The scope lined up on the opposing mobile suit, a slight tap of a button, and the 57mm high-energy beam rifle fired off, easily destroying the enemy. The beam rifle moved to another enemy, firing another blast. Shot after shot until all enemies were taken down.
Golden words appeared on the screen becoming bigger. WINNER! Golden stars appeared under the words. A star appearing after one another until five stars were on the screen.
"Great job!" A sweet voice cheered on as they appeared on the screen. It was Selena. However, she was in teal halter dress that flowed down to the thighs. She had opera gloves that came to a point on her hand and were square shaped on her upper biceps. A light purple trim lined around the square part and the pointed ends of the gloves. There was a light purple trim lining around her neck. She had on light purple boots that went to her knees with light teal, sheer nylons. Her hair was pulled back into a large bun with a braid looping around so there would be no gaps. A small curl adorned each side of her face. Ribbons of the same color of her outfits were flowing from the bottom of her hair. She clasped her hands together, closing her eyes with a bright smile for a brief moment. "You have earned bonus points!" The bonus points appeared on the screen. The score increasing with stats being explained on the side to make up the score. "You have completed all levels using the GAT-X102 Duel GUNDAM. Great job, pilot! You have perfected your skills in close range and long range attacks with this machine. The next phase is piloting the ZGMF-1001/K Slash ZAKU Phantom! Let's start off by sparring the mystery pilot and mobile suit! Remember to score as much points as you can before they defeat you!" That Selena disappeared from the screen as the new level appeared.
His next machine appeared on the screen, explaining all of the features. Yzak glanced at them while thinking about the mystery machine and pilot. He fought against it although it had Mirage Stealth system on. The skirmish reminded Yzak of Kira. The pilot had similar skills. The two were fast, relentless, and domineering in battle. Thankfully, he only had to score points, and it was only a simulation. It would have been like the battle where he got his scar all over again. He had moved on from that. He wanted to strive to do better.
Yzak could also see why Sven enjoyed having his sister on there. She boosted morale, even if it wasn't the usual Selena he knew. Sven had it switched to have random Selena's show up during the simulations. He had it programmed that each Selena was different. It was more of a what-if. Sven's personal favorite what-if Selena was where she was just a normal princess who liked technology and mechanical engineering. No missions. No conditioning. Just Selena if she grew up without all of that nonsense.
The teal and purple outfit Selena reminded him of someone or something in particular. He didn't focus on it too much as he tried to put his focus on getting himself back up to par. The different Selenas did not have prompts on what situation they were. Yzak could take a guess as some were obvious like Selena as a coach, or Selena in her mechanic uniform. He also felt a tinge of guilt, the real Selena he loved, was somewhere below, underground, recovering from all the trauma she endured. That is why he appreciated Sven and this simulation room. He wanted to get back out there. He wanted to fight along the rest of them, if he got a chance. When his energy would depleted from the simulation battles, he would take that time to eat, rest, workout, or read more books on tactics and warfare. Yzak wasn't going to let this free time go to waste.
The day arrived when Selena could not be reconditioned. She headed out of the room where she was resting back to the room that held the conditioning pod. She ignored the person standing behind the pod.
"Something has happened to you," the person was concerned, it showed through their voice and facial expressions. "Please speak to us." The pod opened up. Selena started to make inside.
Another person showed up by the pod, as she laid down. "Please, just cooperate with us. Whatever has happened, we can fix it. We don't want to do this either. Don't make us go down this path. Tell us what he has done to you."
The pod closed, with Selena never acknowledging their presence. The conditioning was different this time. A fine mist spread over her before starting. She took a deep breath, taking it in, closing her eyes. When she let the breath out, she opened them to see images of scenes. The light reflecting onto her face. Music and words echoed in the pod. The water also changed temperatures with the imagery. As though she was surrounded by water and fine mists on occasion, droplets of tears glided down the side of her face. Selena was faced with feeling disappointment, grief, and guilt. She wanted to curl into a fetal position but she was forced to stay in the same position, floating like she in an endless abyss.
Anita could no longer watch over the medical stats. She exited the room, heading to a place where she could rest. This goal was taking a toll on all of them. They all wanted it to end. How much more could the three of them afford to sacrifice? Sven lost his life. Selena lost the chance to have any normal life for a royal. Anita lost any hope that the people around her were allowed a happy and content life. The passing of their parents. The war between Naturals and Coordinators, losing loved ones and friends. A world where violence was normal. Neutral nations trying to keep onto their peaceful normalcy as best as they could with the fear of being pulled in each war.
Anita ended up at the train station that got the workers to the underground. She was in her doctor attire just without her white frock. Anita at times liked to wander around, clearing her head. She missed seeing that Romina waiting for her. Romina was standing by a pillar. Anita walked past her. Romina grabbed her by the shoulder. Anita jolted out of her melancholy to face Romina who wore a comforting expression.
