Hello, guys. Can't believe it took me this long to write a Gundam 00 Fanfic.

To all those who took the time to open and read this. Thank you.

I hope you guys will like this. :)

2/10/25: Edited it once more. This was one of my earlier stories, and I think I should update it to be a better quality.

The edit I did in Ch1 had exactly 6,000 words. Lol

Chapter 2: Distortion

The Gundam Meisters gathered in the observation room overlooking the asteroid field. The thick atmosphere, from Tiera who kept glancing at him sharply to Allelujah's frowning and worries, emanated the room like a dense air in need to be cleared. After another harsh berating from their stern Gundam Meister, Neil had nothing else to say now. What was said had been said, and what remained was nothing but words that needn't be said because their actions said it all.

Throughout the verbal beating, Lockon couldn't muster any energy to smile, chuckle, or lighten the mood. He couldn't really when the depths of his mistakes filled him with regret. His decision to go for Saachez on his own, however, was not one of them. How careless he was in his path to revenge was his regret.

"That was reckless of you Lockon. Please don't do that again. We don't want to lose anyone," was all Allelujah had to say in that matter then proceeded to sigh afterward as he leaned against the wall. He was worried just as everyone was, Neil knew.

Setsuna stood in the silence with not one statement from him, Lockon didn't think he would speak when he already said his worries earlier on their time alone. The youngest pilot didn't need to be verbal with his thoughts for his eyes alone carried a thousand words worthy of the stars than any words could. The man remembered it since they were first introduced to Setsuna years ago. The young man gazed at the Gundams with silent admiration and for what they stood for.

Lockon couldn't refute the claim, it really was reckless of him and nothing would ever justify it except for his own sake of finally having his revenge on the madman. But he wouldn't change what happened if he were given another chance. It was one less menace in the world and he would repeat it if he had to.

"Tiera?" their tactical forecaster greeted when the purple-haired man contacted her. Miss Sumeragi's eyes drained of her usual joviality lacking her energy with her hair all over more so than usual.

"Ms. Sumeragi, please submit your next mission plan," Tiera said strongly, eyes burning with determination.

They all looked at each other and nodded at her. All of them brimming with determination to fight. With or without Dynames. In or out of his Gundam. A Celestial Being Gundam Meister will always fight for their beliefs.

"You want to go back to fight already?" was Sumeragi's shocked reply, eyes wide and mouth agape.

"Of course, I do," the purple-haired man stated without pause. "All of us are." Nadleeh's pilot stated not sparing them a glance to check if anyone says otherwise. Not that he'd want to say otherwise, but somehow, even with a fire burning in him he did not feel eager like before his duel with death. After his last battle, he... part of him wanted to stop and rest but that was not who he was.

He could rest when he was dead.

"Wiping out the pseudo GN Dive units will show the world that we are still strong."

"The risk… is enormous. They will have reinforcements," their Captain responded. "Not to mention that the Gundam Dynames and Nadleeh are unprepared for combat as it is."

Standing, Lockon stood behind Tiera, "Miss Sumeragi's right. We need to think this through." They couldn't afford to counterattack now. The UN had superior numbers, slightly superior units, and a damn good tactical forecaster to combat Miss Sumeragi. If they were to win they needed a superior plan and tight formation plus coordination.

"Even so," Nadleeh's pilot replied heatedly glaring at him. "We have no choice."

"Tiera's right, Lockon," Kyrios's pilot stated coming in between them. "We can't run. We're surrounded, and fighting is our only choice."

"Look," he sighed. He knew that fact, but rushing wasn't gonna help them with anything. "I'm not saying we retreat. I'm saying, we think this carefully." It's great they all had conviction, but it alone will not help them. It didn't do well enough for him against Ali Al-Saachez. His fiery passion did not help in his mission for justice. They don't need to pressure Miss Sumeragi at this time when she's taking it all badly.

"I will fight," he glanced to see their youngest pilot who stood up resolutely and stared him down. "No matter what it is. I will fight." Lockon envied Setsuna's conviction. The young man will fight anything in his way no matter what. Strong or weak, the man could see it in the younger brunet's eyes that he would fight.

It was stronger than what he could muster now with only the will to live. With the death of Saachez, he felt his energy slowly sapping away from his grasp even with his new promise. There was just an empty gnawing striving presence in his core now. For a long time, he was finally picking up the pieces.

Now is not the time to pick up what you left behind.

