Phase-29: Broken Promises
The Destroy had finally reached the city of Berlin, now filled with the screams of the fleeing citizens, and the thunder of cannons and explosions. The snow was gently falling over this hellscape of ruin and devastation. Even though some ZAFT soldiers were trying to help the crying children looking for their parents or the people blocked under the debris, there were just too many. The ZAFT troops did their utmost to cover the escape of the population and stop the rampage of the monstrous mobile armor, but the enemy was protected by a positron reflector shield. And then it would fire and rotate the twenty barrels of its 'Nefertem 503' thermal plasma composite cannons and launch its missiles. DINNS, BABIs, GINNs, BuCUEs, GAZuOOTs, GuAIZs... let alone the armored vehicles, none stood a chance against that thing's sheer destructive power. Even the two Compton-class battleships were taken out by a single shot of the twin-barreled 'Aufprall Dreizehn' high energy beam cannons. The Bonaparte remained close but still at a safe distance in the rear, guarded by Windams, the Chaos, and Neo's customized unit. Sting humphed and looked away. Stella howled and fired away, ravaging the ground and air forces... as well as the city and its people.
Lord Djibril burst into a cruel laughter in his secret underground chamber. He was videoconferencing with some of his LOGOS associates while they simultaneously watched the devastation caused by the newly unleashed calamity.
"How do you like that? Isn't the Destroy overwhelming?"
"It certainly is. Everything's being reduced to ashes, leaving nothing behind."
"How much do you plan to burn with this thing?" The other LOGOS members completely failed to share his bloodthirsty glee. They were merchants before being anti-Coordinators. They would much rather use, and transform what had been made and left by the technologically advanced Coordinators and the workforce (people) there for their own benefit... and thus saw no point in this mindless, gratuitous, wanton destruction that was far too excessive... There was nothing to be gained from a pile of ash after all. In other words their feelings could be summarized as 'what a waste'.
"As long as there is ZAFT, we'll keep burning." Djibril answered with a smile and a glass of wine. "Anyone suspected of being friendly with them needs to be taught another lesson to clarify things. We Naturals and Coordinators are different. If anyone should betray that fact, they'll go straight to hell."
And alarm rang in Roanoke's Windam and in Stella's cockpit, notifying them of an incoming attack. The 'Schneidschutz' SX1021 Positron Reflector Shield deflected the beam that had pierced the clouds. A gundam descended. It was the Freedom. A moment later, the Earth Forces spotted the Archangel beyond the smoke. Neo clicked his tongue and swore. As Kira got closer he fired his beam rifle, which was blocked as well, and quickly got away, cursing the sheer size of that Goliath. The Freedom buzzed over and around the titan's head, occasionally shooting beams, testing its defense. Stella got angry and fired the 'Nefertem 503' cannons. Kira slashed the beams about to hit him with his beam saber and charged again but was forced to swerve away when the magenta Windam attacked him form behind. Neo positioned himself at Stella's side and warned her to be careful as the Freedom was a tough one. She glared at the Freedom coming at her from the front.
"Whatever you throw at me, I will...!" She pressed a button and the Destroy started transforming. Kira stopped at a safe distance. Not only him, but the crew of the Archangel and Sting as well were shocked to see that the behemoth had actually turned into a mobile suit. Stella fired her three 'Super Scylla' 1580mm multi-phase energy cannons. As the Freedom dodged, the beams razed another large part of the city, appalling the staff of the Archangel.
"Damn! Why are you doing this?!" Kira raged and once more went after the giant mobile suit.
"Tsk, completely out of your sight, am I?" Angry at being ignored, like he was being deemed a worthless opponent, Sting entered the fray as well. The Destroy shot its finger-mounted beam guns. Kira was fighting alone against three opponents.
"Back him up! Aim Gottfrieds! Fire!" Murrue instructed. The Chaos and magenta Windam scattered as the Destroy stepped forward and deflected the attack. The Archangel's bridge members were stunned that even the firepower of their improved Gottfried cannon was not enough. Cagalli decided to sortie too as Kira was at too much of a disadvantage. They suddenly received a communication from Amagi, requesting that they be able to sortie as well. Behind him were five men already in their pilot suits.
