Noah was floating amongst the wreckage of the battle, taking in the feeling of loss as he felt almost numb to it even as he knew countless lives were lost, some on his hand as he could have warned his people about the genesis cannon and they could have attempted to stop it early.
Closing his eyes Noah said a small prayer for the deceased and looked to the floor. Sitting between his legs was the young girl that was the "game" portion of the zero system. Looking up at him she frowned. "I'm starting to see why you wanted to end this stupid war. War is stupid. Why can't we all just get along and play games?" She asked and huffed as Noah maneuvered through the wreckage.
"'Cause so long as humanity exists there will always be battles. Someone won't like the skin color of another. Or their god demands the destruction of a certain people, or so many other stupid stupid reasons there will always be war. Hey if I utilize the Gabriel's GN EMP function…can I kill the genesis system long enough for Athrun to get on and handle his father like in the show without sacrificing the Justice?" Asked Noah as he looked to the sentient AI.
She nodded. "It's possible. However given the fact the GN EMP function is basically an overhauled Quan[T] burst you may end up almost copying the effects of the 00 burst at the end of gundam 00 with the green ring things." Explained the AI.
Noah nodded. "It's a risk I'm willing to take. If it opens a few minds, so be it." Said Noah as he turned and began to fly back to the valhalla.
Break
Once back on the Valhalla, Noah was quick to get his gundam docked and locked into a bay before he floated over to his personal workbench. Several models stood on it, one of which was the Gabriel. He hadn't piloted it since the 00 timeline due to the fact the royal version of EX-caliber was merged with the actual exia's frame and worked so much smoother and overall performed better.
Looking the model over he hoped his plan worked. If it did it took the genesis cannon out of the game. If it didn't…he would be cooked by radiation as soon as it fired. And there was no way the zero system was getting him out of that.
On the Archangel, Murrue floated up to the cockpit of the Build Strike and knocked on the door. She knew Mu was inside already so when it opened she smiled as he came out without his helmet on.
She smiled, "I didn't think I'd get to say goodbye." She stated and Mu looked at her with a shocked face.
"And what makes you think this is goodbye?" He said before knocking on the Build Strike. "With this thing I can do anything, including make it back to you AND make sure we win." He said before noticing her necklace that had floated out of her jacket. It was a small coffin shaped pendant with a rose on it.
"He was a mobile armor pilot…it's why you wouldn't date another one?" He asked and Murrue looked down and nodded. Gently cupping her chin he lifted her face and smiled at her. "Remember, I can make the impossible possible. Even Noah has mentioned it from time to time so it must be true. With this mobile suit I'll be back before you know it, promise." He said and with that Murrue pressed herself against him and kissed his lips, the two sharing the tender moment before breaking it.
"I better get back to the bridge." She said before letting go and floating off, turning around to watch Mu salute her and climb back into the Build Strike.
In the Buster Panzer's cockpit, Dearka radioed the bridge and got Miriallia on the line. Seeing him she smiled. "Be careful out there." She stated and blew him a small kiss over the comm line. He smiled and nodded. "I'll do my best. After all I'd hate to lose my home to some radical scum." He said as the Buster Panzer was moved to the catapult. She sighed and ended the call and he blinked. "Did she just hang up on me?" He asked surprised only to have her call back. "Don't just do your best…do it. Come back safe." She said before he nodded and they finally ended the call.
Break
"Mirror block exchange is nearing completion." Called out a crewman in the Genesis command center.
"Load targeting coordinates, the moon, ptolemaeus crater, earth forces base." Called out Patrick Zala as he readied to fire the deadly weapon once again. "Where are their reinforcements?" He asked as the Genesis began to use its maneuvering thrusters. "I'm seeing them at Green Alpha 5, mark 3, just beyond sector seven." Said the crewman who was manning the radar.
"They can hang on just a little longer. Give the evacuation signal. I want to fire as soon as possible!" Commanded Patrick as he stood out of his chair. With this blow he intended to set the course for this battle. "I'm taking my leave, I shall go handle Noah Carson myself…" He said as he left for the hangar, loosening his collar as he planned to utilize the finalized version of Nina's paladin to handle Noah himself.
Break
As Zaft retreated, Noah sent out his own retreat signal and sent a sign to the ships to get out of the way. He ultimately didn't get his chance to decide as the Genesis beam fired and raced towards the Earth alliance fleet once more, this time intent on passing through them to reach their base. However it never got the chance to reach the fleet as several bit devices flew in front of it and created a shining blue field. That field caught the beam, condensing it and focusing it into the waiting absorb shield of the Build Strike Cosmos. The gundam shook as it absorbed the massive radiated beam of energy.
