Chapter 1: Princess Rele Revived

It was a strange sensation. Even though light shot up around them in one continuous beam, the Gundam Force and Zapper's gang felt no heat on their bodies. The only thing they could feel was a slight tingling sensation on their skin and circuits. However, this was of little comfort to any of them, as the Gundamusai bobbed and spun in the air, pushed by invisible forces. As the Zakos ran around, panicking, everyone else stood and tried to keep their balance.

"Probability high that this energy beam was released from the Garden of Wisdom!" Captain Gundam reported, "It's spinning the ship around!"

Zero the Winged Knight stepped closer to the statue-form of Princess Rele. "Never fear, princess! I'm here to protect you!"

Shute opened his mouth, but no words came out. He just stared at everything that was going on, clutching the violet rose in his fist. Genkimaru did the same.

Zapper Zaku groaned, his eye showing a spinning spiral. "My tummy…"

Grappler Gouf, also spiral-eyed, said, "Is a little…

Destroyer Dom, who also had a spiral-eye, finished, "Queasy… "

Bakunetsumaru, Blazing Samurai, his eyes spinning, looked up into the heavens and cried out, "I don't understand what's happening here! Does anyone know what's going on?"

There was a bright flash of light, and when it cleared, the Gundamusai was flying in a space with two ocean-like walls to the left and right, dotted with clouds.

"We're back in the Minov Boundary Sea!" Everyone cried in unison.

"Minov!" Destroyer repeated.

As Shute tried to keep his balance, he groaned, "Not again!"

"It appears as though this was caused by the collision of the Feather Dragon and Steel Dragon!" Captain guessed. Just before the beam appeared, the spirit beasts used by Zero and Deathscythe flew off together in Lacroa.

"And the transport device is still broken, right?" Shute asked, thinking about the machine the Gundam Force used to contact and transport objects between dimensions.

Captain nodded. "Affirmative. We'll have to find some other way to escape from this."

By now, the ship was able to stabilize itself, setting on a steady flight path. On the deck, a door opened up. Zapper's gang headed towards it.

"Go for it." Zapper grunted.

"We're gonna retreat for a little while." Grappler added.

"Queasy!" Destroyer said.

The three larger robots and the Zako Soldiers crowded around, trying to squeeze as many of them through the opening as they could.

"You guys can't run until I say so!" Genkimaru yelled, chasing after them. Before he could get half way, Bakunetsumaru caught him by the top-knot sticking out of his helmet.

"Hold it, pipsqueak! I've been looking for you!" Bakunetsumaru said.

"Wait up, cowards!" Genkimaru shouted as the last Zako slipped through the door, "How dare you leave without me!"

Bakunetsumaru sighed. "Well, at least your safe."

"Lemme down, you bully!"

What none of them noticed was that Cobramaru, Musha Gundam ninja, standing on one of the Gundamusai's frontal cannons. Chuckling evilly, the shinobi leapt out of sight.

-z-

A few minutes later, the Gundam Force had relocated to the ship's bridge, taking Genkimaru and the princess' petrified form as well.

"Commencing omni-dimensional scan to determine our present location." RAIMI, the ship's AI, announced.

"Roger," Captain said, and nodded at Shute. "Do it, Shute."

Shute opened a capsule, and out flew a White Bagubagu, the antidote to the Dark Axis' petrifying Bagubagu. The white robotic insect flew around the statue before resting on her outstretched thumb.

"Okay, you guys," Shute said, "Cross your fingers!"

The White Bagubagu jabbed its stinger into the digit, turning its stone skin to flesh.

"It's working!" Zero gasped.

"The White Bagubagu is reversing the petrification!" Shute announced.

Genkimaru, from an alcove on the wall, watched. Though his body was laid out in a reclining manner, his eyes were pointed at the statue.

Slowly, the flesh spread out, until her entire body had returned to normal. However, she remained in her out-reaching pose until her hand twitched.

"Her finger!" Bakunetsumaru cried.