"I see you're all determined to see this through," she finally said. "Debriefing will be in 0030. Rest while you can." The woman then cut off the feed.

Determined was such a strong word for him now when he was still piecing himself together. He's merely living now. Even with that, he'd still fight to protect their little family.

Lockon resisted the urge to groan when Tiera's glare returned once again. The man was not letting it go easily. He couldn't help but smile a little when this was the case, how far you have become Tiera. From the cold man to the man before him who was now a human being.

The thick air in the room could choke lesser men for their impending battle with the UN, their worries solely for their survival. They all knew it's a make-or-break, and they would make it. No words needed to be said about that.

They reviewed the abilities of these GN-X and the probable ability of their enemies' tactical forecaster. Whoever the commander of the operation was, she must be smart and more experienced than Sumeragi as all their plans were optimal in facing their fewer numbers. The man could only think so much if they hadn't discovered Tarns-Am.

"With many of the GN-X destroyed in the last fight," Sumeragi began. "There is little chance of them getting reinforcements since they are relatively new units. Still," their Captain's eyes focused on the image squinting, unsure than he had ever seen her. "We shouldn't rule it out yet. We simply don't know if the traitor has more hidden units so don't get comfortable."

Their tactical forecaster then opened the map showing their position in the middle of the asteroid field with their enemy's position far up north. "The enemy has us surrounded." Even if the enemy only had one remaining ship blocking their way now with their GN-X as the only deterrent, no doubt even if they defeat them they still have units stationed at Orbital Elevator to chase them. "Escape is impossible until we eliminate them since the MS can still catch up with us and call some reinforcements. With one Gundam partially repaired, Kyrios and Exia are the only wild cards we have here. We are at a great disadvantage with having two Gundams since Nadleeh is not meant for frontal combat nor is Dynames ready right now."

"So," Allelujah interrupted, "No choice but to fight them directly. What chance do we have if they do have reinforcements?"

He had the same thought too. Too many times in their times were they surprised by AEU, Union, and HRL. Their chances of escaping would be small if they had a hidden card up their sleeve. They were on their last legs now and any more that could outnumber them no matter if it's Tieren, Enact, or Flag, it would still outnumber them.

Their redhead Captain frowned and replied, "Small enough with possible casualties on our side I'm afraid so." The woman sighed and then sipped a little which he knew was alcohol.

"The Gundams?" Tiera demanded. "Can they be fully prepared if we have more time given?"

"No, as of now we simply do not have the resources left unless we can escape to one of our bases. As we speak of now, Dynames' efficiency reduced with it out of balance," the tactical forecaster stated crossing her arms. "As for the possible formation the enemy will have, I have thought of three—"

The sudden klaxon of the alarm automatically had them stiffened followed by the red lights flashing lighting the dark room. "Everyone! UN forces detected! Thirteen units incoming and a big unknown!" all the monitors showed the enemy incoming and shock filled all of their faces.

There, leading the remaining UN forces was a huge golden turtle-like Mobile Armor that took the fore of the wedge formation. On its rear, it released a haze of orange GN Particles that Lockon concluded had one powerful GN Drive or possibly numerous reactors to do that as not even in Trans-am was the particle output of their GN Drive that thick. With that kind of size, no doubt it has lots of hidden weapons everywhere. Not to mention the power in the attacks.

"I'll tell you the plan once you launch, go!" They all ran to their respective stations only to stop when a strong rumbling hit the ship on their way to their Gundams. This remained nonstop for a few minutes but still, they went towards their destinations undeterred.

"GN Particle emitter one hit!" Christina reported aloud. "Second shot incoming! Everyone, hold on!" Hold on they did as the ship shook like never before another tremor struck them that the lights flickered before going dark activating the emergency lights. They were nearly there and once they launched they could counterattack!

The sniper reflexively released his hold on the rail tightly when another quake happened and felt someone hit him pushing him. They needed to take down that monster if they were to survive the onslaught. It would possibly take all of them to do that thought but with Virtue unavailable, the only firepower they had was Exia and its GN Armor.

"Just a little more," Allelujah said with a determined nod to each of them before they went to their own Gundams.

"Haro," he said to his partner. "Adjust the Dynames to compensate for its decreased mass." Lockon tumbled on the handrails when the ship shook hard and the emergency alarms blared. Adjusting it manually would take time and he had faith that his partner would be able to do it.

"Okay, okay."

"All units, emergency launch," Feldt said, nervousness dancing with the iron resolve in her voice. "Good luck everyone."