"I won't… let you…destroy them." Said Sei over the comms as the beam finished absorbing into the shield and the battlefield stood at a stand still. At that point a battlefield wide broadcast went out. It was music…but nothing most of them had ever heard. As Noah led the Celestial being units into the fray he was broadcasting "still worth fighting for" by my darkest days, hoping to rally some out of their stupor and to their cause.
While this ultimately did end up working he noticed it simply caused the fighting to continue so he switched to a tactical comm channel with the Celestial being group of pilots. "Everybody do what you must but keep an eye out for the nukes. I have to go see what's going on with the Build Strike." He stated as he flew through the fray with Gabriel, causing a few Strike Daggers to go rigid as they prepared to be shot down but he passed them and a few GiNN's and other ZAFT units fired at him hoping to claim his head. Those that actually got in his way yes he sliced and diced, dodged and dove to avoid being shot down himself. But his eyes glowed as his GN drives put out large amounts of particles as he flew through people.
Reaching the Build Strike he had to cut a GiNN in half that had tried to claim his friend's machine. Looking it over he was surprised by what he saw. The model…was that. He could tell it wasn't translated into the system anymore as it glowed with the radiated energy it had absorbed. He could mostly tell due to the melted plastic around the arm where its shield was, even the torso was warped in a non-metallic fashion. "Another mystery…" Whispered Noah before his alarms went off warning him of an imminent threat. Thinking it was the providence he readied his GN sword bits and turned to face it but had to boost up to avoid a high powered beam shot that filled the space he had been in, the beam claiming the Build Strike as it enveloped it and the gunpla finally exploded.
Looking to his opponent he saw it was similar to the paladin, a Sinanju base again but this time it had been fused with a Tallgeese three as he watched it throw aside a agni cannon looking replica of the mega cannon used by the Tallgeese three. Reaching under its shield it drew a beam axe and came at Noah. He did NOT have time for this he thought as he noticed them moving a new mirror block into place far behind the new gundam. It quickly once more became a dance as Noah would block, parry and counter various strikes from the gundams axe and it did the same till finally they came to struggle over power, his GN long sword clashing with the beam axe.
That was when he got a comm ping from the gundam. Answering it he was surprised to see Patrick Zala in the cockpit flight suitless. He assumed Patrick intended to end him and if he didn't then there was no need for him to return. How he did not have a guard of C-GUEs and other elite ZAFT machines protecting him…all it took was a glance at his floor to remember the zero system again. It must have forced this conflict. "Noah carson. I have come to pass judgment on you. With that gundam you claimed to be a messenger of god, well allow the judge to decide your fate!" He shouted as he pushed them out of the struggle and tossed the axe aside, drawing a beam saber from his cuff and swiping at Noah like a dagger hidden in his sleeve. Patrick unfortunately found purchase in his slash and 'cause a good gash in the Gabriels torso.
Thankfully Noah was still utilizing a plavsky particle control system in this gundam so when the gash would have normally caused several systems to spark or explode on him instead it simply caused a flash of the controls but otherwise he was fine. "Patrick you crazy son of a bitch. You really think this will end with me dying?" Asked Noah as he circled the judge, Patrick doing the same. Patrick chuckled. "It doesn't have to. I just need to stall you long enough that the naturals forces can be broken with another shot from Genesis. Then whether I die or live is of little consequence. I'LL DIE A HERO TO THE COORDINATOR PEOPLE!" He shouted and charged Noah, the two of them resuming their dance and beginning to work their way back into the fray, however it seemed most units realized this was a fight between them so they were ignored as they flew around, clashing and striking each other though it was clear to Noah that Patrick did just intend to stall him. The man was barely going for killing blows but did make the occasional slash here and there at Noah. "Patrick…" Said Noah quietly as he knew this fight had to happen.
This wasn't between them. No he could feel it as he moved his control orbs. This was a fight between the two zero system partitions. He swore he could almost hear their own banter and see the woman he met in the bar back in the 00 timeline behind Patrick in the screen. He could even swear he could remove his hands and Gabriel would be fighting all on his own. Still though he tried to impart his will on the fight even as Patrick got behind his defenses once again and managed to damage his right arm which held his GN katar's as a GN shield 2. Having to disengage them he tried to take his own bit of flesh from Patrick and managed to drive his sword into the Judge's knee even though that did little in space.