Princess Relehimana Miya De Lacroa, heir to the throne of Lacroa, blinked once- and then fell forward. The boys gasped and Zero shot forward with a cry of "Princess!"

Luckily, the princess didn't fall, not due to Zero catching her, but because of her grabbing his helmet for support. As she steadied herself, Zero continued to mutter, "I've got you- Or, I will get you- I would've gotten you…"
Shute and Bakunetsumaru exhaled. That was close!

Absentmindedly, Princess Rele dusted her dress off, fretting. "Thank you… I'm afraid I'm feeling a bit dizzy…"

"My apologies, your highness!" Zero said, kneeling. "Are you sure you're all right?"

It was then that Princess Rele looked up and into Zero's face. She frowned. "Zero? But- What are you doing here? You must go!" She pointed to her left. "They're right behind…" She looked where she was pointing and saw Captain Gundam, his faceplate open. "…us. Huh? You aren't…" Confused, she shifted her vision to Shute. "I've never seen you before, either!" Looking a bit nervous, Rele began to look around, taking in her surroundings. The tidy, organized and hygienic scenery of the bridge was a great contrast to the cave she had been petrified in.

Genkimaru, now lying on his tummy, his head propped by his hands, kicked his legs absentmindedly. So, this was the princess Zero was talking about?

"Please, allow me to explain, princess." Zero said.

Princess Rele turned to Zero. "Yes?"

"I, Zero, the Winged Knight, have succeeded in carrying out your orders, and have brought your highness out of danger and into safety aboard this ship," Zero explained.

Princess Rele nodded. "I see, Zero. Does this mean that you have found allies in other dimensions, as well as a way to reverse the petrification of Lacroa?"

"Yes, princess!" Zero said proudly, "I have done all that you asked. Please," he gestured towards the rest of the Gundam Force. "Allow me to introduce our allies from the dimension of Neotopia."

"Ah, yes," Princess Rele smiled regally, "The Gundam Force, of course!"

"Huh?"

"You already know?" Zero asked, surprised.

"But, how could you, princess?" Shute asked.

"You could not possibly know of the name Gundam Force, princess," Zero said, trying to straighten himself out. "When you have been petrified all this time!"

"It was revealed to me in the prophecy, Zero," Princess Rele told him, "And I told you."

"Well, ah, uh, no, princess," Zero said, sweating. "That's not the way it happened, your highness…"

"It did, Zero," Princess Rele said firmly, "I remember it well."

Zero continued to sweat. "I beg your pardon, but the name Gundam Force actually came from-"

"Are you arguing?" She demanded.

"O-of course not, princess!" Zero cried, getting down on one knee. "Whatever you say!"

Off to the side, Shute, Captain, and Bakunetsumaru watched this exchange with wide, bewildered eyes. This was not what any of them were expecting of the princess of Lacroa, especially when compared to the more reserved fake princess Deathscythe planted.

Shaking her head, Princess Rele raised her arms up. "O Mana, who dwell in all the universe!"

Everyone watched in amazement as her body became surrounded with sparkles, spiraling up from the floor to her head.

"Zero's incantation!" Captain realized.

The princess' clothes shimmered, before changing in a flash of light. They looked very much like the fake princess' attire, only the black parts were colored a very light blue. Poofy shoulders, slightly thicker fabric, gloves over her hands, the works.

"There," Princess Rele said, looking herself over. "This dress seems a bit more suitable."

"And with it you are truly more beautiful than ever, princess!" Zero applauded.

Princess Rele gave a thankful nod. "Now, please introduce everyone."

"Yes, princess," Zero gestured and said, "First of all, may I present the leader of Gundam Force, Captain Gundam."

Captain nodded. "At your service."

"Captain." The princess nodded back.

"Over there," Zero continued, "Is little Bakunetsumaru, a Musha Gundam from the land of Ark. He's kind of hot-headed, so we suggest you keep your distance."