"This battle isn't for Orb's sake by any means, but we can't just sit back and watch!" He asserted, his men nodding behind him. Stella detached her unit's forearms and sent them after the Freedom, shooting its ten split beam guns.
"Okay, let's go!" Cagalli gave her permission. Murrue asked her if it was really alright. What if something happened to Orb's Chief Representative in the battle? But Athha just could not ignore this situation. Rayner had wanted to sortie as well but the state of his machine did not permit it so he would bite back his frustration and keep helping in the bridge.
At the ZAFT Military Affairs Station, also known as Headquarters, a large cylindrical station at the PLANTs homeland, the staff was also minutely following the situation. The Gardina Team was no longer responding. Gibraltar was demanding orders for a response to the situation. Hence, the Supreme Council had been urgently convened to find a way to deal with this plight. Needless to say, they were all indignant about the ways of the Earth Forces. Going through such mass destruction without warning, indiscriminately burning whole cities, that was totally insane! Most of the troops stationed at the cities had been annihilated. A member of the National Defense Committee enjoined the Chairman to order a temporary retreat.
"But what will withdrawing do? Will pulling our troops solve anything?" He sharply glanced at the footage of the rampaging titan. The man gasped, recoiling a little. Even if they retreated, the enemy would just keep advancing, and devastating more cities. "What about the Minerva? Where is it right now?"
"They're heading for Berlin on orders from the fleets command center."
More precisely, the Minerva was currently flying over the Alps. Athrun, Lunamaria, and Rey, whose machines had been too damaged to participate in this battle, were sitting out in the pilot lounge. Shinn and Seren came in, wearing their pilot suits. She handed Chacha to Athrun so he would feel less lonely and smiled reassuringly at him. The pilots on standby sat down without a word and looked at their PDA, showing pictures and all the data collected on the Destroy since its first appearance.
"But at the present, that ship lacks battle power as well. They'll hardly be of help."
"That may be so... but it must be done!" Durandal stood up. "Someone's got to stop them or they'll get even more conceited and keep on burning cities. That can never be allowed." He strongly declared. The uncertain council members who had been muttering among themselves finally stopped talking.
Cagalli launched in the Strike Rouge, followed by several Murasames. Kira fired all his weapons at the Destroy, but everything was deflected and hit the city instead. The 'Sturm Faust' arm beam cannons and the beam guns on the fingers fired away too, chasing after the Freedom that accurately, dexterously, yet arduously maneuvered through the beams.
"Strength is not determined by the performance of a mobile suit!" Sting shot his beam rifle and shield mounted 'Picus' 76mm machine guns. "I'll defeat you myself!" He continued his relentless onslaught. Kira swore. While he was stalled by the Chaos, the Destroy had resumed its massacre! That was until the Murasames came as reinforcement and took over fighting the Chaos. Kira hesitated but Cagalli reassured him, so he returned to the giant mobile suit. Sting wanted to go after him but Ikeya, Gou and Nishizawa, three Murasame pilots, blocked his path and kept him under nourished fire.
As the Minerva neared the target, Meyrin brought up the visual. She also informed the Captain of the lack of response from the frontline command post. Burt Heim confirmed the situation with thermal patterns. The Freedom was fighting! The news shocked the bridge staff. There were also the Chaos, Windams, Murasames of the Orb Forces, the Strike Rouge... and the Archangel. Talia heaved a troubled sigh. Stella shot her three 'Super Scylla' multi-phase cannons again, together with the mouth-mounted 'Zorn Mk2' cannon that the Freedom dodged before retaliating. However, no ranged attack could pierce the positron reflector shields. The Murasames were keeping the Chaos busy. Cagalli was protecting the population from stray beams.
"You're kidding... what's that ship doing here?" Trine expressed his confusion.
"Just as expected of the self-appointed Archangel of Justice indeed... 'as long as there's a voice crying for help'... is it?" She stopped her musings and looked up determinedly. "Issue Condition Red. Prepare for anti-mobile suit combat!" The bridge was lowered into the CIC. Meyrin relayed and repeated the orders to the whole crew and instructed the pilots to standby in their respective units. The two put their PDA down and stood up. Luna worriedly spoke the boy's name, but Athrun's concerned gaze was fixed on his childhood friend. As they were about to step out, Captain Gladys appeared on the screen. "Seren, Shinn. The situation seems to be a lot more chaotic than imagined. We can't reach the frontline military forces. The enemy is currently being engaged by the Freedom and Archangel." Her declaration caused all the pilots to gasp. Seren's whole face tensed up.