This fight was a fierce one and as they got some distance they both tried firing their ranged weapons to try and score a hit that way before coming to clash once more.
Break
Natarle could only sit back and listen as she heard Azrael frantically call for them to send in the nukes and have all ships target the Plants. It would do nothing with that weapon on the field. There was no stopping him. And after he drew a gun on her earlier she didn't plan to try and stop him. Instead she was just silent, only giving ship movement and attack orders, things her crew could follow. She could feel the unease on the bridge. No one wanted this and if they did they were more scared of the madman "leading the charge."
She hoped they didn't have to fight the Archangel, but she could also see the Celestial being forces cutting a swath through both sides, both lethally and non-lethally. Reports had come in about 3 more GN drive powered units, each of which was sporting remote weapons similar to Noah's bits he had displayed off Gabriel in one way or another. As the launch order was given she could only hope that like the beam had been intercepted for them that Noah had some plan to stop the nukes from hitting the Plants. That was when she heard that the Archangel was bearing down on them. Looked like she was going to have to fight her friends after all.
Break
As the "peacemaker" corp was launched the Calamity, Raider and Forbidden once again moved to protect them. This of course gave away the act that was happening and the Celestial being forces were quick to pursue. As Dearka, Yzak and Nicol began to tango with the three prototypes, Valeria was quick to launch all of her gun and holster bits and stopped. Prepping a firing solution to target all the mobile armors or as many as she could. Bringing up the advanced targeting array of the "Zabany Eclipse" just a Zabanya gundam with a purple paint job, she had to stop as a swarm of strike daggers engaged her. "Shit. I can't get a firing solution. Anyone else got one?'' She asked as he danced around her to block shots and take some of their own, the sniper pilot taking a few shots herself but still focusing on non-lethal takedowns which was hard.
"Negative. I don't have the firepower to waste them!" Said Cecil as he was engaging his own swarm of Strike Daggers.
"I have the fire power…but not the targeting system to do it." Said Alfred as he dodged a stray shot from the Calamity that stopped him from going after the Peacemaker Corp.
"I think me and Athrun have it…" Said Kira over comms as he saw the seed burst in his mind. As the nukes launched his own targeting system came up and he began to chain target the nukes. However as he fired he gasped when he noticed he had been short a few missiles in his meteor. "Shit I missed some…Athrun!" He called out.
Athrun was firing his own barrage at the same time. "No time…I can't." Said Athrun.
Thankfully Alfred flew past them both. "I got this lads. Just remember me if I don't make it." Said Alfred as he flew into the remaining missiles and his funnels began to shoot them down around him. Rocked by the massive explosions he was just barely staying ahead of them. Noticing one missile was left he sighed and maxed out his acceleration. Flying in front of the missile he activated a GN field and saluted to his fellow pilots over comms. "See ya on the other side kids…Cecil…make it count." He said before the nuke hit his GN field and exploded on him.
"Alfred!" Shouted Valeria and she saw her own seed burst in her mind. Bringing up her targeting system she flew high above everyone and similar to Lyle in the gundam 00 movie began to chain target the mobile armors and strike daggers and as she pressed the fire button to initiate the chain she sobbed as she mourned her friend and fellow pilot as she eliminated almost all the mobile armors and 30 strike daggers before he bits had to return to recharge.
Break
As the duel between the Archangel and Dominion continued, Murrue grimaced as she could tell Natarle was pulling her punches but also was trying to put up a fight. Sending out a message to all the units that may need re-supplied to land with the Valhalla instead of with her she noticed the Build Strike full package was slowly returning, heavily damaged. "Incoming transmission, it's from the Strike!" as it came on screen she saw that Mu was breathing heavily and smoke was filling his cockpit.
"Le Creuset…his new machine…it's too strong. I couldn't keep up with his remote weapons." He said and Murrue nodded. "Don't worry, you'll get him next time." She said before calling for a crash net in the hangar.
However as she did so she got word that the Dominion was charging up its remaining Iohengrin as well as that there were life boats leaving the dominion. It seemed they were abandoning ship. But if they were still intent on firing…someone had to still be aboard.
Onboard the Dominion, Natarle bit her lip as she held her side. She had been shot in a tussle with Muruta. Currently he was figuring out the working of the weapons chair for the Dominion.
On the Archangel, Murrue was surprised when the lohengrin actually fired. "Evade!" she shouted, "too late!" Called back Ensign Neumann as he tried to maneuver was headed straight for the bridge. But just as it was about to hit something flew in front of them. Taking a moment to look she gasped seeing the Build Strike blocking the lohengrin shot. "Mu no!" She shouted.