"Hot-headed, am I!" Bakunetsumaru exploded, "You've got some nerve, you egotistic, self-centered wing nut! And what do you mean by little, you-!"

Bakunetsumaru froze when he realized that the princess was giggling. Regaining his composure, he bowed. "Uh, I mean, please to meet you, you're highness."

Smiling, Princess Rele turned to Zero. "Please continue, Zero."

Zero pointed. "And up there we have Genkimaru. He's a kid Musha Gundam."

Genkimaru sat upright and yelled, "Stop calling me a kid!" He then grinned mischievously, opening and closing his hands. "I gotta feel her face!"

"Genki!"

Princess Rele shook her head. Kids. What could you do? She turned to the boy Zero was gesturing to.

"And last but not least, princess," Zero said, "May I present Shute, Gundam Force Special Member."

"Glad to know you." Shute said.

Princess Rele smiled at him, and then took on a more official expression. "As sole heir to the noble throne, Princess Relehimana Miya De Lacroa will now address you all."

By some coincidence, the area she was standing on was the platform used for the ship's dimensional transport device. The platform rose as she spoke, bringing her head above the group. She was already the tallest one present, but now she truly overlooked them.

"Your highness, you have our full attention," Zero said, "And I speak for everyone here!"

Shute stared up, amazed. The person he was looking at was no damsel in distress, the kind to go, "Oh, save me!" when trouble arose. She was more like, well, a ruler.

"I welcome you, brave warriors, to our noble quest." Princess Rele said, and then looked down. "Oh, Shute."

"Y-yes, princess? W-what is it?" Shute gulped.

Princess Rele held out her hand expectantly. Everyone looked from her to Shute.

"I accept your gift." The princess said, smiling.

Shute blinked. Gift? What gift?

"Obviously, you have gone to a lot of trouble to present me with that beautiful violet rose of Lacroa," Princess Rele said.

Shute quickly looked into his fist, remembering the rose he was holding.

Princess Rele went on to say, "I would be pleased to accept it from you, now." The platform lowered, bringing her closer to Shute.

Shute, worried, muttered, "This…isn't…" and slowly looked back at the princess. She still had that smile, and was still holding out her hand. But he couldn't just give the rose away. This rose had once been a person Deathscythe created, someone he had befriended. It just wasn't right.

When she saw the hesitation in Shute's eyes, Princess Rele's smile dropped, and she looked to Zero for clarification.

"It's not what you think, princess," Zero said quickly, "Let me try to explain, I…Well, actually hard to..." He began to babble, trying to find a proper way to fill the princess in without insulting her. "You see, it's…uh…"

Looking shocked, Princess Rele came to her own conclusion. "You don't think I'm worthy of the rose? Is that it, Shute?"

"N-no… It's nothing like that, princess…" Shute said, his eyes locking onto the rose. He could just barely see her face in its petals. "It's just that I…"

"Go on." Captain prompted encouragingly. He knew that once everything was explained, the princess would understand why Shute couldn't give the rose to her.

"I understand."

Everyone looked the princess. She had an upset look on her face.

"You showed me the rose but you won't give it to me," She said testily, "Because you're selfish, and you want to keep it for yourself!" and with that, she turned away. "Hmph!"

"Oh, your highness, I assure you it's not the reason!" Zero cried, on one knee again. "Actually, it's because this rose is…

But Princess Rele was adamant in her own theory. "This is why I don't like children!"

Zero gave a groan of dismay and staggered back, as if the princess' words were like a slap to the face. "Oh, Shute, just give it to her!"

"Wait!" Shute cried, and said, "I have to ask you a favor."

Princess Rele looked at the boy. "You're asking me to do you a favor?"

"Yes. Please hear my explanation about this rose."

Princess Rele huffed and turned away, nose up. "No! I won't!"

Shute stared, open-mouthed. She wouldn't even listen?

"I have no interest in listening to your childish excuses." the princess said.

