The conflicting emotions of trying to keep the peace but also not cause anymore bloodshed paired with the guilt of taking the life of someone who was not only a former friend but almost looked like his lover, Kira had felt a range of emotions. He thanked Mu for grabbing him. He phased out of the SEED mode when he came back onto the Eternal.
He didn't want to open the cockpit hatch. Lacus did. She passed the mechanics who were worried for him. Once they saw how Kira was fine, they moved away, letting the two of them have some space. Lacus floated over to him. When he saw her, he apologized profusely. Lacus, who also was going through emotions of grief and despair, hugged Kira. The two consoled one another. Lacus forgave him of the act of taking Selena's life. It was a battle. He did the best he could.
Athrun had gotten word that the two were together from the mechanics. He hurried over to them. He saw them in their pitiful state. He was about to console them when a communication screen appeared with Selena still alive, holding Ra in her arms, after Sven announced that the battle was over, and that they won.
Even after all of these surprises, it still shocked them.
"She's alive?" Kira muttered out.
Lacus hugged him, now tears of joy floating around them.
Athrun came over to see only to be frozen on the spot. She was actually alive, and she took the enemy. His views of her were wrong. She tricked him. He couldn't believe it.
Andrew let out a sigh of relief. He had been on the edge of his seat after taking over. It was an interesting battle, but it had become more of a slaughter after the royal soldiers took over. The mobile suits with the phase shift armor to match their animal was interesting. The change to the animal also could be seen with the fighting stances. Those who were bears, they rampaged through, using their strength. Those who were wolves, either attacked solo or grouped together to take down large groups. The ladies who were swans, did both. Some fought together, while others fought one on one.
On the Minerva, Arthur had his jaw drop from the scene that unfolded. "Not only is she alive, but she also ended the battle."
Declan considered themselves lucky as she was actually on their side. He mulled over a few thoughts before speaking. "This is basically her flexing her power."
"Huh?" Arthur looked over to him.
"Look how easy it was for the royal military," Declan explained. The bridge crew also listened in on the conversation. "Was ZAFT actually needed in this battle? She not only caged us in, but they annihilated all of those that went against her. She even got their vessels under her command. I just got word that the secret compound has been taken over by them. Orb helped, but did they actually? We should be counting our lucky stars that she wants peace just as well. Her vessels were also escorting Mars Colony representatives, taking the enemy who followed them. If anything, we were just pawns on her chessboard." Arthur gulped. "Let's help them clean up."
ZAFT headed back out to help take control over the enemy's vessels. The white rope like machine, finished wrapping back onto the vessel.
On the Ormr Drakkar, Selena placed down Ra's body in a pod. It closed on him, before moving into a hidden alcove. Selena watched it lock into place. She took off her helmet, placing it in a locker. She sat down on a chair, strapping herself in, readying herself for their descent.
Sven could see that Selena was ready to go. He got on the PA system. "Princess Selena is ready to descend. A countdown has started. Start making your way back after handing the enemies to ZAFT." Sven also switched communication to the Eternal. He was greeted by Andrew, Lacus, Athrun, and Kira on the bridge. "We shall be handing over the vessels over to you, PLANT Supreme Council Chairwoman Clyne. We still have some things to finish up on our end."
"So, she's actually alive," Athrun spoke out. "But Kira sliced that machine in half. She could not have escaped from something like that."
Sven smiled. "Yes, quite something isn't it? She was even conditioned by him, held into that chair with metal bars on her torso and thighs, but they jammed up, not allowing her release. Her ejection button was also jammed, even on Ra's side. How did she make that miraculous escape? Well, a magician never reveals their tricks."
Athrun gave him a deadpan look while Kira was still in awe. Lacus was just happy things came out for the better. Andrew let out a few hushed chuckles.
"We will take over so the princess can finish her task," Andrew answered.
"Thank you," Sven nodded to him. The screen went blank.
A black Haro with one golden eye and one red eye flapped behind him. "Finished! Finished! Headed back! Headed back!"
"Ah," Sven caught the ball in his hands. "Thank you for the information, Huginn." He let the ball flap away again. "With that, Anita is finished on her end as well. I will see you all again later." The screen went blank.
Andrew smirked. Athrun saw his reaction. "What's so funny?"