"Kira..." Athrun muttered. He and Luna had come closer as well.
"How come?! Why are they here?!" Asuka complained.
"I don't know what they're thinking, but don't mistake our enemy." Talia drove her point home. Shinn looked down but did not voice any agreement or disagreement. "I know our battle power is limited right now, but our ship has to stop that thing no matter what it takes. Headquarters is counting on you. Seren, you'll take command. Do your best you two." She cut off the communication after Seren rogered.
"Seren, that's... you..." Zala took a few steps towards her.
"I'll be fine. I'll properly do my part. I'll protect our berserk brat as well, and as many as I can." Canaver lightly hit his chest with the side of her fist and give him another reassuring smile... although that smile felt rather strained to him. "Shinn, let's go. People die every minute we lose."
"Yes." Shinn glanced back at Athrun who frowned slightly at him. After a moment, the child left without a word, ignoring Athrun calling his name. The male FAITH member looked down with a faint smile of self-derision. Rey and Lunamaria silently observed him.
Stella howled again. Her unit's forearms had reattached themselves and she was once more shooting the split beam guns and launching a volley of missiles. Kira entered SEED mode and simultaneously fired all his machine's weapons. But although he had successfully parried this time, the Destroy could basically attack continuously. Kira was struggling alone, especially with Neo backing Stella. However, Yamato had this strange yet familiar feeling each time that magenta Windam approached, just like when Le Creuset would attack him in the previous war... why?
Each pull of the trigger, each step of the Destroy ravaged Berlin more and more. And the Archangel couldn't fire their Lohengrin in the city. Sting was still being dogged by the Murasames. The blonde Extended detached her unit's arms again that chased the Freedom. She recalled Neo's words "You'll have to use this to fight again, Stella. Otherwise, scary things will come and kill us all. If it's Stella, you can do it. You must get rid of all the scary things." She strengthened her resolve and roared, firing her 'Zorn Mk2' cannon.
Shinn took off in the Core Splendor, followed by the Chest Flyer, Leg Flyer and Force Silhouette. They soon assembled into the ZGMF-X56S Impulse. Then Seren launched in the Fortuna. Their approach was detected by the Phantom Pain pilots, and by Miriallia in the Archangel. Haw also reported the arrival of the Minerva. Ramius frowned, knowing the situation had just gotten more delicate given their shared past at the Dardanelles and Crete.
"It would be nice if we could join forces, but at this point, that could be difficult." Talia mused. In the Minerva's pilot lounge, Athrun, Rey and Luna had their eyes fixed on the screen showing them the battle.
"Shinn, I'm sure you know but I'll repeat it again. The enemy is that giant thing, the Chaos, and those Windams. In order to defeat them and protect the people, we need to cooperate with the Freedom. So don't blindly charge on emotions and go after it." Seren warned, transforming her unit into a mobile armor, and zoomed forward.
"Geez, I get it already!" Asuka shot his beam rifle but did very little damage. He unsheathed his beam saber and charged. The Fortuna's pilot sighed. Loussier glared at the new mobile suits.
Otherwise, scary things will come and kill us all.
Promise that you will return her to a kind warm world!
The two roared, Shinn hell-bent on slaying that monster wreaking such destruction on the world, and Stella on getting rid of the scary things trying to kill her, Neo, and the others. They desperately strived to kill each other, not knowing the pilot of the 'enemy unit' was actually one they cared so much about. The scary thing Stella was trying to get rid off was one who had sworn to protect her. Shinn, in order to fulfill his promise to protect her, had returned her to the Earth Alliance, and extorted a promise from that Neo. But although Seren had warned him that he and Stella would likely meet again on the battlefield, Shinn just could not imagine that Neo would have really broken his promise, and so soon, and that he was trying to kill one he actually wanted to protect.
