Chapter 5: The Tears of Corbamaru

Genkimaru stared up at Tenchijo, remembering Kibaomaru's message the night before; If he gave himself up, Shute and Rele would be freed.

"It's me, Genkimaru!" The kid Musha Gundam yelled, "You called and I came, all right?"

At the edge of the castle's grounds, a group of Kibao Nobusshi came up and looked down at the child inquisitively.

"Is it really him?" One asked.

"I guess so," Another said, "I don't know what he looks like."

Bakuhamaru glared down at the tiny figure before the castle. "He looks a lot like that."

"Tell Kibaomaru to release Shute and Princess Rele, right now!" Genkimaru ordered.

The two Nobusshi exchanged looks.

"We can't, he's away from the castle." The second commented.

The first rolled his eyes. "Duh!"
The problem was solved by the appearance of Oshogo.

"I have returned!" Kibaomaru announced, "Prepare for my arrival!"

Bakuhamaru slowly bowed his head. He knew that when Kibaomaru found out about the loss of the hostages, there would be no escaping his punishment. He could only hope that Genkimaru's appearance would lessen his master's eventual ire. On the ground, Genkimaru glared at the warlord as he steered Oshogo to the ground, hating him for not being a traitor to Ark, but also for being his father as well.

"Hello, brat," Kibaomaru said, hopping out of his chariot before the child. "Nice of you to stop by."

Genkimaru scowled. "I did what you wanted, now do what I want! Release Shute and Princess Rele right now!"

"Always so impatient and demanding…" Kibaomaru remarked, "Come into the castle, and we'll talk about it over a meal. How's that sound?"

Kibaomaru turned and walked back to Oshogo when a black figure came before him, kneeling.

"I apologize, sire! I've only just returned!" It said.

"Cobramaru…!" Genkimaru exclaimed.

"A thousand pardons, my lord," Cobramaru continued, "My plan was to hand the kid over to you, but I'm afraid there were complications."

"Go away."

Cobramaru looked up into his lord's face, shocked.

"You're mission was a complete failure." Kibaomaru said sternly.

"Please, m'lord!" Cobramaru persisted, bowing his head. "Give me another chance! I promise you, this time I will redeem myself!"

"And how do intend to you do that when you cannot catch a young Musha Gundam?" Kibaomaru asked, "No… You are useless to me!"

Kibaomaru reached over and peeled the Kibao emblem off of Cobramaru's head. Holding it in his hand, it began to incinerate in a blue fire.

"This emblem is proof that you are in my service," Kibaomaru said as both Genkimaru and Cobramaru looked on in shock, "I cannot allow you to wear it any longer."

"I beg you, sire," Cobramaru pleaded, "Give me one more opportunity to prove my loyalty! This failure will not happen again, I swear to you!"

But Kibaomaru would have none of it. "You had your chance," He growled, stepping forward. "Now go!"
Kibaomaru struck Cobramaru in the face, sending the ninja sprawling in the ground besides him.

"Hey!" Genkimaru shouted, "Why do you have to be so cruel?"

Getting into Oshogo, Kibaomaru shot Genkimaru a cold look over his shoulder. "No one asked for your opinion, brat. Come!"

Frowning, Genkimaru marched towards Oshogo. After he was on, the chariot took off into the air. As it became air born, Cobramaru, on his knees, looked up at it.

"One more chance, sire!" He cried, "That's all I ask!"

But Kibaomaru did not reply. The only response Cobramaru got was a sympathetic look from Genkimaru.

"Please…" He whispered, looking down at the ground sadly.

"Lord Kibaomaru used to call you his most trusted warrior!" Bakuhamaru shouted down to him, "And now look at you, Cobramaru! You're pathetic!"

"Without his support you have no allies and no place to go!" Mokinmaru yelled, "Leave here and never come back!"

The Nobusshi, meanwhile, marched back to their normal posts, chattering about what had happened. The casual tone of their conversations infuriated Cobramaru. Him, one of Kibaomaru's most important agents, reduced to this? Had he been gone so long that they no longer respected, or even feared him?