"He's still the same," Andrew explained. He turned to look at Athrun. "No matter how happy he can look, he still is a sore loser. He must have lost a bet."
"He bet on this battle?" Athrun was shocked but mostly furious.
"Of course," Andrew shrugged his shoulders. "We used to bet on strategies before we could play one another. After the game was over, we would look over our bets to see who was right and who was wrong. A way to figure out the enemy but also making it fun."
ZAFT watched the royal military head back into their vessel, and making their descent back to Earth. It took some time before they made it back to the Kingdom but Selena never left her room. When the Ormr Drakkar docked in the hidden dock, Selena was the first off the vessel with the pod holding Ra's body moving beside her. It was a single motorized pod. She rode one of the trams back to the mansion. She headed to the Room. As if knowing she was coming, an entry way opened up for her, allowing the motorized pod to enter with ease. The two of them were scanned before a side door was opened. Selena headed to it. She went through a few more scans before a vaulted door opened up. She headed inside a circular room. The motorized pod parked in the center of the room. The door closed behind her. Robotic arms came out to move the glass pod off of the motor part. The glass pod with Ra's body was moved into empty drawer like one would have at the morgue. The robotic arm closed the door. It had Ra's name etched on a plaque.
Around the room, there were three other plaques, each with a certain name. Al Da Flaga, Rau Le Creuset, and Rey Za Burrel. Now with the fourth and final person, the Room could ease up. All affiliations with the four had been collected over time and stored in this vaulted safe. Even if the bodies were charred or dismembered, they were still collected and placed in their place. The Oldenburg's did not want others to continue the Flaga legacy. The only reason why Mu La Flaga did not have his name as one of the members was Mu's disposition. He was shunned by his father but he never had the personality to try to achieve his father's goal. Even when he was brainwashed by the Earth Alliance. He is the only one who was never a threat to them.
When it was done, Selena moved to the deconditioning room. There, the heightened levels she was conditioned to be at, would be taken away. She would no longer have the tension of trying to end a generational battle. Almost back to her complete self without her parents control. She would still have her parents control over her, if anything should arise again, they would wake that part up of her again.
Sven continued his princely duties, commanding over the royal military while Mikael showed Yzak the room again after he changed back into civilian clothes. Yzak was still wondering why Mikael was still not healed and had scars removed when he had been healed enough to pilot and still had his scars.
"Don't worry about that right now," Mikael could tell, letting out some laughs. "You need to worry about them." They stopped in front of the door. "Be truthful with them. They already know you lied." Yzak flinched. "It's due to Prince Sven but they know. I'll see you when you come out."
Yzak nodded. He headed through once the door opened up. It was different to see with clear vision. The door shut behind him. He walked to the center. He faced the way he was supposed to. He was scanned over.
Two people appeared before him. He knew who they were but didn't hear them come in. It was Selena's parents. They were dressed in royal business attire.
"Welcome back," her father spoke first.
"Again," her mother smiled. "We understand that something was going on. Our daughter now has the tendency to not tell us anything, and we know when Prince Sven influences others. We are thankful you have come back in one piece. I am Azura."
"I am Severin. We want to ask you a question," her father explained. "However, the answer to this question is finite. Meaning, you cannot change your answer no matter how much time has passed. The answer to this question will disrupt your life. We will give you plenty of time to think it over before answering. Even asking if this is your final decision."
"We know some of your past," Azura continued. "However, we cannot disclose much of that side, as both of your parents are still alive, and they have the right to explain to you, their side." Yzak perked up. He was curious about his father. Hearing that he is alive, he did want to know more about it.
"Are you ready for the question?" Severin asked. Yzak nodded. He was ready for anything now. "As we stated before, you cannot change your answer once decided."
"Do you want the clarification for the question before or afterwards?" Azura asked him.
Yzak thought about it. "Afterwards."
Severin nodded. "As the official betrothed for our daughter, Princess Selena, will you marry her, and become her royal consort to rule over the Kingdom?"
Yzak's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe what was just asked of him.
"This has been decided around the time you were born," Azura explained. Yzak tried to push back the oncoming thoughts as he listened to their explanation. "If you answer, yes, then you will go through the process to be her official husband, with public announcements, official royal wedding, and eventually having children together." Yzak blanked as that was a dream of his, to marry her.
