"Kira Yamato/Suletta Mercury!" - Normal Text.
"Strike/Aerial!" - Some Random-Ass Bold Text That I Put Just To Make It Look Cool When Other Fanfics Do It Cuz Why Not Text.
"Launching!" - Thinking Text.
"Bruh" - Comms/Mic/TV Audio/ZOOM Meeting/Flashback Text
Athrun was resting after the battle as Kira debriefed him about what happened to his childhood friend after the Aegis exploded. He can't believe that Kira would be sent to another timeline this was something that you watch in movies and anime, and read mangas and light novels. He was even surprised that Kira reverted to being 5 years old as he grew up with his foster parents just like the Yamatos.
He gets to know Kira's step-sister, Suletta Mercury. Suletta seems to be a very cheerful girl and cares for and loves Kira as she keeps calling him Kira-nii-chan with affection. It was even funny she called Strike and Aerial siblings (Which they are).
But Athrun also felt pinged of sadness that Suletta reminded him too much of Nicol, his friend, and the then-destroyed GAT-X207 Blitz Gundam, as both of them had that open-hearted and pleasant feeling every time he talked or was near her. However, it also fulfills his resolve to stop the war, as the cycle of hatred would just continue.
"Hello, Athrun-san!" Suletta called out to the Coordinator with a wave as she jogged towards him.
"S-Suletta, how can I help you?" Athrun asked as the girl stopped.
The Mercury Girl fidgeted her fingers with a sheepish look and then spoke, "Could you tell me about what Kira-nii-chan was like when you met him, since being childhood friends... I am very curious."
Athrun just smiled at her as he began to amuse her by telling her about Kira in the past, "Yes, I remember how I first met him in preparatory school... we were living in Copernicus, a city on the Moon Colony, as my mother was a botanist: A doctor of agriculture. She was involved in agricultural research on the moon and the PLANTs while Kira's parents came to the colony for work."
Then he sat on a nearby metal block and kept on telling.
"We met at school as both of us were smart and interested in robotics... which is why I got to know him and he knows me thus we became friends it was so simple."
Suletta pouted, a bit disappointed that the older brother she adored and loved in the past was... this. It broke her expectation, "Ah, that's so boring I wanted a manly scene where you both are delinquents who are rivals that hate each other but then became friends when fighting together against other gangs."
Athrun laughs at the absurd idea that both he and Kira are delinquents in Suletta's vision, "You read too much manga... Anyway, then one day my father called me to go back home to PLANTs. In the same year, the Yamato family also left the city and moved to the Orb Union-controlled space colony, Heliopolis."
"Probably due to the tension between the PLANTs and Earth Alliance just before Kira left, I built a robotic pet bird, Birdy, and gave it to Kira as a parting gift".
"Wait you made a pet bird that's awesome but what about your parents how did you feel when leaving Kira-nii-chan?"
"I was distraught but understood the danger since my father was Patrick Zala, a member of the council. He wanted to keep me safe while my mother was on Junius Seven working. He believed that PLANTs would be safe for all of us. Until a nuclear missile struck the PLANTs my mother was lost along with others during the Bloody Valentine."
Suletta knew about the Bloody Valentine tragedy but she didn't expect Kira-nii-chan's best friend's mother to be one of the victims.
"Then I joined ZAFT to avenge those who had perished including my mother, but I realize now the cycle of hatred would just continue it's why I joined Orb to stop this stupid war."
Suletta then hugged Athrun, "I'm sorry what happened to your mother I believe she was a kind person and love you so much."
Athrun just smiled "Now I know why Kira is so fond of you." As both of them were kind.
Unknown to anyone someone was listening to the conversation and left.
As Kira left both Athrun and Suletta alone for now, Kira saw Mu looking at the Strike Kai beside the Strike, currently being maintained as its left arm armor and chest armor are exposed as the frame is being repaired thanks to using the Combined Shield of the IWSP. If he kept on using the IWSP, the Strike's torso and left arm would deteriorate, so this might be the Strike's last time to use the pack. Then we look at the Strike Kai, Mu's mobile suit, which is also currently being repaired and refitted with more batteries, with a smile. Curious and intrigued why, the boy decided to approach the former Mobile Armor Ace Pilot.
"Mu-san." Mu looked back to see Kira approaching him.
"Ah, kid." Mu smirked seeing his protege, "I gotta say, I am now getting used to piloting a Mobile Suit ever since the battle back then. Even after briefly fighting that new Earth Alliance model."
"Yeah... Oh, speaking of which." Recalling the three Alliance Gundams fighting each other at that time, Kira had to ask Mu, "Those three... they began to fight each other... You got any idea?"
"To be honest, I have no idea." Mu answered with a shrug, "Speaking of..." He looked at the Archangel. More specifically, what's inside it. His TS-MA2mod.00 Moebius Zero, "I kind of feel bad now."
"Hm? Why is that?" Kira pried.
