OVA
Description
Rey Za Burrel is a clone of Al Da Flaga, created by G.A.R.M. R&D to fund the Ultimate Coordinator Project that produced Kira Yamato. Despite being a genetic copy, he appeared significantly younger than his predecessor, Rau Le Creuset, for unknown reasons. Rey accompanied Rau to the PLANTs, where Gilbert Durandal became his primary caretaker and father figure. This relationship established Rey's lifelong loyalty and emotional dependency. He enrolled at ZAFT's military academy alongside Shinn Asuka, Lunamaria Hawke, and Meyrin Hawke. Witnessing Patrick Zala's speech framing Naturals as oppressors of Coordinators during the First Alliance-PLANT War solidified his alignment with ZAFT's cause. After the war, Durandal informed Rey of Rau's death, suggesting Rey *was* Rau. Rey internalized Rau's nihilistic worldview, believing only Durandal could create a world without suffering for beings like them. Rey also suffered medical issues due to shortened telomeres in his DNA, causing chronic pain requiring medication and limiting his lifespan.
During the Second Alliance-PLANT War, Rey served as an ace pilot aboard the battleship *Minerva*, initially piloting a Blaze ZAKU Phantom. He demonstrated exceptional spatial awareness and mastery of the DRAGOON system, enabling precise long-range attacks. His calm demeanor contrasted with Shinn Asuka's impulsiveness, and Rey frequently assumed tactical leadership during battles, creating openings for Shinn while stabilizing his emotions. He experienced unexplained reactions during missions involving Extended human facilities and shared a telepathic connection with Neo Roanoke in combat. Following Athrun Zala's defection from ZAFT, Rey assumed control of the ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam, originally intended for Athrun. Rey and Shinn formed a highly effective combat team; Rey destroyed two GFAS-X1 Destroy Gundams and eliminated the Blue Cosmos leader Lord Djibril. These actions earned him the Order of the Nebula and appointment to Durandal's elite FAITH unit.
Rey became a staunch advocate for Durandal's Destiny Plan, which aimed to assign societal roles based on genetics to eliminate conflict. He confided in Shinn about his clone origins, explaining that profits from cloning Al Da Flaga funded Kira Yamato's creation. Rey viewed himself and Kira as aberrations against the natural order who deserved destruction. He argued the Destiny Plan would prevent future tragedies like his own existence. In the final Battle of Messiah, Kira Yamato confronted Rey, challenging his belief that being a clone negated his individuality. Kira's words resonated deeply, causing Rey to question his loyalty. When Durandal aimed at Kira during their standoff, Rey shot Durandal instead. As the Messiah fortress collapsed, Rey chose to remain with the dying Durandal and Talia Gladys, the *Minerva*'s captain whom he called "mother" in his final moments, perishing with them in the explosion.
Rey's personality was typically reserved and emotionally controlled, though he displayed genuine affection and happiness around Durandal. He possessed talents beyond combat, including adept piano playing. His relationships were complex: he revered Rau as a fellow clone, unwaveringly obeyed Durandal until his final crisis, and maintained an ambiguous friendship with Shinn that blended mentorship with manipulation for Durandal's agenda. His resentment toward Kira shifted to reluctant acceptance after their final confrontation. Rey's character arc centered on his struggle to define his identity beyond being a clone, culminating in his rejection of genetic determinism.
During the Second Alliance-PLANT War, Rey served as an ace pilot aboard the battleship *Minerva*, initially piloting a Blaze ZAKU Phantom. He demonstrated exceptional spatial awareness and mastery of the DRAGOON system, enabling precise long-range attacks. His calm demeanor contrasted with Shinn Asuka's impulsiveness, and Rey frequently assumed tactical leadership during battles, creating openings for Shinn while stabilizing his emotions. He experienced unexplained reactions during missions involving Extended human facilities and shared a telepathic connection with Neo Roanoke in combat. Following Athrun Zala's defection from ZAFT, Rey assumed control of the ZGMF-X666S Legend Gundam, originally intended for Athrun. Rey and Shinn formed a highly effective combat team; Rey destroyed two GFAS-X1 Destroy Gundams and eliminated the Blue Cosmos leader Lord Djibril. These actions earned him the Order of the Nebula and appointment to Durandal's elite FAITH unit.
Rey became a staunch advocate for Durandal's Destiny Plan, which aimed to assign societal roles based on genetics to eliminate conflict. He confided in Shinn about his clone origins, explaining that profits from cloning Al Da Flaga funded Kira Yamato's creation. Rey viewed himself and Kira as aberrations against the natural order who deserved destruction. He argued the Destiny Plan would prevent future tragedies like his own existence. In the final Battle of Messiah, Kira Yamato confronted Rey, challenging his belief that being a clone negated his individuality. Kira's words resonated deeply, causing Rey to question his loyalty. When Durandal aimed at Kira during their standoff, Rey shot Durandal instead. As the Messiah fortress collapsed, Rey chose to remain with the dying Durandal and Talia Gladys, the *Minerva*'s captain whom he called "mother" in his final moments, perishing with them in the explosion.
Rey's personality was typically reserved and emotionally controlled, though he displayed genuine affection and happiness around Durandal. He possessed talents beyond combat, including adept piano playing. His relationships were complex: he revered Rau as a fellow clone, unwaveringly obeyed Durandal until his final crisis, and maintained an ambiguous friendship with Shinn that blended mentorship with manipulation for Durandal's agenda. His resentment toward Kira shifted to reluctant acceptance after their final confrontation. Rey's character arc centered on his struggle to define his identity beyond being a clone, culminating in his rejection of genetic determinism.