Chapter 1.
Gundam.
'One of the most popular mecha anime of all time. Since it has been going for over 40 years, I think that the guys who originally made it did something right. The anime itself is nothing short of amazing, a story of how life throws you massive curveballs; and the best you can do is try and swing at it with all you got. Also, giant robots called Mobile Suits fighting each other in a war in outer space. But that is only on part of its popularity, the other part is because of the Gundam Plastic Models or Gunpla for short.'
'The First Gunpla boom, was started when the show itself was on reruns, and the company decided to make Gunpla to make money. And they did, selling the main characters Gundams for the consumer to build. And with every new show, there was a new set of Gunpla. This was the main practice for a while, until the discovery of the Plavsky Particle; which was able to make the Gunpla move and fight like in the anime. And thus, the Second Gunpla boom had happened.'
"Oh man, I hope am not too late." A teenager with brown hair and blue eyes was driving to an event stadium, in which the stadium was at near max capacity.
The crowd cheering at the fight in the center of the area, about 7 hexagon machine systems emitting a light. And in the light a RX-78-2 Gundam vs. a red MS-06 Zaku II commander type, both were fighting each other and reenacting various battles from the show.
The last fight in which both MS had crossed their respected melee weapons, an explosion and then portrayed the words '20th World Championship Qualifiers'.
"Hello, and welcome to the 20th World Championship Qualifiers. I am you MC Brian Drummond, and along with me is my co-host Steve Stanley. This tournament is to show who will be the next American champion, and contender for the upcoming Gunpla championship."
"That's right Brian, from all 50 states. Gunpla fighters from all over are here in Anaheim, California to fight; and show their skills at the Honda Stadium. The tournament will have 64 players; and will be hosted on this weekend. Now we go to the floor, where are Gundam Idol Tabitha Strand will be hosting and interviewing all the contenders of the event."
Tabitha Strand, an African-American woman in her early twenties, was in a fake Lacus Clyne idol outfit from Gundam Seed Destiny said "Thanks guys, so for the rules of the tournament are as follow."
Tabitha continued "First off, there is a 15-minute time limit for a match. And if the match goes over the time limit, there is a 2-minute break time, then the overtime match will last for 5 minutes. And if there is no clear winner, it goes to a ruling of 3 judges."
"Second, a player can change their Gunpla before each turn if they want. But they cannot change during a match. As well as any illegal mods towards the Gunpla. Now, lets get this tournament started." Tabitha exclaimed.
The crowd roared with anticipation, and with all of the contestants walking on to the stage; except from one particular contestant from Ohio.
'Man, where is he.' A thirty-year-old man in the corner wearing a navy three-piece suit minus the jacket, with a red tie and white shirt. Was slowly becoming more agitated, and didn't notice a familiar face walking towards him.
"Hello Jack, how have you been doing." A certain mustached man said
The suited man turned, and grinned "Lt. Ral, its been some time. Tell me how is the Blue Giant been doing these past few years." And began to shake his hand.
Ral smiled "I've been well thanks, though I have been seeing more gray hair everyday."
Jack replied "Join the club, still I rather have my hair turning gray; than losing it."
"Anyway" Ral continued "It's strange to see you here, I thought you were back in Japan to finalize with the tournament."
Jack responded "I was, but now everything is down to the little details of placement; and time slot events. I'm afraid that I can't be very helpful on those type of things."
Ral replied "I guess that your amazing eye for detail only applies to Gunpla building, huh." Jack sheepishly grinned and scratched his head, Ral laughed.
"Still" Jack continued "I am a little surprised to see you here, Mr. Ral. If I recall the last you saw the American championship, was when I became the American Champion."
Ral said "Actually, I came to ask you something regarding the 4th Meijin Kawaguchi."
Jack turned, and slowly started to walk away "Let's have this conversation somewhere else. I have club box here, and its full with top shelf." Ral nodded and soon followed.
'Man, I hope I made it in time.' This was the singular thought running through the mind of the Gunpla fighter from Ohio, as he sprinted towards the arena; and hearing the roar of the crowd.
"NOW, is everyone ready for are first match." The crowd roared with anticipation; the big screen showed a random lottery of the players. The first player was a black hair girl with red highlights. The second player was the brown hair fighter from Ohio.
