Mobile Suit G Gundam: Gathering Shadows
Missing Black Joker: Another Shadow Gathered
____________________________________________________________________________ __________
Weeeeeelllll! Hello again! I hope I've not made anything too guessable, though it seems to be my strong point. Damn. I'll have to work on not giving too many details away. Oh, and for all you peeps who didn't like how I spelled "Chibodee," I changed it in this chapter. I'll leave it the way it is in the other chapters, and if I goof, please stay off my tail. It's a slip-up.
Disclaimer: I realized I have to do one of these damn things. Oh, well, c'est la vie. I don't own G Gundam, happy? ____________________________________________________________________________ __________
Thomas followed Domon, getting the distinct feeling that Rhia wanted to be alone with the cocky Neo-American boxer. Why, he could only guess. How could I have so naïve to think that she actually loves me? If she did, maybe I would know more about this incident.or maybe I'm just dreamin'. Thomas thought as he struggled to catch up with Domon.
"Hey, Domon, slow down!" Thomas finally yelled. Domon paid him no mind. Thomas sighed. Rain always said he was thickheaded. And I guess I can understand why he's so uptight and angry. After all, it is his own brother. Thomas ran back to Chibodee's Corlander. He slung his scabbard and sword over his back and raced back to Domon, who was breaking every tree in sight. Thomas got in front of Domon--a crazy move considering the state of mind he was currently in--and blocked the next punch.
"Domon, calm down!" Thomas said. Domon looked at him, as if seeing him for the first time.
"What do you want?" he asked gruffly.
"In order to get some of your anger out without trashing the temple, I challenge you to a sword match!" Thomas challenged, unsheathing his sword. The handle was wrapped in blue leather, and the silver blade was slightly curved and double-edged. Domon growled.
"I don't have time to fight an amateur like you." He said, as if stating a fact. Thomas lowered his sword slightly.
"Oh, and you have time to demolish the Shao'lin Temple?" Thomas practically spat. Domon was getting on his nerves.
"At least it gives me a workout!" Domon shouted. Thomas seethed.
"I have improved since we last saw each other. Remember, Rhia was training me and it's been almost a month." Thomas said in a low tone.
"Fine." Domon said. He too unsheathed his sword. They faced each other, sizing each other up.
"Ready?!" Thomas yelled.
"GO!" Domon answered. They charged toward each other. Domon did a high thrust, which Thomas parried and then cut upward. Domon dodged the blow and slashed right. Thomas blocked it and jumped back. They circled each other, blades at the ready. Then Domon charged forward and threw a swinging slash at Thomas, who easily dodged.
"That attack was wild, Domon! I told you I've improved. I can fight now!" Thomas yelled. He knew that Domon wasn't thinking all that straight, but that didn't stop him from doing a little teasing.
"So can I, Diamond Ace!" Domon shouted, and swiftly turned, catching Thomas off-guard and charging again. Thomas met the blow head-on, but it knocked him off balance. Domon caught Thomas's sword with his own and twisted, sending the blade flying and promptly aimed the point at Thomas's throat.
"Now I see why they call you the King of Hearts." Thomas said. Domon lowered the point.
"Hmph." He said as Thomas retrieved his sword and sheathed it. Domon followed suit. I'm gettin' too old for all of this. He thought.
"Well, you should start training a pupil to pass your legacy onto then, doncha think?" Thomas asked, slightly amused.
"Damn!" Domon said out loud. I forgot he could read minds!
Thomas chuckled. "I'm just happy you're not mad any more. That was just scary, seeing you destroy all of those trees."
"Destroy.trees?" Domon asked, confused. He had been so caught up in thoughts of his brother he hadn't noticed what he was venting his feelings on. A glance behind him answered his questions. Guess I'm not too old after all.
"Anyway, nice match." Thomas said, sticking his hand out for Domon to shake.
"Yeah," Domon agreed with a small smile. The fight really had gotten rid of most of Domon's anger. "You're pretty good. You catch on fast."
