Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the Gundam franchise. Nor do I own the rights to certain franchises whose names begin with the letters "M," "G," and most certainly not another model-kit-centric franchise beginning with the letter "Z."
Chapter 2: No Future for the Fearful
11:24 AM, a Sunday. The cool breeze of morning was easing up, the Summer sun's warmth slowly heating the streets of New York City. Outside a mall near Central Park, a girl stands with her mother and father. The father wearing a casual white collared shirt and dark beige pants, mother in a red dress. The daughter had on much the same outfit she wore there two days ago, save one minor detail: her ears were adorned with small skull-and-crossbones earrings. Her name is Levanah Morgan. She's entered a local Gunpla tournament, looking for a chance at getting into the American championship and possibly even the 9th World Championship finals. And though she'd die trying to admit it, her entry there had another motive; impressing a guitarist girl she met that same Friday.
"Well... it's do or die time now." Levanah gulped, stepping forward through the mall's entrance.
"You sure you'll be fine, kiddo?" her father elbowed her arm gently. "Not too nervous about this?"
"Hah. Dad, really. I'll be fine." She looked to the side, noticing several people turning their heads towards her family. Or more specifically, her father. The people started whispering to themselves. Levanah smiled and sighed, commenting, "Besides, I think it'd be better if you stay on the sidelines. Don't wanna cause too many distractions, do you?" The man gave a loud laugh in reply, his wife chuckling slightly as well.
"Well well well, my little girl's growing up so fast. Doesn't need her parents' help anymore." the woman spoke, patting Levanah on the head. "Well when you meet that guitarist again, call me. I have all the embarrassing baby photos ready to share~"
"Mooooom!" the girl groaned, swatting her mother's arm away. The response only made the woman chuckle even louder. "Grugh... I'll see you both later." She placed both hands behind her head, walking away from her parents and towards the arcade, satchel swinging slightly at her side. Noticing her friends, Belle and Blair, she waved to them. They didn't respond, apparently talking with someone, so Levanah called out to them. They turned to face her and the girl's face went white upon seeing who they were talking to.
"Long time no see, Levanah." a short, bespectacled ginger girl spoke, a haughty smile across her lips accentuating the haughty tone of her voice. Small, dangling earrings and a necklace adorning her, both with red gems in them, making a quiet jingle as she walked forward. She wore a pink, sleeveless turtleneck, simple, tight red pants, and black boots. She ran her fingers through her long, slightly messy red hair. "Heard you were going to try and win this little tournament here, that true?"
Levanah spun around and attempted to walk off, the other girl grabbing her windbreaker to prevent her from doing so. Levanah slowly turned her head, forcing a smile. "H-h-hheey... R-Rin..."
"Relax, relax." The shorter girl released her grip on the windbreaker. "I'm not here to steal your thunder."
"Thanks..." the taller girl mumbled in response, slouching her shoulders slightly as she breathed out a sigh of relief. Levanah looked at the girl, legs trembling slightly. Rin Ivana, 15, someone she's known since childhood. One could say they were friends, perhaps even best of friends. But one would also have to say they were rivals, and fierce ones at that. A child prodigy, already working at a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, attending college in upstate New York. And though Levanah would hate to admit it, Rin was also a far better Gunpla Fighter. "Hey, what are you doing here anyway?" she questioned.
"Semester's over. I have a bit of time to myself, time to see my old friends again." Rin pulled Belle and Blair close, a wide, less haughty grin on her face. "So, still haven't answered my question."
"Heh, well, yeah... it's true." Levanah said, scratching the back of her head.
"Levvy made quite an impression on Friday, took out a Neo... um... Neo-Z..." Belle spoke up, but stopped halfway, trying to remember the name of the opponent's Gunpla.
"Neo-Zeong. Neo-Zeong 'Tyrant,' I believe its builder, Zack, called it." Blair finished for her, adjusting his glasses.
"Impressive." Rin commented, raising an eyebrow and adjusting her own glasses.
"Eh... not really. Fighter wasn't all that skilled, mostly relying on the power behind it to back himself up." Levanah shrugged. "Gave him some kit and tactical suggestions, and that's about it." Belle and Blair grinned upon hearing the last part of that sentence, looking at each other. Levanah glared at the both of them, only getting a smile in response.
"Well, I guess I'm rooting for you, Levanah." Rin's haughty tone returned with a vengeance. "Who knows, maybe you'll face ME in the Championships."
"Getting ahead of yourself as usual, I see." Levanah gave a pout, but finally chuckled lightly. "Some things never change. Well, I gotta get ready." She rushed into the arcade, to a short line behind a registration booth. Her and seven other people, five teens and two adults, were called to draw lots from a jar. Levanah smiling upon seeing hers. "Lucky number seven, huh?" she wondered aloud. Sure it meant having the last of the matches, but it also gave her an idea of what to expect from opponents, she reasoned.
