Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny. Some other character names are just randomly thought of and have no relevance to real life.

"The things to do.."

xxx

The Neo-Genesis had been fired once, the damaged it caused was devastating.. Just how many lives did that one blow take? Upon realizing it, Cagalli took one critical decision – indeed, it is her duty to remain strong for the people of Orb, as their most loved Princess and revered young Chief Representative. However, now that she thought about it, if she can save at least a hundred of soldier's and civilian lives, then for sure people will appreciate how to value life more. In contrast of Chairman Durrandal's beliefs that once a man follows his supposed destiny, then the world will be a better place – she believed though that what people need is the appreciation of the life given to them – be it a coordinator or a natural. People ought to live it the way they desired and if they are to commit mistakes, it is only natural to regret and cry over it and learn from their mistakes to become a better person. Watching the battle on her seat at the Parliamentary building made her uneasy, it seemed that Kira, Athrun and others needs one more hand, a hand that does not focus on just fighting the enemies but a hand that will save all the other lives from possible harm. And so she decided, she will go – ever since she tasted defeat in the hands of the Destiny mobile suit, she had made a very hard effort to become skilled in Mobile Suit combat. It was tough, she first thought, for the first time she realized just how different must have been her twin brother who is a coordinator to her who is a natural even though they came from the same parents. But it was worth all the effort and time she spent while almost killing herself during the rest of the time taking care of her country. The only person who knew of the predicament she undergone was her ever loyal escort Kisaka to whom aside from her brother, her father trusted her well being.

During the interval from the time the Archangel returned from being shot down by Minerva, she had secretly commissioned Erica and the Morgoenrete to construct a mobile suit from the remains of Freedom – she would have given it to Kira had she had the opportunity but that opportunity never came when her brother returned with his newly acquired sword – the Strike Freedom, so the then halfway done Eternal Freedom Gundam was restructured to become a new sword belonging to the Lion of Orb – to her – and gave it a new name – Freedom Akatsuki – as it's features were a combination of the wrecked Freedom and that of her inherited Mobile Suit Akatsuki – and in order to operate it to its maximum capability, Cagalli had to painstakingly undergo series of Mobile Suit combat training, just like that of a coordinator. She had wished that the day she had to personally come into the forefront of battle will never come as she knew just how many people depend on her, and how many people will be devastated if anything bad will befall her, but then she recalled what she had told to Athrun 2 years ago – the things we can do.. the things we want to do.. and the things we need to do.. it's the same for everyone... – this time, she will take the risk of going, if she will live after this then it's her win, if she will not survive, then at least she's able to install value of life to those who will survive.

Walking out from the four corners of the Parliament Office, she handed to her trusted Emir and childhood friend – Kaguya Seien a key to a vault. "Kaguya, I'll be going for a moment, if things go wrong, ask Kisaka about that key.. he knows what to do".

"I understand Cagalli – sama. But please take care and come back to us safely". Kayuga has a dreadful feeling, it's not the first time that Cagalli has to disappear and go almost anywhere in the world just for the heck of it but she hold on to the idea that she always comes back – so she will believe in her this time too.

"Kisaka, connect me to Erica and tell her to ready Freedom Akatsuki, tell her to give an order to create an atmospheric interference.. I'll be launching". She said firmly while taking determined steps towards the waiting chopper, it'll only take 5 minutes for her to get to the Athha palace to get her Mobile Suit which was kept below its ground.

"Cagalli, please reconsider your decision.. Kira, Athrun and the others are already there to make sure everything will be alright. Wouldn't it be better to trust them more?" Kisaka plead.

"Don't misunderstand me Kisaka, I trust them fully.. However, there are things that fighting alone can't do. If I can become a hand that will lead those wounded soldiers in giving more appreciation in life then, I will be able to directly counter the indoctrination Chairman Durandal had made them believe. Don't worry, I have no intention of dying.. yet". She emphasized, she then thought, she will be a lot more optimistic, it's been her great belief that "it's more of a fight to live", she will surely survive and come back.

xxx

On the other hand, Kira, Athrun, Lacus, Murrue and others had been shocked at the destruction that the Neo – Genesis had caused.

"Kira! We have to destroy it no matter what! they might fire it towards Orb the next time!" Athrun had been frantic, not only is Orb the last seat of hope but he's more worried about the girl who chose to sit behind, the very reason why he is fighting.