"Thanks. Rhia said the same." Thomas said. Thoughts of Rhia suddenly brought a pang of sadness to the young man. I knew she didn't love me. I'm not her type. Chibodee is.
"I guess we should go check on Rhia, then. I left sort of abruptly." Domon suggested.
"Yah, sure." Thomas said and again followed Domon back into the temple.
***
Schwartz woke suddenly. He looked around, confused for a moment. Then his thoughts went back to his dream.
"Kyoji! No, Kyoji! Kyoji, don't go!!" he heard someone yell desperately. But something made him turn away, ignoring the young man's pleas.
"KYOJI!" he heard the young man scream before fading off into the distance.
The dream had seemed so real, and the one that followed had been just a realistic, and just as confusing.
He watched as the monstrosity disappeared into the distance, moving too fast for him to catch up. If only Domon had struck the head of the Gundam, then this would all be over, and he would be free. Free to live again with his beloved brother. But part of him knew that the man in the Gundam beside him was not his brother, and he was just an image of the imprisoned man, only there to help him. Domon, if only I could tell you.
Domon? Why does that name sound so familiar and so foreign at the same time? Schwartz wondered. Then he remembered. Domon was the fighter for Neo-Japan. But in his dream he had called Domon "Brother." But that isn't possible. He sighed and slipped on his mask. His match with Neo-Russia's Argo Gulskii was in an hour. He had to be ready.
***
Rhia woke up sweating, her shoulder burning and her crest as well. Argo.Rhia remembered the dream with horrid detail, seeing everything as if she had been there.
"How could you do this to your own brother?" Argo has asked Schwartz.
"I have no brother." Schwartz said. Then he remembered his dream. But before he could utter a sound, he felt a pain in his head, and he was thrown into the far reaches of his mind. Where his consciousness had just been, a cold, soulless force replaced it. Rhia didn't even need to hear to know what it was. Argo's crest started to burn like wildfire.
"Schwartz is right, he has no brother." Said the slightly metallic voice now coming from Schwartz. "But Kyoji does and he wants to be remembered. But I cannot let that happen. And you, Argo Gulskii, are my next victim."
"Schwartz?" Argo questioned.
"Schwartz is no longer with us. I am the Ultimate Dark Gundam, and I shall rule the world!" the being now using Schwartz's body said. Then it charged Argo in Shadow Gundam. They began a heated match, but soon Argo fell. "And my plan is now one step closer to completion."
No, Argo.Rhia fell back onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow and sobbing. Then two strong yet skinny arms wrapped around her, drawing her up.
"It's okay, Rhia. Whatever it is, it's okay." He said, drawing her into a tight embrace while she cried on his shoulder. Rhia barely processed the fact that it was Thomas holding her, she only knew that she wanted to stay like that forever. Slowly the burning in her shoulder subsided, thus letting her crest fade in the process. AS her sobs quieted, she looked up to see who her comforter was. Thomas! She thought and pulled away, blushing a deep crimson.
"Thomas?" she asked, deciding to ask how his fight with Domon went.
"Yeah, Rhia?" Thomas responded.
"How was your fight with Domon?" Rhia asked.
"Oh, fine. I lost, as I thought I would, but it did calm him down." Thomas said with a shrug. Then Chibodee walked in, or more like sauntered in. Thomas stiffened inwardly. I was alone with her. Then he just has to show up. Thomas thought angrily. But the boxer had a worn look on his face, and Rhia knew the answer. She could almost say the words for him.
"Natasha just called. She said Argo's gone missing." He reported dutifully.
"No." Rhia whispered. She buried her face in Thomas's shirt and again began to cry. Thomas hugger her close, but Chibodee could tell that he was very confused. Even Rhia knew that Thomas didn't know why she was crying. The thing was, she felt as if this was all her fault. And she wished she could tell Thomas. But if I do, he'll hate me. I can't tell him, no matter what. I shouldn't even have told Chibodee. Rhia thought. Then Domon came in, followed by Rain.