A fire lit with in him. Punching the ground, he angrily thought, I can't believe this is happening to me! I must find a way to redeem myself in my master's eyes! I must show him I'm still capable …that I still have the power!

-z-

Following their escape from Tenchijo, Shute and Princess Rele were brought to Buritenmaru's camp and met with the leadership of the army. It was then that they learned what had happened.

"What! Are you sure Genkimaru went to Tenchijo?" Shute asked, shocked.

"There's no mistake," Kinkaku said, "The watch guard reported it."

"He's taken sides with the enemy, Shute!" Ginkaku said.

Princess Rele stepped forward and shook her head. "I don't believe that. Genkimaru is on our side, he's proven that many times before. Perhaps he blamed himself for our capture, and after he heard the message, he went to the castle to save us."

"What if he activates Musha Daishinsho?" Shute asked, worried.

During the meeting, Bakunetsumaru had been fanning the flames of the Bakushin Armor. When he heard Shute's words, he stood up and looked at the boy.

"Wait a minute," The Blazing Samurai said, "What did you just say?"

Both sides quickly revealed what had happened during their separation. When they were finished…

"I can't believe it!" Bakunetsumaru cried, wide-eyed. "That little kidis the key to controlling Musha Daishinsho? No!"

Shute was also rendered momentarily speechless from what he learned. "…I can't believe that Genki' is really the son of Kibaomaru…"

"It's true," Zero said, "I heard him say it."

"That's incredible!" shute cried, looking at Zero. "What would possess him to fight so hard against his own father?"

"We don't know, he won't say." Captain said.

"It's gotta be something awful…" Shute said, looking down. Looking at Rele, he asked, "Does Kibaomaru even know that Genki's his own son?"

"I'm not sure," Rele said, "But I don't think so."

Shute sadly looked out towards Tenchijo. "That poor kid… I wonder if he'll try to escape once he finds out we're not even being held prisoner anymore…"

-z-

At this time, Kibaomaru was taking Genkimaru down the main room's elevator into the dark chamber beneath it.

"Do you recognize him, Genkimaru?" He asked, pointing at the giant being in front of them.

Genkimaru stared up at it in shock and awe. "Musha Daishinsho…!"

Daishinsho began to growl, even more so than usual, pulling at the many cables that kept him suspended in the air.

"He seems to recognize you too." Kibaomaru commented wryly.

But Genkimaru was distracted from Daishinsho by the sound of wooden slap. Looking aside, he saw a platform a bit lower than the he and Kibaomaru were, and on it, playing shogi, were Shute and the princess!

Running to the edge of his platform, he cried, "Oh, wow! Hey! You guys all right? It's me!"

A Nobusshi on a separate platform floated besides Kibaomaru and whispered, "Those aren't the real prisoners, sire."

Kibaomaru did a double-take. "What!"

"An illusion, my lord…"

As the Nobusshi floated back, Kibaomaru stared at the very convincing image of the humans playing shogi.

You mean they escaped during the short time I was gone? He thought angrily. It looked like he and Bakuhamaru were going to have a long talk…

Meanwhile, Genkimaru was beginning to grow concerned with the way the 'humans' were not responding to his presence.

"Can't you guys hear me?" He called out, "I'm up here! It's Genkimaru!" When they didn't react, he thought, What's going on? Why are they ignoring me? "Fine!"

Frowning, Genkimaru made a jump, intending to see if physical contact would do the trick.

"Hold it, not so fast!" Kibaomaru yelled, grabbing the boy by his topknot, and held him up. Ignoring the kid's cries, he said, "I need your help right now."

Genkimaru stopped struggling. "My help?" He began to shake again. "What do you mean? Put me down!"

"Not until I'm finished," Turning them both to Daishinsho, Kibaomaru said, "the legend says that Dai-Shoguns throughout history conquered Ark, using Musha Daishinsho as both their armor and their greatest weapon. It's a source of limitless power to whomever can control it!"