Stella fired her 'Super Scylla' multi-phase cannons and then her ten finger cannons, but the Impulse and Fortuna dodged everything and closed in. Although terrified, she couldn't do anything but shrink back in her seat and turn her head as he slashed her cockpit as he passed by and Seren shot her 'Zorn Mk2' cannon with her 'Invictus' rail cannons. The Destroy was built solely for mass destruction. It possessed an incredibly wide range of attack and powerful weapons, but did not have a single melee weapon. Its sheer bulk and lack of mobility rendered close combat impossible to begin with. The inventors had tabbed on the enemies being taken down by that barrage of beams and missiles before they could get close enough. But Shinn and Seren had surpassed that and were making full use of their own machine's mobility. Taking note of the situation, Neo cried Stella's name and disengaged from the Freedom. Stunned that the enemy had not been defeated by his slash, Asuka wondered what the deal was with this monster. Maddened, Stella fired her backpack's 'Nefertem 503' cannons completely at random, tears streaming down her eyes. Extreme fear and anger were clearly causing her to lose her mind more and more as she was being cornered.
"Why are you doing this?" Shinn could not believe what he was seeing, this total, indiscriminate, nonsensical devastation, and against innocent civilians. "Why do you want to kill people so badly?!" He raged and lunged again. Stella fired all twelve beam guns of her unit's detachable arms. The boy kept charging, only to have the customized Windam fire warning shots at him and ramming into him.
"Shinn!" Canaver cried concernedly. She had seen the Windam charging him but could not do anything due to being held at bay by the 'Sturm Faust'.
"Stop it, kid! The pilot operating that is Stella!" His yell paralyzed Shinn who widened his eyes in horror. He finally recognized the machine that had come to fetch Stella when he had returned her to the Earth Forces, as well as its pilot's, Neo's voice. Asuka zoomed several times on the gash he had made in the Destroy's cockpit. It was not a lie. It was really Stella piloting that thing. The fight was taken out of him like the wind after a punch. Sensing that, Roanoke let go and backed away. Seren turned her unit back into a mobile suit, shielded herself while simultaneously firing her binders's weapons until the moving arm exploded.
"Neo!" Loussier cried and took a step forward. The Freedom fired its 'Xiphias' rail cannons. The shells fell on either end of the laceration caused by the Impulse. The girl screamed and shielded her face from the explosions and debris with her arms. Neo worriedly yelled her name. The Fortuna targeted the monster's right ankle joint, under the red part, and fired its 'Caelestis' and 'Invictus' cannons. There was another explosion and the giant started to lose balance.
"What are you doing?! Do you wanna be an easy target?!" Both Seren and Kira bellowed at Shinn out of concern for him as they went to his side, but the boy was still too shaken to move (or note how those had spoken the very same words at the very same time). The other ZAFT pilots and officers in the Minerva had also noticed something strange about him. Why wasn't he moving? Had he been hit? Stella looked at her arms. A number of sharp metals pieces were planted in them, and in her shoulder and chest guards.
Otherwise... kill us all... Neo's words rang again in her mind. Her tears and panic doubled.
"No... no way... I don't wanna die... I'm scared..." She held her head, or helmet. The Earth Forces commander clicked his tongue and went after the Freedom. His rifle beams were blocked. He took a 'Stiletto' rocket-propelled anti-armor penetrator that was stored in his unit's side and threw it. The small throwing knife exploded upon contact, destroying the Freedom's shield.
"Murrue-san, I'm leaving things here to you!" Yamato requested and quickly sliced off the magenta Windam's arms, ignoring the woman's confusion. Neo's wrecked mobile suit descended and crashed. Luckily, he had been able to maintain balance and slow down the descent so the Windam landed on its feet before collapsing and falling apart, the top part disconnecting from the lower half, and the head rolling away from the shoulders. There were more explosions.
"Neo! NEO!" Stella screamed Neo's name again. The fall of her one unbreakable pillar was pushing her over the edge. The Archangel approached the place of the crash. Murrue gasped when she saw the fallen man who had managed to escape the cockpit before fainting.
"Shinn! What's wrong? What are you doing? Shinn!" Canaver called her fellow pilot, trying to make him snap out of it, to no avail. He just could not attack Stella. Besides, she had stopped attacking too.
In truth, the blonde child's psyche kept spiraling down and down, around the axis formed by Neo's words, "Otherwise... kill us all..." When she had previously fought against the gundams of the Minerva, and before that, when she had gone to steal the Gaia, she would have been killed if she hadn't killed those ZAFT soldiers first. Even when she was just a child in the Lodonia Laboratory, made to fight against the other kids, only the strongest survived, only those who killed the others. That was what she had always known, the only thing she had ever known... until she met Shinn. The only person who had ever said he would protect her was Shinn. But Shinn was not here. He couldn't protect her.