"If you answer no," Severin continued. "You will go through a process to hide any potential leak that you were her betrothed. You can live your life however you want. Selena will continue to rule over the Kingdom by herself but she will eventually have children. The news of her betrothed will be conveyed that he would want to stay private. She will have children by other means but they will still be from you."
"Wait," Yzak's heart dropped when he heard that option. "Is she not allowed a paramour?"
"No," Azura shook her head. "That right was revoked."
"Th-then what of her lovers?" Yzak didn't see either of the two faulter. "Does she not get a say in this?"
"Selena knows her duties," Severin explained. "She knows that she cannot marry for love, and must marry for her duty. Nothing else must come in the way. Even if she used marriage as a tactic to get close to her enemy."
"Is it the same for the other two?" Yzak wasn't liking this at all.
"Prince Sven, and Princess Anita," Severin continued. "They can marry whom they please, as they are down the line in ruling. If they did somehow rule, that would mean Princess Selena had passed away."
"I am not choosing an answer yet," Yzak explained. "If I choose no, then I would not have any chance to be with her again, even if it was unofficial?"
"No," Azura answered. "Even if you regret your decision and try to be with her again, her official paramour is revoked. She is not allowed to have any lovers interfering in her duty. If she does have someone to that status, she can't allow him to live in her official homes. They cannot meet in consecutive days. Such things like that."
This is what Selena had to deal with, Yzak was taken aback. A door ahead of him opened up.
"We have a room ready for you to decide your answer," Severin motioned. "There is a tablet for you to help you answer those types of questions. Food, water, and other necessities are provided. Please take as much time as you need." Yzak walked into the room. Still mulling over what was just said.
He sat down on the bed, before laying back on it. This was why they took him. He was actually the betrothed the whole time. He wondered how that came to be, but he also felt smug. That title was his. It was him. Gatlin would be shocked but also mad. He chuckled a bit. Lots of thoughts crossed his mind.
Yzak remembered what Selena said to him after her vessel was blown up. All that you struggled with to get this far; I will not let you throw it all away just so you can try to save me. I want you to continue to shoot for the future that you wanted. Yzak was now conflicted. The future he wanted was one where she was in it. Even if he could never have her, living a life without Selena was not something he had ever thought about. After her supposed death when Kira sliced through that mobile suit, he never wanted to know a world without her again. Yet, Selena would not want him to throw his life away to save her. He was conflicted. He knew he had to think about it, but his eyes started to droop. Yzak fell asleep as he was still tired from the recent battle.
A week later, Selena was released. She headed up to the main floor of her mansion to be greeted by her family. Sven and Anita were standing there. She grabbed both of them, pulling them into a hug. The three hugged one another with tears coming down. It was a long time since the three of them had reunited. They spent the next few days together, even sleeping in a large pod that held all three at once.
ZAFT with Orb had prosecuted Earth Alliance for breaking their peace treaty. The new United Nations was going to deal with those involved in several trials over the next few months. The Morningstar was taken in by ZAFT so it would be not used again. Peace was restored once again. The Junk Guild used their new recycling machines gifted by Selena on the extensive cleanup. Miriallia and Jess released an extensive story about what happened inside the compound. Their pictures would be used as evidence against the Earth Federation. Sai and Diana along with those who thought they were hired for helping the innocent were taken by the Kingdom to be interrogated as well as transitioned through therapy and counseling to be watched under the Kingdom as one of their citizens.
Athrun and Andrew went back to Orb with Mu and Murrue and the rest of the Archangel crew. Kira went back to helping out ZAFT with refurbishing machines. Lacus went back to her duties. Dearka and Shiho were wondering when Yzak would come back again.
Setona received a call from her brother. He explained to her the whole situation. She cried when she found out what could have happened to them but was thankful for Princess Selena. Gatlin promised he would continue to watch over her and keep her safe.
Canard was informed of some of the details. He was able to watch what was happening. He was relieved to hear that the compound was taken over and no one was subjected to those type of things ever again.
Yzak had pondered a while on it but finally concluded on his answer. He was asked the question once more, and answered with confidence, even when they asked if that was his final choice. He did not waver from his choice. A door opened; he entered to head onto the next process.