Kibaomaru's grip loosened slightly, and Genkimaru pulled himself out of the adult Musha Gundam's hands, landing back on the platform.

"So?" Genkimaru asked, "That has nothing to do with me! Daishinsho is dangerous! That's why it's all tied down like this! It's a power only the Dai-Shoguns can use!"

"Not true," Kibaomaru corrected, "I can use it too," He pointed up at Daishinsho's head. "But I must get into that jewel on its forehead."

Genkimaru glanced it. "So, like, that' s what you wanted me to do?"

"Can you figure out a way to get inside?" Kibaomaru asked, "We've looked, but there's no visible entrance."

Now staring at the large jewel, Genkimaru thought about it. "Well, I guess I can warp inside…"

"That's what I was hoping," Kibaomaru said, smiling. "And that's why I've been trying to get you here. The only one who possesses that technique- as far as I know- is you."

"You got that right!" Genkimaru smirked, puffing out his chest proudly.

"So we're agreed then," Kibaomaru looked down at the kid Musha Gundam, "You'll use your technique to get both of us through the jewel and into Daishinsho's control center?"

"First release Shute and Princess Rele!" Genkimaru snapped, glaring at his unknowing father.

"You have to use your technique before I do that." Kibaomaru replied evenly.

"If Daishinsho becomes yours, then Ark becomes yours as well," Genkimaru pointed out, "So what's the big deal about releasing them first?"

But Kibaomaru was too smart to fall for that line. "Unfortunately, I cannot afford to release them and then have you refuse to keep up your end of the bargain." Not to mention that Shute and Rele were already gone…

Genkimaru glared up at the warlord.

"Well?" Kibaomaru asked, not blinking.

Frustrated, Genkimaru looked away. "Ah man…I have no choice. Fine!" Stomping his foot, he glared at Kibaomaru again. "A hundred rice balls!"

"What?" Kibaomaru asked, bewildered as Genkimaru stubbornly sat down away from him.

"I've got news for you, I can't even use that technique when I'm hungry, and right now…" Genkimaru gave a theatrical moan and fell back. "…I'm starving'!"

Kibaomaru glared at the kid. "You are an impossible brat. All right," Looking away, he yelled to the Nobusshi, "Bring the boy some rice balls!"

With Kibaomaru's attention diverted, Genkimaru peeked an eye open at Shute and Rele. Something funny was going on…

-z-

In another room in Tenchijo, Cobramaru slowly slid open a pair of sliding doors. He gazed into the closet, and what it held. Sitting on a stand was a black cobra hood, very similar to the ones used by the rest of the Cobra Ninjas, and the purple one he once wore before losing it in the Minov Boundary Sea.

Similar..with one big difference.

Stepping inside, Cobramaru said softly, "Black Armor… Awaken, and come with me."

The eyes of the hood lit up, and the armor leapt off of its stand and onto Cobramaru.

Cobramaru chuckled darkly. "Redemption is mine."

"How will you do that when you've been branded a thief?"

Cobramaru looked to the left and saw door slid open, showing Kijumaru.

"This is the armor of the Cobra Ninjas final ultimate technique, and I am its legitimate successor!" Cobramaru snapped with a wave of his hand, "What is wrong with me using my own armor?"

"Nothing," Kijumaru said, stepping into the room. "As long it is really yours to use. And are you not an exile from your lord's house?" He nodded at something past Cobramaru. "What do you think, Mokinmaru?"

The wall opposite of Kijumaru's slid open, showing the Sword of Heaven.

"I believe it is the desperate act of one who has been disgraced and banished by his lord." Mokinmaru said firmly.

"You may be a ninja," Kijumaru said to Cobramaru, "But you're no more than a disposable pawn."

"…Even a pawn has its pride," Cobramaru said after a moment. "And I am determined to recover mine!"