"I understand Athrun! Murrue – san, order the rest of the fleet in this area to take charge. Athrun, me and the Eternal will head directly to the Messiah, it's the best way given the speed advantage".

"But Kira – kun.." Murrue hesitated, she cannot imagine the danger it will expose them to.

"Uhm.. This is an order". He's been hesitating to use his authority as an Admiral but it seems, his authority comes in very handy this time. "We are here ready to throw our lives away, we must protect the last seat of hope.. Lacus will understand.."

"Captain.. don't worry, we are ready. As Kira had said, Orb is our priority as of now". Lacus commented and ordered her flagship. "30 degrees to port. Eternal will be leaving this area at maximum speed, target will be Neo – Genesis. Something like that is never needed by the people." Upon exiting the scene, Eternal fired its available missiles and speed through where Neo Genesis was situated.

xxx

Cagalli finally arrived in the hangar, she wistfully looked at the waiting Freedom Akatsuki, she thought it was beautiful. As derived from its name, its structure is a combination of Freedom and her own Akatsuki, copying the assault module of Freedom and adding the deflectors of Akatsuki. It is a wonder for her as to how did Erica and the rest of Morgoenrete able to combine, the advance phase shift technology of Freedom and the deflector mirrors of Akatsuki. But then, if it is Morgoenrete who commissioned the original Gundams, then upgrading such technology will just be a matter of time. Then she has to smile, no wonder, they are a country Plants and Earth Forces has been coveting, the capability of her people are just as scary, not to mention that the so called ultimate coordinator is her very own twin brother – a part of the most distinguished Royal Athha House of Orb. Yes, Kira and her are the only remaining successor to the royal Athha line, that has been made clear. While it is true that Uzumi Nara Athha is not her biological father, their mother Via Hibiki has been known as Via Yula Athha, a second degree cousin of the then young Lion of Orb Uzumi. While she was kept by the Athha house, Kira was given to the ordinary Yamato couple to keep his identity hidden and supposedly to be told only when he comes of age. Behind the faces of politics, the Athha house had already made security measures to ensure the survival of Orb Union when worse comes to worst.

Cagalli immediately changed into her astral suit and climbed towards the mobile suit which is a combination of gold and pink. Just in time as a Lohengrin was fired through the atmosphere, creating a disturbance towards a certain point in space. Through this, she should be in rendezvousing with the space fortress Messiah in the next 25 minutes.

"ORB – 02 Freedom Akatsuki, system activated. You have a go for launch". She can hear Erica's instructions, after she had activated the mobile suit.

"Cagalli Yula Athha, Freedom Akatsuki.. Launching." She then rapidly soared into the sky with the help of the boosters attached to the mobile suit. "I hope to make it in time".

xxx

"How many minutes before the mirror of Neo – Genesis will be replaced?" Chairman Durandal inquired.

"It'll take another 30 minutes Sir.. As of now, we are already recharging it and is already 30 percent ready".

"That will be good enough.." Gilbert commented. "Now, the rest is up to Shin and Rey.. I know that those two annoying Mobile Suits will certainly come, along with that girl". He thought, he mustn't waste any time. "Ready the Requiem, once we wipe out half of Orb's fleet we will fire directly to Orb and end this war once and for all. Inform all our forces to stay away from the firing range at once!"

"Yes Sir!"

xxx

"Get out of my way! Why are you people still fighting to protect that thing?" Captain Roanoke insisted as he caught a glance on Freedom, Justice and the Eternal having hard time in moving closer to the Messiah. "Damn! They will not make it on time."

"Oi, Yzak.. Don't you think we might be facing court martial once the war is over? We are literally fighting our own forces you know". Dearka lazily asked, he has the familiar smirk on his face as he took down several mobile suits in the area running after Athrun and the others.

"Huh.. Why do you care bastard? Is being in the military your only capability huh Dearka? We have more work to do after the war is over, be careful not to die here".

"Heh.. so you're planning to finally take your seat in the Council after this? Isn't that too boring? Mah, not that I care, sitting in the Council might turn out to be more interesting than constantly watching the vast darkness of space". Dearka continued when an announcement was flashed on the screen. "Crap! Yzak!"

"I know so shut up! Damn it, just talking about some stupid orders here". He proceeded to contact the Eternal. "Eternal! Can you hear me?"

"Eh, Yzak Joule?" Andy was caught by surprise upon seeing Yzak's face on the monitor.

