✎ Fel's Creative Journal (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tinfoiltennis) wrote2009-08-22 09:46 pm
tinfoiltennis) wrote2009-08-22 09:46 pm
✎ fanfic - gundam 00 - [untitled]
Title: [untitled]
Fandom: Gundam 00
Rating: PG-13
Summary: It’s a battle that none of them want to fight. They’ve taken down mobiles suits before. It’s their job. It’s what they’re good at. Except this time it’s different. This time they’re fighting one of their own.
Word Count: 1681
Notes: This was a fic that I wrote months ago and never posted, simply because I don't often go in for speculative fic, but that's what this was. ^^; Basically, this is the product of me and a few friends sitting in a chatroom and analysing in detail the second lot of Season 2 OP and ED sequences. We came to the conclusion that Tieria would be the Innovator hijacked by Ribbons and mind-controlled to fight Celestial Being, and that he'd end up dying somehow in the ensuing battle. Looking back on this, it's scary how close - and yet how far - away from the actual mark I was.
Warnings: Character death, AU/speculative fic, slight swearing. ALSO DON'T KILL ME FOR WHAT I DID TO LYLE, I am kicking myself over it still as well. D:
✎ ✎ ✎
It’s a battle that none of them want to fight.
They’ve taken down mobiles suits before. It’s their job. It’s what they’re good at. Except this time it’s different.
This time they’re fighting one of their own.
“I don’t like this, Setsuna,” says Allelujah over the commlink, his face troubled. Setsuna knows what he’s trying to say. It’s Tieria Erde they’re fighting. Surely there must be another way. There has to be another way.
But there isn’t.
“We’ll do what we have to do,” says Lockon harshly, shortly. Allelujah’s distress shows clearly in his eyes as he looks down at the controls under his hands, and again Setsuna understands what he’s thinking.
Do they really have to do this…?
“Understood.”
***
Seravee appears the next moment, a flashing blip on everyone’s radar, and Allelujah’s heart sinks further. This isn’t right.
This isn’t right.
He tries to quash the feeling, but it’s no use. He already knows that he could no more hurt Tieria than Setsuna, or Feldt, or Marie.
Marie…
He squeezes his eyes shut and takes a deep breath to master himself. This isn’t the time. He’s a Gundam Meister. He has to do this.
Seravee stops a short distance away from them, and for a moment, Allelujah has hope. Maybe…?
“Tieria Erde,” Setsuna says simply.
Then Tieria moves and Allelujah feels his hope leave him as quickly as it arrived as he reaches for his GN saber.
“Tieria!”
***
Lyle is trying not to think. They’ve spent ages trying to work out what to do if it came to this. Maybe if we can only damage part of the suit, maybe if we knock him out first, maybe if – maybe, maybe, maybe.
Lyle’s sick to death of maybes.
So he concentrates on the trigger under his finger and tries not to think. If he thinks, he’ll remember that this isn’t the real Tieria they’re fighting, that he’s been brainwashed or mind-wiped or something – and then he’ll lose his nerve.
Allelujah is shouting desperately as Tieria comes to blows with him, trying to get through just by talking. Lyle almost wants to laugh. That might have worked with his girlfriend Marie. Does he really think it’ll work this time?
At least one of them has hope. He grits his teeth, aiming for one of Seravee’s arms.
And fires.
***
Setsuna watches, eyes narrowed, as Seravee’s shield goes up to block Lockon’s shot. He was expecting that. In a way, the three of them have the advantage. They know how Tieria fights, and with three against one, they can use that information.
But at the same time, there’s something different, something strange, about Tieria’s movements. Innovator, Setsuna finds himself thinking and frowns, teeth gritting at the thought. This is Ribbons Almark’s doing. All this distortion in the world is his fault.
But there’s no more time to think on that as Allelujah is thrown back, a bright beam of light slicing into Arios before the Seravee moves away, searching for enough room to use the GN Bazooka. Setsuna follows, urging the 00 Raiser forward. That can’t be allowed to happen.
He puts on a burst of speed and meets Seravee head-on.
***
Allelujah hurriedly checks the damage on his suit, keeping one eye on the battle the entire time. Setsuna and Tieria are moving further and further away from them.
