White. It was suddenly, utterly, blindingly white.
Zechs Merquise closed his eyes, but the light burned through his lids and imprinted itself on his retinas. So this is how it ends, he thought, and was not at all displeased with the idea. He would die--was dying--in the violent explosion that tore apart the remnant of battleship Libra, but he was content. Peace had been achieved. He hoped. It was up to Relena now, and she certainly had the ability to bring about peace.
He wondered if anyone truly knew his objectives in starting this final battle between the colonies and Earth. He had to bring about this battle to end all battles, the one thing that might change people’s hearts and make them abhor weapons and war and look for more peaceful ways to resolve future conflicts. Treize certainly knew his objectives, for he had been an integral part of the plan. Treize, my friend, rest in peace. Your sacrifice will not be in vain. Heero Yuy had understood and had played his role well. Noin had loved him more than she understood his true motives. A shaft of longing reached to his soul. My lovely Lucrezia Noin, how I will miss you. I only wish there had been a moment to tell you the depth of my love for you. And Relena. She had never understood, but perhaps that was for the best. If she could never understand, then she would never believe that war was an alternative to negotiation as a way to bring peace. Although, he conceded, most of the time war only inspired more war. They were lucky this time.
The searing heat of the explosion was beginning to get to him and when he opened his eyes he could see stars and flying metallic scrap through holes in Epyon’s cockpit. It wouldn’t be long now. His job would finally be done and the people of the Earth sphere could go on with their lives, building and rebuilding their shattered cities, emotions, and lives. He had only minor regrets that he wouldn’t be a part of the rebuilding. As much as he would have liked to get to know Relena better and perhaps pursue a deeper relationship with Noin, his death would take the last of the bloodstained, unworthy soldiers from the world and leave it a clean slate for the establishment of pacifist governments.
The light faded completely, and he saw it. A massive piece of Libra was still falling. Would this never end? He didn’t really want to harm the Earth. He had counted on the gundam pilots stop his "plans". He fought against a rising weakness in his battle-weary body and watched as it plummeted toward Earth. Suddenly, a gleam of light separated itself from the piece and rocketed ahead. He smiled. He knew what that gleam was and the pilot inside it. Heero truly would be the savior of the Earth. His eyelids grew heavy but he forced himself to continue watching until the chunk blossomed into a fireball and the telltale glint of light off of Wing Zero let him know that Heero had survived. Then he sighed, and in the dark quiet of space, surrendered to the weakness. His eyes closed.
There was nothing left but black.
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