The unit's sensors already registered the incoming GN-Xs upon launching in a flanking maneuver hiding behind the asteroids protecting their ship. Taking a deep breath, he gripped the sniper module.

This is it. This moment will decide our fate. A steely resolve came to him when he opened his eyes once more.

But we will not lose.

"Lockon Stratos, targeting and firing," he declared steeling his nerves.

Lockon moved Gundam Dynames in front of Ptolemy and started firing immediately. Pink beams hit asteroids tearing it apart with each shot leaving them unusable for cover, but none hit the enemy maneuvering behind it. Damn, his sniping missed by a long shot. The enemies split in their attempt to confuse him as they flank the vulnerable Ptolemaios.

No one would escape his sight. No more screw-ups.

"The enemy is splitting up. They're flanking us. Kyrios take the left, Nadleeh, the right!" said their Captain. "Dynames, point defense. Setsuna, Lasse, your target is the Mobile Armor! Distract it, if possible destroy it," A myriad of determined replies was said to Miss Sumeragi. "And please," her sighed evident, "Come back."

"Roger," they all surprisingly said at the same time.

"Put all power into the weapon," Lockon ordered his partner. "Is the adjustment done?"

"Finished. Finished," Lockon's robot partner said flapping its wings.

Forcefully ignoring the bigger threat he put his faith in Setsuna and Lasse's ability that the Assault Container that passed him can do it. They have to do it, or all they'd done and been through would have been for nothing.

We're not done yet, he thought so surely narrowing his eyes.

The moment a small part of those GN-X came out of their right flank in the asteroid, the brunet man didn't hesitate to fire. The exploding part brought a slight smirk on his lips as the shots struck, before aiming right where Tiera was being pushed back supporting the naked Nadleeh. The GN-X raised its arms to possibly activate its GN shield only for his shot to pierce it and followed it up with a shot to its comrade's head as Tiera then counterattacked fiercely.

"You will not pass," Lockon declared. By his oath to his deceased family, by his oath to Lyle, and by his oath to God, he would protect his small new family. Not one of them will pass while he lived!

Both sides firing at him only stopped when Kyrios and Nadleeh intercepted, going left and right taking the fight towards to melee them giving him a chance to move for cover as he continually evaded the red GN particle beams shot at him randomly. Silently thanking the two, Lockon provided cover for the Ptolemy as best as he could by keeping up the long-range attack.

Not one of them bypassed their defenses as the other two finished what he couldn't and covered for him if he was attacked. Another two on the right went out of their cover wise enough to dash for another cover. With laser focus, his eyes never left it.

Not fast enough, his mind calculated their trajectory and opened fire again cutting off the leg of one before the pilot could completely dash for cover. Turning his focus on his ten o'clock above, raising his rifle to see the Kyrios pierced one with its shield and then engaged another one with a saber.

His shot cut off the other one from helping his comrade by dodging his Dynames' attacks.

Tch, must be an ace pilot.

It retaliated down on him with a shot that was closer than he expected but he himself didn't let up, exchanging fire with it. This GN-X's shots came closer than he liked, with one grazing his leg. This gave Allelujah breathing room to duel the two without interference as he kept the others at bay. Letting loose another beam, its head separated from its body.

A warning from Haro on his three had him firing GN missiles to stop five GN-X in their march from the right before switching with GN Pistols. The lead GN-X's head blew as Neil didn't let up with his pistol barrage making them raise their GN shield while they dragged a damaged ally away while its escorts provided covering fire.

"Damn," Neil spat a curse and clicked his tongue when another two continued forward rushing in with a direct attack whilst the three went for cover. Not one to let it go, he another round of missiles switched back to his long-range weapon and clicked his teeth again as the distraction the two provided let his three targets escape.

He cursed his slightly blurry and itching eye when he reacted late for their retaliation. Nonetheless, he fired back as they quickly sidestepped in time with the shot hitting the edge of his armor.

"Danger, danger!" Haro's cry put him out of his focus seeing the E-sensor blared and barely had time to move back for a beam saber to slice him from above. Throwing his Sniper Rifle, Neil countered it with his own melee weapon and gritted his teeth as he fought tooth and nail from being pushed down by this one. Lockon and the other pilot dueled. The GN-X retracted their attack but brought another downward strike which the brunet sniper blocked.

"Ptolemy in danger! Ptolemy in danger!"

"Shit!" he cursed as the Ptolemy stood there defenseless while four now dashed for their ship unopposed. Lockon didn't see that coming!

