Mobile Fighter G Gundam: Pawn Royale
Chapter IV: A Battle and a Meeting
"But-but, I can't battle," Leon protested as Dominique pulled him out the door of the bar.
"Too bad," Dominique replied. "You're gonna battle anyway."
"You-big guy. You're not gonna let her do this to me, are ya?" Leon asked nervously.
Argo shrugged. "I think we better get going," he advised Natasha.
"Do you know where Katya and her guard went?" Natasha asked Dominique.
"No.they left sort of abruptly," Domonique explained.
"Ah, well. Have a computer I can use?" Natasha asked.
"Ummm.a small one." Dominique said. She started to look through her pockets, holding on to Leon the whole time. She took out the smallish, old- looking computer and handed it to Natasha. She began to type rapidly.
"D***! They changed the security code again. Argo, have any clue as to what it might be?" Natasha asked. Looking up at the tall man.
"Argo? Argo Gulskii?" Dominique inquired. Argo looked at Natasha, who shrugged. Argo nodded; he was strong enough to take down any trouble that might follow. And he always had Bolt Gundam to fall back onto.
"That's me. That is Natasha." Argo said.
"Then.if you're alive, why is Katya the Neo-Russia representative?"
"Long story." Natasha said, breaking the security code. She looked up at Argo. "They're going to Neo-France."
"They're going to challenge George?" Argo asked in disbelief.
"Yah."
"I'm coming with you guys! I've always admired the Alliance," Dominique said. Leon tried to get away in Dominique's moment of distraction. He succeeded.
"Fine, c'mon." Natasha said. Dominique got in, followed by Natasha and then finally Argo. They started to leave. Leon looked at the bar, then at the retreating car, and at the bar again.
"Hey!" he called. "Wait for me!"
"Remind me why we are going to face the Jack of Diamonds?" Katya asked Nicholas.
"Because I said so. Now shut up." He said. Katya was about to protest when he turned to her. "Say one more thing, and I blow you and your friends to pieces." Katya closed her mouth reluctantly. It was not so much that she didn't want to die, but that she didn't want her friends to die.
"How long until we get there?" Katya asked.
"Another couple of days." Nicholas answered grudgingly, as if he didn't want to tell this big secret.
"Fine, be grumpy." Katya mumbled unhappily. "Mind telling me why you're always grumpy?"
"Yes, so shut up, dirt." He said. They fell silent.
That night, Katya remembered her dream. "Hey, Nicholas?"
"Yah, Katya?"
"If you have never seen something or heard about something, how can you dream about it? Why do you dream about it?"
"Sometimes," he started, rather sleepily, "your mind makes up things as to why something happened that way or why someone is the way they are."
"Oh." Katya looked at the stars for a while. "Hey, Nicholas?" Katya asked. She got no answer. She looked at Nicholas across the fire and saw he was asleep. He looks so handsome. Katya thought. Then she thought in disgust, What am I thinking? Nicholas isn't cute or handsome or nice! He's a horrible man who likes to threaten others to get his way, to save his skin! He never thinks about anyone but himself! But.he does look kinda cute.
* * *
Fortunately, Nicholas hadn't heard her musings, seeing as she had thought them. Or else he most likely would have killed her and become a fugitive. But seeing as he hadn't heard her, they kept traveling. And they soon reached Paris, Neo-France.
"So, are we just gonna stroll right into the palace?" Katya asked skeptically.
Nicholas nodded his head. "Something along those lines," he said nonchalantly.
Katya stared at him. "Won't they arrest us or something?"
"Not if we ask politely."
The Neo-Russian fighter grunted. "Since when were you polite?"
"Katya, shut it!"
"What? You've never been polite to me-"
Nicholas glared at her. "I said, 'Be quiet'. Now get outta that truck," he added as he jumped out of his battered vehicle. "NOW!"
"'Kay, 'kay." Katya slowly got out of the vehicle, just to make Nicholas angry. He growled in impatience, but otherwise did nothing else. The two walked up to the guard of the palace.
"We would like to speak with George de Sand, please." Nicholas said politely.
"Who is calling?" the guard asked.
"Neo-Russia." Nicholas answered. The guard turned to the intercom by the gate.