"The Messiah is firing the Neo – Genesis! Advise all your troops to clear the area of fire immediately! I repeat, Messiah is firing the Neo – Genesis. Retreat from the firing range immediately!" after that Yzak's face disappeared from the screen.

"Thank you, Yzak" Lacus then inform the rest of troops to retreat and evade from the firing range but it seems that the information came in too late as a great source of heat had been detected from the Messiah.

"Athrun! Murrue – san!" Kira called as he saw the beam already being emitted from the Messiah.

"Captain Roanoke!" Athrun warned Mu as he immediately flew out of the firing path.

Murrue immediately ordered the ship. "Engines at maximum! Evasive manoeuvre!"

xxx

"Commander Stuart! We won't make it on time!" his second in command seemed to have already resigned on the thought of dying as his command ship the Burton is surely in the way of the Neo – Genesis' firing range and only a miracle can save them. However, he can't be shaken now, no matter how small the hope is, he will grab on to it if only for the sake of his subordinates.

"Do not fear further, continue the engines at full, that's the least we can do to evade with the most possible way we can". The young ZAFT Commander Charles Stuart firmly commanded. "Damn it! Just how did I end up serving a sick council like this?" he thought, gritting his teeth and tightly gripping his commander's seat with his fist.

Just when the other mobile suits and ships like the Barfest and Burton thought of facing their respective demise, a very fast unknown object is moving towards the firing range of Messiah and suddenly stopped a hundred meters away from the main weapon. It suddenly activated its DRAGOONs to form a deflecting shield enough to catch the deadly beam, but it seems that the beam emitted by a super weapon like the Neo – Genesis is too much to handle for what seemed like a mobile armor as it's back up DRAGOONs have to create another shield to catch the beam that was not contained by the primary shield, the worst is that the beam did not deflect easily and the crackling of energy of the beam trying to pass through the shield can be seen as currents of lightning. This spectacular display however can never be appreciated by the escaping soldiers who are doing the best they can to get out of the firing range. Just when the pilot had made sure that there are only a few remaining in the line of fire, she finally cast her last ace as she can no longer contain the beam with the DRAGOONs.

With one last look at her loved ones who knew nothing of her presence, she smiled sadly. "Now, show me what had made the other countries so envious of the Orb Union's Morgoenrete! Let's endure this together to the very end Freedom Akatsuki!" To further delay the passing through of the very powerful beam, the pilot change the armor from the deflecting mirror to phase shift. Causing the contained energy to invoke explosion of the mobile suit and lessen the strength of the beam as it finally passed through the shield formed by the DRAGOONs.

Before the excruciating pain and darkness finally took her consciousness, the unfortunate pilot bid her unheard farewell. "Athrun.. I love you... May you still find the reason to live.. Kira.. I'm sorry for leaving the great burden of our country to you.. I'm very happy to have been your sister.. Everyone.."

Everyone was momentarily shocked of what just transpire; the damaged was certainly reduced to the minimum as the only visible casualty in that deadly beam was the remnants of the unknown that took almost the entire blow. All of the soldiers whose lives were spared saluted to the courage of the unknown hero. It was only momentary though as Kira, Athrun and the rest proceeded to the Messiah and finally destroy it along with its positron cannon called the Requiem before it breathes its first blow.

Gilbert Durandal can only watch in disbelief as the Messiah is slowly crumbling and the soldiers inside are starting to evacuate. "Impossible.. How could this be happening?"

xxx

After the fall of the space fortress Messiah, Lacus encourage the rest of the ships in the vicinity to declare a ceasefire and finally open the tables for negotiation. As requested by the Supreme Council of Plants, Lacus Clyne, the daughter of the late Chairman Sygel Clyne was asked to come home to Plants as she was the one who acted as a mediator in the war. While being escorted by Yzak Joule, Dearka Elsman and the rest of the crew of the Eternal towards Aprillius where negotiation is to be held along with the representatives from Orb Union, the rest of the Archangel and Kusanagi also followed and to rendezvous with their Chief Representative.

Upon their arrival to Aprillius 1, Kira and Athrun disembark to follow Lacus. Before they entered the colony, Kira had instructed Captain Ramius to take charge with the rest of the fleet as he will ask later ask Cagalli for further instructions to give. "Murrue – san, can you please take charge with the rest of the remaining fleet? Have all the wounded to the nearest hospitals, it should be fine since an instruction had been given to accept all wounded soldiers from both sides".