Deciding to free the other hand, he motioned for the GN Pistols and opened fire. Fire under duress supported the Ptolemy while keeping the one before him at bay only to curse again when the GN-X before him equipped another beam saber moving to cut him horizontally.

Letting go of the pistol and Neil deflected the second strike by swiping downwards in a hasty defense but not before managing to shoot some beams out at the damn nuisance. The beam only grazed its armor.

Relief entered him when GN Missiles from the Assault Container destroyed one of the quickly approaching attackers. The other two escaped but… Lockon screamed as a brave one rushed to the bridge. An image he feared for a long time.

He bathed in red as E-Sensor bled crimson. "Large heat signature! Large heat signature!"

Crap! The Mobile Armor!

"Ptolemy, evade!" He shouted a huge orange beam swiftly headed in their direction. The sensors cried as the energy readings kept warning him. "Evade!" he repeated kicking the GN-X in its lower torso and rotating left and spin-kicking his opponent then aimed his CQC weapon on its legs making a gash on it. He made a mad dash for safety. "Alleh, Tiera! Evade!"

The screams of the ship crew filled the comms and the beam would've swallowed their ship had it not been for their swift evasion despite its lasting of only seconds. The force of the beam even shook Dynames from this distance as everything in its way disintegrated from explosive contact!

"The Ptolemy!" he heard Tiera say, heavily breathing.

The beam stunned all of them, including the GN-Xs when they stopped. He turned his green Gundam heading to the vulnerable unit saber ready to cut it down. He severed one in half and stabbed the other in the GN Drive before putting holes in the last one with his GN Pistol.

The sniper detected the visage of the Nadleeh in Trans-Am, quick and nimble Nadleeh in its battle and the Kyrios drifting away from the ship. "Allelujah," he called but no response was given making him click his tongue when another warning from Haro. The firing rate of the canon was simply too fast.

Neil already on the move screamed, "Tiera, move!"

Lockon clutched the control when another wave of beam came upon them. "Trans-Am!" Activating the failsafe system, the sniper gunned for Nadleeh putting all power in the thrusters. The twinkle of the stars blurred as he went grabbing the lithe Gundam in the middle of firing and gritting upon feeling the shockwave of the attack sending them sprawling as everything blurred for god knows how long as every second it shook them was a moment that felt like forever.

"Tiera, regroup at Ptolemy," he ordered the other pilot. Making do with a single pistol, Lockon fired at Tiera's pursuers along with the other Gundam while turning off the Trans-Am, he had no use for the reduced performance of the Dynames.

"Tiera," he called. A brief scan of the smaller Gundam had him worried for Nadleeh's right leg was cut off and its head looked like hit strongly by a giant rock.

The purple-haired pilot replied then, "Now is not the time for talking!"

"Cover me."

Lockon holstered his only ranged weapon now opting for two beam sabers as he ran towards the three GN-X dodging and then weaved as best as he could in the asteroid field.

Neil circled an asteroid and faced their enemies back. With Tiera distracting them, Lockon made a beeline for the most rear before it could defend itself. With a rush and a horizontal swing, the Dynames's beam saber cut it in half and kicked its upper body towards another as it exploded. The Dynames met another beam saber when the smoke cleared covering the clearly downed unit.

"I am Patrick—" said the pilot only to be shot down by Nadleeh leaving him to end the enemy left being ended with a single shot. Giving Nadleeh's pilot quick thanks they returned to the Ptolemy firing beams and missiles at a lone unit approaching their severely damaged immobile ship. Its starboard and port side were cut clean by the damn things beam and emanated smoke from the attacks alone.

"Lockon!"

"I know," he went in hot first since Nadleeh used up its Trans-Am and had its speed reduced greatly. His beam pistols couldn't reach it, but he tried anyway.

Go, don't fail me now Dynames. He prayed to God that he would make it. Don't deactivate yet Trans-Am.

The Assault Container couldn't fire as it was nearing its blind spot.

It was Ali Al-Saachez all over again as he saw things in slow motion. Only this time, it wasn't him. Lockon stood helpless as another family was about to face the void once again. Everything went about slowly even at his speed. The Assault Container of Dynames was helpless as he was with it just unlatching now.

He screamed in defiance when a red bolt came out of the barrel and he pushed his unit faster. His heart racing fast as his Gundam in his race against time. Firing furiously as he approached, the sniper Gundam Meister's shots tore it, but he screamed when the bridge exploded on the beam's impact. His fist curled itself on the controls. "Dammit!"