"You know about my Moebius Zero, right?" Kira nodded when Mu asked him, "It's now obsolete in the atmosphere. Even more so now that I am a Mobile Suit pilot. And I have a feeling that I'm not gonna use it if we're going back to space."
"If I may." Both pilots looked in the direction of the voice to see Erica Simmons approaching them.
"Erica-san?" Kira tilted his head as Erica stopped and looked at the Strike Kai then at the Archangel.
"If you don't mind... I can modify your Moebius Zero into a new custom Striker Pack, Mu." Erica offered with a smile and from that offer... Mu's eyes widened. The same goes for Kira.
"Y-You'd do that?" Mu couldn't help but ask as Erica just nodded at the ace pilot, "Yosha! Thank you, Simmons-san!"
"It's no problem." Erica smiled as she turned around and left, "See you two! I'm gonna have to ask the Buster's pilot a favor if he could hand me the data of his Mobile Suit."
Both Strike (Kai) pilots looked at one another, excitement filled in their eyes. Though they are curious why Erica has to ask Dearka for the Buster's data, they are sure that the Striker Pack that Mu's gonna get will be epic. Mu can already imagine his Moebius Zero now acting as his Strike Kai's Striker Pack. However, he is trying to imagine the Buster with it...
Miorine and Cagali were in an extravagant room, both of them drinking tea elegantly; therefore, they wanted to have a conversation away from prying eyes. Both of them are very similar to each other in that their fathers are infamous people.
The difference was that Uzumi Nara Athha was a man who believed in preserving peace and equality among the naturals and coordinators, while Delling Rembran believed that might make right and those who hold power make the rules. As using the Vanadis Incident to gain more power.
"So your father was the one who had the idea of the G-Weapons or rather Gundams manufactured for the Earth Alliance?" Miorine asked her as she took a sip from her tea, "How shameless. It is like one of those Mafia movies that the mafia allows the clients to stay as long as they pay them protection money".
"Yes, that's what they were doing, as I was told, so my father provided the G-weapons to the alliance in a neutral location, Heliopolis, but in the end, ZAFT managed to get intel about it and attack our colony. I was there acting foolish, knowing about the G-Weapons. I believed if sabotaged, it would prevent war with Heliopolis, but it didn't."
"Still, it's better than my father, who threatened me like some kind of pawn to be wed by anyone. He was a bitch who didn't care about me or my mother, only himself. I know he did terrible things all for the sake of gaining power." Miorinee knows about the Vanadis accident.
"Knowing him, he probably has a Gundam under construction in secret, such a hypocrite." That was true as other companies already have their own Gundams. Miorine knows that.
Miorine sighed, "But the situation between our worlds is not that different, as Spacians are prejudiced towards Earthians as they believe themselves to be superior because living in space looks down upon on Earth."
Cagalli replied, "While Naturals and Coordinators continue to hate each other because of their differences, causing death and destruction."
"But I believe Uzumi-sama's ideals are much better than our GUND-ARM's, as we wanted to create advanced protests that could help mankind, similar to Uzumi-san's peace and equality." Miorine respects the old man.
"Yes, I love Orb; it's the symbol that's a shining beacon that believes in equality and understanding each other." Cagalli finished as the two girls began to drink their tea.
Then a different topic came in mind as Cagalli began to ask Miorine.
"How was Kira when you met him?" Cagali asked.
"I slapped him in the face for interrupting my escape." Miorine answered with a huff... and Cagalli laughed at the coincidence.
"HAHAHA, I did something similar when I met him again." Cagalli laughed as Miorine just giggled a little and put down her cup of tea, deciding to ask if Cagalli had a crush on Kira seeing their dynamic before.
"Tell me, are you both-"
"No, he's more like a younger brother to me." Cagalli cut her off. But hey, at least Miorine crossed out the idea of Cagalli having feelings for Kira. Yeah... No more competition... Except for Sule-Wait a sec?!
Miorine blushed at what she thought as she immediately shooked her head and coughed a bit, "I see. Still, this was a good conversation between two princesses." That was sarcasm in Miore's voice.
"You mean two troublemakers, princess." Cagalli corrected as both of them laughed while having time to relax before the next battle.
"How much longer?" Muruta Azrael asked the Alliance ship's captain.
"Orb has repeatedly been sending requests to talk things over." the ship's captain told the Coordinator Hater.
Muruta just casually shrugged at that information as he looked to the other Alliance officers on the bridge, "No, it's too late for that. If we could not conquer this nation with all this battle power..." Muruta then went to the captain's chair and put his hand on the headrest of the chair, "...it'll be in our best interest to have them disappear."
"We're almost ready." the captain informed him, "I believe the main concern right now is with your own people."
In the hangar, the EA mechanics and soldiers are getting ready. The fighter planes are getting readied, the Strike Daggers are getting readied, and the three Gundams of Muruta Azrael are now prepared to launch.