Tabitha said "Alright, everyone. We have our first match; from Massachusetts this fighter is known for having a large sharp sword. Ms. Aerith McCloud with her Gunpla from the Iron-Blooded Orphans series the Gundam Astaroth SOLDIER."
As Aerith walks up to the battle system, she places her Gunpla. A customized Gundam Astaroth, with a yellow/gold crown. And with a black body color, with silver details, and a white right arm. With both the rifle and sword being a gun/sword metal color.
Tabitha continued "Now for the second player of our first match; from Ohio this fighter was in the last World Championship, a Best 8 finalist Mr. Matt Clyne. And his Gunpla is a kit-bash from the series Gundam 00, and the Gundam Seed OVA Stargazer; Gundam Azuran Strike Exia."
As the crowd cheered, Tabitha was looking around to see Matt. But was unable to find him, the crowd also had notice something was off. Many began to talk amongst themselves asking "What's going on" or "Is there a problem with something".
Tabitha, noticing the situation spoke "Sorry folks there is a slight delay, we wi… "WAIT!"
Just then the brown-hair teen from Ohio, starts running on to the stage and shouted "I'M HERE!"
Matt looking winded finally makes it up to the stage, the crowd realized what happen started to laugh and toss some good-nature jokes at the teen.
Matt embarrassed looked at both Tabitha and Aerith, both of them had annoyed look on their faces with their expressions saying on thing 'Really'.
Tabitha sighed "Well, now that contenders are here. Let's get this match STARTED!"
The Gunpla Battle System or GBS started up, 'Please set your GP Base.'
Both players set their respected Gunpla, Matt's Strike Exia was a kit-bash of the Gundam Exia and Strike Noir Gundam. It had the upper torso from Exia, and its legs and backpack from Strike Noir and a GN Drive attached to the backpack. The color scheme of the Gunpla was a dark blue/navy color with some white on the legs and arms. The backpack was the same color as the body type except for the swords and guns, which were a dark metal/silver color; it also had two beam pistols on its hip and had the GN Sword attached to the right arm and GN Shield on the left arm.
'Beginning Plavsky Particle dispersal.'
The GBS started to emit dozens of small blue lights, that looked like small stars. The light began to take shape and the giant hexagon GBS, and began to form a hard-light control system around the players.
'Field 5: City'
The GBS portrayed the cityscape from the colony in Gundam F91.
'Please, set your Gunpla'
Aerith set her Astaroth SOLIDER, the system scanned the Gunpla and the Gunpla lifted its head, and its blue camera eyes shined. Matt set his Azuran Strike Exia, the system scanned the Gunpla and the Gunpla lifted its head, and its green camera eyes shined.
'Battle Start'
"Aerith McCloud, Gundam Astaroth SOLIDER, taking off."
"Matt Clyne, Gundam Azuran Strike Exia, launching."
Both Gunpla launched from the hangers, and headed towards each other trying to draw first blood.
Matt looking at his screen thought 'Alright, where are you hid…!' A shot from 10'clock from an anti-material rifle hit his Exia's shield to knock him down. 'Damn, where is it.' Matt found it moving south from its position, and started chasing the Astaroth and fire shots from the GN Sword.
The Astaroth turned back and started firing with its assault rifle, Aerith saying "Take this, you knob." Exia raised its shield from the assault, which in turn gave Astaroth an opening to switch out with the anti-material rifle. Astaroth fired the shot from a mid to close-range distance at Exia.
Exia manage to get its shield up in time, but due the distance of the shot and caliber of the round. Its shield flew off its arm, Exia flew up to gain some distance and then fired the Twin Linear guns from the backpack, getting some shots and one lucky shot destroying the anti-material rifle.
Matt exclaimed "How do you like that."
"Damn" Aerith said "Alright, ready to dance with my Buster Breaker."
Matt smiled "Bring it ON!"
Astaroth grabbing its long sword, and rushing towards Exia, while Exia is doing the same with its GN sword; and the two Gundams clash. Both Gundams not giving each other an inch, until Astaroth uses its Sub-Knuckle; and grabs the GN sword and crushes it to pieces. Matt seeing what happened halts and moves back to get some distance between the two.
Matt smiled "Nice move, but I'm not done yet."