With a grunt, Cobramaru turned around and left the room. The doors slid shut.

-z-

It wasn't long before he reached the outside of the castle. Activating the Black Armor's rockets, Cobramaru flew from Tenchijo towards the Dairyogoku Sword, a mad gleam in his eye.

I will destroy the enemy leader, and Lord Kibaomaru will take me back when he sees the fruit of my loyalt!

-z-

In Tenchijo's top room, Kibaomaru stared as Genkimaru shoveled down rice ball after rice ball into his mouth, pausing to take sips from a cup of tea. A half-empty bucket of rice lay besides a half-full plate of rice balls, and a pile of empty plates.

"You're like a bottomless pit," The warlord muttered, and asked, "Aren't you full yet?"

"As a matter of fact," Genkimaru said between bites, "I'm not! Lemme eat in peace!"

Bakuhamaru then came in. "My lord! Cobramaru is making a frontal attack on the enemy even as we speak!"

"Has he lost his mind?" Kibaomaru cried, and rushed towards the door, followed by Bakuhamaru.

A ninja making a frontal attack? Genkimraru thought, He's desperate!

-z-

Over the first defense line, Cobramaru was assaulted by a barrage of arrows from the Nobusshi stationed there. He spun around to deflect them. Once the barrage ended, he hovered still.

"Attention in the enemy camp!" Cobramaru yelled, "My name is Cobramaru, Cobramaru the Castle Conqueror! The right-hand man of Lord Kibaomaru! The most powerful ninja warrior in Ark!" he did a flip, and flaming characters spelling KO-BU-RA-MARU appeared. "Those who know me fear me, those who don't understand how I got my reputation!"

-z-

"He is an exile, and he dares to use my name?" Kibaomaru asked, growling venomously.

"And he stole the Black Armor, my lord!" Bakuhamaru added.

From Tenchijo, Kibaomaru and company watched as Cobramaru flew around, tossing bombs and dodging arrows.

"A full frontal assault," Haganemaru remarked, "And he calls himself a ninja?"

"He has lost his mind, sire," Bakuhamaru said, "And disgraces your house!"

Kibaomaru gave Bakuhamaru a look. "He is not the only one who disgraces me, Bakuhamaru," He said coldly, "You let the hostages escape. The punishment for that mistake will be severe, believe me."

Bakuhamaru bowed his head. "I accept full responsibility."

In the main room, Genkimaru watched Kibaomaru and Bakuhamaru through the room's door. It didn't seem like they would be coming back anytime soon.

All right, now's my chance. Genkimaru thought, and his gaze shifted towards the monitor showing Shute and Rele, who were still playing shogi.

But then he saw something odd. The image of Shute and Rele- just Shute and Rele- flickered, while the rest of the video remained stable.

What's that? Wait a minute! Genkimaru quickly traced a small portal into the air. He then flicked an empty plate through it. The portal opened up in Daishinsho's room, and the plate fell through 'Shute' and 'Rele', causing them to flicker again. As the dish bounced off the platform, a blue magic circle briefly appeared beneath the holograms before fading away.

Huh? They aren't real! Genkimaru realized, They're just some kind of projection! What's going on around here? This whole thing's a lie!

But if Shute and Rele weren't in Daishinsho's room…where were they?

-z-

"Cobra Sonic Boom!"

Cobramaru rocketed over and through the Buriten Nobusshi, knocking them off their feet as he blasted past them, smashing the gates down.

In Buritenmaru's compound, a Nobusshi reported, "The enemy's breached the third line!"

The Gundam Force whirled around, shocked.

"Cobramaru?" Shute cried.

"This is strange!" Bakunetsumaru said, "A ninja making such a bold attack?"

Meanwhile, Cobramaru blasted through the next gate, the shockwaves of his passing knocking Nobusshi out.

"The second line has been breached!" Another Nobusshi reported.

Stepping forward, Shute looked to the Gundams. "Let's go!"

Captain nodded and closed his faceplate.