As the beam finally overwhelmed the Strike and it exploded Murrue cried out in anguish. However as the nuclear explosion pushed the Archangel back and the smoke cleared she was surprised to hear they were still getting a message from the Build Strike still. Then she remembered! The core fighter! She smiled through tears seeing Mu on her monitor as he flew off.
"See… told ya I could make the impossible possible! I'll see you guys on the Valhalla!" He said as he flew away and Murrue took a deep breath, nodding and closing the comm. "All hands target the Dominion, charge lohengrins!" She shouted but Kuzzey called out again, "Message from a new contact!" Who was hailing them now. It was then that they saw a face none of them recognized. It was a young man, clearly a full grown adult, with some odd sunglasses on and no flight suit.
"Wait a moment, I must rescue a friend of yours," Said the person before hanging up. As he did so they saw what looked like another of Noah's EX-caliber models, but closer to his original design, fly towards the Dominion. As it did it fired several beams at the exposed lohengrin, destroying it before it took advantage of the open hangar door and flew inside the Dominion.
Unsure what to do Murrue simply held up a hand in a way to tell her crew to wait. As they did so several smaller explosions happened within the Dominion as it continued its path towards them.
Finally they received another hail after about 5 minutes of waiting, seeing the same young man with Natarle in his lap, she was panting and holding a wounded shoulder. "Do it Captain Ramius…the bastard Azreal is trapped on the bridge." Said the man before the call ended and Murrue threw her hand forward. "Aim lohengrin's at the Dominion! Fire!" She called out and watched with extreme satisfaction as the shot connected with the bridge and the ship went up with a spectacular explosion. Looking around at her crew she sighed. "Let's go home people…full retreat, get us out of here!" She said which got cheers from everyone. She didn't worry that the EX-caliber look alive did not leave the Dominion. She knew exactly who had rescued Natarle. Maybe not by name but she knew who he was friends with. And that was safe enough for her to know she would see her old XO again.
Break
Noah panted as he held his side. A lucky Strike on the Gabriels side had caused damage to the cockpit, causing a piece of metal to slice into his side. Glaring at his screen he saw the Judge, missing an arm and its shield, it had severe damage to its right shoulder and was missing its left leg now. Its face had taken a beam saber and was partially melted but otherwise was intact. One of its thruster pods was also missing.
Noah's own damage was just as severe. All his sword bits had managed to get destroyed. He was missing his right hand and held a beam saber in his left. His own left leg had been traded for dodging a possible game ending blow. His head was gone and he was running low on particles as he had managed to transam twice, once with just his GN drives and the second time he had dumped his GN deep wells but as a sign that Patrick was in fact influenced by the zero system he had somehow kept up with Noah and his movements as even with his second trans-am he had tried to escape. That was what cost Patrick his one thruster pod as it had overloaded and exploded. Both gundams and pilots were pushed to their limits.
Finally Noah's beam saber shut down as his GN particles couldn't keep it charged and keep the machine on. This was it, the Judge moved in on him and Noah knew this is where he could likely die…but it seemed fat had other plans as he closed his eyes, but death never came. Neither did his cockpit jolting from an attack and his system shutting down.
Opening his eyes he could see the original Blitz and Duel holding the machine back, the Buster was also there and the Aegis was beside it with a beam saber spike thing ready. The only GAT series missing was the Strike.
Getting a hail from the Aegis he saw Athrun, sweat covering his face as he looked like he had run a marathon. "Let me talk to my father. I have to try and end this without losing another family member." Said Athrun and Noah nodded.
The Judge went slack a moment later and Noah thought maybe he got through to his father. But unfortunately a moment later the Judge began thrashing as best it could and suddenly all four machines had stabbed it's core, the Buster with a combat knife from the Buster Panzer, the rest with beam sabers.
It was done…as they all backed away and the Judge exploded….it was done. Noah felt himself relax and his vision became dark before it fully consumed him and he passed out
Break
And that's Endgame part 2. To be fair I will probably give this ending a bit of a redo, but it's later and I atleast have a rough draft of this done plus a start on the Seed Destiny story going. Yeah I'm probably not gonna continue Cosmic Wolf for a bit due to me getting my groove back with this story. However I will eventually return to it. I mean I banged out what, 15 chapters for the Cosmic Wolf in a few weeks…This story took years. YEARS so…expect a short epilogue chapter to follow this one before we get to the Seed Destiny storyline.