"Uh…please, your highness," Zero said, thinking he should at least speak up for Shute. "I beg you to listen to his explanation!"

"Absolutely not!"

"Then perhaps this will change your mind!"

Princess Rele curiously looked at Zero.

"Hey, look at me!" Zero struck and awkward pose, holding out both arms while standing on one foot. "I'm Lacroa Castle!"

Everyone stared. Shute and Bakunetsumaru began to sweat.

Zero then began to bob in the air. "Now I'm an Mmn, see?" then he leaned forward on one leg, using his arms for balance. "Now I'm a banana tree!" He curled up into a ball on the floor. "Now I'm a biiig rock!"

Princess Rele stared at this performance for a few seconds before she began to titter, which soon became giggles, and then full-fledged laughter.

Genkimaru, up on his alcove, drummed his fingers impatiently.

Calming down, Princess Rele said, "Very well, Zero. No more poses."

Zero was instantly up on his feet, kneeling before her majesty. "Oh, good!"

"I shall listen."

"Thank you, princess! I assure you it will all become clear!"

Bakunetsumaru shook his head in dismay. I sure am glad I'm not a knight. How humiliating…

And so, with the help of the video projector on Captain's helmet, Princess Rele was shone what had happened during the Gundam Force's time in Lacroa.

They had rescued a statue they thought was the princess, and upon unpetrifying her, Shute became close friends. Because they only had one White Bagubagu, though, they were unable to restore the rest of the kingdom. So, the 'princess' took them to the Garden of Wisdom, claiming that they could find a answer to their problem there. However, it was actually a trap set by Deathscythe, the Knight of Darkness. The Knight of Darkness revealed himself to be actually Zero's fellow Knight Gundam Deed, the Icy Knight, who betrayed Lacroa to the Dark Axis as part of his plot to gain the power of the Garden of Wisdom, become human and marry Princess Rele. The princess who led them there was revealed to be a fake created through Deathscythe's black magic, for the sole purpose of gaining the White Bagubagu. However, the fake princess turned against Deathscythe, and in retaliation, the traitor to the Royal Knights stripped her of her human form, turning her back in a violet rose. The rose Shute now held…

"…That's what happened." Shute finished, staring sadly at the violet rose in his hand. He heard some sniffles and saw that the princess was now crying into her hands.

"That is so sad," She wept, "Poor violet rose!"

She wasn't the only one shedding tears. Bakunetsumaru had always been the more emotional Gundam around, and now was no exception. Tears poured down his face as he sobbed.

"I-it is a terrible story!" he wailed, "I'm furiously sad!"

Shute cringed. It was somewhat unsettling to see someone normally so quick to use his swords break down like that.

Wiping away her tears, Princess Rele turned to Shute and said, "Now I see… You brought the rose to me because you needed help… But unfortunately, the answer is no."

"What do you mean, princess?" Shute asked, worried. It sounded as if she couldn't do it, even if she wanted to…

"What you are asking is just no possible," The princess explained, "Even with my magic, I cannot return to human form, Shute."

"No!" Shute said, "That's not what I'm asking!"

"It isn't?"

"No, your highness, I just wanted you to take this rose with you when you go back to Lacroa," Shute explained, "Everyone's told me that you have a beautiful rose garden that grows there."

"Yes, that's true." Princess Rele replied thoughtfully.

"So I was hoping you could put her in your garden with all the other roses," Shute continued, "So she would be with her friends. That way she'd never be lonely… Could you do that, princess?"

Princess Rele looked at Shute fondly, deeply touched by the caring tone in his voice. "Of course."

The Gundams nodded, and commented on what a good idea Shute had. Then a klaxon sounded off. Everyone looked around.

"This is an emergency," RAIMI announced, "The launch bay is being opened. Displaying image now."

-z-

In the front of the Gundamusai, the space under the deck opened up, extending its launch runway. The launch bay was where the Re-equip Ring was kept. The Re-equip Ring was Captain's means of changing his equipment, even on the field with its flight capabilities

-z-

In the bridge, the Gundam Force and Princess Rele stared at the holographic screen that appeared. The first thing it showed was Grappler's sneering, mono-eyed face.

