Chibodee and Domon faced each other in the ring. This was the match that would decide the leader of all space for four years; this was the match that would either vindicate Neo- Japan or fulfill Neo- America's dreams.
The stadium was packed, but the Shuffles had managed to find seats together where the supporters of the opposing sides met. In a display of solidarity, Chibodee's girls were sitting next to Rain, and all were taking turns trying to allay the others' fears.
"Gundam Fight!" cried the announcer.
Domon gave Chibodee an uncharacteristic little bow; the Neo- American responded with a flippant salute.
"Ready?- GO!"
The Gundams surged forward.
*
Asherah feinted a stab toward Jonas' ribs, and he came up in a block, knocking her arm aside; she had gotten sloppy and let her other arm drop, and despite her lunge to the side, Jonas managed to slash her from her shoulder to her ribs. He knocked her knife out of her hand.
Asherah backflipped away from his next strike, kicking him in the chin in the process. I have to get to my knife, or get his away from him- he leapt forward, and she moved to meet him. Asherah grabbed Jonas' wrist and wrenched, both feeling and hearing it pop.
They sprang apart and began circling.
*
Chibodee grabbed Domon's hands in his own and the Gundams strained forward, each trying to shove the other back. In spite of the specially designed ring floor, the feet of both machines dug into it, making huge holes.
Accepting that neither of them was going to make any headway, Domon twisted his grip and did a handstand, using Chibodee's hands as a support.
The Neo- American tossed Burning Gundam into the air and promptly followed, pulling his gun and sighting it-
but Domon kicked it out of his hand.
Chibodee flipped so that he was plunging headfirst toward the ring floor, bending his knees. Domon moved forward to attack his fleeing foe's back, but Chibodee's legs suddenly shot out toward Burning Gundam's upper chest.
Startled, the King of Hearts' reactions were nonetheless quick enough that he was able to grab Chibodee's ankles.
Gundam Maxter hit the floor hands first and tossed its legs forward, throwing Burning Gundam against the barrier with a shock of energy. Burning Gundam lurched to its feet, but Maxter was already pressing forward and landed a blow to the Neo- Japanese Gundam's chin. Chibodee hammered away at Domon.
*
Asherah stripped her shirt off and tore it into bandages. Jonas jumped at her feet- first, but she easily sidestepped; he tried a flying side kick and she sidestepped again and tied a particularly large section of shirt around her upper torso, dodged his shoulder punch and tied another bandage around her own shoulder and tried a simple front kick. Jonas leapt back.
It was Asherah who began the dance this time, running straight forward and flipping at the last minute- her hands touched the ground, and she used them to propel herself forward. Much to her surprise, she hit Jonas' ribs.
Her feet hit the ground and she came upright again, blocking his punches. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed his discarded knife. She blocked five more punches and a kick and dove for the weapon. Jonas noticed what she was after and went for it as well, but too late; Asherah came up with the knife and gave him a long, shallow cut on his abdomen before having to jump away from his attempt to grab his knife back.
*
Domon ignored the sensors around him and concentrated. After a few seconds, his hair began to lift, and his skin took on a golden tint…
Chibodee leapt back and did the same thing.
The crowd around the Shuffle Alliance (and the others in their group) was going absolutely wild; they were on their feet and screaming themselves hoarse.
Both Gundams were gold now. The Neo- Japanese fighter's hands moved and he went into a stance that Chibodee recognized with wide eyes- "Sekihatekiyoken!"
Gundam Maxter, as Rose Gundam before it, took refuge in the air.
Domon went into his stance again.
The Queen of Spades landed and copied him, right down to the hand movement. Maxter's oversized shoulder pads flew down to cover his fists. With an unworded cry, Chibodee thrust his hands forward, and a great gout of white flame shot forth from them- those in the stands yelled and covered their eyes.
When they could see again, a red aura around Burning Gundam faded away. The King of Hearts' hands moved again, and his Gundam shimmered and moved- into two Burning Gundams. Chibodee closed his eyes and concentrated as a ring of Burning Gundams appeared around him.