"I'll get those three...!/Damn machines...!/For sure this time!" the three Gundam pilots of the Alliance cursed as they launched out of the ship and went straight to Orb.
While the three Alliance machines went straight to the neutral nation, the Alliance's plane fighters were launched from the ships, and said ships then deployed their missiles.
"Radar's detecting something! Incoming missiles!" an Orb operator informed his fellow comrades, with Cagalli being present, Airborne mobile suits force approaching Onogoro! Prepare to counterattack!"
The Archangel crew stopped what they were doing as they just gaped at the information. Murrue stopped midway from sipping her coffee, Kira and Suletta stopped from changing into their pilot suits, and Athrun was surprised, but he should've expected that the Alliance forces are now attacking Orb.
"Mobile suit team, prepare to launch!"The M1 Astrays were now being prepared for launch with Dearka just watching.
"Cagalli!" Kisaka called out to the blonde.
"They never even responded to our requests to talk!" Cagalli shouted with an angry expression, "Damn!"
In Uzumi's office, the Orb officials went in and called him out in worry.
"How could they? Is this the answer the Earth Forces is giving us?" Uzumi growled at the Earth Forces' sudden attack, "Now that they've declared us enemies, they won't even listen to us?"
With this in mind, everyone quickly moved to return to the battle.
"You sure you want to use the Aile Striker, Suletta?" Kira said to Suletta as both siblings ran through the hangar, going to their respective Gundams.
"Yeah! It was hard piloting with all three Striker Packs, Kira-nii-chan. I think the Aerial does too. So I'll use the Aile Striker for the oncoming battle." Suletta nodded, and then they were called out by Athrun.
"Kira!" Athrun then ran to the two as Kira and Suletta paused "From the looks of things, Orb's got no chance to win this battle. You realize that, don't you?"
Kira paused at Athrun's statement about the ongoing battle, then he looked at Suletta, "Suletta, get in the Archangel, I'll follow suit."
Suletta nodded at his request as she went to her Aerial Gundam. Once she is inside, she makes the Aerial to go to the Archangel.
Then Kira smiled at Athrun as soon as Suletta was gone, "I think we all realize that. But just because the odds are against us... we can't just give up fighting and do as they wish, can we?"
"Kira...!"
"What's important is what we are fighting for. That's why I'm going out there. To protect my home, to fight for my loved ones' safety, and to protect those who can't protect themselves."
Athrun just looked at Kira as he began to recall Lacus' words to him about what he was fighting for.
"Sorry, Athrun. And thank you." Kira thanked his childhood friend as he ascended to the Strike thanks to the mechanical lift.
"Kira." Athrun muttered.
With Kira now inside the Strike, the Strike's eyes glowed as it then walked towards the Archangel, still waiting for him.
"Tough, isn't it?" Dearka called out to his friend.
Athrun looked back to the boy, who was in his ZAFT pilot suit, "Dearka!"
"You got orders to kill him, right?" Dearka guessed. Athrun was silent, got nothing to say, causing Dearka to sigh, "It's not going to go over well, is it? ZAFT soldiers interfering like this..."
Dearka let that hang for a moment as he discreetly gauged what Athrun's response would be to what he had said. With a clench of his fist, Athrun managed to say something, "But I don't want him to... I don't want them to die!"
"That's amazing. For the first time, we agree on something." Dearka then smiled in true happiness as he walked up and placed a hand on Athrun's shoulder.
Round 2 of Orb vs Earth Alliance, here we go! Orb's defenders are engaging the enemy, the battle has become evenly matched as it was yesterday, and the three Alliance Gundams are being more efficient this time, destroying Orb ships and M1 Astrays one by one. But of course, that doesn't mean Orb's not gonna fight back. The Archangel is firing all of its weapons and the Valiants managed to destroy two ships.
"What about those three machines we fought against yesterday?" Orga asked, noticing that the three Gundams were not present.
The Strike IWSP, with the PS Armor now active, and Perfect Aerial soared through the skies until they split up to evade beam shots from the Strike Daggers. Once the beams were now clear, both Gundams readied their long-range weapons and fired.
Then Kira and Suletta aimed in a separate direction that caused both white Gundams to go back-to-back and fired another barrage of beams, railguns, and vulcans that destroyed the remaining Strike Daggers in the area. But of course, there were other Strike Daggers that survived as the Aerial equipped its Aile Striker Beam Saber and slashed the surviving grunt mobile suits on the ground. Then two green beams from the Calamity were fired as the Aerial quickly jumped up in the air to dodge the beams.
"There! I found you two! The hotshot and newbie from yesterday!" Orga laughed as the Calamity spammed its beam launchers to the Strike and Aerial.
"They're here!" Suletta called out once the Aerial's monitor zoomed in to see the three.
"Look's like it's time for round 2." Kira grunted.
The Forbidden emerged from the waters and fired its BS curved beam at the Strike, which Kira evaded. The Raider then swooped down and fired its machine guns at the white mobile suit and attacked the Strike's chest with its claws.