"Rhia, do you know anything about this one?" Domon asked bluntly. Rhia whispered one phrase.
"Ultimate Dark Gundam."
"What about.Schwartz?" Domon asked, hesitating before saying the fighter's name.
"I don't know, I just don't know."
***
The day later, the remaining Shuffles had a meeting at the Neo-French embassy. George and Maria Louise were polite as ever, but anyone who had known the knight and his princess for any amount of time knew they were quite worried.
"So tell me Rhia," George began when they were all situated and relatively comfortable. "What happened?"
"With Sai, I don't know. I woke before I could really find out anything useful. Well, no. I lied. I found out that Schwartz has been infected with UDG cells. He is also a vessel of sorts. If the Ultimate Dark Gundam wishes, it can take over Schwartz completely. I found that out in my latest dream, with Argo." Rhia said, and after a pause, added, "But I couldn't do anything to save him."
"Ultimate Dark Gundam?" George asked. "UDG cells? How is it that an android can be possessed by those retched things?"
"Maybe he's not an android." Thomas suggested quietly. "Domon said that his attack made them merge into one before dying. Of course, we know that either he didn't stay dead or he never died in the first place. But if they indeed merged to become one person, then it would be logical to take on Kyoji's body, and becoming human again. Or it's possible he's a cyborg."
"The fact is, we don't know. And Sai and Argo are now missing, most likely being held somewhere." Natasha said. She wasn't quite as commanding anymore, but this situation made her blood boil.
"Being held until the cells advance enough to be a vessel or victim." Rhia said, quietly pondering her own fate. More than one surprised glance was turned her way, but she gave no explanation. Chibodee knew of her situation, and pitied her. The time was coming, and unless they found a cure, or Rhia told someone else, it would be too late for her.
---
And that's one more chapter done. I hope you enjoyed it and I'm sorry for the delay. I hope you forgive me. Anyway, I'm not quite sure how close the last chapter is to all of this, so bare with me. You've all been great reviewers, and I thank you all. So stick with me!
~*DarkDragon*~
Missing Black Joker: Another Shadow Gathered
____________________________________________________________________________ __________
Weeeeeelllll! Hello again! I hope I've not made anything too guessable, though it seems to be my strong point. Damn. I'll have to work on not giving too many details away. Oh, and for all you peeps who didn't like how I spelled "Chibodee," I changed it in this chapter. I'll leave it the way it is in the other chapters, and if I goof, please stay off my tail. It's a slip-up.
Disclaimer: I realized I have to do one of these damn things. Oh, well, c'est la vie. I don't own G Gundam, happy? ____________________________________________________________________________ __________
Thomas followed Domon, getting the distinct feeling that Rhia wanted to be alone with the cocky Neo-American boxer. Why, he could only guess. How could I have so naïve to think that she actually loves me? If she did, maybe I would know more about this incident.or maybe I'm just dreamin'. Thomas thought as he struggled to catch up with Domon.
"Hey, Domon, slow down!" Thomas finally yelled. Domon paid him no mind. Thomas sighed. Rain always said he was thickheaded. And I guess I can understand why he's so uptight and angry. After all, it is his own brother. Thomas ran back to Chibodee's Corlander. He slung his scabbard and sword over his back and raced back to Domon, who was breaking every tree in sight. Thomas got in front of Domon--a crazy move considering the state of mind he was currently in--and blocked the next punch.
"Domon, calm down!" Thomas said. Domon looked at him, as if seeing him for the first time.
"What do you want?" he asked gruffly.
"In order to get some of your anger out without trashing the temple, I challenge you to a sword match!" Thomas challenged, unsheathing his sword. The handle was wrapped in blue leather, and the silver blade was slightly curved and double-edged. Domon growled.
"I don't have time to fight an amateur like you." He said, as if stating a fact. Thomas lowered his sword slightly.
"Oh, and you have time to demolish the Shao'lin Temple?" Thomas practically spat. Domon was getting on his nerves.
"At least it gives me a workout!" Domon shouted. Thomas seethed.