"I understand.. Ah.. Kira – kun, I received an instruction from the headquarters on our way here, they said that you have to meet the delegates that Orb sent before the negotiation starts tomorrow." Murrue reminded. Kira just smiled, it must be an instruction from Cagalli.

"I got it.. I'll make sure to meet them". He then waved goodbye as he and Athrun headed outside.

"Ah.. I almost forgot.. Athrun – kun, you are also requested to meet them." Murrue shouted. Athrun just gave a small smile and a nod, actually, she doesn't have to remind him. If Kira's goal is to follow Lacus, he's just only here to meet up with Cagalli and make sure that she's just fine.

xxx

With hurried steps, Kira and Athrun, wearing their respective Orb Unions' Admiral Uniform, entered the Plants Supreme Council building and was approached by Yzak's group. "Bastards! What took you so long to come in here?"

"Eh? Yzak! Are you going to finally fill in the seat for the House of Joules?" Though Kira already knew Yzak's foul mouth, he's still always been taken aback whenever he hears it while Athrun just shrugged his shoulders and asked Yzak casually.

"Really, he thought that it was better before we get court marshalled, so take a quite good look of him in his handsome white ZAFT suit before you see him later in council suit." Dearka answered for him in a light manner.

"Oh, I see.. By the way, did you happen to know where the delegates from Orb are?" Kira inquired courteously.

"Hmnn.. If you mean the violet suit wearing folks, they should be at the second conference room together with Lacus Clyne, it seems that they are having a closed door discussion with her". Dearka again supplied.

"Thank you Dearka.." Athrun thanked him. "We'll see you both around then. Let's go Kira, I know where that is." It's a good thing that Athrun is around as uniformed men of other countries are not allowed to roam around the highly secured government building of Plants' Supreme Council. Good thing to know people around.

xxx

After 3 knocks on the door to the second conference room, Athrun and Kira entered and were welcomed by a somewhat anxious faces of some of the Emirs, Kisaka is with them too and just as Yzak said, including Lacus. One of the Emirs, Kaguya Seien, as Athrun recognized, rise up from her seat.

"Kira – sama, Athrun – san.. It's nice to see you both well and safe. Did you meet up with Cagalli – sama?" Kaguya inquired.

"No, Kaguya – san.." Athrun answered as Kira was unable to respond to the question.

"Is Cagalli already inside the building? If you mean to ask if we have bumped into her, then no.. We're actually looking for her to get some instructions for the fleet." Kira countered to continue where Athrun left.

At this instance, the faces of the surrounding Emirs changed from anxiety to that of sadness. "Then, you all came here without meeting with her during the battle in the Messiah?" Kaguya sadly confirmed.

"Just what do you mean by that question - ?" Kira and Athrun are both confused. Lacus face also showed repressed tears and is now walking towards Kira's side.

"Didn't she stay in the Parliament building with the rest of you?" for some reasons, Athrun's heart is starting to pound wildly. "Why would she meet us in the Messiah? It doesn't make sense."

One of the older Emirs answered. "Cagalli – sama decided to go to space after the Messiah's first firing, after she had confirmed that she had arrived in the battle field, she had cut the communication between her mobile suit and us." Kira and Athrun were stunned in disbelief. Lacus is already crying silently.

"You've got to be kidding! How will Cagalli come to the outer space? There's no such mobile suit - - -" Athrun tried to retort when he saw the resigned face of Kisaka. Kira's face is now starting to lose its color, while Athrun hands formed into a fist as he tried to recall the events when they were still around the Messiah.

"There is such a mobile suit, Cagalli commissioned Erica – san and Morgoenrete to create one out of the remains from the wrecked Freedom and the design of Akatsuki. She thought... she thought.. that.. it would be best to follow in case of emergency as it can certainly hold off.. an... enormous amount of beam if not to deflect it." Kisaka supplied the information, trying so hard so his voice will not tremble as realization dawned upon all of them.

"Are you - are you try... ing.. to tell me - that - Ca - Caga - lli is..." Kira's words are stuttering. Beside him, Lacus, embraced him tightly.

"That's impossible!" Athrun shouted.. "It can't be her.. It shouldn't be her!" Athrun's mind kept on denying the information. "After all, she's a - natural right?- She - she can't possibly handle the operating system of - Free..dom right?" Athrun desperately reasoned out.

Trying to be calm as possible, Kira asked to be connected to the headquarters but only to be cut by Kisaka "Kira – sama, we already asked... the - headquarters to follow - the route that the Freedom Akatsuki took until its signal was cut off". Just then, a video call from Erica appeared on one of the laptop screen.