He has to follow them! Arios can’t be beaten that easily…
“Allelujah, are you alright?” Ly – Lockon’s voice.
“Yes. Yes, I’m fine,” he says. “Setsuna and Tieria…”
Lockon lets out a short sound of pure frustration. “I’m on it. Try and follow us if your suit’s up to it.”
Then Cherudim is gone as well, racing towards where Setsuna and Tieria have taken the battle.
***
Lyle speeds towards Setsuna and Tieria, watching the two exchange blows as he rushes closer and closer. Setsuna moves to block Tieria and brings down his other arm to hit him – but the next instant, Tieria has moved, driving Setsuna further away while his arm comes down to cut into the 00’s arm before he pushes the suit away and races backwards, beginning to charge the GN Bazooka –
Lyle has to choose. Setsuna or Tieria. Tieria or Setsuna.
At the minute, he can’t afford for there to be competition. Mind made up, he races towards Tieria’s back. If he’s concentrating on hitting Setsuna enough, even if he remembers to raise his shields – which Lyle is counting on – it should at least cause a distraction –
Then, as Lyle raises his weapon, something happens that none of them were expecting. The commlinks suddenly crackle with static, and Tieria…. lowers the bazooka.
“Setsuna F. Seiei?” His voice is dazed, confused. “What…?”
“Tieria….” Allelujah breathes, his voice filled with relief.
And Lyle’s eyes widen. It’s too late to stop. He’s too close. He’s going to –
***
The next few seconds go by in a blur and last forever.
“Shit --!”
Lyle’s attack finds its mark.
Tieria screams.
The world stops.
***
Lyle thinks his mind shuts down for a bit after that.
He vaguely remembers Allelujah and Setsuna calling Tieria’s name over and over, desperately grabbing the arms of his suits and flying at full speed back to the Ptolemy. Maybe they were shouting at him as well, but it doesn’t really sink in.
He lets Haro handle the piloting.
What happened…
Why did…
What have I done?
***
Allelujah jumps out of his suit and rushes to Tieria’s cockpit – but Lyle’s already there, frantically pulling at the damaged sides of the opening in stark contrast to his previously frozen state. Allelujah joins him, feels Setsuna helping as well on his other side, and the three of them strain, hands tugging at the blackened edges until finally – finally – it springs free and opens.
Please God, if you’re there, don’t let us be too late.
Tieria is limp and unmoving, barely breathing as they rush forwards and carry him out between the three of them, laying him gently on the floor. There’s tears in his suit where stray shrapnel’s caught it, and… Allelujah shuts it out, shuts it all out, as he reaches for Tieria’s helmet and pulls it off, hands shaking slightly.
“Tieria?” Setsuna’s hand moves, checking his pulse, his face seemingly impassive – at least to most people. Allelujah’s known him long enough to recognise the worry in his eyes. “Tieria Erde!”
Tieria stirs slightly and coughs painfully, eyes opening a fraction. They’re dull and unfocused, and Allelujah feels his heart clench at the sight.
“I’m sorry…” he says faintly, breath coming in shuddering gasps. “I was so… and I almost…” He closes his eyes, clearly trying to collect his scattering thoughts. “Veda…”
“Don’t talk,” Setsuna says abruptly. “Save your strength.” Allelujah has to look away for a moment to get rid of the tears blurring his vision. Setsuna sent a message asking for immediate help when they got back to the Ptolemy. How long until it gets here?
Tieria’s eyes open again and focus shakily on Lyle – pale and frantic with a stricken expression –
And he smiles. “Lockon…”
Allelujah’s heart lurches. Lyle just closes his eyes, takes a breath and opens his eyes again. Allelujah frowns, looking at him in question. Lyle smiles. It’s a sad smile, an old smile, and he takes one of Tieria’s hands.
“We used to do this all the time when we were kids,” he says shakily to no one in particular, his other hand smoothing Tieria’s hair off his forehead.
And suddenly Allelujah understands. He looks away again, before his heart breaks.
***
Setsuna has always been able to tell the difference between Neil Dylandy and his brother. Yes, they look alike – astonishingly alike – they are twins after all. But they have always been different people. Setsuna has always known this.