Neil's wanted to crush the controls. Wanted to punch the bastard! It was too late and with such a direct attack the survival was low. but still, if he could he would revive the bastard and kill him again. "Feldt, Chris, Lasse, Miss Sumeragi," he called. Static was his only reply. Biting a curse, Lockon set out to assist Setsuna and Lasse. "Tiera, defend Ptolemy and hail Allelujah. I'm gonna help Setsuna."

It was time they ended this. They needed the winds of victory on their side. If they were to win, then he should act fast and assist Exia in taking out the damn monster.

"Are you crazy!" Tiera argued. "You can't assault that armor armed with a handgun."

Foolish, perhaps, his lips smirked slightly, but he had done so before what was stopping him from doing it again? They had to do something. Anything.

"Eve—"

"Tier—. L—ko—. Were, fine," their forecaster replied immediately making him sigh. "Ian, Feldt, and I are in the container. Chris, Lichty… Dr. Morino," Miss Sumeragi choking evidently in her own words. Lockon took the time to close his eyes and breathed deeply letting the chills in him run unchecked feeling everything he held deeply.

I'm sorry guys, he let the heavy sinking feeling fill his chest and closed his eyes for a few precious seconds for his precious comrades, friends, and most of all, family. Mourning will come later when they live through this.

No. Not if we live. After we live through this. The man swallowed the grief and remembered the cold feeling settling over him just as it had been throughout the years to fuel the fire in his chest.

Tiera heaved. "The container could still defend itself, I'll come with you."

"No," he denied vehemently. Lockon didn't listen to any of the protests Nadleeh's pilot had. "We need someone to defend the ship while Kyrios engages the remaining Mobile suits. Plus, your Nadleeh is in worse condition than Dynames to assist. We need to take down that Mobile armor." In the state it was in now, Tiera would just be a nuisance to him and Setsuna, no one needed to die if he could help it. If it came to that, he knew what to do.

Time was of the essence and it was disheartening to know that he can't help the Kyrios with Tiera on the defense of the Assault container and him taking down the MA. Taking down that huge beast was the top priority unless they wanted to be bombarded again by its long-range GN cannon. He wasn't even sure they'd survive if Setsuna didn't confront the large GN Drive-powered unit.

"Urgh," Ian exclaimed in frustration. "You'll need weapons. I'll release the remaining weapons of the Dynames."

"We don't have any data on it, but it's possible it has the same armor as the Gundams. To damage it, attack it on one spot, any spot, repeatedly, crack its shell," the woman emphasized greatly. Belying in their tactical forecaster's words was fire he was glad to see again. A fiery heart that was determined to stop death reigning on the battlefield. "The damage will accumulate over time. Have Setsuna breach its GN Field and its defeat would be possible with your teamwork," Miss Sumeragi Lee Noriega suggested before sighing. "Good luck Lockon."

"See you guys later." Catching the two GN Sniper Rifles and putting them in place, he grabbed another pistol and holstered the pair. "I'll be back."

I promise.

He would come back. Their mission was still not done. Whether or not Celestial Being was needed now that unity had been achieved, they would still watch the world that would unfold after their decisive battle for their lives had ended.

With that, he dashed towards the large orange sphere on the dark horizon miles away from them, and cursed when the Trans-Am deactivated. He'd have to adjust to the weakened state of his Mobile suit until it recharges enough particles.

Orange and pink danced together in brief flashes in the distance wherein the pink kept moving and hitting the sphere around. Clutching the control tightly, Neil pushed his Dynames into its speed limit drawing the two rifles.

This was it, their final gamble. No more plan phases, no more Celestial Being specific goal. Just their life on the line as they waged for their survival. "Haro, zoom in on them."

Exia's container hit the enemy's tough GN Field with its frontal GN Field. Their defensive abilities battled for dominance. A man laughed in an open channel and upon scanning came from the MA. "You annoying ghost of Aeolia Schenberg. I, Alejandro Corner, shall make you sacrifices for the new world!"

His fingers curled more than he could push the strength. Who was this man, he thought but Lasse's returning reply broke his reverie, "Lockon! Get away, this thing's too powerful."

Exia went against it head to head as their GN fields clashed.

Immediately, Lockon lined his sights preparing to support their youngest pilot against the behemoth. The man needlessly pushed the thrusters despite reaching maximum speed when a claw revealed itself and split Exia's Assault container like it was nothing. The GN Arms and Exia ejecting made him not waste time and immediately opened fire at the torn container held by the claws easily blowing it up. Not satisfied, he fired more spreading the smoke but not enough to see through it.