"Damn, this is bad! Bonaparte, I'm retreating!" Oakley informed them. Those three veteran Orb soldiers had proven too much for him and his mobile suit would soon run out of power. However, they damaged his machine before he could break away, and he was falling freely. But even then, the Murasame were not about to let him escape, and bisected the Chaos. There were two explosions. That was finally the last straw for Stella as another of her ally had been defeated. Now it was going to be her turn. She was going to be killed!
"No. No way. NOOOOOOOO!" The thread of her sanity snapped and she fired her triple 'Super Scylla' multi-phase cannon, pivoting and razing everything.
"No! Stop it, Stella! Stella!" Shinn cried. But that was all he did.
"Damn! Stop it right now!" Kira lunged, his beam colliding with her positron reflector shield. He quickly withdrew to avoid falling prey to her finger-mounted cannons. The Fortuna circled to the back of the Destroy, took out its 'Libra' twin anti-ship swords, then swooped down on the left side, tearing through the flank of the left 'Scylla' cannon and the left arm. But because of that, she had not noticed or been in a position to stop Shinn from going after the Freedom, swinging at it, chasing it away from Stella.
"You don't know a thing! That is... that pilot is...!" The boy floundered, throwing not only Kira, but his comrades in the Minerva in total confusion, the Captain and Deputy Captain, but also Lunamaria and Athrun who were watching the monitor in the lounge... And then Seren, when she realized what was happening.
"Shinn! What the hell are you doing?! I told you the Freedom's not the enemy! That thing is! So snap out of it and help us out!" Canaver sharply rebuked him, preparing to attack the Destroy again.
"You tell me what the hell YOU are doing!" Asuka raged and tried to slam into the Fortuna but it dodged, shocking the people of the Minerva even more. Even though the Impulse, Fortuna, and Freedom should be cooperating in order to defeat that titanic mobile suit, why was Shinn suddenly defending that monster and attacking the Freedom?! Well, the Freedom was one thing, but why the Fortuna as well?! What the hell are you doing?! Athrun was yelling the same question in the lounge, although Asuka could not hear him. "It's Stella piloting that thing!"
"What?!" Seren stopped and zoomed several times on the gash in the cockpit. That was true. She started trembling, gritting her teeth. Then she closed eyes and deeply exhaled, calming herself. When she opened her eyes again, she had steeled her resolve. "Alright, I'll give you a chance. But Shinn, take a good look around you. She's already caused far too much damage. Hundreds, thousands can die each time she pulls the trigger. I will not allow any more sacrifices, be it for your sake or hers. If you cannot stop her, then I will, even by force, even if I have to kill her. If you want to blame someone, blame that Neo who broke his promise to return her to a kind world and completely took advantage of your feelings. By the way, if you try to stop me, then I'll take you down as well. Be well aware of that." She lowered her weapons as well, but did not store them.
"...I know." Although Shinn wasn't fully satisfied since she had told him she would kill Stella and take him down, but her harsh, freezing, and ruthless tone allowed for no back talk. And despite anything, he was aware that she was only acting out of duty, to protect the people. He understood where she was coming from, but he could never sacrifice Stella like she would, because she was a victim too. He just didn't want anyone to die, not those innocent citizens, and not Stella. And Seren was still giving him permission to talk to Stella. Shinn deactivated his beam saber and returned to the Destroy. "Stella! Stella! It's me, Shinn!" His words, however, did not reach the hysterical girl who had her head down, her eyes tightly shut, and in her overwhelming panic was still randomly shooting. Seren had switching to cutting and shooting the beams and shells down. "Stella! It's alright, Stella!" He flew inbetween the beams and approached her, having stored all his weapons. Still, the Destroy extended its hand towards the Impulse, ready to fire. "You won't die! I will, I will protect you!" His desperate screams and feelings, enough to bring tears to his own eyes, finally reached Loussier who paused and looked up. Even though her memories should have been overwritten, she still recalled that kind boy who had saved her from drowning, stayed with her in that cave, nursed her ankle, and promised to protect her. If 'die' was the trigger that sent her into a frenzy, then 'I will protect you' was certainly the one that appeased her and brought her back.