"Let's scramble the ranks!" Buritenmaru ordered.

The Gundam Force didn't move more than three feet before Cobramaru landed before them.

"Cobramaru!" Shute yelled, stepping protectively in front of Rele. "Tell us what happened to Genkimaru!"

Cobramaru glanced at the humans, confused. "What are you two doing here?" He then smirked. "I see, the figures in the castle are Illusions! Well, it doesn't matter how you got here. This is the final showdown, a fight to the finish! Either all of you perish or I do!"

Having assembled his V-rod, Captain twirled it around and said, "Cobramaru! Drop your weapons and surrender immediately!"

Captain, Zero, and Bakunetsumaru, weapons drawn, stood out in front of the rest of the group, taking fighting stances.

"Is that your plan?" Cobramaru asked, "The three of you against me? What cowards you are!"

It was a cheap shot, but it worked. Bakunetsumaru took the bait and stepped forward.

"All right, then," He said, "Let's have a little one-on-one!"

For a moment, the two Musha Gundams glared at each other. But while Bakunetsumaru was carefully studying his opponent, shifting around, Cobramaru stood still, almost casually so, regarding the samurai with a dark confidence.

"Ready?" Cobramaru asked, the eyes of his hood shining. He leapt into the air. "Final Ultimate Technique: Mirror Transformation!"

There was a flash of light, so bright that everyone present had to shield their eyes. Just barely, they could see Cobramaru's form shift from his own to-

"It can't be!" Bakunetsumaru cried.

A second Bakunetsumaru landed on the ground, only this his eyes background were not colored green, as the original Bakunetsumaru's were. These were colored purple. And the eyes themselves were slitted slightly.

"He's become Bakunetsumaru!" Shute exclaimed.

The second Bakunetsumaru chuckled evilly- in Cobramaru's voice.

"You're an imposter, and you shall pay for your disrespect!" Bakunetsumaru shouted angrily.

The two Bakunetsumaru's leapt at each other, what followed was the most surreal fight anyone had ever seen. It was like shadow boxing, taken to its most twisted extreme. Cobramaru not only looked like Bakunetsumaru, but attacked, dodged, defended, and moved exactly as he would. They both moved all over the place, striking, blocking, and moving around to take the other's back.

"Captain, I can't tell which one is which!" Shute cried, looking back and forth.

"Neither can I, Shute! They're identical!" Captain replied.

Leaping back from Cobramaru, Bakunetsumaru yelled, "You may look like me, but you can't use my ultimate technique! Tenkyo-Ken!" He sliced a fiery X at Cobramaru.

"Surprise!" Cobramaru hissed, and sliced a fiery X of his own! "Mirror Tenkyo-Ken!"

The two Xs struck each other, exploding. Shocked, bakunetsumaru was thrown back by the blast of heat.

"Impossible!" He gasped, staring.

"He can reproduce powers too?" Shute exclaimed.

And while Cobramaru fought like Bakunetsumaru, he thought the way he always did. Having snuck around the Blazing Samurai during the explosion, he said, "I know everything about you, Musha! Your strengths and your weaknesses!"

Cobramaru fired off another Tenkyo-Ken, sending Bakunetsumaru flying into the bamboo forest behind the camp.

"Which one just got thrown?" Shute asked as he and the rest of Gundam Force stared into the woods. "Bakunetsumaru"

"I'm afraid the probability is 99.98%!" Captain replied.

"You can't get away with this!" Zero yelled, turning to face Cobramaru.

But the space the ninja was standing in was empty.

"Where is Cobramaru?" Zero asked, looking around. "Where did he go?"

"I'm here, Zero!"

That came from above! Quickly, everyone looked up-

And saw Zero, the Winged Knight, this one with purple eye screens.

"What do you think?" Cobramaru asked, "Am I elegant enough for you?"

"You dare to mock my form?" Zero growled, "You'll pay, Cobramaru!"