Still, he fired continuously blowing the smoke away.

"Did it work?"

"No," he doubted armor that thick could be easily pierced as Lasse thought. "Get away!"

Lasse immediately did, because as soon as it happened Alejandro's response was quicker. Lockon veered out of the way when it released a whole array of beams behind the smoke. The return strikes were accurate in that they nearly grazed his Dynames in his evasion. Golden beams spread fire all around that could one-shot any unit, even their Gundams.

Focusing on the damn armor now. Exia danced around the multitude of orange beams just as he did. The range was not ideal yet. His first strike was the longest his Gundam could strike right now with its weakened state and he needed to get closer as the GN particle beam supply was not yet sufficient to provide stronger attacks.

Alejandro Corner laughed as he continued his approach. Setsuna continued his maneuvering while returning fire. The GN Arms circled it and fired to no effect.

"Going against the Alvatore with those toys. How ridiculous!" Smoke covered Exia and kept his cool even when Setsuna's shield was destroyed in one shot. Lockon didn't need to fire the missiles at this point. Soon, he knew the chance would come, thus he held himself back.

Firing back, Lockon then spun downwards as a beam passed him where it even shook him in the cockpit.

The field is too strong. Lockon gnashed his teeth as their offense proved futile with its constant dispersion of their attacks. The moment the barrage and the defensive field dropped, Neil fired missiles and held the rifle module. His breath accelerated but he stomped the rush of his breathing and body as was his discipline then fired just as small objects flew from its tail. He found himself smirking when the right barrel blew but his victory was short-lived when it activated the GN Field once more and the smaller weapons raced to them.

With his GN Sniper Rifle, he dashed back looking up to see three of them, and took his shot. He spun dodging the beam that nearly hit his shoulder to look down and when the system locked in, he took out four of them while the others scattered faster than he could fire again.

"The weapon is just like the Throne's," Setsuna commented weaving through the onslaught of the remote weapons but with Setsuna now in reach, he covered the open rear of Exia.

These fangs are faster than Throne Zwei's.

GN Pistol in second hand he took a shot at it but some of it missed. Flipping the Gundam and spinning, the beams missed and he raised the right arm and fired nonstop resulting in numerous blasts. This fang was gonna tear them apart if they were any slower. Lockon clicked his tongue never stopping moving and constantly firing.

"Lockon, cover us. Setsuna let's dock," came the order of Lasse covering them with a strong beam destroying more of the fangs.

Lockon quick as he could turn, twisted and rolled through the rain of fangs attacks firing back but there were still many of them. "Evade. Evade," Haro reported and he gritted his teeth when his Gundam shook, the left foot glowing yellow. His target beeped locking on the smaller targets, Lockon fired the knee GN Missiles taking them out before they could fire again.

"Firing."

The calm voice of Setsuna stated this when a huge pink beam swallowed three fangs and surged forward on the offense. Lockon stayed behind covering the rear of Exia as together they took the offense this time. The docked Gundam fired again but it only dissipated against the density of the golden field. If Setsuna used Trans-am now, there's no telling if it would work. Even his Dynames didn't have enough firepower.

Releasing the GN Field, its snout lengthened, and out of it the beam that destroyed their ship made him evade holding on when it shook from the force of the beam. He glanced for a second with worry at the asteroid field seeing it littered with blasts but continued blasting Alejandro's Mobile armor. Both rifles in his hands trembled, but nonetheless, he fired but even the cannon's armor dissipated his piercing shots like it was nothing.

"Nice dodge," the man commented with disdain. "However," His Dynames sidestepped, rolled backward, sideward, dashed up, as the myriad of orange GN particles rained once again.

Tch, given the time I could hit those but not with that rate of fire it keeps going.

"Lockon," called Lasse. "Attack when given the chance. Let's go Setsuna!" Before Lockon could call them out on their craziness, the duo was on Alejandro quicker than he expected.

"Fools!" Alejandro laughed. Alvatore's giant claw trapped them and seeing the chance, he struck. Fire after fire from his Sniper Rifle he did. The other barrels surrounding its right side exploded making his chest a little light knowing it wouldn't be troublesome anymore. A brief scan had him smirking when the right claw was cut off.