A month later, Selena was enjoying herself in the observatory, she wore a tilted, wide brim hat with a ribbon wrapped wound the base of the hat. She wore a blue, off the shoulder pencil dress with a light blue sheer blouse that button up to her neck underneath. The sheer blouse sleeves belled out from the pencil dress to gather at the wrist. Selena started to grow her hair back out. Her bangs were slightly longer, allowing her to frame them around her face almost like curtain bangs. She was making a floral bouquet for herself. It was menial but she enjoyed. It had been such a long time since she enjoyed such a simple task. It had been a long time since she felt this way. It was also a way to keep her mind off of the dreaded letter she read this morning. An official letter was dropped off. Sven and Anita had made themselves scarce once they saw the letter being brought by one of royal soldiers that their parents controlled.
The contents of the letter brought down her bright day, bringing her back to reality. Today was the day she would come to find out what her betrothed chose. Selena never spoke about that the person she was supposed to marry could choose not to marry her. It was already something others held over her head. Why would she want to add more fuel to the fire?
At Luka's place, Ezalia burst through the door as she was notified that a decision had been made. She wanted to know if Luka knew. She froze at the entryway to see all of her favorite flowers in beautiful floral arrangements. She could hear Luka hurrying to her. She saw he was in a nice suit.
"I thought you would come later," Luka grabbed onto her hand, leading her forward while shutting the door behind her.
"W-what's all this?" Ezalia looked around to see more floral arrangements throughout the rooms.
"Remember when we both agreed to get back together once our son made his decision," Luka explained. "This is what I wanted to welcome you by."
"All my favorite flowers," Ezalia cradled a flower in her hand, bending down to take a sniff.
"That's just the start of it," he guided her up the stairs. She followed behind him, taking in the rooms. He brought her to the portrait room. "Here, I want to show you something." The two stopped in front of a portrait of Gatlin. Next to it, was a covered painting of the same size. Ezalia flinched. She didn't like where this was going. "I know you may have your own opinions but since we let things happen as you agreed upon, I will explain to you what I had agreed upon. This is my godson, Gatlin Tzi." Ezalia did a double taken when Luka explained. He looked back over to her with a comforting smile. He pulled down the cloth hanging over the painting next to it. It showed him with his parents. "I am sorry I could not explain to you the situation. I also agreed to keep this secret until the right time. The people who got me out safely, were Gatlin's parents. I owe my life to them. We lost contact when I headed to the PLANTs. It was safer for me there. I didn't know they had fled to the Kingdom in the meantime. They were older than me yet they have a son the same age as ours. That was due to their circumstance they ended up in. They always wanted a family. I don't know what they agreed with the Kingdom but thanks to them, Gatlin may not be an Ultimate Coordinator but he was born successfully through an artificial womb like the rest of them.
"His parents, my friends, had gotten into some sort of trouble where they were in a vegetative state," he continued to explain. Ezalia never took her eyes off of him while he stared at the family portrait. "The Kingdom informed me that had tried all they could but with the lacking technology, this was the best they could do for them, but they fulfilled their wish but bringing a child into this world. I was asked to take care of him as they had it written in their will that I was his godfather. I explained the situation to them, so we opted for him to be adopted by a couple who was wanting a child of their own. I would keep watch over him, and try to guide him in life." He finally looked over to her. He showed her loving and tenderness. "I am not a man of infidelity. I chose you Ezalia, and I continue to choose you, however, I was scared that day of the call. I had run from my past, hiding it, hoping that I had hid it enough so that it could never be used against me or anyone that I loved. I am one of the last of my family line. I did not want outside influences to tear apart a family I had built for myself, but now I see that my decision had already done that."
Ezalia cupped his face. "No-no-no-no. I don't know what I would have done in your situation." Ezalia wiped the tears from his face. "Possibly the same thing. I mean in a sense I did. I wanted to secure our future, all of our Coordinator's future. Siegel Clyne was a citizen of the Kingdom. Patrick Zala had the military force behind him. The two helped create ZAFT. We had sponsors helping us to stand up for ourselves. When the Kingdom proposed an alliance by marriage between my child and theirs, I took it. Even if it was just having the Royal Military backing us up, or money being donated. At that time, it wasn't a decision I regret." Ezalia looked down. "I do regret it now, seeing how things turned out in the end. I sold our son for peace that didn't even happen. We're the only parents alive from both of those arrangements." She looked back to him. "I am happy though Selena on behalf of the Kingdom, was going to save our son but Durandal wasn't harsh on him." Luka grabbed Ezalia's hands and kept them in his.