Zero raised his sword and began to chant as it glowed gold. "O Mana-"

"-Who dwells in all the universe!" Cobramaru finished, his own sword glowing purple.

"The spirits would never give power to an imposter like you!" Zero shouted.

Cobramaru snickered. "Wrong! You underestimate the strength of the Black Armor!"

Zero's eyes hardened. "Surely you can't do all of my magic!"

"I wouldn't be so sure…" Shute mumbled. There was a knowing gleam in Cobramaru's eyes that surpassed mere confidence.

Holding up their swords, the two Zeros said, "Spirits by your contract with this Winged Knight, give me your power now!"

A magic circle appeared over Zero. "Super Magic…"

And one appeared over Cobramaru. "Mirror Super Magic…"

"Violet Tornado!"

Both of them, knight and imposter, waved their swords towards the other, sending out great gusts of winds, filled with purple rose petals. Zero, shocked, tried to keep himself level as he felt the wind- his wind- blow into him.

But Cobramaru was not done yet. "Anything you can do, I can do better!"

The mimicker's eyes flashed, and the petals from his Violet Tornado transformed into shuriken. Zero was struck repeatedly by the spinning blades as they cut into him, until his strength gave out and he was sent flying by the wind.

"Zero!" Princess Rele cried as her knight fell.

Laughing evilly, Cobramaru returned to his normal form in a flash of light, flying above the remaining Gundam Force.

"You're mine, Buritenmaru!" He cackled.

Buritenmaru frowned. "You're toast!"

Before Cobramaru could attack, he heard a noise from behind and went up, just in time to avoid being hit by a purple beam. Looking back, he saw Captain pointing the end of his V-rod at him.

"You're not the only one who can do a sneak attack, Captain!" He growled.

Faster than the eye could see, went around and grabbed Captain from behind. Firing his rockets, he blasted up, carrying Captain along.

"Put him down!" Shute yelled, "You bully!"

"All in good time, brat!" Cobramaru shouted in wicked glee, "All in good time!"

Once he and Captain were high enough, Cobramaru pointed them down. Then, in a burst of speed, he blasted down, ramming Captain in the ground. Flying up, Cobramaru looked down at his opponent.

"You fools will have to do better than that if you expect to defeat me!" the ninja cackled.

Captain groaned, trying to push himself up.

Glad to see Captain in such a state, Cobramaru went back to his original target. "I'm coming for you, Buritenmaru!"

"Go scramble your eggs!" The elderly Musha Gundam snapped.

"Leave him alone!" Shute screamed, unable to watch.

Not far away, a sizzling, crackling yellow and purple energy suddenly appeared in the air, forming a Zakurello Gate. As Cobramaru brought out the blades on his wrists, preparing to strike, something launched from the Gate. Just as Cobramaru was no more than 6 feet from the old warrior, the thing- a giant, blue tank-like thing, with blasters on the sides and a Gundam Force badge on the front, dragging an open-box bed behind it, rolled in front of him! Unable to stop, Cobramaru crashed into it, being knocked back as it drove away.

"What…what is this?" He cried, flummoxed.

A loud neigh sounded off from the vehicle, and out from the box bed leapt a mecha horse donned in armor like Bakunetsumaru's!

"Entengo?" Shute cried, recognizing the horse. It was the steed Bakunetsumaru was riding when he first appeared in Neotopia. When the Gundam Force left to liberate Lacroa, they had left him behind.

At this time, Captain had pulled himself out of the dirt. "Gunpanzer!" he yelled, and leapt into the box bed.

In a slot on the wall sat the Zakurello Phone, Chobirello.

"Rello! Rello!" The Phone shrieked.

Captain stood with his back to the front of the vehicle and said, "Please alter my armor to Option F!"

Two arc-halves popped out of the sides and locked into a single arc above Captain. A compartment behind him opened up and a new set of thrusters were attached to his back.

Groaning, Cobramaru pulled himself up. "What is it with you guys? You keep adding team members!"