"Nicholas, he might think that Argo is still the Neo-Russian fighter!" Katya whispered.
"Then it is our job to set him straight," Nicholas answered smugly. The guard talked into the intercom, then turned to the fighter and her keeper.
"You may proceed," he said with a bow. Nicholas entered first, followed by Katya. George strode out to meet them. But when he caught sight of them, however, he stopped, looked at them calculatingly, then continued to walk forward.
"Bonjour. Am I to understand that you are the Neo-Russian team?" George said once he reached them.
"Yes. Argo.is no longer with us." Nicholas said.
Katya shot him a hateful glance, but kept silent.
"Argo.died?" George asked in disbelief.
"Would that he had!" Nicholas said, losing his temper for a moment. "No. He and Natasha escaped."
"Hmm," George replied. He had not known this.
"But, that is not why we came. I and my partner, Katya, wish to fight you."
"You mean you wish to fight him." Katya muttered under breath. Nicholas shot her a sharp glance, and looked back at George to see if he had heard. The Neo-Frenchman gave no sign whatsoever.
"I accept your challenge." George said. "I will meet you out of the city in an hour." George began to walk away, but he shot one last parting word over his shoulder. "I do hope you know what you are getting into."
Katya and Nicholas left, and drove out of the city to wait for Gundam Rose and its pilot.
As the time passed, Katya began a conversation with Nicholas.
"Nicholas, why'd you come to work with the Neo-Russian government?"
"None o' your business."
"Nicholas." Katya didn't go on however, as they heard a loud engine. "Never mind. Looks like George is here. Gundam! Rise!"
"Well, we meet again, mademoiselle." George said.
"George de Sand. Jack of Diamonds. I will defeat you, if only for my friends!" Katya shouted. "Gundam fight all set!"
"Ready, GO!" George shouted in response. Katya came headlong at him. She started to punch, George doing his best to dodge them. Then Katya backed up a step and drew her sword. It was a blinding white. Two can play at that game. George thought grimly and took out his own sword. There is more to this Katya than meets the eye. George thought as they started to exchange blows. This time George backed up a step, and his shield opened.
"Rose Screamers!" he shouted. The small rose-shaped bits trapped Katya against the wall.
"Katya, get up, you fool!" Nicholas shouted. He remembered the first practice. "Get up you piece of dirt!!"
"How many times do I have to say this! I AM NOT DIRT!!!!" Katya shouted. Her Gundam flashed a blinding white and when they could see again, the small rose bits were scattered all over the ground, and Katya stood up, sword drawn, her Gundam as white as the energy that made up her attack. She charged George. As swiftly as he could, George deployed one small rose bit, and directed it to the head of her Gundam Nebula. And not a moment too soon, for then George was against the ground, swordtip at his Gundam Rose's throat.
"I ask you not to behead my Gundam, as you will find yourself disqualified as well." George said. Katya looked up. And sure enough, the rose bit hovered at the joint of the neck and the shoulders, ready to shoot at the moment's command.
"Fine. Draw." Katya growled. Her Gundam returned to a normal color.
Nicholas growled in anger as Katya and George emerged from their respective Gundams.
"Au revior," George said as Raymond opened the door to his limousine.
Katya came over to the truck, expecting the worst.
"And you've done it again, idiot!" Nicholas exploded. "You've done it again. Both of your battles so far have been draws. That does not cope well with the government, or with me! You have to do better than that, dirt!" He hit her hard. "I will not let you get away with anymore draws. Win! Win for once! WIN!" he shouted at her. "Now git." Nicholas pointed to the car. "MOVE IT, SPACE SCUM!" he shouted once more as Katya reluctantly entered the truck.
"I hope George will know where they went." Argo said as they approached.
"How do you know they even came this way?" Dominique asked.
"Yah. What she said!" Leon added.
Dominique looked at the former bartender in disgust. She hit him on the head. "You are so stupid! Why did we ever agree to bring you along? You're so.so stupid! No, stupid is above you. Stupid is a complement. You are.There's no word in the English dictionary for what you are! Maybe I could come up with something in Spanish." she ranted. Then she started ticking off Spanish words on her fingers.
"Tu.Tu es.Tu es estupido!" Dominque finally managed.