"Whatever decision Yzak chose," Luka comforted her. "We will honor it." Ezalia nodded her head. She moved into him for a hug. Luka wrapped his arms around her.
"And I hope we can become a family once again," Ezalia rested her head on his shoulder.
At the observatory, Selena was finishing up the touches on her bouquet. She heard a door opening. Her heart started to race but she ignored it and continued staring at her flowers. She didn't look up when she heard the footsteps of a man approaching her. She was a coward of not wanting to face this straight on but it was something she had dreaded from time to time. No longer feeling like Hel, the Goddess of Death, she could feel more emotions than just fighting and killing.
The man stopped in an open area. Selena still did not look up or even glance his way. She heard him rustle for something before kneeling down. Selena let out breath. So, this is it, she thought to herself. She still did not have the heart to look upon him. Instead, she just paused, setting her arms down beside her. She didn't see the smirk upon the man's face.
"Royal Crown Princess Selena Ulrika Eleonora Margaret Oldenburg," Yzak started off. "Of the Kingdom of Scandinavia." Selena jerked her head up, as he first spoke. She stared at him trying not reveal any emotion but hidden behind her mask, she was shocked. She quickly glanced to see if anyone else noticed. Yzak continued on. He introduced his title but Selena was too worried about him getting caught for her to hear what he had just said. She looked him over. He was dressed in an attire fit for a modern noble.
He had white pants with black boots. A white shirt with a dark blue vest with golden buttons. A light blue cravat. The white capelet draped over one shoulder with white and blue striped sash coming out of it across his body to keep it in place. He was holding out a white, velvet ring box with the lid open.
"From the moment we met, you have always been an integral part of my life," Yzak proposed. "Throughout the years, I have learned that I was also an integral part of yours. I want to be your shelter from the storms, your safe haven, a partner in life. I want to be the very person who you can be your self with. To be loved through all the faults. I hope that you see and love me the same. I cannot shoot for a future to a place that still shines, unless it is with you. You are my light. There is no future without you in it. Princess Selena, will you marry me, continuing to be in each other's lives as husband and wife?"
Selena was overwhelmed with emotions. She walked over to him. No emotions because she was close to bursting out with tears of joy. She knew she was being watched. She held her hand out to him.
"Yes," her voice was soft, almost inaudible. Yzak placed the ring upon her finger.
As the ring was set in place, the floor beneath them, tilted to one side, making Selena collide into Yzak as the two fell down onto bags of mulch. Selena used her hands to shield the back of her head while he grabbed onto her. The two looked up to see the floor moving back up. They saw the black, yoga ball sized Haro's with their spider legs out, connected to one another.
"Congratulations!" They spoke out to them.
Selena finally looked at Yzak without having to hide her emotions. She moved her arms to hug him, tears flowing down her cheeks. Yzak held her tighter. She pulled away from him a bit.
"You're my betrothed?" Selena felt scared asking that question. Yzak nodded, reassuring her. She leaned back into him, holding onto him, more tears streaming down as she thought this was a miracle. Yzak kept holding her close to him. "This-this isn't you trying to steal me away?"
Yzak pulled her back to looked into her eyes. "I know how it seems. I, too, was surprised, but know this, I won't ever let you out of my grasp ever again."
The two started to kiss one another. The two landed on bags of mulch that was on a small transit. It jerked when the two were kissing, moving through the hidden tunnel. It continued until it reached a section where it was moved down on an elevator. The two didn't notice they entered a larger tunnel.
"Ahem," a voice cleared their throat.
"Oh, let us be," another voice spoke.
Yzak felt odd hearing those voices. He pulled away to see who it was, until he jerked back. Above them were Selena and him. He looked to the Selena beside him, who stared in awe at the Yzak above her. He looked back to the two above him.
That Selena gave him a comforting smile.