Disgruntled, he ran and leapt towards Buritenmaru, determined not to let this disrupt his plan. Before he could strike, Entengo, ridden by Bakunetsumaru, galloped by and knocked him back! Cobramaru managed to land on his feet, but it was clear from the look on his face that he was not okay.

Hovering above by his thrusters, Captain looked down and shouted, "You wanna fight, huh? Fight me!"

Cobramaru glared at him. "With pleasure!" Rocketing towards the mobile defender, he transformed. "Mirror Transformation!"

Now there were two Captains flying. They began to dog-fight, making passing strikes as they flew rocketed by one another. After a few more times, they flew back from each other, bringing down visors over their eyes.

"V-Attack, activate!"

The two V-Attacks, one yellow and one purple, slammed into each other, canceling them out.

"You can even replicate my V-Attack?" Captain asked, amazed.

Cobramaru snickered. "All of your techniques are useless against me!"

Captain was at a loss as to what he could do. Not only did Cobramaru have his weapons, but he knew his own strategies to…

"Captain!" Shute yelled, "Take him down!"

But there was still one more thing to try.

Secret weapon time! Captain thought. "Soul Drive, activate!" His body filling with power, his fist glowed gold as his eyes enflamed. On that arm's gauntlet, a booster energized, increasing the speed as he wound up a punch. He had first discovered this power in his original body, when it had just been a side-effect of the Soul Drive's strength. His current body, however, had been designed to bring that power out to its fullest advantage.

Rocketing towards Cobramaru, Captain yelled, "Hyper Captain Punch!"

But Cobramaru was doing exactly as he was. "Mirror Hyper Captain Punch!"

But while the Black Armor could duplicate Bakunetsumaru's spirit, Zero's connection to the spirits of Lacroa, and even Captain's weapons, the one thing it could not emulate was the bond of friendship Captain had with Shute- and the power that came from their faith in each other. There was an empty slot where the Soul Drive was in Cobramaru's new body.

The two Captains flew at each other, and they struck, fist against fist. The sky light up in a fantastic explosion of light…

(…Everyone watched anxiously…)

…And Cobramaru was sent flying, his armor shattered. Captain had won.

"Forgot one thing," Shute grinned, watching the ninja go. "Can't beat a Soul Drive!"

-z-

Cobramaru flew, screaming as he went, until he landed in front of Tenchijo's doors in a undignified heap, bits and pieces of the Black Armor scattered around him. The Nobusshi guarding the entrance didn't move.

"Another disgraceful defeat!"

Hearing Kibaomaru's voice, Cobramaru looked up. Watching him from the balcony were Kibaomaru and Genkimaru, the little Musha Gundam sitting on the railing with a plate of rice balls nearby.

"First, I send you into exile, then you steal the Black Armor, call yourself a subordinate of mine, and finally, get humiliated in battle!" Kibaomaru thundered, clearly displeased.

Groaning, Cobramaru forced himself up, taking a blade from the Black Armor's scrap.

"I apologize to you, sire," the ninja said, "I'll accept any kind of severe punishment!"

"Just get out of my sight," Kibaomaru ordered, "You'll nothing in my name anymore."

"Lord Kibaomaru, I know I have shamed you," Cobramaru persisted, "But you must let me redeem myself, in order to uphold my honor!"

"Begone!"

The Nobusshi guards pointed their spears at him, and Cobramaru realized that all was lost. Kibaomaru controlled almost all of Ark- being expelled by him might as well mean being exiled from the country. He would never find work again. And more importantly, he was cast out in such a disgraceful manner…that was no way to live. He could not possibly have the strength to go on with that black mark on his pride. It would devour him eventually. There was only one thing to do. Only one road for him to take.

Pointing the tip of his blade towards his stomach, he thought a silent prayer, hoping to be more effective in the next life. If he could not live with honor, he would at least die with it…

"Stop that!"

Genkimaru leapt down from the railing and kicked the blade out of Cobramaru's hand.

