Before Heliopolis: A GUNDAM SEED Fanfic

Chapter 1: Athrun

Z.A.F.T.T.A.

The Zodiac Alliance of the Freedom Treaty Training Academy

I fired a shot. The cool metal of the gun was as familiar in my hand as a pencil. I looked up to see where my shot had penetrated the target, and I frowned. My shot was about two centimetres from the centre. I shot again, and again, and again, but that was no better. Not a single bullseye. I must be too distracted. I took a deep breath, focused, and fired three more shots. All three dead centre.

I sighed and removed the cartridge of the gun, placing it back on the tray. The shooting range was deserted this early in the morning, as it normally was. I always came here when I found it hard to sleep, which was pretty often. I topped my academy class in marksmanship, but this was why. I guess I just had too much time on my hands. Returning to my dormitory, I had a quick shower before heading off to my first class of the day. The academy was well known for its strictness and discipline, so late was something I really didn't want to be.

My first class was advanced combat skills, another that I excelled in. As I waited for my name to be called out, I glanced around the room at my classmates. I had a few friends and got along with most of the people in my year, but I didn't have any real close friends. I'd left my last best friend behind when I moved to the PLANTs from a neutral space colony. His name was Kira Yamato, and we'd been best friends since childhood, but I had no idea where he was now.

Glancing over to the window, I saw Nicol Amalfi, one of my classmates. He was an alright kid, but I'd never really got to know him. He was incredibly smart, but he always seemed a bit out of place in ZAFT, with his calm nature and easy smile. ZAFT didn't make kind people, it made soldiers. Cold, hard people who are not made for emotion. Sometimes I think that I am like that myself. I had heard that Nicol was some piano prodigy, too. A person like that doesn't belong in an army, I thought to myself.

“Athrun Zala,” I looked up when I heard my name called out by the instructor. “you will be paired today with....Yzak Joule.” Oh great. My absolute favourite classmate. Sighing inwardly, I made my way over to the training mat. Yzak was someone that I had never got along with. He was aggressive, unfriendly, and sometimes downright bloodthirsty. He always managed to find something to be angry about. His best friend Dearka Elsman and he were always starting fights and, because of their impressive combat skills, always winning. Dearka was quieter than Yzak, more calculating, sarcastic and arrogant. Together, they would pick on the less skilled members of our class. It didn't win them any friends but that kind of thing was almost condoned by the ZAFT instructors. It was like survival of the fittest here. I could hold my own, but that's what made me worried for people like Nicol.

“Well, well. Athrun Zala. I don't think I've had the pleasure of facing you in the training room yet.” Yzak's arrogant smirk was enough to piss me off before we'd even started. “Your combat skills are somewhat legendary,” He grinned, “But now let's see if you can back it up!” Without warning, he made his move, aiming to catch me off guard.

“Dammit Yzak!” I yelled, as I dodged and grabbed his arm. Yzak had no qualms about dirty tactics and that was another thing about him that annoyed me. I twisted his arm behind his back and pinned him down. Dirty tactics won't work on me.

We sparred for a long time, and we were still fighting when many of the other pairs had finished. People gathered around to watch us, the two best pupils in the class going one on one. I have to admit, he was one of the most difficult opponents I'd ever faced. Finally, I flipped him onto his back and had my elbow to his neck, which is where the death blow would have been dealt if this fight had been real. This meant that I had won.

I backed off and offered Yzak my hand to help him up, but he ignored me and got up on his own, trying to cover his wincing as he did. I felt a strange mix of satisfaction and guilt, which wasn't helped by the dirty looks that Yzak was giving me. I rolled my eyes at him, and then said sincerely. “Well done.” His look told me that my congratulations wasn't needed, or wanted.

“Shut up, Athrun.” He spat back. “The only reason you're even at this academy is because your dad is Patrick Zala.” I was willing to forgive him for telling me to shut up, but I wouldn't take his insinuation that I wasn't good enough to be here. Not wanting to make a scene though, I turned and left, thinking, bastard.