On the Gunpla Battle Field, a bracket graphic formed, numbers one through eight with names displayed vertically underneath. Lights in the arcade dimmed, a sizable crowd now gathered around. A spotlight shined through onto a stage, lighting up the figure of Haley Jo, guitarist and announcer. She addressed the crowd, "Heeeellooooo New York! Are you ready for some rockin' Gunpla Battles?!" The crowd cheered in response, Levanah finding herself joining in, smiling wide. "All right, it's the moment you've all been waiting for! First match, Tom Davis and Ryo Romano!"
Two boys, both about 17, stepped forward. They seemed similar in disposition, wild black hair and sharp, somewhat upwards-pointed sideburns, Tom's being thinner and Ryo's being fuller. They were dressed simply, almost matching, only really notable feature distinguishing the two's outfits being Ryo's red scarf. The synthetic announcer called to them:
[PLEASE, SET YOUR GP BASE]
Both did so, and the announcer continued its calls. Haley strummed her guitar, her Extreme Gundam starting up, floating around her. The strums transformed into a beat, Haley started playing the first opening of G Gundam, "Flying in the Sky." Both fighters were ready, and the synthetic announcer made its final call:
[BATTLE START]
"Majin Zeta! Go!"
"Victory Getter! Shine!"
Highly customized variations on a Zeta Gundam and, unusually, a 1/100 scale Master Grade Victory Gundam, larger than most of the other High Grade Gunpla used in battles, blitzed towards one another across desert terrain. Rin edged her way through the crowd, closer to Levanah. She spoke quietly to her, "I hope you're ready to face people like these two. Because from this point on, everyone will have Gunpla with the same level of effort and dedication put into them, and," she paused to adjust her glasses again, "most likely the skills necessary to back it up."
"Yeah... but that's what makes it exciting, isn't it? Going against the best in the world..." Levanah replied, watching the battle intently. The fists of Majin Zeta launched from the arms, flying towards its opponent. Victory Getter reacted by splitting into its component Core, Top, and Bottom Fighters, all three dashing past the Zeta and recombining behind it, pulling out an appropriately sized Heat Hawk axe from the back. It slammed the weapon at the Zeta, but the strike was caught by the smaller Gunpla's returning arm, sinking in but not breaking through. A jab to the Victory's face blinded it temporarily, letting the Zeta get some distance, panels on the chest, right above the vents, opening to reveal hidden Beam Rifles. They fired relentlessly at the opponent, finally taking it down. The call was made:
[BATTLE ENDED]
The crowd cheered for the victor, who himself walked over to his opponent. Both smiled and laughed, bumping fists, complimenting each other on a good battle. Levanah smiled wide at the display. That right there, she thought to herself, was the true essence of Gunpla Battle.
"All right folks, Tom Davis is the winner! Let's give another round of applause for a fantastic battle!" Haley shouted, the crowd cheering again. The bracket returned to the Battle Field, Tom's name moving up. "Next match, Alonso Quixano and Raito Yamato! Fighters, please step up to the Battle Field!" An older man, dressed in a very well cared for military uniform and almost knight-like helmet, stepped forward, carefully holding a Nether Gundam seated on the top of a Fuunsaiki. Belle had to hold back laughter, seemingly one of the few in the crowd who got the older man's "joke." His opponent was a young man, no more than 18 or 19, of average height and build, well-combed brown hair matching his eyes, dressed in a very formal brown suit. His Gunpla was a white Sinanju, backpack modified with the feathery wings of Wing Zero Custom.
"Well, someone sees himself as the second coming of something." Blair snarked, frowning at the appearance of the younger man's Gunpla. "Hmph. And how very tacky." he added.
"He's confident, though. Look at that smug smile on his face." Rin pointed out, her voice tense.
"Sounds like someone I know." commented Levanah in return, gently elbowing Rin in the shoulder. Announcements continued, Haley starting to play the second opening to G Gundam, "Trust You Forever." Finally, the announcement was made:
[BATTLE START]
...the fight lasted 14 seconds. The Nether Gundam and its pilot didn't even have time to react as a single, small, almost invisible Funnel fired into the Gundam's chest. Two of the tournament's fighters forfeited on the spot, sulking away. They were followed by Alonso, look of disillusionment on his face. His opponent didn't even bother to look at him, carrying his undamaged Gunpla away. Haley seemed somewhat upset by the quick ending to the match, her Extreme Gundam sitting on her head.