"You have a lot on your mind," Romina pulled her into a hug. Anita rested her head into her. "However, I want to show you something. It may make matters worse, but there is a silver lining. A restoration of some of the hope you lost. Come." She let Anita move first. Anita nodded and walked with Romina.
Romina had found out that Anita was the young gal her son had liked. However, Nicol never expressed it. She knew his attitude whenever he came back from piano lessons. When there was a hard piece to master, he was a bit defeated and angry. When there was a substitute instructor, he would be annoyed or extremely happy depending on the instructor. When she first figured out there was someone who had piqued his interest, he tried to show there was nothing wrong. He would make little mistakes like accidently dropping his papers but profusely apologizing. Subtle changes. It was cute. Her son was a bit flustered, similar to his dad. Such sweet innocence.
Nicol decided to join the war. It was hard for Romina. Her only child heading out to join ZAFT after the fall of Junius Seven. Yuri and Romina tried to raise him the best they could. He grew up to be kind and dignified. He had such an open heart. Romina didn't want him to go to war. She thought he could follow in his father's footsteps. However, his integrity and good heart could not go down that route. Nicol had become someone who had to do things on his own. Make his own way in the world.
Romina and Yuri were happy how much he excelled in the academy. He would, however, complain about not keeping up with his piano practice. After the war, he wanted to put on a concert. He would discuss which pieces he wanted to play and which order. Romina never got tired of hearing him rearranging his concert pieces. How the world around him would influence the arrangements, the pieces, how they should be interpreted. He would often joke with her about needing to practice piano to keep up his explosive handling. He needed to keep his fingers light and swift.
Receiving the news of his untimely death, crushed Romina's and Yuri's world. Patrick Zala consoled them but it wasn't enough. The death of his son, made Yuri become reckless. His moderate views skewed to extremism, allowing his anger and rage to create the Neutron Jammer Canceller. It was hard to see Romina grief stricken in their own home. The result of creating such a destructive machine, Yuri was high on the list that Gilbert wanted to target. Thankfully, Selena had saved them. Yuri had to go through a lot of grief counseling. Romina waited for him as she had gone through hers. On occasion, Yuri attends grief counseling as he still cannot get over the death of his son, and how it made him become filled with so much rage and hate, creating a Pandora's Box in the Cosmic Era. He wanted to atone for all the innocent lives he took. Countless lives that would not bring back his son.
Romina could not pull Yuri out of his grief stricken state as she could not pull herself out either. Coming to the Kingdom was a second chance for them. Romina connected with Anita, as she had helped out from time to time. Romina guessed there was an ulterior motive, even before Anita was going to confess about how she had met Nicol. Romina could see why her son grew fond of Anita.
Romina continued to bring Anita through the city area until they reached the houses where inhabitants were Ra's patients. Anita was confused but kept following Romina. Romina went to the guest area. The two signed in. Romina asked the personnel a few questions. Anita followed Romina down the hidden tunnel that led them underground. The guests could roam to safe viewing spots to see how the patients were doing. Romina led Anita to the grocery store.
"They're buying food," Romina smiled. "They're doing lots of cooking. I'm glad he has a friend. They can lean on each other during this struggle."
Anita was confused. The two had walked up a few flights of stairs to reach a platform that viewed over the grocery store. The people in the store could not see anything different. They only saw a ceiling.
"I'll let you see them first," Romina waited. She had already spotted them. She watched Anita look at each person carefully.
Anita didn't understand but Romina was like a second mother to her. She trusted her. Anita started to scan the place by going aisle by aisle. She looked over the people who were shopping. Anita froze as her eyes stopped on a pair of young men with long hair. The light green color that reminded her of the warm sea.
"H-how can this be?" Anita stammered out; her knees buckled. She clung onto the railing, steadying herself to stand. "He-he's dea..gone though. He was sliced in half. Junk Guild couldn't get to him in time. They saved another person. When did he arrive? Who is with him?" Anita's eyes as the tears streamed down her face.
"He arrived thanks to Princess Selena," Romina looked down to her son with a solemn face. Her voice low enough, Anita could barely hear through her muffled sobs. Nicol was pushing the cart while Tolle was placing in items. "She brought him back with her. Along with his new friend. Someone else who had lost their life."
Anita wiped the tears off her face. "He looks so healthy." A smile trying to form on her lips but wavered as she kept trying not to sob anymore. "N-No scars. His mind-can he, can-he remember anything?"