"I'll get you for sure today!" Clotho exclaimed as he dodged a beam rifle shot from Aerial, but the Aerial had to dodge the Calamity's beam spams causing her to rendezvous with the Strike. This didn't go well for the two defenders if the three machines were not surrounding and attacking the two Gundams in all directions. Both white Gundams were forced to raise their shields in front as the attack kept on going.
"Damn it!" Kira cursed as he tried to make the Strike fight back with his beam cannon, but a beam boomerang flew by that stopped the Forbidden's attack, a green beam that stopped the Calamity on the water, and a Fatum 00 shot to stop the Raider.
The Fatum 00 then rendezvoused with the Justice's back, along with the beam boomerang returning to the Justice's shoulder, as Athrun called the two out.
"Athrun-san?/Athrun? But why?" Suletta and Kira wondered why Athrun was here.
The Raider transformed and fired his Shield Cannon at the Justice, "Take this!"
Then the Forbidden and Calamity fired their weapons at the Justice, "The red one's here too!" Orga commented as the Justice soared on the water, dodging every attack the Alliance Gundams made.
"I understood what you meant!" Athrun said, "There are certain things that one must fight to protect!"
The words of Athrun were further reinforced when the Buster came in to aid the Perfect Strike Kai and Archangel.
"Athrun!/Athrun-san!" Kira and Suletta respectively called out the pilot of the red machine as all three Gundams are now back-to-back.
"Let's kick ass!" Athrun shouted out.
"Swear!" Suletta instinctively shouted which caused both male pilots to look at Suletta, who in return meekly chuckled at their reactions, "Sorry, I had to shout that instinctively whenever Nyla-nee or Kira-nii-chan swear."
Athrun took a quick chuckle from that, "So you swear now, huh?" Kira just sighed from that as all three Gundams charged at the opposing three Gundams.
"I'd like to have everything finished before tonight." Muruta said to the captain of the ship that he is in, and I don't know what he told his captain
With that said, round 2 of Orb VS Alliance began to go in Orb's favor. Just barely but it's in their favor. The Archangel ship manages to destroy some Alliance ships, and the Buster evades and destroys some Strike Daggers.
Cagalli just watched the battle going on through the screens. Feeling like she's helping by staying here in this command center, she decided to leave, but of course, Kisaka had to grab her arm.
"Let go! I'm going too!" Cagalli called out to Kisaka, who doesn't seem to budge at her threats.
"Don't be ridiculous!" Kisaka argued.
"I can't just sit back and watch while this is happening!"
"A commander should never leave her post!" Kisaka pointed out as Cagalli's started to form tears in her eyes, "Can't you get that into your head?"
"But...!"
"And you mustn't cry either!"
Not THAT far away from Orb, a ZAFT submarine currently under the command of Rau Le Creuset was watching the fight. Why are they there? Well, they were currently in that position and location because just in case ZAFT were to request assistance from Orb, they would gladly will... I think. I mean obviously, they will, seeing how Patrick Zala hates the fucking Naturals.
"Orb is putting up quite a fight." Rau commented as he looked through the advanced scope of the submarine that he was in, "But given their resources, it'll only be a matter of time. It's a nation not to be taken lightly. I can understand why the Earth Forces are so desperate to take control of it. Do you have any data on those unfamiliar mobile suits? Including Codenamed: Witch?" Rau then looked to the operator beside him, who was looking at four live footage of the 3 Alliance machines and Aerial.
"I'm having our men monitor them as we speak, but given this distance..." the operator said as the video feed was starting to glitch a bit because of the distance the deployed men were at.
"We may or may not have to face anyone of them in the future. Well, stay on it." Rau then looked away from the operator, "If nothing else, it'll be information that will surely please Chairman Zala. Let me know if there are any changes to the present situation."
"Right!" the operator complied as Rau turned around and left, with Yzak Joule following him behind.
While they were walking through the corridor, Rau noticed Yzak's expression as he looked back to the silver-haired teen, "You don't look too pleased, Yzak. I'm guessing you'd like to jump into that battle and fight."
"Not really." Yzak quickly denied Rau's assumption.
"Orb has refused any support from ZAFT, so we really have no choice." Rau reminded the teen.
"I am not interested!" Yzak insisted as they resumed their walk.
"We'll stay here and observe the battle a bit longer, then return to Carpentaria." Rau stated as he moved to continue on his way, "You must be sick of being stuck aboard this ship since Panama. You won't have to wait much longer."
"Commander..." Yzak suddenly called out after his short thinking recently, "What's the deal with the girl? If she's a captive, shouldn't she be treated as such?"
Rau looked back to Yzak, who was referring to Flay Allister, whom Rau kidnapped after JOSH-A, as they paused their stroll, "Yzak. There's more to a war than just firing shots at each other. I had been looking for a key, and now I've found that key. Or so I believe."