"What do you think you're doing?" The child demanded, "His cause is bad news!"

Cobramaru stared at where his blade lay. "You don't understand, I've lost the respect of my lord. I must maintain my honor!"

"I'll tell you what you 'must do…'" Genkimaru said, and held up a rice ball before Cobramaru's face.

The ninja stared at it, perplexed. "…What?"

"You're part of the Genki Energy Force, aren't you?" Genkimaru asked, "Why don't you help us fight that jerk?"

The Genki Energy Force. A child's game the brat had played with Zapper's gang while lost in the caverns of Lacroa. Cobramaru bitterly looked away, muttering, "But my honor…"

"You better eat this," Genkimaru said, placing the rice ball in front of Cobramaru. "It'll make you strong, like me!"

"Genkimaru!" The Nobusshi guards surrounded the two. "You may think you can escape, but I won't let you!"

Genkimaru gave them an annoyed look. "I'm not running away!" To Cobramaru he said, "Cobramaru, after you finish eating that, rest. I'll be in here thinking about our next step."

Kibaomaru watched this, looking on as Genkimaru comforted Cobramaru. He wondered, as the boy was being led inside, why he would show sympathy for someone who had once tried to kidnap him. Was it pity?

Cobramaru stared as the doors to Tenchijo closed. The next step…

-z-

"I don't understand it! It's way too early for you guys to be callin' yourself the Gundam Force without me bein' involved!"

The Gundam Force stared up at the giant tank-trailer with bewildered expressions as a gruff, no-nonsense voice emanated from it. Kinkaku and Ginkaku fretted around, watching worriedly as Buritenmaru poked around the top, trying to see if anyone will come out.

"Who does this guy think he is…!" Bakunetsumaru muttered.

Shute sighed. He knew that voice. "Captain…is Gunpanzer, by any chance…"

"As long as I'm here, I reckon I'll train y'all again!" Gunpanzer finished.

"I'm a fraid so, Shute," Captain chuckled, and projected an image of a giant motorcycle with a Gundam face on the front. "I guess I never mentioned it before, but, he's our old instructor, Gunbike."

"That's what I thought…" Shute sighed. When the Gundam Force had first been formed, Gunbike had been added to, in his words, 'whip them into shape!' But his over bearing, drill sergeant-like behavior had worked on their nerves. Grateful as they were for his efforts, they were quite glad to leave him in Neotopia…until now.

"Wow! Look at you!" Bakunetsumaru cried, "You're huge!"

"Hush up, samurai!" Gunpanzer yelled, doing a wheelie that sent everyone flying when he landed. "I see it now! I understand Lord Burite'maru's tactics and strategy, as well as his deep concern for the welfare of his troops!"

Buritenmaru had been clinging to Gunpanzer's top with wide-eyes after the wheelie. But when he heard Gunpanzer's words, he smiled warmly and nodded at the Neotopian. This was his kind of guy!

Sitting on top, he waved his fan and cried, "I like you, Gunpanzer! I really, really, like you!"

Seeing this, Captain remarked, "Well, Shute, looks like those two old war horses are getting along famously."

Shute grinned and balled his fists eagerly. "All right! Now all we have to do is find a way to rescue Genkimaru and this war is on its way to being history!" He punched the sky. "Yeah!"

-z-

Cobramaru stared at the rice ball in his hand. The sun was beginning to set, and Tenchijo had moved on- but he was still on that spot, looking at Genkimaru's gift. Eventually, he took a bite, chewing mournfully. It tasted salty, too salty. But everything tastes salty…

…When you eat it while crying.

-end chapter-

A/n: I think I handled that very well, hmm? I should mention, though. In the English dub, they tried to cover up Cobramaru's attempt at seppuku with some dialogue about fighting off Kibaomaru's troops, which I think looked silly. Though, I suppose, in their defense, committing suicide over a lost job and tarnished rep' is a somewhat extreme. For supporters of both versions, I hope you're satisfied.