Romina shook her head. "He's like the rest. Slowly recovering. Yuri has asked to take lead on Princess Selena's recycling and better living program while she is on this mission. Although, she is recovering herself, I don't think she will say no. He wants to continue to atone for the mistakes he made in grief and anger. Having our son back is such a miracle." A tear dropped onto the railing. "He still plays the piano. The two depend on one another a lot. He chose his name. He still likes the same things. Look, see, he's picking out his favorite snack. I used to tease him that it was a kid snack and he's no longer a kid. When he first joined the academy and wanted me to send him some, I teased him that it wasn't like school, he couldn't have kid snacks, but I sent him a big box anyways." Romina had a sad smile. "A silver lining to all of this, right?"
Anita crouched down, sobbing still. "Such a beautiful silver lining indeed." The two stayed to watch them continue on their grocery shopping until they checked out.
Romina and Anita stopped at a café on their way back. Romina made sure to make Anita presentable before they got out of the hidden tunnels. The stop at the cafe helped the two settle their emotions before going back to what they were doing. Romina and Anita parted ways at the train station. Anita went back underground; however, she did not go back to where Selena was at. She headed to a medical office. Anita read up on Nicol's case. Along with the person with him. It sparked something with Anita. She headed towards the room where Miriallia was being held at.
Miriallia was brought out of her room to another interrogation room. She sat in the room until Anita came in. Miriallia thought it was another soldier until she saw Anita walk around the table to stand in front of her.
"Greetings Princess Anita," Miriallia blinked, surprised as to why she was there.
"Miss Miriallia Haw," Anita held a few files in her arm. "What do you believe it takes to get out of here?
Miriallia raised her eyebrows. She never thought she would be asked this question up front. "I guess it would be siding with you. However, that goes against everything that we have been fighting for."
"What exactly do you think our side is?" Anita didn't sit down. She stood in front of Miriallia across the table.
"Princess Selena sided with a clone who wants to unite everyone under violence," Miriallia explained while glaring at her. "He is like the rest of the evil in this world. He wants genocide and destruction."
"After gathering all that information, that is what you have concluded?" Anita was not impressed. This made Miriallia second guess herself a bit. "Disappointing. For someone who wants to learn the truth and expose the truth, you sure have deluded yourself."
Miriallia jumped up. "You're the one that has deluded yourselves! Orb, ZAFT, Kira, Lacus, everyone, has been fighting for freedom. You housed people in those torpedoes. You're keeping us locked in here. Every information gathered shows that Princess Selena has become the enemy. It shows how you treated us; you have something to hide. You have become the enemy. You would have turned us over by now. You would have traded us for people that you needed. You put us in solitary confinement until we could no longer take. You made us feel guilty for everything we did. We were told that we would be needed later on. And now, you're saying your disappointed?!"
Anita did care for her words. "Why was it that you stopped dating Dearka Elsman?"
"Huh?!" Miriallia couldn't believe what she just heard. "What did you just say?"
"Apparently he had asked you a lot of questions about the choices you made in life," Anita continued. "You thought he was questioning your existence, especially as a Natural, but with your grief, you could not see that Dearka was questioning his own choices in life. He's a Coordinator, grown up in the PLANTs. All he knew was that if he, a Coordinator, did not follow under Naturals, who were in charge of them, he would be punished. He learned to come to hate Naturals. He wanted all of them to die. Not uncommon for PLANTs, as they were oppressed, and how ZAFT came to be. To go against their oppressors. Dearka had realized that Naturals, such as like yourself, were from a place where life was peaceful. It was a new thing for him. The two of you were also severely naïve in your relationship. Lots of misunderstandings which led to several miscommunications. You blamed it on grief, which is partly to blame, but you also became insecure as you started to question yourself." Miriallia froze. "Did I leave anything out?"
"What is it that you exactly want?" Miriallia glared, coming to realize that this may be something to be used against her. "You have Commander Joule, are you threatening to get Dearka too?!"
"I guess I shall spell it out for you," Anita sighed.
"Then spell it out!" Miriallia wasn't understanding on where she was getting at.
"The two of us are similar," Anita started to explain.
"We're nothing alike," Miriallia spat out.
Anita sighed. "When it was announced that you and Jess will be needed later on, it is because I will need the two of you to accompany me as a third party to record what was going on. However, this is something different."
"I'm not on your side," Miriallia narrowed her eyes. She wasn't liking where this was going.
"Third party remember," Anita smirked. "Do like nature photography or is that just a ruse while working for Terminal?"
Miriallia let out a chuckle. "Of course, you know about Terminal."
"You would be surprised," Anita raised an eyebrow before continuing. "I have here a few files, one in particular that would pique your interest. It would make you change your tune."
"I highly doubt that," Miriallia crossed her arms.