"That's not really getting any more insulting than you already were," Natasha pointed out.
"Yah, I know, but it sounds better." Dominique said with a shrug. "Tu es pathetico."
"Muy patetico." Natasha agreed.
"Do you know what they're saying?" Leon asked Argo. Natasha and Dominique were now having a conversation in fluent Spanish.
"Nope, don't have a clue." Argo said.
"You're useful," Leon commented dryly.
"Don't push it in." Argo growled. Leon backed away slowly.
"He he. Just kiddin'," he said and hid behind Natasha. Argo glared at Leon for a moment, but his attention was drawn back to Paris as they reached the palace. Dominique bumped into him.
"¡Vituperar, muchacho!" Dominique shouted, then switched to English. "Tell a girl when you're going to stop!"
"Dominique, you better challenge George, if Katya already came." Natasha advised.
"Oh, yah." Dominique said. She walked up to the guard. "Hey, I wanna battle George de Sand. Tell him Neo-Spain is callin'."
"I'm sorry, but His Majesty George de Sand has already had a battle." The guard said.
"Tell him that a certain Black Joker is with me." Dominique said.
"I'm sorry, miss, but-" the guard was cut off as Argo stepped behind her.
"Do it." he growled.
"Of.of course." the guard said. He walked over to the intercom. "There is another group of fighters here to see you, Your Highness." He listened while George spoke to him. "That's what I told them sir, but they wouldn't listen!" he listened again. "Of course, sir, right away." The guard turned to the group. "I'm sorry, but His Majesty cannot see you today."
"To bad, we want to see him." Natasha said harshly. "Argo!"
Argo came over, flung the man over the fence, and opened the intercom.
"That had to hurt." Leon said. No one listened.
"George, I want to talk to you now." Argo said. There was a pause as Argo listened and then as the doors slowly opened. They all filed in.
"Argo!" George cried. "When those others from Neo-Russia came, I was worried, mon ami!"
"Natasha and I are fine, George." Argo assured the King of France.
"Yes, but that's beside the point. What can you tell us about the team from Neo-Russia?" Natasha asked, getting strait to the point.
"Oh, them." George said. "Those two left, oh, I'd say, two hours ago. One was very polite, to a point. I can't believe how he treated the fighter! One should not speak to a woman that way."
"Yes, I know. It's sad what they'll do." Dominique agreed. George looked at her, seeing her for the first time.
"You, I presume, are the Neo-Spaniard?" he asked. Dominique nodded. George looked at Leon. "Who is he?"
"Oh, that little burro. His name is Leon. He used to be fighting for Neo- Italy." Dominique said, shooting him a glare.
"Have you met the fighter?" George asked.
"Um-hm. I was her first opponent." Dominique said. Natasha took out Dominique's little computer and again began to type rapidly.
"Urgh! Not again!" Natasha growled in frustration.
"What are you doing, Natasha?" George asked.
"Hacking into Neo-Russia's main database. Ah-hah! I got it!" Natasha shouted in triumph. "Says they're going to Neo-America next."
"The Queen of Spades, Chibbody Crocket." Argo said.
"Thank you for your hospitality and information, George, but we've got to go." Argo said.
"My pleasure, mon ami. It's the least I can do for a friend." George answered with a bow.
"Can you do the most and rid us of this pest?!" Dominique said, pointing to Leon, who was peering into every vase around, hoping to find a genie. Argo grabbed him by the back of his collar and pulled him away.
"Thank you George." Dominique said, and pulled off a small curtsy. George bowed in return. Three turned away, one being dragged behind, and got back into the Bolt Gundam's Corlander.
DarkDragon: I hope that wasn't too abrupt for you. *hugs ShadowTide* thanx for letting me write most of this!!
ShadowTide: No prob. In fact, this is great for both of us. Now the angry mob can come after you when they get mad about the abrupt ending. *winks*
DarkDragon: *pouts* Not fair!! I write good. You're the one who writes bad.
ShadowTide: Why you little.Even your brother likes my story more than he likes yours! So ha! *gets ready to kill DarkDragon* Just kidding. Anyway, this was my idea. So ha again!
DarkDragon: well, my brother is an alien from outer-space, so he don't count. Anyway, I guess it's time to go.