As Exia pulls a beam saber from the back of its arm, it rushes towards Astaroth. With the two Gundams locked, Exia pulls out its beam pistol and starts unloading into Ashtaroth's chest causing major damage.
With that Exia jumps up, and give a slanted slash cutting Astaroth in two.
'Battle Ended' the crowd exploded in a roar.
"Well, there you have its folks." Brian continued "First game in Round 1 of the American Championship goes to last year's Champion Matt Clyne."
Steve agreed "Now that was a match, Aerith definitely had him on his toes. But when it came to close combat, it seems that Matt was a shade more skillful. The next match is between the Ricky del Santos from Arizona and Mike Corner from South Carolina. But before that lets head down on the floor to Tabitha with a word from the winner."
"Thanks Steve." Tabitha said "Matt, you had a bit of a late start this morning. And in the match, but came through in the end. What was your thoughts on all of that?"
Mike grinned "Yeah, most of my thoughts at the time was to just hurry, and it took sometime to get adjusted. But also, that Aerith and her Gunpla the Astaroth SOLDIER was no joke, especially that anti-material rifle. But I got lucky with destroying it, and with that big slash for the win."
Tabitha smiled "Right, so how does back to back championships look in your future."
Matt sobered a bit at the question "Well, that is the main goal for me now. But with this match shows, is that anything can happen in a fight. So, I am just going to take this one match at a time, and fight all the way to the top."
"Thanks for that Matt."
Matt nodded, and left to the concession for some fuel. On his way he says Aerith, who was a little disappointed in the outcome.
"Hey" Matt said, and Aerith turned to him "Listen, that was a good match. I really hope that we can fight each other again in the future."
Aerith saw his expression, wondering if he was just making fun of her; or just saying stuff. And with a small smile on his face with earnest eyes, gave a small smile "Sure, but next time don't be so late. Cause I would hate to win by forfeit from you."
Matt slumped a little and thought 'Great, now everyone is going to be making that joke.' And headed back to his Nacho hunt.
Time-Skip
"To everyone tuning in either through TV or streaming online, welcome to the final match of the American Gunpla Championship." Brian exclaimed "Let me tell you, these past few days have been nothing but Gunpla action."
Steve replied "You got that right, Brian. We had more upsets and stunning victories than I could count, and now we get to see what the very best are going to bring to the table. Because with this match, these two won't just be fighting with everything they have. They are out for each other's blood, so to speak."
Brian nodded "Yeah, first off the returning champion from Ohio; and the fighter of the Gundam Azuran Strike Exia, Matt Clyne. Ever since the first match, he has had a strong presence on the battlefield; and its looking like he is going to keep his title as the American champion."
Steve responded "Right, but don't forget the other contender. Sean Harper from Michigan, who uses the Phenex Gundam from the Unicorn series. And let me tell you good folks, this thing has enough power and speed to give the Champ a good run for his money."
"NOW, is everyone ready for are Final match." The crowd roared with anticipation and excitement.
Tabitha said "Alright, everyone. For our final match; from Michigan Mr. Sean Harper with his Gunpla from the Unicorn Gundam Narrative, the Blaze Phenex Gundam."
On the Big Screen it shows his Phenex Gundam. A customized Phenex Gundam in destroy mode, with a full golden paint body. It has both I-shield fins on its back, a beam magnum attached to the back skirt; and a large double beam tomahawk.
And underneath was shimmering red bits all throughout the body, a system very similar to the RG used by Sei Iori in the 7th World Championship; which had named the Star Blaze Particle System or SBP.
Tabitha continued "Now for the second player of our final match Mr. Matt Clyne. And his Gunpla; Gundam Azuran Strike Exia."
On the Big Screen it shows his Azuran Strike Exia, fighting through the various opponents of the tournament.
Both fighters walked up to each other, and shook hands.
Sean grinned "Don't get sloppy on me, I fully intend to take the Championship title from you."
Matt grinned back "Taking a title is easy, but holding on to it is harder. So, the only way to take it from me, is to fight me beyond your best. Because that is the way I will lose."
"You can feel the sparks in air, people. These two are going to give us a fight to remember." Tabitha shouted "Well, now that contenders are here. Let's get this match STARTED!"
The GBS started up, 'Please set your GP Base.'
Both players set their respected GP Bases.
'Beginning Plavsky Particle dispersal.'