"Make me eat my words then," Anita raised her chin a bit. Anita took the files out for her to see the names. She placed the file with the name facing down. She pushed it towards Miriallia. "Take a look."
Miriallia stared at her as she placed her hand on the file, taking it up. There were photos inside. The name was something about unknown male. Miriallia didn't care for that part. It was pictures of the torpedoes, with a bandaged male coming out of it. She looked back to Anita.
"Nothing comes to mind?" Anita asked. Miriallia looked through it one more time. Anita placed another file, name down.
Miriallia grabbed it. She looked through to see the wreckage photos of a Skygrasper. Miriallia knew this wreckage. She let it drop on the table. "Is this some sort of cruel joke?" Anita handed her the last one. Miriallia looked at it. She grabbed it with reluctance. She saw the name. Miriallia was getting bitter from this. She opened it to see a physical examination chart of a male. Everything was checked off as healthy. She flipped to the next page which was dental charts, all healthy, no cavities. Next was blood and urine checks. Healthy, normal ranges. She flipped through to see hearing and eye sight charts. All normal. The next few pages were about the mind. She saw lots of memory loss and amnesia. It started to pique her interest for sure. Miriallia flipped to the last pages which were photographs. Miriallia let the photos drop on the table as she froze seeing a familiar face.
"Did you make these photos with AI or something?" Miriallia didn't look up. Her face started to darken.
"Not at all," Anita had stepped aside. She had a faraway look.
"Why did you show me these things?" Miriallia kept it up.
Anita didn't answer her. "I feel like a cliché since I enjoy playing Clair de Lune, however, it was when he played Winter by Vivaldi, I fell for his passion. Winter became my favorite but I could never play it the same as he could. The focus and clarity. An absolute virtuoso. Most piano players come across as over confident. Battling for number one. He only wanted to play with passion from his heart. That's all he wanted. To play how his heart had interpreted the music." A tear fell from her cheek. "I can't think of the pieces he played without crying." Miriallia looked up from the state she was in. "I play other instruments now but when I think of him, I can only play the piano, even though it brings me to tears every time." Anita composed herself. "A cruel joke is the world learning that violence is normal. A cruel joke is that I had to lose him to the very man who now pilots a mobile suit with freedom in its name."
Miriallia flinched. "B-but Kira didn't mean it." She came to his defense.
"But he's still gone," Anita turned to her with grief and scorn stricken on her face. "How can you still face Athrun knowing he was the one who killed Tolle?"
Miriallia took a step back. She dropped the folder onto the table. "Ah! I-uh-I." She looked away.
"A cruel joke is this world we have come to live in," Anita stared at her. "And yet someone wanted to play creator." Miriallia jerked up. "The patients have been rolling in. Lots of amnesia, memory loss. Those who should be dead, are alive. Those who lost their limbs, ability to see, hear, walk, such things like that, all recovered. Is this person cruel or kind? Is this an act of mercy, or is this something else entirely?"
"A miracle, wouldn't it be?" Miriallia answered.
"And yet he is the very man threatening another war," Anita explained. "This miracle worker is none other than the enemy Terminal wants to take down. I am thankful for Nicol being alive and well. I am thankful people who lost their lives to these stupid wars get a second chance."
Miriallia stared back down at the files upon the table. She opened it back up to see the photos once again. It was of Tolle with his long hair and glasses. She flipped through to see Tolle next to a guy with long green hair. Anita saw that she was looking at the photos again.
"They're roommates," Anita explained. "They became roommates from the start. Sel, found both of them when she was wandering through the facilities. She came back for them. Canard Pars came along as he went towards the screaming instead of away from it. She trekked from the facilities to the port while carrying both of them at times. They're doing better on getting their stamina and strength back. We don't show them who they used to be, we make them show us, who they used to be. They picked their names." Anita became more relaxed. "We put in clothes they used to wear in the arrangement of outfits they can choose from. They pick it every time. Now you see, you and I are similar."
"Are you wanting something out of this since you showed me?" Miriallia saw now that he had also aged. He wasn't the age he had passed away at.
"No," Anita shook her head. "I wanted you on team before any of this. I know how it feels for someone you love to be gone. The person who showed me that Nicol was alive was his mother. She was notified."
"Then Tolle's parents?" Miriallia started to ask.
"Yes," Anita nodded her head. "They found out the same day. They are making the arrangements to stay here until he has recovered."
"After everything is over, am I able to stay too?" Miriallia didn't see why Princess Anita would lie after listening to that heart felt confession. Anita nodded. Tears started to form in her eyes.
"I can't let you see him just yet, but I can show you videos from his stay," Anita gave her a sincere smile. "You're not alone in this."
Miriallia caved. She started to cry. Anita reached out to her, hugging her. Miriallia cried in Anita's embrace.