Rau then turned around and continued his walk to his designated location while Yzak just stared at his commander with doubt.
The battle for Onogoro Island wages on with some M1 Astrays and Orb ships being destroyed.
"Orders to retreat?" Murrue asked Sai.
"Yes!" Sai confirmed as he looked back to his commanding officer, "Representative Athha...wants the Archangel to leave the front immediately, and go to Kaguya!"
"Kaguya?" Arnold questioned as he swerved his seat back to Murrue's direction.
"It's the location of Orb's Mass Driver facilities." Sai informed Arnold's question.
With the Gundams...
The Forbidden attempted to slash at the Aerial, but her shield (Which is the Strike's) with a bash countered it. The Aerial then gained herself some distance from the green Gundam and fired her beam rifle at the Forbidden.
With Justice and Raider, the black Gundam fired its Mjolnir at the Justice, who dodged it by launching/separating itself from the Fatum 00. The Justice fired his beam rifle at the Raider, who dodged it in return and barely dodged the Fatum 00, much to the difficulty of its pilot.
"Why won't these guys just..." Clotho grunted.
The Calamity on the water just fired his beams at the Fatum 00, then he raised his shield when the Strike started to hover above the ocean and fired its gatling from his Combined Shield. Once the firing stopped, both mobile suits decided to fire their beam cannons and/or railguns to one another, but of course, they had to dodge their attacks. The Strike had to go back to the air once again while the Calamity had to dodge it on the waters.
"What pests!" Orga cursed, until his cockpit began to alarm him about his energy, which is now dead bat, "Damn! You stupid mobile suit! Out of energy already?" Orga cursed to his mobile suit's energy capacity.
"It's because you're firing all over the place, dumbass!"Clotho reminded/insulted Orga through the comms.
"What did you say?" Orga growled at his teammate as he looked at the black Gundam.
The Raider fired its Hyper Shield Cannon at the Justice, causing a huge splash of water once the cannon hit the water.
"If you're leaving, then go! You're on your own!" Clotho grinned at Orga until he noticed the Justice emerge from the waters with his beam sabers now combined and ready to attack.
"HAAAAAHHH!" Athrun roared as he slashed the Raider's Mjolnir, causing the Raider to let go of his now-gone weapon and transform back into MA mode.
"Hey! You're the stupid one!"Orga countered, much to the annoyance of Clotho.
"How dare you! Gh!" Clotho grunted, and then he noticed that the Calamity decided to go on board the Raider, "Who said you could get on? Bastard!"
"Shut up! We're returning to recharge!" Orga argued, "Look at you! Don't tell me you can continue!"
Having a good point, Clotho cursed as he complied with Orga's request.
The Forbidden fired its rail guns at the Aerial, who dodged it by spinning around while continuously firing her beam rifle and vulcans at the Forbidden. The Forbidden used its shields to block the attack until Shani noticed disappointedly that his Gundam's energy was drained.
"No more?" Shani then looked to one of his monitors to see his fellow Alliance Gundams retreating without him.
Then he noticed the Aerial, with a beam saber, charging at him. Ready to slash. The Forbidden decided to do the same, but his scythe's blade was caught by the edge of the Aerial's (Strike) shield. Using this chance, the Aerial tried to slash him down, but the Forbidden had to release his grip on his scythe and retreated.
The Aerial's slash hit the ocean's water causing a huge ripple. Because of this, it looked like the area the Gundams were in was raining, with the Strike and Justice rendezvousing with the Aerial.
All three pilots are trying to catch their breath from the extreme fight against those three Alliance Gundams, with Suletta opening her visor and swiping off her sweat.
"Ahhh... Who would've thought that fighting those three makes me this exhausted..." Suletta sighed, "Kira-nii-chan, was it always this tiring to fight in a war?"
Kira kept on gasping until he calmed down and answered Suletta, "You have no idea, Suletta... You'll have to get used to it."
Then Athrun decided to join in, "Hey... Suletta. You're not bad for piloting a mobile suit." Athrun commented Suletta's piloting.
Because of this, Suletta slightly blushed at Athrun's praise, "T-Thank you, Athrun-san. It was all thanks to Kira-nii-chan for teaching me how when I was young."
"Of course, he trained you..." Athrun sighed with a small smile, "Was he a good teacher?"
"N-No, he sucks at teaching, until now." Suletta meekly answered as Kira just grumbled and Athrun began to laugh.
"Holy, Kira you suck at teaching?" Athrun asked his friend in disbelief.
"Give me some slack, I tried my best!" Kira reasoned, but Athrun kept on laughing.
-This linebreak was brought to you by the Strike IWSP, Perfect Aerial, and Perfect Strike Kai doing victory poses after the Battle of Orb. Reference Eyecatch 2 of Gundam SEED-
(RF2: Yeah, I am gonna draw for this in the future. I just need to get the HG IWSP Strike Rouge and maybe find a Striker Pack adaptor for the regular backpacks. You know, the Gunplas with two holes on the back? I think they are the standards. You guys know any kits that have that adaptor? I know that I have one before from buying the 00 Diver Ace (They are rare af in the Philippines now) but I just don't know where I put it.)