"Shinn..." She smiled in relief and lowered her weapon.
"Ste... lla..?" He was still unsure that she had calmed down and recognized him... but she had. They had properly connected. Both could feel it. Kira slowly descended, observing the situation from closer. Likewise, Seren ascended, having gone down to protect the population. As that gundam's pilot had been pacified, things seemed to have finally and successfully quietened. Still, it was too soon to fully let your guard down.
However, who could have predicted that a mini-explosion in the cockpit would snap her back to reality and draw her attention not just to the Impulse but also the Freedom coming into view a distance behind it on the left. Although it was not in a threatening stance, it held a beam saber and could switch to attack at a moment's notice. As she frantically looked around, she caught sight of the Fortuna, and her state worsened. The Freedom had torn into her gundam already, and it had sliced Neo's Windam apart, making it explode. The Fortuna had gouged into her unit as well. She had seen it destroy her 'Zorn Mk2' cannon up close, it had sliced her arm and flank, causing explosions, and nearly made her fall. Neo's warning echoed into her head again... Otherwise... kill us all... stoking, rekindling, fanning her all-consuming fear that the Freedom would kill her like it had killed her beloved Neo. Or was it going to be the Fortuna? Unfortunately, the spider's thread her crumbling mind caught was not Shinn's promise to protect her, but again Neo's intimation, like a posthypnotic suggestion; Stella, you can do it. You must get rid of all the scary things. Shinn, Seren and Kira gasped as the Destroy started advancing again.
"This isn't good! Neumann!" Chandra barked.
"Aim Tristans! Target: the enemy's giant mobile suit!" Gladys-kanchou ordered. Shinn tried to call out to Stella again, begging her to stop. But she could no longer hear him. The 'Super Scylla' triple multi-phase cannon began charging. Now even if she suddenly regained her sanity somehow and tried to invalidate the input command, it was no longer impossible. Still, Shinn did not move.
"Stop it already!" Kira and Seren lunged.
"Stella!" Asuka kept yelling desperately. Loussier roared. The very second before she fired, the Freedom and Fortuna stabbed the middle cannon with a beam saber and a 'Libra' sword. Sparks flew. Their pilots stabbed their other blades, to Shinn's horror, and retreated. But upon noticing that the Impulse was still not moving at all, Seren returned.
"Shinn, what are you doing?! You must get away!" The Fortuna hugged the Impulse and pushed it backward. A series of explosions occurred around the 'Scylla' cannons and in the cockpit. Stella screamed, attempting to shield herself. The ZAFT machines were blown away. As they were too close, the whole back of the X22S Fortuna was heavily damaged by the explosions, shockwave, and debris. Her unit started malfunctioning and an explosion occurred in her propulsion system. The Destroy fell backwards. Finally, the giant was down. Asuka barely took the time to lower the smoking Fortuna down to a safe height before rocketing towards the Destroy, not even inquiring about Seren's safety. After he left, sparks flew in her cockpit as well, smoke came out and mini explosions occurred. Meyrin reported the damage Canaver's unit had suffered, making the Captain and Vice-captain gasp. Seren still managed to open her cockpit and escape.
Lunamaria and Athrun were gaping but Rey showed not a trace of expression, until a slight frown came to darken his countenance. Murrue Ramius was staring at the fallen Earth Forces commander, visibly very shaken as she had recognized the face of the man she still loved, and that was supposed to be dead.
"Stella! Stella!" Shinn had landed near the cockpit of the Destroy and extirpated the blonde girl he had delicately placed on the ground. He was supporting her upper body and crying.
"Shinn..." She weakly spoke, opening her eyes that no longer possessed any hint of the madness that had animated them just a moment before. "Shinn... Have you come to see me?" She forced out, a faint smile on her lips. The boy caught the hand she had raised to touch him. His contained sadness made his shoulders tremble uncontrollably. "Shinn... you said... you'd protect me..." Pain twisted her pretty features. He fearfully cried her name again. "Shinn, I love you." Her last words left her lips, along with her final breath. Her tearful eyes closed forever as her body went limp and her hand fell back on the ground. Shinn started weeping harder. He had been unable to protect Stella, like he had been unable to protect his family. He had lost them all. Just like that that day, he howled all his anguish as the sky at the top of his voice. And just like that day, the Freedom was flying in the sky, the sky toward which the smoke and embers from the destroyed city were billowing.