"I have improved since we last saw each other. Remember, Rhia was training me and it's been almost a month." Thomas said in a low tone.
"Fine." Domon said. He too unsheathed his sword. They faced each other, sizing each other up.
"Ready?!" Thomas yelled.
"GO!" Domon answered. They charged toward each other. Domon did a high thrust, which Thomas parried and then cut upward. Domon dodged the blow and slashed right. Thomas blocked it and jumped back. They circled each other, blades at the ready. Then Domon charged forward and threw a swinging slash at Thomas, who easily dodged.
"That attack was wild, Domon! I told you I've improved. I can fight now!" Thomas yelled. He knew that Domon wasn't thinking all that straight, but that didn't stop him from doing a little teasing.
"So can I, Diamond Ace!" Domon shouted, and swiftly turned, catching Thomas off-guard and charging again. Thomas met the blow head-on, but it knocked him off balance. Domon caught Thomas's sword with his own and twisted, sending the blade flying and promptly aimed the point at Thomas's throat.
"Now I see why they call you the King of Hearts." Thomas said. Domon lowered the point.
"Hmph." He said as Thomas retrieved his sword and sheathed it. Domon followed suit. I'm gettin' too old for all of this. He thought.
"Well, you should start training a pupil to pass your legacy onto then, doncha think?" Thomas asked, slightly amused.
"Damn!" Domon said out loud. I forgot he could read minds!
Thomas chuckled. "I'm just happy you're not mad any more. That was just scary, seeing you destroy all of those trees."
"Destroy.trees?" Domon asked, confused. He had been so caught up in thoughts of his brother he hadn't noticed what he was venting his feelings on. A glance behind him answered his questions. Guess I'm not too old after all.
"Anyway, nice match." Thomas said, sticking his hand out for Domon to shake.
"Yeah," Domon agreed with a small smile. The fight really had gotten rid of most of Domon's anger. "You're pretty good. You catch on fast."
"Thanks. Rhia said the same." Thomas said. Thoughts of Rhia suddenly brought a pang of sadness to the young man. I knew she didn't love me. I'm not her type. Chibodee is.
"I guess we should go check on Rhia, then. I left sort of abruptly." Domon suggested.
"Yah, sure." Thomas said and again followed Domon back into the temple.
***
Schwartz woke suddenly. He looked around, confused for a moment. Then his thoughts went back to his dream.
"Kyoji! No, Kyoji! Kyoji, don't go!!" he heard someone yell desperately. But something made him turn away, ignoring the young man's pleas.
"KYOJI!" he heard the young man scream before fading off into the distance.
The dream had seemed so real, and the one that followed had been just a realistic, and just as confusing.
He watched as the monstrosity disappeared into the distance, moving too fast for him to catch up. If only Domon had struck the head of the Gundam, then this would all be over, and he would be free. Free to live again with his beloved brother. But part of him knew that the man in the Gundam beside him was not his brother, and he was just an image of the imprisoned man, only there to help him. Domon, if only I could tell you.
Domon? Why does that name sound so familiar and so foreign at the same time? Schwartz wondered. Then he remembered. Domon was the fighter for Neo-Japan. But in his dream he had called Domon "Brother." But that isn't possible. He sighed and slipped on his mask. His match with Neo-Russia's Argo Gulskii was in an hour. He had to be ready.
***
Rhia woke up sweating, her shoulder burning and her crest as well. Argo.Rhia remembered the dream with horrid detail, seeing everything as if she had been there.
"How could you do this to your own brother?" Argo has asked Schwartz.
"I have no brother." Schwartz said. Then he remembered his dream. But before he could utter a sound, he felt a pain in his head, and he was thrown into the far reaches of his mind. Where his consciousness had just been, a cold, soulless force replaced it. Rhia didn't even need to hear to know what it was. Argo's crest started to burn like wildfire.
"Schwartz is right, he has no brother." Said the slightly metallic voice now coming from Schwartz. "But Kyoji does and he wants to be remembered. But I cannot let that happen. And you, Argo Gulskii, are my next victim."