BYE~!
Chapter IV: A Battle and a Meeting
"But-but, I can't battle," Leon protested as Dominique pulled him out the door of the bar.
"Too bad," Dominique replied. "You're gonna battle anyway."
"You-big guy. You're not gonna let her do this to me, are ya?" Leon asked nervously.
Argo shrugged. "I think we better get going," he advised Natasha.
"Do you know where Katya and her guard went?" Natasha asked Dominique.
"No.they left sort of abruptly," Domonique explained.
"Ah, well. Have a computer I can use?" Natasha asked.
"Ummm.a small one." Dominique said. She started to look through her pockets, holding on to Leon the whole time. She took out the smallish, old- looking computer and handed it to Natasha. She began to type rapidly.
"D***! They changed the security code again. Argo, have any clue as to what it might be?" Natasha asked. Looking up at the tall man.
"Argo? Argo Gulskii?" Dominique inquired. Argo looked at Natasha, who shrugged. Argo nodded; he was strong enough to take down any trouble that might follow. And he always had Bolt Gundam to fall back onto.
"That's me. That is Natasha." Argo said.
"Then.if you're alive, why is Katya the Neo-Russia representative?"
"Long story." Natasha said, breaking the security code. She looked up at Argo. "They're going to Neo-France."
"They're going to challenge George?" Argo asked in disbelief.
"Yah."
"I'm coming with you guys! I've always admired the Alliance," Dominique said. Leon tried to get away in Dominique's moment of distraction. He succeeded.
"Fine, c'mon." Natasha said. Dominique got in, followed by Natasha and then finally Argo. They started to leave. Leon looked at the bar, then at the retreating car, and at the bar again.
"Hey!" he called. "Wait for me!"
"Remind me why we are going to face the Jack of Diamonds?" Katya asked Nicholas.
"Because I said so. Now shut up." He said. Katya was about to protest when he turned to her. "Say one more thing, and I blow you and your friends to pieces." Katya closed her mouth reluctantly. It was not so much that she didn't want to die, but that she didn't want her friends to die.
"How long until we get there?" Katya asked.
"Another couple of days." Nicholas answered grudgingly, as if he didn't want to tell this big secret.
"Fine, be grumpy." Katya mumbled unhappily. "Mind telling me why you're always grumpy?"
"Yes, so shut up, dirt." He said. They fell silent.
That night, Katya remembered her dream. "Hey, Nicholas?"
"Yah, Katya?"
"If you have never seen something or heard about something, how can you dream about it? Why do you dream about it?"
"Sometimes," he started, rather sleepily, "your mind makes up things as to why something happened that way or why someone is the way they are."
"Oh." Katya looked at the stars for a while. "Hey, Nicholas?" Katya asked. She got no answer. She looked at Nicholas across the fire and saw he was asleep. He looks so handsome. Katya thought. Then she thought in disgust, What am I thinking? Nicholas isn't cute or handsome or nice! He's a horrible man who likes to threaten others to get his way, to save his skin! He never thinks about anyone but himself! But.he does look kinda cute.
* * *
Fortunately, Nicholas hadn't heard her musings, seeing as she had thought them. Or else he most likely would have killed her and become a fugitive. But seeing as he hadn't heard her, they kept traveling. And they soon reached Paris, Neo-France.
"So, are we just gonna stroll right into the palace?" Katya asked skeptically.
Nicholas nodded his head. "Something along those lines," he said nonchalantly.
Katya stared at him. "Won't they arrest us or something?"
"Not if we ask politely."
The Neo-Russian fighter grunted. "Since when were you polite?"
"Katya, shut it!"
"What? You've never been polite to me-"
Nicholas glared at her. "I said, 'Be quiet'. Now get outta that truck," he added as he jumped out of his battered vehicle. "NOW!"
"'Kay, 'kay." Katya slowly got out of the vehicle, just to make Nicholas angry. He growled in impatience, but otherwise did nothing else. The two walked up to the guard of the palace.
"We would like to speak with George de Sand, please." Nicholas said politely.
"Who is calling?" the guard asked.
"Neo-Russia." Nicholas answered. The guard turned to the intercom by the gate.