The Archangel crew, with Dearka and Athrun, reached the Mass Driver station, with the Archangel currently docked for modification, and the four Gundam (Buster, Strike IWSP, Aile Aerial, and Justice) were stationed beside.
"Leave Orb?" Murrue gawked once Lord Uzumi told them their next plan, "Lord Uzumi... you're telling us to run away?"
With Murrue, she was accompanied by Mu, Arnold, Cagalli, Miorine, and of course, Uzumi.
"I'm sure you realize by now..." Uzumi started, "It's only a matter of time before Orb is lost."
Well everyone could not deny that this was true, and Cagalli decided to say what she wanted out loud for the Archangel crew.
"Wh-what're you saying father?" the blonde asked, barely believing her ears to what her father told them.
"Our people have been evacuated. There are other means to support them." Uzumi told Cagalli as he lowered his head and closed his eyes, "We'll take over from here." he looked at Cagalli with a serious expression.
Then the pilots entered, with Dearka automatically leaning against the door's frame.
"But even if we were to lose Orb, there are things we must never lose." Uzumi continued, "The mastermind behind these actions taken by the Earth Forces... is the leader of Blue Cosmos, Muruta Azrael. In addition, the PLANTs are now controlled by Patrick Zala... a man who believes Coordinators are a species unto themselves."
Everyone could only softly gasp at the thought of the leader of the terrorist organization playing such a major role in commanding the Earth Forces. Still, at the hearing of what Patrick Zala was doing, Athrun could only look down in shame. Dearka, Kira, and Suletta then gave Athrun sympathetic glances, but what interests Kira the most is that Athrun's father is the chairman of the PLANTs, not Lacus' father, Sigel Clyne. Damn, he did miss a lot.
"The way things are progressing...the world will be caught between two forces...that refuses to recognize the existence of the other. Is that an acceptable future for you?" Uzumi pointed out, "If you envision an alternative...then take this light of hope that we have lit, and guide us to a new future." Then he gave them a sympathetic look, "It'll mean taking a hard road once again...but I'm sure you understand why it's necessary, Murrue Ramius."
Then Uzumi noticed both Miorine and Suletta's uneasy expressions, "Miorine. Suletta. You two may be new to this whole ordeal, but this is the only way."
Miorine and Suletta then looked at each other with the same uneasy expressions, then looked at Kira for support, who nodded to their silent support. Then they looked back to Uzumi and reluctantly nodded.
Murrue closed her eyes, trying to accept Uzumi's words. Then she looked at Mu, who gave her a reassuring smile, "Though it is small, we believe that this light of hope will not be put out."
"The same goes for me and Suletta. We'll put our beliefs to this light that you've given us, Uzumi-sama." Miorine added.
Uzumi gave them a nod of gratitude as he told them their next order, "Then I suggest that you get ready."
"Yes, sir!" Murrue nodded as she and the others left, leaving Cagalli and Uzumi, who patted her daughter's head.
Everyone decided to get themselves ready, the Archangel being attached with boosters, and a new Orb ship called the Kusanagi was currently letting in a group of M1 Astrays.
In the Archangel, the crew is modifying the ship with the help of an Orb minister who's telling them how the Archangel will gain more speed by using the Lohengrins that will cause a Positronic Interference Effect once the Lohengrins are fired upon. The Positronic Interference Effect is a side effect of firing a positron blaster cannon within Earth's atmosphere that can be used to launch a vessel into space without the use of a Mass Driver.
In the hangar of the Archangel, we see a few engineers and Erica building the Buster's Gun Launcher and Beam Rifle. Of course, there is the Moebius Zero, now disassembled, as they are now being recolored into purple as a new Striker Pack frame is being built.
At the same time in the Kusanagi, parts of a new Striker Pack are being put inside the Kusanagi's hangar, with one of them having a noticeable red crystal for what it looks like to be for the chest armor.
With the pilots on the ground... Alongside their Gundams. The Strike's IWSP is currently on the ground because of the weight. The same goes for the Combined Shield for the same excuse that would endanger the Strike's frame.
"Sure, nothing's keeping us from returning to Carpentaria." Dearka commented, "Since it's the Earth Forces we're fighting against, after all."
"Athrun Zala of ZAFT...!" Athrun muttered with an upset expression, recalling Lacus' words to him, "She knew all along." Athrun smiled as Kira and the other two pilots just looked at Athrun.
"Athrun?" Kira asked, having no idea who that "she" Athrun was talking about.
"I always thought you were supposed to follow orders from your nation...and defeat the enemy." Athrun admitted, "I thought there was no other way...to bring a quick end to this war." Then he looked at the pilots, "But what should we really be fighting against?"