But now it’s as if Neil Dylandy has somehow come back from the dead as Lyle Dylandy’s expression and mannerisms somehow slip away. And for perhaps the first time since they met, Setsuna is struck by the similarities between the brothers and not the differences.
His hands clench tightly in his lap as Lyle says “It’s okay, Tieria. It’s okay.” Setsuna looks away, over at Allelujah, finds Allelujah doing the same thing. Extras in a play with no script where they’ve forgotten their lines.
Tieria’s hand grips Lyle’s like a vice, like he’s never let go. “I’m sorry. Because of me…”
“It doesn’t matter,” Lyle says firmly, his own hold on Tieria’s hand tight. He’s smiling – easily, it appears, but out of the corner of his eye Setsuna can see the strain on his face. “You don’t have to apologise.”
“You were right,” Tieria says, still smiling. “You were right about me.” To Setsuna’s right, Allelujah looks down silently, fighting back tears.
We can’t do anything, Setsuna realises hollowly. Tieria’s breathing is shallower than before, and Lyle pulls him closer instinctively.
“Tieria, it’s alright. Whatever it is you’ve got to say to me, you can say it later, okay?”
Setsuna blinks and his vision clears in time for him to see Tieria’s brief frown clear into a peaceful, almost serene expression. “That’s right.” His eyes close and he smiles, looking completely happy. “Thank you… Lockon Stratos.”
Setsuna looks up at Lyle. When Lyle looks up, finally letting his smile slide off his face, Setsuna swallows and bows his head.
***
Tieria feels cold. But nothing hurts anymore. That’s a relief, at least. Lockon’s hand grips his. It’s okay. He knows he’s dying. But that’s okay.
It doesn’t matter anymore. He hasn’t died carrying out Ribbons Almark’s plans. He hasn’t died as an Innovator.
Now he can go to where Lockon is…
He opens his eyes and sees Lockon standing there, smiling, holding out his hand.
“Tieria…”
Tieria smiles and reaches out. Lockon.
Their hands touch.
***
Setsuna’s hand rests on Lyle’s shoulder.
“It wasn’t anyone’s fault.”
Lyle lets go of Tieria’s hand.
“Yeah.”
He smiles, but it’s bitter and his eyes are dead.
Fandom: Gundam 00
Rating: PG-13
Summary: It’s a battle that none of them want to fight. They’ve taken down mobiles suits before. It’s their job. It’s what they’re good at. Except this time it’s different. This time they’re fighting one of their own.
Word Count: 1681
Notes: This was a fic that I wrote months ago and never posted, simply because I don't often go in for speculative fic, but that's what this was. ^^; Basically, this is the product of me and a few friends sitting in a chatroom and analysing in detail the second lot of Season 2 OP and ED sequences. We came to the conclusion that Tieria would be the Innovator hijacked by Ribbons and mind-controlled to fight Celestial Being, and that he'd end up dying somehow in the ensuing battle. Looking back on this, it's scary how close - and yet how far - away from the actual mark I was.
Warnings: Character death, AU/speculative fic, slight swearing. ALSO DON'T KILL ME FOR WHAT I DID TO LYLE, I am kicking myself over it still as well. D:
It’s a battle that none of them want to fight.
They’ve taken down mobiles suits before. It’s their job. It’s what they’re good at. Except this time it’s different.
This time they’re fighting one of their own.
“I don’t like this, Setsuna,” says Allelujah over the commlink, his face troubled. Setsuna knows what he’s trying to say. It’s Tieria Erde they’re fighting. Surely there must be another way. There has to be another way.
But there isn’t.
“We’ll do what we have to do,” says Lockon harshly, shortly. Allelujah’s distress shows clearly in his eyes as he looks down at the controls under his hands, and again Setsuna understands what he’s thinking.
Do they really have to do this…?
“Understood.”
Seravee appears the next moment, a flashing blip on everyone’s radar, and Allelujah’s heart sinks further. This isn’t right.
This isn’t right.
He tries to quash the feeling, but it’s no use. He already knows that he could no more hurt Tieria than Setsuna, or Feldt, or Marie.