The remaining barrel curving barrel shocked Lockon, and before he could fire he screamed, "Setsuna! Evade!" And evade they did but at the cost of Type-E Armor's long claw feet as the Alvatore's remaining claw then struck out only to be severed too by his quick shot and Setsuna's combined attack. "Haro, fire all remaining missiles on my command."

With a quick holstering of the rifle, he then dashed towards the hulking golden armor a saber, and pistol out. Setsuna and Lasse were in deep shit when Alvatore kept raining beams on Exia and kept them on the left side. The satisfying lock-on was a most welcome condition as the computer locked onto its head forcing it to activate its GN Field.

When it dropped, restarting its attack, he surged forward.

"Haro, now!" Rolling the Dynames left, the long-range Meister then swerved left to the remaining long forward barrel cutting it as he passed. "Where is your attention, Alejandro? There are two Meisters here."

Not satisfied, Lockon shot his rifle point blank and stabbed down with his beam saber, a glowing magma red as he held on. Even when the GN Armor blew up somewhere around the damn unit, he fired nonstop with it unable to attack this close to its main body. Kicking away, he fired more and tore the hole more.

Rage came out of the man, breaking the smugness he had earlier making him smirk. "Insolent orphaned fool! You'll pay for that!"

His chest felt lighter knowing his friend was out of the fire, unaffected by whatever the man said. "Setsuna! Lasse!"

"You tw…o," the crackling voice of Lasse stated from the now-ruined GN Armor.

"Lasse!" he heard both him and Setsuna cry out. "Lockon, C8!" Not needing any more words he went left to the unguarded side as Setsuna charged to engage it in melee. The man cursed when his saber was rebounded by the damn persistent GN Field! That level of attack should have ruined part of its particle emitters! But he kept at it, point-blank shots still deflected. Haro flapped its wings, and he did not need words going up and spun in evasion with the golden beams going past him as he turned left sharply with a kick missing the golden beams by mere inches, his armor glowing yellow on the sensors just from the heat alone.

Setsuna's guttural cry echoed and the field disappeared a second later. On his right, came the Exia as it dashed forward GN Sword ready to pierce. The sniper watched in amazement and utter ineffectiveness as the Exia sliced it with its main CQC armament. Once was not enough, spun creating a long gash on its armor, and slashed down and horizontally.

Neil's shot didn't pierce, but he took the shot nonetheless. The youngest Meister could handle this one, he knew, but he would be the support to help him there. His conviction was powerful enough to overcome what he could not. Setsuna F. Seie or rather, Soran Ibrahim's ever-warm heart was stronger than his to be able to do something he wasn't: To pass their own tribulations.

Setsuna despite what he'd been through surged forward without hesitation or regret, something he couldn't fully do.

"Impossible! My Alvatore cannot be defeated by Gundams!" In a poetic justice, the

Lockon went to check on Lasse while keeping an eye on Setsuna. The GN Armor was a complete wreck. It took everything they had to defeat that monster. "Lasse," called the sniper. No answer.

A minute later, the other Gundam approached him. "He's unconscious," without question he answered the still unsaid question of the younger pilot. "Probably injured. We'll take him back immediately."

"Heat signature?!" He moved as an orange beam flew between him and Exia. Looking back, the trashed body of Alvatore. "Setsuna!" Pushing the white and blue Gundam out of the way, Lockon clashed with the saber of the Mobile suit that came out of the damn armor when it brought down its weapon sparking in contact.

"As expected of the Mobile suit equipped with the original Solar furnace." A laughing man in a golden pilot suit contacted him, the arrogance in his voice clear for them to hear.

The traitor. His long red hair and smug expression told him all he needed to know. Lockon's chest boiled with anger. All this for what? Possibly ruling the world? What? Why must it always be human greed that brings ruin to all?

"You're the one who distorted Aeolia Schenberg's plan," Setsuna went straight for the kill but another saber blocked it. One look at Setsuna from his cockpit was all he needed to know. Lockon drew another saber as Setsuna did the same. Lockon gasped as their melee coordination attack met a GN Field that pushed them back and failed.

"GN Field?" For such a small unit?! It was absurd! How could something so small generate a powerful GN Field?

"Ha ha ha. Original GN Drive or not, my Alvaron is still superior," Alejandro's voice annoyed Lockon. Bastards like him and Saachez deserved no mercy. "Destruction and reconstruction. Celestial Being was meant to destroy the world through armed intervention and its reconstruction came in the form of a unified government."