"Then come with us, Athrun-san!" Suletta said as she was greeted by taken-aback glances from her fellow pilots. This caused her to blush in embarrassment, but she had to shake her head and continue, trying to ignore her blush and embarrassment, "All of us don't have an answer on who we should be up against, so let's search for the answer. Together."
The boys looked at Suletta for a moment, then looked at each other, then back at Suletta as they smiled and nodded.
But the conversation was short-lived when they were alarmed that the three machines of the Alliance were heading straight to Kaguya. The Gundam pilots nodded to one another as they went inside their respective Gundams.
When Uzumi gave the Archangel the go-ahead for takeoff, Murrue complied and asked Kira and Suletta.
"Suletta and I will provide backup for the takeoff." Kira said as he pressed a few buttons inside the Strike.
"Archangel, please take off!" Suletta exclaimed as she pressed a few buttons inside the Aerial, "What about the Kusanagi?"
"I'll send it out right away! Thanks!"Uzumi stated.
"It's gonna be an air battle! The Buster's not equipped for it!" Athrun pointed out, "Dearka, board the Archangel!"
Dearka clicked his tongue, but Athrun had a point. His Buster is not suited or doesn't have the equipment for an aerial fight. He complied with Athrun's request as he and his Buster went inside the modified booster-equipped Archangel.
The Archangel was then positioned on the launching platform of the Mass Driver.
"Raise bow twenty! Lohengrin standby!" Murrue ordered as the Lohengrins of the Archangel were pulled out and ready. Miriallia's eyes softened when she saw the Buster now inside the Archangel. With Miorine, she worriedly stared on her monitor at the Strike and Aerial preparing for another battle against those three Alliance Gundams, the former grabbing the Combined Shield on the ground as both the Justice and Aile Aerial grabbed the IWSP and installed it on the Strike's back, which it's eyes glowed once the back is equipped.
'Kira... Suletta... you two better be careful.' Miorine worriedly thought.
"Otou-sama!" Cagalli cried out to her father, trying to convince him to come with her and escape together.
Uzumi looked at his daughter and said, "What's taking you so long! Hurry up!"
"But...!" Cagalli tried to reason, but she was cut off by an Orb minister.
"Mobile suits approaching! Distance: 15!" the minister informed as Uzumi had no choice but to grab Cagalli's arm and drag her to the Kusanagi.
"We have our responsibilities, and you have yours!" Uzumi stated, but Cagalli's having none of that.
"But still...!" Cagalli tried to argue but Uzumi looked back at her with a serious expression.
"If we're left without anyone to carry out our hopes, we're finished! Why don't you understand that?" Uzumi scolded as Cagalli's eyes now have tears.
With the Archangel now in the skies, alongside the Gundams that are capable of flight. The Gundams of Orb (and ZAFT) saw the Alliance Gundams nearing Kaguya.
"They're here! Kira! Suletta!" Athrun shouted as Kira's Strike looked at Orb.
"Please hurry with the takeoff!" Kira exclaimed as the Archangel fired their Lohengrins and it caused the effect as mentioned earlier. Of course, the three Alliance Gundams noticed this as Orga aimed his Calamity's beam cannons and tried to fire, but he couldn't do it as the Raider was forced to evade a few green beam shots from the Justice, who were approaching them with the Strike and Aerial behind.
(Play: Akatsuki No Kuruma by FictionJunction.)
"Lord Uzumi! Cagalli!" At the Kusanagi, Kisaka was greeted by Uzumi and a begging yet crying Cagalli.
"Hurry, Kisaka!" Uzumi said as he shoved Cagalli to Kisaka, "And take care of my foolish daughter."
"Yes, sir!" Kisaka complied while Cagalli looked back to her father.
"Otou-sama!" Cagalli cried out as her father gave her a pat on the head.
"Stop giving me that look. It doesn't suit the daughter of the Lion of Orb."
"But...!" Cagalli cried.
"You're parting from your father, but you're not alone." Uzumi took out something from his suit. A picture. He gave the picture to Cagalli to see a woman with two babies. Twins to be precise with brown and blonde hair. Weirdly enough, Cagalli and Kira had the aforementioned colors, "You'll be with your brother."
Cagalli looked at her father in confusion before accepting the photo. Cagalli then flipped the photo over to see two names written on the back which gave her an unbelievable shock. The names are written there, the names of the two babies in the picture, were hers and Kira's.
Cagalli couldn't help but gape at this new information as she looked at her father with widened eyes. Uzumi just gave Cagalli a nod.
"I feel very fortunate to have been your father." Uzumi admitted to Cagalli as the doors of the Kusanagi closed. This surprised Cagalli as she cried once again while banging her arms on the glass, "Go, Kisaka! I'm counting on you!"
Then a metal door closed, with Cagalli seeing her father one last time and the Kusanagi now prepared for take off. The Kusanagi then blasted down the mass driver, taking its passengers with it.