"Schwartz?" Argo questioned.
"Schwartz is no longer with us. I am the Ultimate Dark Gundam, and I shall rule the world!" the being now using Schwartz's body said. Then it charged Argo in Shadow Gundam. They began a heated match, but soon Argo fell. "And my plan is now one step closer to completion."
No, Argo.Rhia fell back onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow and sobbing. Then two strong yet skinny arms wrapped around her, drawing her up.
"It's okay, Rhia. Whatever it is, it's okay." He said, drawing her into a tight embrace while she cried on his shoulder. Rhia barely processed the fact that it was Thomas holding her, she only knew that she wanted to stay like that forever. Slowly the burning in her shoulder subsided, thus letting her crest fade in the process. AS her sobs quieted, she looked up to see who her comforter was. Thomas! She thought and pulled away, blushing a deep crimson.
"Thomas?" she asked, deciding to ask how his fight with Domon went.
"Yeah, Rhia?" Thomas responded.
"How was your fight with Domon?" Rhia asked.
"Oh, fine. I lost, as I thought I would, but it did calm him down." Thomas said with a shrug. Then Chibodee walked in, or more like sauntered in. Thomas stiffened inwardly. I was alone with her. Then he just has to show up. Thomas thought angrily. But the boxer had a worn look on his face, and Rhia knew the answer. She could almost say the words for him.
"Natasha just called. She said Argo's gone missing." He reported dutifully.
"No." Rhia whispered. She buried her face in Thomas's shirt and again began to cry. Thomas hugger her close, but Chibodee could tell that he was very confused. Even Rhia knew that Thomas didn't know why she was crying. The thing was, she felt as if this was all her fault. And she wished she could tell Thomas. But if I do, he'll hate me. I can't tell him, no matter what. I shouldn't even have told Chibodee. Rhia thought. Then Domon came in, followed by Rain.
"Rhia, do you know anything about this one?" Domon asked bluntly. Rhia whispered one phrase.
"Ultimate Dark Gundam."
"What about.Schwartz?" Domon asked, hesitating before saying the fighter's name.
"I don't know, I just don't know."
***
The day later, the remaining Shuffles had a meeting at the Neo-French embassy. George and Maria Louise were polite as ever, but anyone who had known the knight and his princess for any amount of time knew they were quite worried.
"So tell me Rhia," George began when they were all situated and relatively comfortable. "What happened?"
"With Sai, I don't know. I woke before I could really find out anything useful. Well, no. I lied. I found out that Schwartz has been infected with UDG cells. He is also a vessel of sorts. If the Ultimate Dark Gundam wishes, it can take over Schwartz completely. I found that out in my latest dream, with Argo." Rhia said, and after a pause, added, "But I couldn't do anything to save him."
"Ultimate Dark Gundam?" George asked. "UDG cells? How is it that an android can be possessed by those retched things?"
"Maybe he's not an android." Thomas suggested quietly. "Domon said that his attack made them merge into one before dying. Of course, we know that either he didn't stay dead or he never died in the first place. But if they indeed merged to become one person, then it would be logical to take on Kyoji's body, and becoming human again. Or it's possible he's a cyborg."
"The fact is, we don't know. And Sai and Argo are now missing, most likely being held somewhere." Natasha said. She wasn't quite as commanding anymore, but this situation made her blood boil.
"Being held until the cells advance enough to be a vessel or victim." Rhia said, quietly pondering her own fate. More than one surprised glance was turned her way, but she gave no explanation. Chibodee knew of her situation, and pitied her. The time was coming, and unless they found a cure, or Rhia told someone else, it would be too late for her.
---
And that's one more chapter done. I hope you enjoyed it and I'm sorry for the delay. I hope you forgive me. Anyway, I'm not quite sure how close the last chapter is to all of this, so bare with me. You've all been great reviewers, and I thank you all. So stick with me!
~*DarkDragon*~