"Seki-" began an eerily echoey Domon.
A ring of fire surrounded Gundam Maxter. Chibodee's eyes opened and narrowed; laser- like lines of flame pierced the head of each Burning Gundam.
The Burning Gundams shimmered again, and there was only one left.
*
Now I just have to find mine. Asherah thought, gripping the knife in her hand. She looked around for it- there! That glimmer!
Asherah turned tail and ran in the opposite direction.
Jonas gave a startled shout and dashed after her.
Asherah's eyes were on a rapidly- closing- in tree. She put on more speed, judged her distance, and jumped; she took two large steps up the trunk before gravity started really kicking in. Asherah pushed off the trunk and flipped over Jonas' head, and hit the ground running.
Dammit! Dammit, dammit, dammit! Jonas cursed. I thought she was too tired for that! Well, one thing was now for certain- she'd definitely gotten stronger in the past year.
He put on an extra burst of speed, ignoring the pain in his ribs- he'd be surprised if she hadn't at least cracked them.
Almost, almost- Asherah was actually reaching her hand out when she was tackled from behind.
*
Gundam Maxter and Burning Gundam stood facing each other. In smooth syncrocity, as though they'd practiced it, both Gundams went into the stance, gathered their energy, and fired-
The crowd's cries were more emphatic this time as the Sekihatekiyoken met Chibodee's as- of- yet unnamed attack. The only people in the stands able to watch at all were the Shuffle Alliance and their friends; their only concession to the blinding light were hastily- thrown- up hands used as a makeshift visor. They leaned forward intently, faces pale, worried gasps escaping their throats-
*
They both went for the knife.
Jonas' arms were longer than Asherah's, and he came up with it- and plunged it into her heart, as she did the same to him.
They stared at each other for a minute before simultaneously yanking the knives out and tossing them away.
"This- sucks." Jonas managed to bite out. "It's going- to take us- longer to die, you realize."
"Don't look at me." Asherah growled. "You did- the same thing."
He smiled and laid a gentle kiss on her lips, before rolling off of her and lying beside her instead. He kept an arm across her bloody chest. Asherah snuggled up next to him, and they waited in silence.
*
"I think it's fading." Shirley said tightly.
"I'm blinded, I can't tell!" whined Bunny, putting her hands under her glasses and rubbing her eyes.
Rain convulsively rose to her feet and made for the ring, the others at her heels.
The light was fading; and after much eye- rubbing, watering eyes, and blinking, the Gundams came into view.
They both seemed to have taken heavy damage. Chunks of metal were missing in various places on both of them, and what wasn't missing had a burnt look to it. As the Shuffles jumped the barrier, Gundam Maxter teetered and fell on its back, and Burning Gundam dropped to a knee, hanging its pierced head in exhaustion. The cockpit opened, and Domon appeared; seeing his friends, he jumped down and barely managed to land on his feet.
Rain ran to him and put his arm around her shoulders, holding him up.
Meanwhile, Chibodee's girls and George had made for Gundam Maxter instead; George jumped his way up to the cockpit and put in the entry code, under Shirley's terse instruction. (A/N: It makes sense that they'd have an entry code. For- um- maintenance stuff, yeah!) He came out a few minutes later with an unconscious Chibodee; the French knight managed to make it to the ground with him (though not without some near- spills), where Argo easily lifted the Neo- American.
Domon and Rain made their way over to the others, and Domon stared at Chibodee with narrowed eyes and dejectedly slumped shoulders.
Medics came running up with stretchers. Argo gently placed Chibodee on one, but Domon refused; instead, Rain and a newly- arrived Allenby half- carried him out of the ring, followed by the rest of the silent, solemn group.
A/N: I don't think anyone's reading anymore. Can't blame you, though! =) Nobody's voted for Asherah's fate yet; if nobody does, I'll just slap something down. That's all the next chapter's going to be, anyway. Next chapter's the last one (finally! *cheers*).