Marie…
He squeezes his eyes shut and takes a deep breath to master himself. This isn’t the time. He’s a Gundam Meister. He has to do this.
Seravee stops a short distance away from them, and for a moment, Allelujah has hope. Maybe…?
“Tieria Erde,” Setsuna says simply.
Then Tieria moves and Allelujah feels his hope leave him as quickly as it arrived as he reaches for his GN saber.
“Tieria!”
Lyle is trying not to think. They’ve spent ages trying to work out what to do if it came to this. Maybe if we can only damage part of the suit, maybe if we knock him out first, maybe if – maybe, maybe, maybe.
Lyle’s sick to death of maybes.
So he concentrates on the trigger under his finger and tries not to think. If he thinks, he’ll remember that this isn’t the real Tieria they’re fighting, that he’s been brainwashed or mind-wiped or something – and then he’ll lose his nerve.
Allelujah is shouting desperately as Tieria comes to blows with him, trying to get through just by talking. Lyle almost wants to laugh. That might have worked with his girlfriend Marie. Does he really think it’ll work this time?
At least one of them has hope. He grits his teeth, aiming for one of Seravee’s arms.
And fires.
Setsuna watches, eyes narrowed, as Seravee’s shield goes up to block Lockon’s shot. He was expecting that. In a way, the three of them have the advantage. They know how Tieria fights, and with three against one, they can use that information.
But at the same time, there’s something different, something strange, about Tieria’s movements. Innovator, Setsuna finds himself thinking and frowns, teeth gritting at the thought. This is Ribbons Almark’s doing. All this distortion in the world is his fault.
But there’s no more time to think on that as Allelujah is thrown back, a bright beam of light slicing into Arios before the Seravee moves away, searching for enough room to use the GN Bazooka. Setsuna follows, urging the 00 Raiser forward. That can’t be allowed to happen.
He puts on a burst of speed and meets Seravee head-on.
Allelujah hurriedly checks the damage on his suit, keeping one eye on the battle the entire time. Setsuna and Tieria are moving further and further away from them.
He has to follow them! Arios can’t be beaten that easily…
“Allelujah, are you alright?” Ly – Lockon’s voice.
“Yes. Yes, I’m fine,” he says. “Setsuna and Tieria…”
Lockon lets out a short sound of pure frustration. “I’m on it. Try and follow us if your suit’s up to it.”
Then Cherudim is gone as well, racing towards where Setsuna and Tieria have taken the battle.
Lyle speeds towards Setsuna and Tieria, watching the two exchange blows as he rushes closer and closer. Setsuna moves to block Tieria and brings down his other arm to hit him – but the next instant, Tieria has moved, driving Setsuna further away while his arm comes down to cut into the 00’s arm before he pushes the suit away and races backwards, beginning to charge the GN Bazooka –
Lyle has to choose. Setsuna or Tieria. Tieria or Setsuna.
At the minute, he can’t afford for there to be competition. Mind made up, he races towards Tieria’s back. If he’s concentrating on hitting Setsuna enough, even if he remembers to raise his shields – which Lyle is counting on – it should at least cause a distraction –
Then, as Lyle raises his weapon, something happens that none of them were expecting. The commlinks suddenly crackle with static, and Tieria…. lowers the bazooka.
“Setsuna F. Seiei?” His voice is dazed, confused. “What…?”
“Tieria….” Allelujah breathes, his voice filled with relief.
And Lyle’s eyes widen. It’s too late to stop. He’s too close. He’s going to –
The next few seconds go by in a blur and last forever.
“Shit --!”
Lyle’s attack finds its mark.
Tieria screams.
The world stops.
Lyle thinks his mind shuts down for a bit after that.
He vaguely remembers Allelujah and Setsuna calling Tieria’s name over and over, desperately grabbing the arms of his suits and flying at full speed back to the Ptolemy. Maybe they were shouting at him as well, but it doesn’t really sink in.
He lets Haro handle the piloting.
What happened…
Why did…
What have I done?
Allelujah jumps out of his suit and rushes to Tieria’s cockpit – but Lyle’s already there, frantically pulling at the damaged sides of the opening in stark contrast to his previously frozen state. Allelujah joins him, feels Setsuna helping as well on his other side, and the three of them strain, hands tugging at the blackened edges until finally – finally – it springs free and opens.
