Kira survives due to the Freedom’s cockpit being intact, and is rescued by Cagalli. Durandal’s words inspire a widespread popular uprising against Logos, while the damaged Archangel heads for Orb. Durandal visits the Minerva and introduces the Destiny and Legend mobile suits, which are intended as replacements for the Impulse and Saviour, respectively.

The PLANT Supreme Council supports Chairman Durandal’s new policy, while ZAFT military headquarters issues orders for the Minerva to destroy the Archangel. Shinn defeats Kira and destroys the Freedom. The Archangel is apparently destroyed.

Chairman Durandal makes a speech, which is televised worldwide. Lord Djibril is greatly angered by the speech, which blames the Earth Alliance, Blue Cosmos and Logos for the attacks by the Destroy and starting another war. Meanwhile, the crew of the Archangel debates what to do with the captive Neo, who is physically identical to [...]

Both the Minerva and Archangel try to stop the Destroy, but Shinn hesitates when Neo tells him that Stella is the pilot. Kira manages to blow up the Destroy, fatally wounding Stella and angering Shinn. Meanwhile, Captain Ramius encounters the defeated Neo.

Rey and Shinn are arrested, but Chairman Durandal orders the charges dropped. Stella is given the GFAS-X1 Destroy mobile armor, and levels three cities, including Berlin.