"Now that we have our attention," the floating Yzak spoke. "Where should we go?" A book appeared in his hand. He opened it, looking at each page.
"We gave ourselves a few minutes to make a quick escape," the floating Selena explained.
"You knew all along," Selena held Yzak's hand.
That Selena let out a laugh. "Of course! It was easy to figure out over these years."
"Are-are we dead?" Yzak thought these two were ghosts.
The floating Selena looked over to him. "No, silly. We've met a few times before." She transitioned into the red pilot suit with the helmet in her arms. There it transitioned into the bloodied and hurt Selena of that uniform he saw on his vessel in his quarters. Next, she transitioned into Mikael, then into the silver pilot suit where she was supposedly cut in half before she floating up, clothes gone, her body seemed more translucent. She then went back to her first outfit and position. "Who do you think has been with you all this time?"
Yzak's jaw dropped. He wasn't seeing things. This whole time it was her. He looked over to his Selena who gave him a comforting smile.
"You think it was Hala or the other Haro's piloting those machines?" The floating Selena asked. Yzak looked back to her. "It was me. Those Haro's are just helpful connecting me to places I was not able to go beforehand."
"All this time," Yzak muttered out.
"Yes," the two Selena's answered.
"When I can't perform the things I am supposed to," the floating Selena explained. "I step in. I am an EHSAINCE. Engineered Holographic Specialized Artificial Intelligent Neuro Crypted Entity. I can pilot an arrangement of mobile suits to vessels. I can take over computer systems. Anything I can do, I can do better." She winked.
"The EHSAINCE can only speak in first person when referring to ourselves," Selena explained. "We also like to speak that way with them as well. Think of it as another version of yourself."
"Ah! I found the perfect spot," the floating Yzak pointed at the book. The floating Selena looked down at the book. The two looked at one another, smiling in agreement. They both looked down at their counterparts.
"What's going on?" Yzak was confused.
"We bought you some time, remember?" The floating Selena explained. "The soldiers still think we're in the observatory."
"We're introducing ourselves and walking around as we speak," the floating Yzak added. "But if we truly want to enjoy this moment, escaping to a secret place will work."
"If not," Selena rested her head on his shoulder. "We would go straight into the next stage, which is starting our engagement process, and preparing for the royal engagement announcement, starting to plan the wedding." She let out a sigh.
"Lots of work," the floating Selena sighed. "This way, we can actually enjoy this joyous moment. Ah, we have reached the next point." The cart stopped. Yzak got off first to help Selena off next. He turned to see cars parked on a large metal circle that rotated. He looked around to see their counterparts had disappeared.
One car opened both doors. Selena headed over to the driver's seat as Yzak would not know where to go. The two sat down, and buckled themselves in. The doors shut automatically. Yzak looked to the other cars to see all of them had the two of them sitting inside the car. He looked to the car beside him.
"This way, we can confuse them," the EHSAINCE Selena spoke from that car. "Have fun!"
The metal circle started to rotate slowly when a ramp came down the center. Each car left by driving up the ramp. When it was their turn, Selena drove the car up the ramp, Yzak held on. He could see the other cars were driving on into different directions.
Selena drove behind one of the cars before breaking off onto another lane.
"Where are we running?" Yzak didn't think Selena knew either.
Selena made it to the edge by the ocean. She pressed the pedal to the floor, steering the car through only to drive off the edge into the water.
"AH!" Yzak looked over to see Selena was laughing with a bright smile. Parts of the car moved around so that when it hit the water, it continued on like a small submarine. Metal slid over the windows. Their chairs moved back to the back seat with more leg room. Yzak was confused once again when he saw the computer system have autopilot on.
Selena grabbed his hand. He looked over to her with fear and confusion. "My apologies. That was exhilarating though." She unbuckled herself to move closer to him. She unbuckled him. She cupped his face. "I know this is a lot within minutes but they are right. In order to enjoy this moment." She glanced at the ring on her finger before looking back at him. "We need to make sure we get to." She kissed him. "I love you." She gave him another peck on the lips. "I can't believe this is happening." Another peck. "I get to marry you."
Yzak calmed down enough to her words, that he brought her into his lap. Those versions of the two were right, they need time to enjoy this special moment.