Rin was glaring at the victor, gritting her teeth. "Levanah."
"Y-yes?" the taller girl almost jumped at hearing her name called.
"I want you to kick that guy's ass." the shorter girl commanded. The only response she got was a slightly nervous sigh from her friend. Raito sat down in a chair, a notebook in his hand, seemingly writing something in it. The tournament's bracket returned, adjusting for both the victory and forfeited entries. A sense of normalcy finally returned to the crowd, though whispers could be heard, seemingly declaring the tournament's winner ahead of time.
"W-well... um, since the fighters of the next match have left, we'll have to move on to the one after that! Next match is Levanah Morgan and Bit Richardson!" Haley announced to the crowd. Levanah stepped up to one side of the battle field, her opponent taking the side opposite. He was a boy about her age, average build with messy, short blonde hair, wearing an open red and white jacket, teal shirt underneath and dark blue pants. The smile on his face, at the very least, meant he was still confident in his abilities, even after the previous match's display.
[PLEASE, SET YOUR GP BASE]
Both fighters did so, Gunpla already out. Levanah's Crossbone X-7 held carefully as she looked at her opponent's Gunpla, a heavily modified, white BuCUE, head mostly replaced with something that seemed to be scratch-built, more armor reinforcing the limbs, and large claws added to the enlarged feet.
[FIELD 04: MOUNTAIN]
Both fighters grinned, Haley starting up another song, this time a song from Gundam SEED, "Zips."
[PLEASE, SET YOUR GUNPLA]
The kits were placed on their starting positions. Levanah spoke to her opponent, "You seem pretty confident. Not thinking of backing out like the other two?"
"It'll take more than some fancy tricks to scare off me and Liger!" he replied in a loud, proud voice.
[BATTLE START]
"Crossbone Gundam X-7! Launch!"
"BuCUE Liger! It's go time!"
The Crossbone's thrusters fired up, cloak fluttering. The BuCUE leaped from its starting position, running swiftly towards its opponent. The Gundam landed on a cliff, pulling out the flintlock-pistol-shaped Buster Gun with its left hand, giving it a little twirl as it looked for the approaching opponent. Finally spotting it, the Crossbone took aim and fired off several shots, but seemingly anticipating this the BuCUE dodged, firing the railguns on its back in retaliation.
The Crossbone managed to dodge, free hand gripping the Beam Zanber on its hip, dashing in the air above its opponent. What Levanah didn't see coming was the BuCUE leaping into the air to pursue her, Beam Sabers emitting from the claws, one in full swing. Thinking fast, she blocked with the Crossbone's Beam Zanber, holstering the Buster Gun in anticipation of the strike from the second set of Beam Claws. The BuCUE swung, but the Crossbone's I-field, emitted from the palm of the free hand, blocked it. She then attempted to lay down a barrage of close-range Vulcan fire, but this was cut short by a headbutt from the BuCUE's large, customized head, her Gundam's sensors momentarily dazed.
Levanah directed her Crossbone to slash upward with its Beam Zanber, breaking free from the BuCUE. Both Gunpla landed on the ground, staring each other down, slowly circling, waiting for the next move. In the blink of an eye they dashed at each other again, the custom maw of the BuCUE opening to reveal a layer of bladelike teeth. The Gundam dodged slightly, the only thing its opponent being able to grip was part of the fluttering cloak. Levanah used this to her advantage, releasing it from her Gunpla and causing the other MS to get caught up in it, giving a shout of "Ole!" as her Gundam spun around once. The claws of the Crossbone's Scissor Anchors flew out from its skirt armor, grapping the opponent's railguns and tearing them away, a Heat Dagger strengthened kick destroying them as the BuCUE toppled over in the Gundam's now vacant cloak.
Bit was disoriented, but only for a moment, quickly breaking the cloak apart. "Come on, Liger!" he roared, the Gunpla picking itself up and making another lunge, this time connecting with the Crossbone, maw biting down on one of the arms as its claws raised up again, Beam Sabers emitting from it. This time though, the Crossbone didn't attempt to block the strike, instead slashing at the limb itself, lobbing it off in a powerful strike. The crowd was pumped up, cheering over the intensity of the battle, quite a change from what it was like a few minutes ago.
"Grraaaahh!" Levanah roared, plunging the Beam Zanber into the BuCUE's body. The jaws of the Gunpla released their grip on the Crossbone's arm, Levanah pulling the Zanber out of the BuCUE, kicking the off her Gundam for good measure. Bit's Gunpla gave a small flash, an explosion following. With that moment, the announcer made the call:
[BATTLE ENDED]
Bit sighed a little, but kept smiling, walking over to get his Gunpla. Levanah walked over as well, the two congratulating each other on a fun match. "Damn, girl, that was great! You've got skill."