"Hey, what's going on up there, ya freakazoids?" Grappler taunted.

The view zoomed out, showing Grappler standing in front of the ring. All around him were the Zakos, dancing and cheering. In the ring's center, Destroyer held a bunch of random items in his arms.

"As you can see, the Re-equip Ring is ours!" Grappler declared, "and if you don't want it blown up, you better listen, and listen good!"

"Weapons!" Destroyer laughed giddily, "We only want weapons!" He threw the stuff in his arms (None of which had combat uses) in the air. "Boom!"

Genkimaru groaned. "They're totally lost without me!"

Bakunetsumaru shook his head. "Them again?" When the Gundam Force had protected Neotopia from the Dark Axis, the Zakos and their leaders had been a constant enemy to the Gundam Force, almost like an arch-foe, but now they were nothing more than pests.

Shute pumped his fist. "C'mon!"

Captain's faceplate closed. "Let's roll."

Shute handed the rose to Princess Rele ("Here, Princess!) and ran to the elevator.

"Zero, stay behind and guard the princess!" Captain ordered, following Shute. "Bakunetsumaru! You come with us!"

"You got it, Captain!" Bakunetsumaru yelled, joining the two in the elevator.

"Good luck, comrades!" Zero said.

As the elevator doors closed, Shute called out, "Don't you worry, princess!"

Princess Rele said nothing, staring at the violet rose in her hands.

-z-

Rather than going directly to the launch bay, the three left the elevator from the deck, and then jumped down from the bow, landing directly on the runway. They glared into the hanger. As some Zakos cautiously crept around, holding things like frying pans, Grappler stood in the center of their vision, holding a shield from Captain's Heavy Arms mode, as while as a beam machine gun.

Grappler laughed evilly. "We got every single weapon from the Ring! You should just surrender before you get hurt!"

Then Destroyer danced by, singing as he waved a smaller rifle. "Weapons! We got all your weapons!" Grappler stared at him in worried confusion.

"Shall we attack them, Captain?" Bakunetsumaru asked quietly.

"Yes, but we must be careful this time to avoid putting a crack in the Minov Boundary wall." Captain answered.

"I have an idea." Shute said.

The Gundams looked at him.

"An idea?" Bakunetsumaru asked, "Well, what is it, Shute? We've got no time to lose!

"All right," Shute motioned to the Gundams and they huddled. "Here's what we do…"

Seeing that he was being ignored, Grappler began to get angry. "Hey, what's with all the whispering over there?" Pointing his gun, he demanded, "Why don't you come on and fight like a robot, Captain? I'll tear you apart limb from limb, and then use you for spare parts!"

With a fiendish laugh, Grappler threw the gun and shield away. He then picked up an assembled V-Rod and began to twirl it wildly, and it would have been very impressive if he hadn't hit himself in the face at the very end. Undeterred, he struck a fighting pose.

By this time the three Gundam Force members were now ready to put Shute's plan into action.

"As you wish, Grappler," Captain said as they walked into the bay, "But I think you'll regret it!"

-z-

In the bridge, Zero and Princess Rele watched the action happening in the launch bay on the holographic screen. It mostly consisted of Shute and Bakunetsumaru playfully letting themselves be chased by Destroyer and the Zakos.

I see what their plan is. Princess Rele thought.

"Get them!" Destroyer yelled, and pointed his rifle at the pair. When nothing happened, he looked at it in confusion. "Huh? Weapon empty, Dom!" He tossed it aside and ran after them. "Get them anyway!"

As soon as that bunch were off-screen, Captain and Grappler shuffled into view, fighting V-Rod to V-Rod. The fight was basically Grappler carelessly slapping his rod at Captain, who blocked it with his own rod.

"Give up yet?" Grappler asked.