Everything fell together as Lockon knew what this madman would say next. "So, you plan to control this government as if the world was your toy?" Here they were risking their lives, spilling blood so that a better future would come and Alejandro Corner just came in and destroyed that?! This was what all those he had killed for amounted to? In vain and at the whims of an egomaniac playing God! This... the Thrones came from his machinations. The UN GN Drives came from him, the only aberrant in their plan.

"So, you want to rule the world!" His Dynames matched Exia's speed as together they weaved through the beams of the golden Mobile suit's rifle.

"I am merely guiding it to the right path."

No amount of justification would excuse such behavior. Guidance under one man? It angered him that all their efforts went to waste because of this man!

"However," the wings pointed forward. "There is no place for Celestial Being in the new world! Die!"

"Setsuna!" Lockon pressed the last resort weapon as gold covered the monitors. Quick as a flash, he dodged the hell out of its way. "Setsuna!" called the man again. They both knew what to do. Pink and gold flashed on his screen and everything turned to a blur. The shot, he gripped the controls in boiling anger. The Ptolemy!

"Trans-Am," was all the younger one replied. The voice brought relief to him. "Lockon, the distortion of the world. I found it. We found it. A-1." Setsuna's voice couldn't get more powerful. The low volume spoke of the young man's pure dream and ambition.

They circled the golden Mobile Suit, crisscrossing before engaging its flanks avoiding the powerful beam it shot. Setsuna from the right and he from the left flanked the madman under the cover of his GN Field shooting briefly before hiding again. This brief shot trembled his Gundam, a testament to its power.

"Yes. Let's destroy it together, Setsuna," smirked Lockon. "Targeted and firing!" His shot went straight and true but the particle field was strong and deflected it. Lockon kept at it ignoring the monologuing monster, as his partner charged. A Gundam Meister never works alone! This was the core of their plan, each unit capable but it was their teamwork that made it work in the end. Setsuna's blade, his eyes, Tiera's firepower, and Allelujah's speed.

The two of them circled the lonesome unit as it fired in a futile effort not catching them with the Gundam's speed, still, the danger lay in its weapons. The rifle was as strong as the GN Cannon, and that charged beam had half the strength as Virtue on Trans-am.

Neil never dared say more because the moment felt rightly belonging to Setsuna. He would stand guard silently beside his younger friend in destroying the symbol of this world's corruption. Of the corrupt ideal that rooted from Alejandro.

Exia's GN Sword pierced the traitor's MS and the field deactivated a second after it stabbed the armor. Lockon shot it all over, its limbs now broken, its wings exploding when he hit the GN Drive before surging forward. "The eradication of conflict through force. That is what Celestial Being is about," Exia pierced the other arm. "The Gundams will carry it!"

He stabbed forward, severing its remaining arms. With both arms severed, Setsuna stabbed forward.

Lockon could feel Setsuna's want for peace. Not want. Need. His need to fight for peace.

"Along with me." Another blade to the torso. "Yes, I am…." A harsh cut across the chest pushed it back and Lockon stabbed one last time with Setsuna as the younger man screamed. "We are Gundam!"

When the Alvaaron exploded, their Trans-am ended leaving them vulnerable, but thankfully they survived.

It was over. The roots had been destroyed. Repentance for him would follow. Repentance for the blood spilled in the name of peace. For Lockon, no amount of praying would save his soul, but he prayed that at least God would have mercy on his soul to meet his fallen family when the time came. He would not beg, he would not plead, anything but accept the judgment for he already accepted his sins and crime regardless of his intention.

A swift unit flashed in his sensors that's three times faster than any normal MS. It made his heart pound. "Flag. Flag," Haro commented.

A flag that fast? Impossible.

"I really missed you Gundam!" the flag pilot greeted tackling Exia before whipping out a beam saber.

"Go, Lockon," Exia's pilot ordered followed by a grunt, what weapon was left, the GN Sword, blocked the strike. "Take Lasse back. He might be injured."

It was a hard decision but one he needed answering now. Logic won in Lockon. Setsuna would defeat that flag. The brunet man had faith in him he would succeed and come back for the young man. Without looking back, he transferred the Dynames' power to thrust as he hauled the large object back to the ship. He didn't want to risk forcefully opening the cockpit in the probable event that his injuries got worse.

"Setsuna!" The man threw his beam sabers and one pistol at Exia as they clashed in a brutal duel. GN Sword versus Beam Saber.

He would come back for Setsuna. I promise. He would protect what's left of their family.

I hope you guys like this, :)

Edited: 02/23/22