"Everyone, this is the video transmission that the military satellite recorded following the launching of Cagalli – sama in the Freedom Akatsuki". They all intently watched the video.

Athrun, Kira and Lacus, were silenced as the mobile suit with the combination of pink and gold entered the familiar scene were the Messiah was about to fire the Neo – Genesis. At this point, they heard the very familiar voice saying "I have arrived at the fortress! I'll be proceeding now!" Then the next thing they saw was the scene they unfortunately failed to notice because of their efforts to evade the path of the beam cannon. The next thing they knew was that the mobile suit bearing the symbol of the Lion of Orb struggled to deflect the enormous beam that the space fortress Messiah emitted only to latter on change the color of its armor from gold to that of dominantly pink which they concluded as its main phase shift and later on an explosion was seen before the weakened beam finally passed through the shield that the mobile suit's DRAGOONs erected.

The silence was deafening - - after the video transmission, no one dared to speak. None from the Emirs neither from any of the three persons who recalled to have watched the tragedy on site. Lacus did her best to hold off Kira's arms, while Athrun had an empty look in his eyes.

"How did she - manage to do - such a... thing?" Kira unconsciously mumbled that brought Kisaka back to his senses.

"Cagalli.. had been undergoing a very intensive training ever since she fought and lost to the ZAFTs mobile suit, saying that she has to become stronger to be able to protect the people of Orb together with you Kira – sama, Athrun and the others who's been fighting to protect Orb.. She.. install it upon herself and painstakingly endured the difficulties of training her natural body and surpassed her limits to be in the equal footing of you two."

"Ca – galli... Sonna.. Baka na!"It's the only thing that he came out of Athrun's mouth as realization of his beloved's death struck him like a hammer. "My reason to live... Cagalli... Aren't we only trying to buy some time? We are not in a hurry.. I can wait no matter how long it takes so long as you're there.. So why? Why did you disappear somewhere beyond my reach" Athrun's tears continued to fall.

"DAMN IT! DAMN IT ALL!" Are the words that came from the two pilots, no one can properly give any words of neither consolation nor can they say "Don't cry". After an hour of silence, the second in command among the young Emirs of Orb open up the most practicable and most reasonable course of action to take.

"Now then, Kira – sama.. I know that it may not be an appropriate time to ask." Kaguya Seien commented and earned a blank stare from Kira. He can certainly hear everything but the information he received is just too much for him that he's starting to wonder if they really have indeed won the war or they are just as defeated like Chairman Durandal.

"But.. with the sudden demise of Cagalli – sama.. Orb is left without a leader to guide and assure the people.. So - will you - take the seat of the Lion of Orb and become its Chief Representative...? You - who are the last survivor to the royal Athha family.. Kira Yula Athha – sama?" she then motioned her hand to give Kira the key that was left to her by Cagalli. Kira jerked upon hearing that name. He has been told that it was his real name but he never really appreciated that fact as he has remained to be Kira Yamato even after learning his true lineage. All the events following that closed door discussion became blurry to the two people who has to endure the most about Cagalli's death.. Athrun and Kira.

xxx

Just as the rest of the world had been very surprised and sad at the sudden demise of the Golden Princess of the United Emirates of Orb, the soldiers whose lives had been spared by her sacrifice, swore to uphold the ideals of the lost Princess and make sure to give life more value to it.

The negotiation dialogues had been successful and though surprised with the emergence of the new Lion of Orb, the people accepted Kira Yula Athha, trusting that he would also uphold the principles that the late Chief Representatives believed.

xxx

"Cagalli Yula Athha.. huh.. I'll forever be indebted to your sacrifice for saving my cheap life" A certain ex – white ZAFT Commander mumbled. "All along, I thought that life comes cheap, specially mine.." he then slowly turn his gaze at the girl whose fully clothed with bandage then ruefully looked at the breather and several apparatus being attached to her very frail figure.

"From now on, we should lead a happy and carefree life right, Victoria? After all the two of us are already dead.. You and I are no longer needed... in the battlefield.. " he gently whispered while caressing the cheek of the comatose woman which is unfortunately also covered with bandage.

"When you wake up, let's go back home together and watch just how the rest of the world will unfold after this".

xxx

Read and please post your thoughts, I would appreciate knowing what you guys think about it.. ^_^