"No, but I know you soon will be!" Captain retorted, activating the wheels on the back of his feet and zipping around Grappler, giving him some whacks from behind. Grappler found himself being running away.

"So," Princess Rele said, "Now we'll see what these new allies you have brought are capable of."

"Oh, princess, they are fierce warriors!" Zero said.

Meanwhile, Shute gave the Zakos a mischievous wink, slapping his rear in that 'Come and get me!' way the immature tend to do.

"I can hardly imagine…" Princess Rele closed her eyes and took a deep breath, saying, "…How hard it must have been for you to realize that your friend Deed…was actually Deathscythe."

"…Yes," Zero said at last. He painfully remembered the Deed he saw two and a half years ago before Lacroa's fall, now realizing that the determined friend who saw him off was just a lie. And then he remembered how pitiful Deathscythe look after Zero gave him the final blow in their fight, falling to his doom without moving a muscle. "I will never be to forgive Deed for what he did."

"Never?"

"I'm afraid not, princess."

Princess Rele looked off and said, "It was the Garden of Wisdom that led him to choose the path of evil. I remember it very well. Deed accompanied my father and me the day that we went there. He saw the catacombs that contain all knowledge of the Steel Dragon that was sealed away, along with the forbidden magic. And he learned about the power of the Superior Dragon, which is said to transform robots into human beings."

"And then…" Zero said, "Then he became possessed by the desire to become human, so that he could marry you, princess. Love…it seems to have the power to change people, somehow."

"Like the violet rose of Lacroa?" Princess Rele asked.

Zero recalled how close the fake princess and Shute became. "Her love for Shute changed her."

"Love is not to blame, Zero," Princess Rele said, "It was Deed who chose to follow the path of evil, and as a result he destroyed both the land of Lacroa, and himself."

Zero looked up at the princess and gravely said, "You're right."

"Everything has its purpose, and a Knight Gundam must embrace his code of chivalry," Princess Rele said, "Even a rose has a purpose. You can be sure you're on the right path if you are proud of your existence, and are living in peace with those around you. Shute seems to understand this."

"Yes," Zero said, "He and I were only talking about this recently."

"To revive Lacroa, we must keep ourselves on the path of good," Princess Rele said as their eyes locked.

"Yes!" Zero nodded firmly.

"We still have a long journey ahead of us, Zero," the princess said, "But with these new allies we have new hope. Let us never forget the debt that we owe them, and do our very best to honor them for their bravery."

"Yes, your highness."

The Lacroix turned back to the screen. It looked like the boys were close to the big finish.

-z-

Zipping around, Captain's targeting scope slid down over his eye. He scanned the area and saw that everyone was in front of the Ring. "In position, Miss RAIMI! Gundam Ring Attack!"

Grappler jumped in front of Captain and swung, but the mobile defender leapt up to avoid the blow.

"Shute! Bakunetsumaru!" Captain yelled, "Formation B!"

"Right!" Shute yelled, and activated the boosters on his backpack, sending him over the Zakos coming at him from the front.

"Countdown," RAIMI announced, "10…9…"

Destroyer tried to hit Bakunetsumaru with a frying pan, but the Musha Gundam skillfully dodged.

"8…7…6…"

Shute landed on the Zakos, using their heads for stepping stones.

"5…4…3…"

With their enemies neatly disoriented, Shute and Bakunetsumaru ran to opposite sides of the launch bay, plastering themselves against the walls.

"2…1…go."

At the end of the runway, Captain speared his V-Rod down and used it as a post to swung on, giving Grappler a powerful kick in the chest. As Grappler flew back, the Re-equip Ring began to move forward, catching Destroyer and the Zakos against it as it built up speed. Grappler hit the top of the Ring as it took off, flying around the Minov Boundary Sea.

"Oh yeah!" Shute cheered, "We did it, team!"

-z-

Grappler, scrambling not to lose his grip and fall, sent a nasty glare down at the others clinging to the Ring's bottom half and yelled, "Now look what you did, Dom!"

