The First Spar
This story takes place in my "Graceful Future" AU
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
Feldt
As the simulation formed in the displays around her, Feldt took a nervous breath. Setsuna had said he was testing her skills, as her mother had asked him to be her training and sparring partner in the Gundams. 'Not that I would complain about my boyfriend being my sparring partner.' It felt really good to call him that after so many years of separation.
The screens around her finally finished loading, showing a ruined city. Gripping the sniper rifle of the Cheridum, she began to look around her surroundings. 'Get your head in the game.' Feldt knew Setsuna would be using the Exia as his suit, which Ian had loaded up as a backup program in the Arios.
She narrowed her eyes as she began to hover just above the city, eyes jumping from building to building. A ruined city would offer plenty of cover for Setsuna, so she had to keep an eye out. Just then her sensors went off and she saw a few shots coming her way, forcing the Cherdium to dodge out of the way. Turning to face the direction the shots came from, the Exia was gone, leaving Feldt frustrated. 'Right, Setsuna had to use hit and run tactics the last couple years.' It was strange to imagine the Gundams using hit and run tactics, but the enemies they were facing now could fight them more evenly.
Rotating in a circle, she stayed focus, and in her peripheral vision, she saw the white and blue Gundam charging her, blade out. She took a few shots, trying to keep her distance, but Setsuna easily dodged the blasts, forcing Feldt to put all the power in her thrusters, knowing she couldn't compete with the Exia in melee. She unfortunately took some power away from the weapons, but avoiding melee was something she had to do at all costs. She had no pretense of victory if he could get in close.
Setsuna's voice called out to her in an even tone as his face appeared on her screen, "Good instincts." The Exia sped up and Feldt realized Setsuna wouldn't let her take advantage of her long range capabilities, she attached the sniper rifle to the back of the suit and withdrew both of the pistols. Looking down at the ruined city, she realized she could potentially use that to her advantage.
Grinning at him, she just looked at haro before looking at Setsuna, "Thanks. But it's going to be a little bit harder than that to get me."
Firing the crotch-mounted missiles of the Cheridum, Setsuna dodged out of the way, shooting down a few of them. But Feldt didn't care, as it gave her the few seconds she needed to get away from him and fly down into the city. As she landed, she looked for a good hiding spot, hoping she could ambush Setsuna. Her boyfriend better than she remembered and she would have to keep on her toes, especially since he had actual combat experience and she only had simulator experience, so she definitely was at a disadvantage.
Spotting a ruined skyscraper, flew into it. She could see to large holes in it, both of the, presenting clear firing lanes for her to fire down. 'I'll make my stand here.' She wasn't committed to staying only here, but this was a good as spot as ever to force Setsuna into a worse position. The firing lanes limited his maneuverability and she could focus her fire on him, increasing the firepower of her two pistols. 'Now to draw him towards me.'
Firing a flare through a small hole above her, she hoped he would take the bait. Gun raised to each entrance, she kept an eye on the sensors, knowing he would figure out fast where she was. 'C'mon, just enter my little ambush.'
A minute passed, then another with no sign of Setsuna. 'Where could he have gone?' Suddenly there was a crashing sound above her and her sensors showed the Exia above her, metal and glass come landing on her and around her. 'Shit! I didn't plan for that!' Unfortunately for her, Setsuna was on her in seconds, his blade slicing through one of her arms while drawing out a beam saber with the other.
He crashed onto her Gundam, sending her flying into a wall, remaining pistol flying out of her hand. He placed his sword over the chest of the Cheridum, clearly signalling the end of the battle. Blushing in embarrassment, Feldt raised her hands in the air, "Alright, you win this one." She felt a little annoyed that Setsuna beat her so easily, but his happy attitude quickly dispelled that. This battle was designed for him to get a measure of her skill, so she likely had little chance of beating him.
Setsuna smiled at her, pride in his voice, "You had a good idea. But I think you forgot I can come from above as well as the side. But it's not completely your fault. I picked this terrain as it was specifically to your disadvantage." The simulation began to disappear around them, leaving them both in the hanger of Lagrange 3, "If we were in an open field, you would have a better sight line to find me and keep me at a distance. But you were certainly well trained by Lasse and Tieira. You also have good instincts. Trying to set up an ambush on an opponent? Trying to use the terrain to limit my mobility? I would be happy to fight beside me. We just have to prepare you to fight in melee, among other things."
A bittersweet feeling travelled through her at the mention of that, fighting against the blush she couldn't help but get as Setsuna complimented her. Her mother still didn't allow her to pilot fully, not letting her be anything but a reserve meister. She shook her head, willing away the feeling. 'I can feel sorry for myself later. Right now Setsuna and I are sparring.' She smirked at him, "How about round two, this time I choose the terrain?"
Setsuna just nodded, "Round two it is." Feldt just smiled as she scanned through her options, knowing her best choices. 'Let's see if he's ready for plains.' As the screen began to shift to their battle, she couldn't help but get excited as she gripped the controls. 'I will do better this time.'
Author Note
Thought this would be a fun one shot that was tied to the Graceful Future series. Done as part of my Gundam 00 week on my discord server! Please review and comment!