox, this is what I wanted to do. I want to find those answers for myself!"
Given how much she has learned from Akiza on the way she faced her inner demons, Flay is ready to look forward to the future. So it is fitting that Flay is always grateful to have met someone as wise and understanding as Akiza. Despite Akiza's rather edgy demeanor while around Sai and Miriallia, it is merely a facade to hide her true personality from strangers. Ever since ending up in the current era, Akiza saw herself as a stranger from a distant future; having ended up with a young girl who survived the war.
"Don't lose that conviction, Flay. And I told you before, the future won't be as scary as you think so long as you believe in yourself and your friends.", Akiza then lifts her arm and placed on Flay's shoulders. "Even if you stall for a while, you can always get yourself running again. Because in the next chapter of your life, that's going to be the true starting line towards the rest of your life and beyond."
When she asked Akiza about the "next chapter" of her life, Flay quickly guessed that would be the second war between the Earth Alliance and ZAFT. As a member of Team Paradox and given the designation of Gundam Operator Series Blue, Flay wants to prepare for the worst, given how her friends from the future know that another war is likely going to happen and it is needed for it to occur in order to find a way to stop JUNO.
As Flay looked on at the sunset, she smiled as her thoughts are filled with hope. From here on out, there are many things she has yet to find answers for. And like what Akiza mentioned earlier, the future remains uncertain, but there is nothing to be afraid of it so long she believes in herself and her comrades. Flay was thankful to have Akiza understand her pain and trauma from the earlier war, and since then she is able to put her past behind for good, wanting to focus on the present and the future.
"Aki... I'm ready for everything what lies ahead.", Flay said as the two redheads faced each other. "I don't care how uncertain it is. But, I can't do it alone."
Akiza replied, "I know that, Flay. We're in this together. You are a part of Team Paradox, remember that. Besides, Kiryu and I will be teaching you on how to pilot a mobile suit."
"I want to learn everything from you guys, if that's what it takes."
It becomes clear that Flay made her decision to learn from the real experts in what it means how to pilot a mobile suit. Akiza and Kiryu are more willing to teach her how. Given that the path she will take is going to be a one-way road that she will never go back from, the only thing Flay can do is what Akiza said to her is to believe in herself.
Author's Note:
- As the current time period takes place before the second PLANT-Alliance war, Rio managed to give everyone a heads up about the Junius Treaty. However, Ian foreshadowed that given that the war will most likely happen, the treaty will be rendered obsolete, meaning N-Jammer Cancellers will have to be used again.
- The Paradox Gundam currently piloted by Akiza is basically an experimental version of the concept type in the blueprints developed by Dr. Paradox. The concept version consists of five Formula 1 cars as its components.
- Akiza and Flay's outing is a reference to episode 31 of Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's where Jack spends an entire day with Carly after he's outed as a resident of Satellite.
- The future trio of Akiza, Ian, and Kiryu are the only characters in this story to possess some kind of superpowers of any kind considering that they are from the future. Akiza has psychic powers while keeping up with homages to her YGO 5D's counterpart. Kiryu has superhuman strength on an abnormal level because of his tendency to topple an enemy mobile suit in one punch. Ian is basically Bugs Bunny as a Gundam pilot; toon physics aside (such as being able to survive an explosion without being reduced to ash), this is the reason why he enjoys trolling people; he is adept at playing mind games on his enemies with the intent of driving them insane.
