found by Cagalli Yula Athha of the neutral country Orb, who despite being angered by Kira's supposed death, allows him to return to ZAFT after both discuss the reasons for killing. After returning to ZAFT, Athrun is given the mobile suit by his father Patrick Zala for his achievements in war. Patrick orders him to track and recapture or destroy the mobile suit ZGMF-X10A Freedom, which was stolen by Athrun's fiancée Lacus Clyne and to eliminate her. He is unable to follow his orders after he learns that Kira is alive and is the pilot of the Freedom. As the Archangel plans to face both ZAFT and the Earth Alliance to end the war, Athrun decides to talk to his father. Patrick reveals that he intends to continue the war on until all the Naturals have been exterminated. Upon Athrun's refusal to reveal the location of Freedom and Justice, Patrick's soldiers arrest him. He is later saved by the Clyne faction and joins the newly formed resistance group called the Three Ships Alliance which includes the Archangel. To end the war, Athrun and Cagalli go into Jachin Due. There they find Patrick was shot by a ZAFT commander before he could fire the superweapon GENESIS. Athrun then destroys GENESIS by detonating the nuclear-powered Justice inside it, to stop ZAFT's attack. Two years after the war in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, Athrun is living under the pseudonym working as Cagalli's bodyguard, who rules Orb. In the declaration of the Second Bloody Valentine War, Athrun returns to ZAFT, hoping to avert the war. Athrun meets with ZAFT Chairman Gilbert Durandal, who appoints him a member of the elite special forces, FAITH. Athrun is assigned the new mobile suit and joins the ship Minerva from ZAFT. There, Athrun becomes commander of the mobile suit pilots, becoming a mentor to Shinn Asuka, though the two do not always get along well. In the fights against the Earth Alliance, the Archangel interferes to reduce the number of casualties, but Athrun decides not to return with them, stating that they are making the situation worse. During a clash between the three groups, the Saviour is destroyed by Kira's Freedom, leaving Athrun without a mobile suit. Following ZAFT's attack on the Archangel, Athrun begins to question their motives. Later, he learns that Durandal is preparing to frame him as a traitor. Athrun escapes from ZAFT with