The GBS started to emit dozens of small blue lights, that looked like small stars. The light began to take shape and the giant hexagon GBS, and began to form a hard-light control system around the players.
'Field 1: Space'
The GBS portrayed the space field and colony designs from the Universal Century.
'Please, set your Gunpla'
Sean set his Blaze Phenex, the system scanned the Gunpla and the Gunpla lifted its head, and its yellow camera eyes shined. Matt set his Azuran Strike Exia the system scanned the Gunpla and the Gunpla lifted its head, and its green camera eyes shined.
'Battle Start'
"Sean Harper, Blaze Phenex Gundam, here I go."
"Matt Clyne, Gundam Azuran Strike Exia, launching."
Both Gunpla launched from the hangers, and headed towards each other with extreme speed.
Matt looking at his screen thought 'Ok, Matt. Stay frosty.' A beeping red light shown on his screen, and brought up the Gundam on screen. 'Damn, got to say that is one amazing looking Gunpla.' Exia took its GN Sword, and started to firing at Phenex and hit it with a few pot shots.
Phenex taking the hits, replaces the tomahawk with its beam magnum started firing back. Both Gundams now in a dogfight, not giving an inch of room for any advantages.
Sean grinned with excitement "Finally, I knew you would be able to get me to fight to my limit. But I want to let you know, that I am using you to break my own limitations."
Matt smiled "That's my line." Got rid of the GN Sword, and used the Twin Swords on his backpack. "Show me what you can do, Phenex."
"Alright, if that's what you want take this." Sean exclaimed as his Blaze Phenex started to glow red. "SBP system, ACTIVATE!"
And on que, the Phenex shined bright red underneath the golden armor. It's I-field shield detached from the back, and accelerated towards Exia. The shields circling around Phenex, then attacked Exia from all sides. And Phenex with its tomahawk slashed at Exia, destroying both of the Twin Swords.
Matt smiled "Heh, I got something too. Now Exia, let's go. TRANS-AM!"
Exia started turning bright red, and accelerated away from Phenex.
Sean laughed "Is the Champion afraid of fighting me." And followed Exia.
Matt grinned "No, I'm not afraid. But that doesn't mean I have to fight on your terms."
"What". And at that moment Exia, picked up its GN Sword. And rushed back for a close combat weapons match.
Matt exclaimed "TAKE THIS!"
Exia starts slashing the Blaze Phenex all over, from every direction. It was moving so fast, that people swore they saw more than one, while wonder if it had the Back-Draft system from the F91.
Matt said "I have to say." Getting Sean's attention "You are one of the best fighters around, but as I said earlier 'Taking a title is easy, but holding on to it is harder. So, the only way to take it from me, is to fight me beyond your best.' But unfortunately, your best was not good enough."
With that Exia rushes towards Phenex, and give a clean slash cutting Phenex in two and going out in a blaze of glory.
'Battle Ended' the crowd exploded in a roar.
"WHAT A MATCH!" Brian continued "The Final round of the American Championship goes to now reigning Champion Matt Clyne."
Matt raised his Gunpla in the air, showing how he became the reigning Champ.
"Hey" Matt turned, and saw Sean with some fire in his eyes. "Next time, will take that spot from you. So, for now you better become the winner of the World Championship."
Matt nodded, and both shook hands as sign of respect towards the fight and each other.
Time-Skip
After the interviews, and meeting fans. Matt received a message from the 4th Meijin Kawaguchi.
4th: Hey, Congratulations on the win.
Matt: Thanks, Meijin.
4th: So, what are you going to do now until the World Tournament starts.
Matt: Solo Training, I'll be gone for a month or so.
4th: K, take care.
Matt: Thanks, you too
Just as Matt was about to walk out of the arena, he heard a GBS turn on. Went to check on it, but realize that no one was in the room. Walked up to the hardware, and as soon as he places his hand on the surface, light filled the entire room. And in a instant the room was empty, and the light dissipated.
(A/N) Ok, this is my IS/GBF story with original gunpla design. I will have a link later to showcase all of the gunpla design from the story. Also if you want to leave a review or criticism, that's perfectly fine as long as well thought out. I don't need people to tell me that I suck, and I should kill myself. My brothers have been doing that for 15 years now, and if they didn't break me what makes you think a rando can.
Anyway, enjoy.