At the fight, the Forbidden fired its Hresvelgr at the Justice, who dodged it and returned fire at the Forbidden. The Calamity and Raider charged at the Strike and Aerial as the green Gundam fired its weapons. Both Gundams split up to dodge the beam as both white Gundams fired their beam weapons at the Calamity and Raider... until they noticed the Kusanagi ship. Of course, the Orb and ZAFT Gundams noticed the ship as well.
"Kira-nii-chan! Athrun-san!" Suletta called out.
"Right! Let's go!/Ah!" Kira and Athrun nodded in unison.
At the Kusanagi's bridge, Cagalli wept and she cried out to her father.
On their way to the Kusanagi, the Gundams of Orb and ZAFT fired their beams and railguns at the Alliance Gundams, with the three machines firing back at the red and whites.
With no time to lose, the Strike, Aerial, and Justice punched their thrusters to the max as they all flew directly for the Kusanagi.
"Come on Aerial...! We're almost there...!" Suletta cried out as the Aerial caught up to the ship and used her hand to get a firm grip, "Yes! Kira-nii-chan!" The Aerial turned around and extended her hand to the Strike. The Strike caught Aerial's hand and the Strike did the same to the Justice.
"Athrun!" Kira roared out.
For a moment, it seemed that the red machine wouldn't make it, but with one last hard push, the Justice was able to grasp the hand of the Strike, allowing the Aerial suit to pull both the Strike and Justice aboard. But even though they're now aboard the ship, the Alliance Gundams didn't give up as they kept on firing their beams at the Kusanagi.
Kira, Suletta, and Athrun nodded at each other as all three Gundams put their right arms and hands onto the ship for support to not lose their grip. The Aerial had her beam rifle in her left hand and aimed down at the three Alliance Gundams, with both the Strike and Justice aiming their backpack-equipped beams/railguns at the Alliance Gundams as well.
The three stooges didn't expect that as the Strike, Aerial, and Justice fired all of their weapons at the pursuing machines. Now that they're gone from the time being thanks to the beams/railguns stopping them when said ammunitions hit the water, the Kusanagi was able to swiftly go into space, leaving Onogoro and Orb behind.
Kira, Suletta, and Athrun looked at Orb and the left-behind Orb ministers one final time with Uzumi watching them from the ground through the monitor.
Seeing that the last of the two ships had lifted off, Lord Uzumi nodded to his fellow representatives of Orb and stated, "The seeds have flown. We've succeeded. We won't let Orb and this world... fall into the hands of those bastards!"
With that said, Lord Uzumi flipped a switch and then hit the button that began the explosions.
In moments, Morgenröte and Orb's Mass Driver were consumed in a fiery blaze as they all began self-destructing. As its blaze consumed him, Lord Uzumi looked to the stars, and before he vanished into the inferno, he gave one last wish.
As they watched the inferno consume the nation, the three pilots could barely stand the sight of the lost, of course, Suletta had to silently weep at that as well. Of course, there is one person who couldn't take that loss well. And that was Cagalli Yula Athha, not only did she lose her home, but also her father as well, who could only do nothing but sob so hard that she had to call out her father one last time.
(End: Akatsuki No Kuruma by FictionJunction.)
RF2: And now we're back to normal!...ish, this chapter contains 4k+ words instead of the usual 7k-8k+ words, but at least it ain't long. Also, we're back to the episode titles! Yay! So the (Three) Two Ship Alliance now went to space, but with some people leaving behind and sacrificing themselves so Orb wouldn't be colonized and such by the Alliance. RIP Uzumi Narat Atha and co...
Anyways, changing the subject now, did you guys watch the Gundam Breaker 4 trailer in Nintendo Direct? TBH, I was surprised and excited to get the game since I have a Nintendo Switch. Now I can do future and potential upgrades of Mobile Suits for this fic and/or diorama poses of both the Aerial and the Strike! I already have an MS in mind that needs an upgrade for future stories and you guys won't expect what mobile suit that is going to be.
Not only that, we got a new EG Strike which is in familiar colors... THE STRIKE KAI'S COLORS! HOLY SHIT THEY USED MY STRIKE KAI'S COLORS! OH MY GOD! HOLYSHIT! WHATTHEFUCK! I MEAN... HOLY SHIT! It's already obvious I'm gonna let Mu pilot it!
Also, again, gotta thank jetslinger333 from for the additional POVs for this chapter. Speaking of which...HOLY FUDGE, THIS STORY REACHED 100 ON BOTH FAVORITES AND FOLLOWS IN FANFICTION! I CAN'T BELIEVE I'VE REACHED THIS MILESTONE! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THIS! REALLY! THIS IS LIKE... MY PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT!
AGAIN! THANK YOU ALL!
Hopefully, Star Rail SEED will reach the same milestone as well...
Anyways! What do you guys think? Good? Bad? Shit? Mid? You guys tell me! This is RF2 signing off! See you!
