Shana Lee 3
Note: Just assume all conversations among the Americans are in English. When there's anyone else involved, the conversation is in Japanese, unless noted by (parenthesis like this).
After ten rounds, Gabe and Toby came out of the battle booth all smiles and high-fives. Gabe had defeated Toby six to four, although he put up quite a fight.
"Nice fight, man," Gabe said. "It's been a while since I've had a good challenge."
"You too," Toby replied.
Shana stood up and made her way over to her fellow Americans. "That was sick, both of you!" she exclaimed. "Like, that seventh round bout, you guys were moving so fast I couldn't even follow it!"
"Thanks," Gabe said. "I still got plenty more where that came from if you want a go."
"Oh, no way, I wouldn't stand a chance," Shana replied.
"You're Andie Morgan's protege, right? She may be insane, but she's good, so you can't be that bad."
Toby egged her on as well. "C'mon, Shay, what's one battle?"
Shana glared at the scruffy boy. "You just want to see me get my ass kicked." She turned back to Gabe. "While I appreciate the interest, I'm gonna pass. I'm not like my impulsive captain or my idiot friend here. I know my limits."
"Hey, can't argue with that," Gabe said. "I do want to see you fight sometime. Reaper users are always interesting."
"My team has a Rank Battle in two days, you can catch us then," Shana responded. "But until then, would you be interested in finding a place to eat and talk? I haven't been home in months, I'd love to know what's going on."
Gabe shrugged. "Sounds good to me. I've been looking to try some authentic Japanese food since I got here."
Shana smiled. "I know just the place."
The two American girls wound up at a small, hole-in-the-wall type restaurant. Shana ordered for both of them, then turned back to Gabe.
"So. What's been going on back home?"
"Depends what you want to know," Gabe replied. "With Border stuff, nothing too huge. There was almost an invasion in Chicago like a month ago. There was no actual attack, but the reason why was hilarious."
"What?"
"So it was one of those polar vortex snowstorms at the time, and there was wind and snow everywhere. And I guess the Neighbors must've been from some kind of tropical beach world since they took one look at the snow and ice and headed back through the Gate!"
Shana chuckled. "Hey, I'd want to avoid a Chicago winter too!"
"Oh, and they opened up a branch in Texas, got bases in all the main cities," Gabe said. With a laugh, she added, "I'm pretty sure the entire branch is literally just Gunners though."
Shana smiled at that.
"Yeah, but otherwise it's been pretty chill. Tournament season ended just before I made my way over here. I was national champ, third year in a row, but you seemed to know that already. Alyssa Collins held top Attacker. Victoria Silva was top Shooter and Eric Matheson was top Sniper, both of them for the first time. And no surprise, Tristan Oliver was top Gunner."
"Sounds like an interesting year."
"Yeah, it was. They were all great fighters, absolutely deserved the titles. Victoria actually almost had me, we were tied after ten rounds, but I got her in the bonus round." Gabe turned to Shana. "Did you ever compete in the tournament?"
"Never the national, but I did some East Coast stuff," Shana replied. "It was mostly Andie's doing. We'd be sparring one day and she'd be like, 'Oh yeah, I signed you up for the Boston Tournament.' I agree with you one hundred percent, she's insane."
"Boston Tourney, nice. How'd you do?"
"I got knocked out in the semifinals of the attacker rounds. And I only got that far because your standard Scorpion or Kogetsu user had never fought a Reaper user before."
"Like I said, you guys are interesting fighters."
At this point, their food came. After they had eaten a bit, Shana posed Gabe another question.
"So what brings you all the way to Japan?"
"Little bit of research, mostly to find new opponents," Gabe replied.
"Is that why you were so battle-happy?"
"Exactly. I'm already the best in the US. I want to be the best in the world."
"Best in the world, huh? That's ambitious."
"Hey, shoot for the moon, if you don't you'll land among the stars and all that shit." Gabe smiled. "This has been pretty fun. You're a good conversation partner. And this food is amazing."
"You too. And I had a feeling you'd like it," Shana said. "If you want, when we finish eating, we can head back to the base, and I'll give you a tour and introduce you to some people."
"Sounds good!"
They finished their meal, then made their way back to the Border base. Shana pointed out landmarks and important areas as she led Gabe through the base. The ended up at the operating room for Tsukiko Squad.
"And here's where my team hangs out," Shana said. "You should come in, I'll introduce you to Kuni and Eri."
Gabe shrugged. "Why not?"
Inside, Shana and Gabe found Kuni seated at her computer, frantically typing on her keyboard.
"Come on, go!" she shouted into a headset. Suddenly, she groaned and slumped back dejectedly in her chair. Then she noticed the other two girls.
"Oh, hi Shana."
"Hey Kuni," she replied. "You alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine! My current opponent is just really frustrating." She looked at Gabe. "Who's your guest?"
"This is Gabe Ryder. She's the US national champ in Rank Wars," Shana introduced.
"Oh cool! I'm Kuni Ayugai, operator for Tsukiko Squad! Nice to meet you!" She held out a hand.
Gabe shook it. "You as well."
"Where's Eri?" Shana asked Kuni.
"She and Take-kun are 'talking strategy,'" the operator replied, using air quotes.
Just then, the shooter in question decided to make her appearance.
"Oh, hey Eri," Shana said. "How was your date?"
Eri glared at the American but flushed slightly. "It wasn't a date." She noticed Gabe. "Who's she?"
"Eri, meet Gabe Ryder, US national Rank Wars champ. Gabe, meet Eri Asano, Tsukiko Squad's very own Shooter extraordinaire."
They both exchanged a polite "Nice to meet you."
"Are you the American Maya challenged?" Eri asked.
"That would be me," Gabe replied. "Though to be fair, I challenged her."
"That's refreshing. She's notorious for challenging anyone she can."
"Hey, she wasn't that bad." Gabe shrugged. "I just beat her easily."
It was at this time Maya entered the operating room. "What's going on here?" she asked, noting the presence of Gabe.
"Oh, Maya, you're here now, perfect!" Shana turned to her team and to Gabe. "I have a proposition for you guys, and for Gabe."
"Go on," Eri prompted.
"Okay, so Gabe, you're here for fighting experience. Challenge some more people on your quest to become the best in the world and all that. And we as Tsukiko Squad want to do better in B-Rank Wars so we can make it to A-Rank, or honestly, just make it to the upper tier. So I have an idea to address both of our goals." Shana grinned. "Gabe, you should join our squad."
Gabe smirked. "(I'm intrigued.) What else?"
"Think about it! You can get experience fighting people here through the B-Rank Battles, and since you're literally the US national champ, you can help us get better, both by helping train us and by fighting with us!"
"You make a good point, Shana," Eri noted. "Maya, as captain, what do you think?"
"Let's do it!" Maya exclaimed. "Gabe, you're an amazing fighter. It would be incredible to fight with you instead of against you."
Kuni added, "We'd love to have you on the team. We're a bit quirky, but I think you'd fit right in."
"(Oh, what the hell,)" Gabe said, her face splitting into a grin. "I'm in."
"Alright!" Shana exclaimed. "Gabe Ryder, welcome to the Tsukiko Squad."
Hello again everyone! It's been a while, I know. I'll admit, I procrastinated writing more of this for so long, mostly because I just didn't want to write that Toby vs. Gabe battle (sorry if you were looking forward to that!). But hopefully, this interesting development made up for it! How will the addition of Gabe affect the fighting and team dynamic of the Tsukiko Squad? Find out in another undefined period of time!