Please God, if you’re there, don’t let us be too late.
Tieria is limp and unmoving, barely breathing as they rush forwards and carry him out between the three of them, laying him gently on the floor. There’s tears in his suit where stray shrapnel’s caught it, and… Allelujah shuts it out, shuts it all out, as he reaches for Tieria’s helmet and pulls it off, hands shaking slightly.
“Tieria?” Setsuna’s hand moves, checking his pulse, his face seemingly impassive – at least to most people. Allelujah’s known him long enough to recognise the worry in his eyes. “Tieria Erde!”
Tieria stirs slightly and coughs painfully, eyes opening a fraction. They’re dull and unfocused, and Allelujah feels his heart clench at the sight.
“I’m sorry…” he says faintly, breath coming in shuddering gasps. “I was so… and I almost…” He closes his eyes, clearly trying to collect his scattering thoughts. “Veda…”
“Don’t talk,” Setsuna says abruptly. “Save your strength.” Allelujah has to look away for a moment to get rid of the tears blurring his vision. Setsuna sent a message asking for immediate help when they got back to the Ptolemy. How long until it gets here?
Tieria’s eyes open again and focus shakily on Lyle – pale and frantic with a stricken expression –
And he smiles. “Lockon…”
Allelujah’s heart lurches. Lyle just closes his eyes, takes a breath and opens his eyes again. Allelujah frowns, looking at him in question. Lyle smiles. It’s a sad smile, an old smile, and he takes one of Tieria’s hands.
“We used to do this all the time when we were kids,” he says shakily to no one in particular, his other hand smoothing Tieria’s hair off his forehead.
And suddenly Allelujah understands. He looks away again, before his heart breaks.
Setsuna has always been able to tell the difference between Neil Dylandy and his brother. Yes, they look alike – astonishingly alike – they are twins after all. But they have always been different people. Setsuna has always known this.
But now it’s as if Neil Dylandy has somehow come back from the dead as Lyle Dylandy’s expression and mannerisms somehow slip away. And for perhaps the first time since they met, Setsuna is struck by the similarities between the brothers and not the differences.
His hands clench tightly in his lap as Lyle says “It’s okay, Tieria. It’s okay.” Setsuna looks away, over at Allelujah, finds Allelujah doing the same thing. Extras in a play with no script where they’ve forgotten their lines.
Tieria’s hand grips Lyle’s like a vice, like he’s never let go. “I’m sorry. Because of me…”
“It doesn’t matter,” Lyle says firmly, his own hold on Tieria’s hand tight. He’s smiling – easily, it appears, but out of the corner of his eye Setsuna can see the strain on his face. “You don’t have to apologise.”
“You were right,” Tieria says, still smiling. “You were right about me.” To Setsuna’s right, Allelujah looks down silently, fighting back tears.
We can’t do anything, Setsuna realises hollowly. Tieria’s breathing is shallower than before, and Lyle pulls him closer instinctively.
“Tieria, it’s alright. Whatever it is you’ve got to say to me, you can say it later, okay?”
Setsuna blinks and his vision clears in time for him to see Tieria’s brief frown clear into a peaceful, almost serene expression. “That’s right.” His eyes close and he smiles, looking completely happy. “Thank you… Lockon Stratos.”
Setsuna looks up at Lyle. When Lyle looks up, finally letting his smile slide off his face, Setsuna swallows and bows his head.
Tieria feels cold. But nothing hurts anymore. That’s a relief, at least. Lockon’s hand grips his. It’s okay. He knows he’s dying. But that’s okay.
It doesn’t matter anymore. He hasn’t died carrying out Ribbons Almark’s plans. He hasn’t died as an Innovator.
Now he can go to where Lockon is…
He opens his eyes and sees Lockon standing there, smiling, holding out his hand.
“Tieria…”
Tieria smiles and reaches out. Lockon.
Their hands touch.
Setsuna’s hand rests on Lyle’s shoulder.
“It wasn’t anyone’s fault.”
Lyle lets go of Tieria’s hand.
“Yeah.”
He smiles, but it’s bitter and his eyes are dead.