"Nicholas, he might think that Argo is still the Neo-Russian fighter!" Katya whispered.
"Then it is our job to set him straight," Nicholas answered smugly. The guard talked into the intercom, then turned to the fighter and her keeper.
"You may proceed," he said with a bow. Nicholas entered first, followed by Katya. George strode out to meet them. But when he caught sight of them, however, he stopped, looked at them calculatingly, then continued to walk forward.
"Bonjour. Am I to understand that you are the Neo-Russian team?" George said once he reached them.
"Yes. Argo.is no longer with us." Nicholas said.
Katya shot him a hateful glance, but kept silent.
"Argo.died?" George asked in disbelief.
"Would that he had!" Nicholas said, losing his temper for a moment. "No. He and Natasha escaped."
"Hmm," George replied. He had not known this.
"But, that is not why we came. I and my partner, Katya, wish to fight you."
"You mean you wish to fight him." Katya muttered under breath. Nicholas shot her a sharp glance, and looked back at George to see if he had heard. The Neo-Frenchman gave no sign whatsoever.
"I accept your challenge." George said. "I will meet you out of the city in an hour." George began to walk away, but he shot one last parting word over his shoulder. "I do hope you know what you are getting into."
Katya and Nicholas left, and drove out of the city to wait for Gundam Rose and its pilot.
As the time passed, Katya began a conversation with Nicholas.
"Nicholas, why'd you come to work with the Neo-Russian government?"
"None o' your business."
"Nicholas." Katya didn't go on however, as they heard a loud engine. "Never mind. Looks like George is here. Gundam! Rise!"
"Well, we meet again, mademoiselle." George said.
"George de Sand. Jack of Diamonds. I will defeat you, if only for my friends!" Katya shouted. "Gundam fight all set!"
"Ready, GO!" George shouted in response. Katya came headlong at him. She started to punch, George doing his best to dodge them. Then Katya backed up a step and drew her sword. It was a blinding white. Two can play at that game. George thought grimly and took out his own sword. There is more to this Katya than meets the eye. George thought as they started to exchange blows. This time George backed up a step, and his shield opened.
"Rose Screamers!" he shouted. The small rose-shaped bits trapped Katya against the wall.
"Katya, get up, you fool!" Nicholas shouted. He remembered the first practice. "Get up you piece of dirt!!"
"How many times do I have to say this! I AM NOT DIRT!!!!" Katya shouted. Her Gundam flashed a blinding white and when they could see again, the small rose bits were scattered all over the ground, and Katya stood up, sword drawn, her Gundam as white as the energy that made up her attack. She charged George. As swiftly as he could, George deployed one small rose bit, and directed it to the head of her Gundam Nebula. And not a moment too soon, for then George was against the ground, swordtip at his Gundam Rose's throat.
"I ask you not to behead my Gundam, as you will find yourself disqualified as well." George said. Katya looked up. And sure enough, the rose bit hovered at the joint of the neck and the shoulders, ready to shoot at the moment's command.
"Fine. Draw." Katya growled. Her Gundam returned to a normal color.
Nicholas growled in anger as Katya and George emerged from their respective Gundams.
"Au revior," George said as Raymond opened the door to his limousine.
Katya came over to the truck, expecting the worst.
"And you've done it again, idiot!" Nicholas exploded. "You've done it again. Both of your battles so far have been draws. That does not cope well with the government, or with me! You have to do better than that, dirt!" He hit her hard. "I will not let you get away with anymore draws. Win! Win for once! WIN!" he shouted at her. "Now git." Nicholas pointed to the car. "MOVE IT, SPACE SCUM!" he shouted once more as Katya reluctantly entered the truck.
"I hope George will know where they went." Argo said as they approached.
"How do you know they even came this way?" Dominique asked.
"Yah. What she said!" Leon added.
Dominique looked at the former bartender in disgust. She hit him on the head. "You are so stupid! Why did we ever agree to bring you along? You're so.so stupid! No, stupid is above you. Stupid is a complement. You are.There's no word in the English dictionary for what you are! Maybe I could come up with something in Spanish." she ranted. Then she started ticking off Spanish words on her fingers.
"Tu.Tu es.Tu es estupido!" Dominque finally managed.