Seren stood atop a pile of rubble, holding her wounded right side. She had discarded her cracked helmet. Blood was trickling down her right arm as well onto the ground. Her left arm was injured too, but less. Red also stained the right side of her face. And right now, more than her injuries, she was taken by the sight in front on her. Down there Shinn picked Stella's lifeless body in his arms and walked away. ZAFT soldiers were aiming their weapons in his direction, believing that the enemy pilot might still be alive, but they cowered away upon seeing the rage and tears warping his features. Wait, where was he taking her?! Seren saw him board his gundam with her and watched them take off. He surely hadn't received permission for that and Gladys wouldn't be too happy about that but it was better this way. He could say his goodbyes and her remains at least would be treated preciously. Seren clenched her good fist. Stella couldn't be saved. How was Shinn going to act in the future? Then a soldier came to fetch her and make her return to the Minerva where she was immediately taken to the medical wing and treated.
When Seren came out of the infirmary, Athrun and Luna were waiting for her. Athrun immediately held her shoulders, obviously worried sick, and started questioning her. She smiled and laughed to reassure him. She had been stitched up, and bandaged. She would have joked about having matching casts with Luna, but her wrist was in a splint, not a cast. She would also have liked to say her injuries were not as bad as they looked and doctors liked to exaggerate things to be on the safe side but he could easily check to make sure she was telling the truth so she chose not to push her luck. Well, he still snapped at her that it was nothing to laugh about. He was a worrywart after all. However, seeing his concern for her tickled her heart, all the more since he seemed ready to spend all his time nursing her and doting on her even though Luna was in a worse state. She couldn't very well admit it though, so she changed the subject to the now wrecked Fortuna... and to Shinn. Her expression and heart grew somber again as she explained the reason for his strange behavior... the pilot of that thing had been that girl... Stella. Her fellow Red Coats gasped.
The Impulse was standing on the snowy shore of a lake. There was no other trace of civilization as far as the eye could see. The machine entered the water down to its midsection. Shinn stared at Stella's face, her inanimate body resting onto his lap, and pain carved his features again. Then he smiled faintly as he caressed her cold cheek and pulled her closer, his cheek against her head. He recalled having seen her twirl and laugh innocently on that cliff. She had given him that shard that was now hanging at her neck, when she had attacked him in the infirmary, when she was weakening, saying how scared she was, and that he had promised to protect her... and finally, her last words... "Shinn, I love you."
"It's alright, Stella." Despite his words of reassurance, sobs shook his body and soul. After all, she could never hear him again. He opened the cockpit, extended his unit's hand right above the surface, and walked over to the fingertips, carrying her body. The boy knelt down. "There's nothing to fear anymore. And you won't have to suffer ever again. So..." His tears fell onto her cheek. He then lowered her into the water. "Right. Nothing will ever scare you again. No one will ever hurt you again. So, don't worry. Rest here... in peace..." As Stella sank into the dark, cold and peaceful depths of the lake, Shinn sank on all fours, tears freely falling. "I said I'd protect her. I... I said I'd protect her! Stella! I'm sorry!" His sorrow was seeping through his cracking voice and overflowing. He stayed like this for a long time, shaken by sobs, his tears dropping on his tightly clenched fists, the snow gently piling onto him. Then, his trembling and tears stopped. And as he raised himself and the snow fell off his back, he lifted his seething red-brown eyes that burned with hatred and rage so deep and intense they twisted his features, threatening to consume everything.
Embers and snow dance in the wind. Today another distant promise falls. No matter how much people scream and cry, they are immersed in the grief of this cloudy sky. Lost memories freeze forever in the snowstorm. Praying voices were answered while others were ignored. Promises break against reality. Dreams melt and vanish like snowflakes. Even though his past wounds had no time to heal, a new one was added. The place they could not break away from was the burning sky. Those who took off to that sky, those who fell from it, and those who could only see them all off... what of their feelings?
Author's note: And so, Seren's gundam, the Fortuna, has been wrecked too. Right, I should tell you that in the next two chapters you will have original content that don't appear in the canon.
by the way, next chapter will be 'Phase-30: Force and Influence'