"You're a pretty good Gunpla Fighter yourself." The two shook hands, crowd still cheering. "Rare seeing someone using a BuCUE, but you handled it like a pro." Levanah complimented.
"What can I say? I stick with what I'm good at." he replied, looking at the damaged model. "Liger and I have been through a lot, had our fair share of losses, but we just keep coming back stronger than ever. We'll see you next time!"
Bit wandered into the crowd, a couple of his friends following. A strum of her guitar turned the crowd's attention towards Haley. After communicating with one of the organizers, she gave an announcement, "We have some downtime as we sort out the next fight, so fighters, make your necessary repairs. We will resume at 12:30!" Levanah breathed a sigh of relief, noticing Tom doing the same out of the corner of her eye, his friends gathering around him. Her own friends ran up to her, congratulating her on her win. Rin however, seemed slightly disappointed.
"I'd hoped you would have something a bit better prepared." the shorter girl said, fingers running through her red hair.
"What's wrong with my X-7?" Levanah asked defensively, frowning a little.
"It's... well, it's a good build. You've put a lot of time into it, but answer me this;" she leaned forward, adjusting her glasses, "do you believe it's really something that can get you to the Championships?"
"Aw Rinny, don't be mean." Bell poked her cheek gently.
"It's all right, Belle. I get what she's saying." Levanah sulked a little, looking at her Gunpla.
"Honestly, I was hoping you'd try something with that Crossbone Moretsu you made a while ago."
"That... I didn't really build it for battle." the taller girl blushed a little, playing with her ponytail.
"A shame, that has a good deal of potential. Still, you might want to give it a bit more... 'oomph' than what it already has." she turned her head to Raito again, glaring at him. "At least something to deal with... that. All you have at the moment is a small hodgepodge of standard Crossbone equipment."
"Hmm... I might have just the idea, Levanah." Blair finally spoke up, leading the group to a the hobby shop next door. It was crowded due to the number of people coming from the arcade, several teens and kids, and a few adults, purchasing model kits. Blair looked around, calling Levanah over when he found what he was looking for: a plethora of Bandai Hobby System Weapons. The girl whistled. "You'll probably find something here that can help out."
"Yeah... I think I will." Levanah scanned through the kits, Blair letting her be. She grabbed a couple and made a dash towards the cashier, going to work on repairs as soon as possible. She selected a couple new weapons, snap-builds for the moment, and made the necessary adjustments to her Gunpla's stats on her GP Base. Once she was satisfied with the results, she returned to the arcade, her friends waiting for her. However, before she could speak to them...
"Yo! Crossbone girl!" Haley called to her. Levanah spun around to face her. "So, since there's only three of you left, officials think this should end up a free-for-all. You think you'll be fine with a thr-" she stopped, catching herself before she said something that could be taken the wrong way, to the other girl's confusion. "Ahem, will you be ready for that?"
"I, I guess?" she responded nervously, blushing a little.
"All righty, I'll check with the other fighters then!"
"Um, a-also..." she got the guitarist's attention before she dashed off. "It... it's Levanah. Levanah Morgan." Haley stopped and looked at the girl, giving only a wink and a smile in response. The blush on her face went vibrant as she tried to figure out what it meant. Watching Haley leave, she let out a soft, somewhat happy sigh and turned back to her friends. The looks on their faces made Levanah try to hide her own. "Not. A. Single. Word." she demanded.
"No fun!~" Belle exclaimed, poking her friend's shoulder playfully.
"I won't say anything about this until after your battle's over. You've got enough to worry about." Rin promised, though the tone in which she said it didn't fill Levanah with confidence. Blair on the other hand just smiled silently, trying very hard to keep a chuckle from escaping his lips.
"Hhhrrrlgh..." Levanah groaned. She knew her friends were only teasing, but it didn't make it any less embarrassing. She took some time to calm herself down, taking a few quick gulps from her water bottle before heading back in. The other fighters were present, standing on different sides of the hexagonal Battle Field. Tom looked back and forth between them, giving each of his opponents a nod. Only Levanah returned the nod, Raito not even responding to the gesture. The crowd filtered back in as the clock ticked closer and closer to half-past noon.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Haley addressed the growing crowd. "We have a special treat for you today, the final match will be a free-for-all battle! Last fighter standing will be declared the winner!" The crowd cheered at this announcement, ready to see something aside from the usual one-on-one battles. "Fighters, are you ready?!" Levanah looked at her, nodding. Once more, a synthetic voice called to the fighters:
[PLEASE, SET YOUR GP BASE]