"That's not really getting any more insulting than you already were," Natasha pointed out.
"Yah, I know, but it sounds better." Dominique said with a shrug. "Tu es pathetico."
"Muy patetico." Natasha agreed.
"Do you know what they're saying?" Leon asked Argo. Natasha and Dominique were now having a conversation in fluent Spanish.
"Nope, don't have a clue." Argo said.
"You're useful," Leon commented dryly.
"Don't push it in." Argo growled. Leon backed away slowly.
"He he. Just kiddin'," he said and hid behind Natasha. Argo glared at Leon for a moment, but his attention was drawn back to Paris as they reached the palace. Dominique bumped into him.
"¡Vituperar, muchacho!" Dominique shouted, then switched to English. "Tell a girl when you're going to stop!"
"Dominique, you better challenge George, if Katya already came." Natasha advised.
"Oh, yah." Dominique said. She walked up to the guard. "Hey, I wanna battle George de Sand. Tell him Neo-Spain is callin'."
"I'm sorry, but His Majesty George de Sand has already had a battle." The guard said.
"Tell him that a certain Black Joker is with me." Dominique said.
"I'm sorry, miss, but-" the guard was cut off as Argo stepped behind her.
"Do it." he growled.
"Of.of course." the guard said. He walked over to the intercom. "There is another group of fighters here to see you, Your Highness." He listened while George spoke to him. "That's what I told them sir, but they wouldn't listen!" he listened again. "Of course, sir, right away." The guard turned to the group. "I'm sorry, but His Majesty cannot see you today."
"To bad, we want to see him." Natasha said harshly. "Argo!"
Argo came over, flung the man over the fence, and opened the intercom.
"That had to hurt." Leon said. No one listened.
"George, I want to talk to you now." Argo said. There was a pause as Argo listened and then as the doors slowly opened. They all filed in.
"Argo!" George cried. "When those others from Neo-Russia came, I was worried, mon ami!"
"Natasha and I are fine, George." Argo assured the King of France.
"Yes, but that's beside the point. What can you tell us about the team from Neo-Russia?" Natasha asked, getting strait to the point.
"Oh, them." George said. "Those two left, oh, I'd say, two hours ago. One was very polite, to a point. I can't believe how he treated the fighter! One should not speak to a woman that way."
"Yes, I know. It's sad what they'll do." Dominique agreed. George looked at her, seeing her for the first time.
"You, I presume, are the Neo-Spaniard?" he asked. Dominique nodded. George looked at Leon. "Who is he?"
"Oh, that little burro. His name is Leon. He used to be fighting for Neo- Italy." Dominique said, shooting him a glare.
"Have you met the fighter?" George asked.
"Um-hm. I was her first opponent." Dominique said. Natasha took out Dominique's little computer and again began to type rapidly.
"Urgh! Not again!" Natasha growled in frustration.
"What are you doing, Natasha?" George asked.
"Hacking into Neo-Russia's main database. Ah-hah! I got it!" Natasha shouted in triumph. "Says they're going to Neo-America next."
"The Queen of Spades, Chibbody Crocket." Argo said.
"Thank you for your hospitality and information, George, but we've got to go." Argo said.
"My pleasure, mon ami. It's the least I can do for a friend." George answered with a bow.
"Can you do the most and rid us of this pest?!" Dominique said, pointing to Leon, who was peering into every vase around, hoping to find a genie. Argo grabbed him by the back of his collar and pulled him away.
"Thank you George." Dominique said, and pulled off a small curtsy. George bowed in return. Three turned away, one being dragged behind, and got back into the Bolt Gundam's Corlander.
DarkDragon: I hope that wasn't too abrupt for you. *hugs ShadowTide* thanx for letting me write most of this!!
ShadowTide: No prob. In fact, this is great for both of us. Now the angry mob can come after you when they get mad about the abrupt ending. *winks*
DarkDragon: *pouts* Not fair!! I write good. You're the one who writes bad.
ShadowTide: Why you little.Even your brother likes my story more than he likes yours! So ha! *gets ready to kill DarkDragon* Just kidding. Anyway, this was my idea. So ha again!
DarkDragon: well, my brother is an alien from outer-space, so he don't count. Anyway, I guess it's time to go.
BYE~!