Destroyer, hanging onto a chain of Zakos, wailed, "Queasy!"

-z-

In the engine room, Zapper happily scrubbed the floor with his mop, singing. But then he stopped. It was quiet. Too quiet.

"Hey! Why am I the only one cleaning up around here?" He shouted, looking around. "If I have to come find you, you morons are gonna be sorry!"

-z-

For a little while, the Gundam Force made the Ring and its unwitting passengers fly around for a bit before sending Grappler and the others back into the engine room. They returned to the bridge, where Princess Rele had a surprise for Shute. She had magicked a small vase into existence, and placed the violet rose into it.

"There," She said, "That will protect her until we return to Lacroa."

"Thank you," Shute said sincerely, smiling. "Thank you, princess! I hope now you understand why this rose was so important to me."

Princess Rele smiled back at him.

"Everyone," She said, "I'd like to present you each with a gift to express my appreciation for your brave efforts today."

Genkimaru watched from his space on the wall as Shute, Captain, and Bakunetsumaru lined up in front of the princess. Huh? Gift?

"O Mana!" Princess Rele spread her arms out, creating a cloud of sparkles and rose petals that floated down on the three.

Shute felt something on his back, and looked. To his surprise, a small red cape had appeared, hanging stiffly down from the top of his shirt! The two Gundams next to him had similar capes sticking onto their backs as well.

"Capes?" Bakunetsumaru asked, craning his head over to look at his. Next to him, Captain turned his head completely around to observe the cape stuck to his backpack.

"More than a cape!" Zero proclaimed, "It's a badge of honor!"

Shute grimaced. "Yeah, but…" He patted it a few times, making a hollow knocking noise. "For a cape, it's pretty stiff, and it sticks out kind of funny in the back…"

Shute heard a gasp and looked. Princess Rele now had an expression of outraged shock on her face.

Zero leaned forward and whispered, "Shute, these are special capes that won't wave in the air unless you have magical powers!"

Shute blanched. "Huh? But why?"

Before Zero could say anything, Rele cut in. "I see!" She said, a vein appearing on her forehead. "So my gift isn't good enough!"

Shute and Bakunetsumaru began to sweat at these words. Captain looked between them, unsure of what was about to happen.

"I have promised to do my best to honor your allegiance and that is what I shall do," Princess Rele said firmly, and spread out her arms again. "O Mana!"

There came another thin cloud of sparkles and petals, and then the boys had three capes on their backs.

"Uh, excuse me, your highness," Shute began hesitantly, "But having more little capes still doesn't really solve the-!"

"Not satisfied?" Rele interrupted angrily, "We'll see about that! O Mana!"

Another flash of sparkles and petals, and when the light subsided, Shute, Captain, and Bakunetsumaru were covered in capes. They looked like red bushes.

"Well, we won't need raincoats anymore, that's for sure…" Bakunetsumaru muttered.

Genkimaru burst into hysterics, pointing and laughing at the silly sight. Some reward! Even falling off didn't stifle his giggles.

"I'm sorry, princess, if I sound rude, but…" Shute trailed off. Rele seemed to have a fire in her eyes now.
"I get it," She said angrily, "You never have enough!"

Zero began to sweat. "Princess, I-I don't think that's what he meant!"

"No! I know what he meant!" Princess Rele said, glaring at the three cape piles. "I think you want more!"

Rele held her arms into the air, and a great magic circle of Lacroa appeared, blue with elegant runes. However, it now resembled that anvil you see falling on you just before it hit.

"O…Mana!"

Anyone who had been outside the ship would have seen lights flash from within the bridge. All around the Gundamusai, fireworks exploded, causing the ship to rock back and forth. And just barely over the din, the frantic voices of Shute, Bakunetsumaru and Captain could be heard.

"Whoa! Princess! Please!"

"The capes are fine, really!"

"Probabilty of insulting her highness' fashion sense, 99.9%!"