Author's Note- Hiya, it's me Shizuka16. In response to one of my new reviews, yes I am almost ready to reveal the story behind Hiroji's mother- Hana Nikko Kasshu (Nikko was maiden name). So, read and enjoy and thank you to all who have generously sent in reviews.

"Hiroji!" Schwarz called the youth's name as he pulled him from the Glowing Gundam's mangled cockpit so that they were on the mobile suit's chest plate. There, the Neo German held up his head as Domon and Rain came running.

Hiroji heard his name being called and struggled to come to, but couldn't quite find the strength. All he could manage was a pained moan.

Anya, in her Thunder Gundam, bent over to get a closer look. She saw how heavily banged up the Neo Japan Gundam had become from being pulled into the ground. "Is he okay?" she asked the crowd surrounding the downed fighter.

Rain felt her nephew's wrist for a pulse. A relieved smile came to her face when she detected the stable throbbing. "He's okay, just a bit overwhelmed."

Schwarz looked around. The entire area had become one massive sinkhole. The battle and the earthquake had even created a line of fire that swallowed the remains of the trees. He could hardly see the other mobile suits that stood not too far off, due to the choking black smoke and dust.

Picking up Hiroji, Schwarz got to his feet. "We have to get back to higher ground! Move!"

Domon nodded, "Right, Rain, Keiji! Hurry up!"

Once inside the Gundam Spiegel, Schwarz used it to pick up the charred Glowing Gundam. He then led the group out of the ruined valley and towards camp. All the while, he continued to hold his unconscious son in his free arm. "Hang on, Hiroji," he hissed.

........

"I see." George muttered. "So that's why we didn't know,"

"Schwarz didn't know what would happen with his return, so he decided to keep low for the time being." Rain explained. "So he couldn't even tell Hiroji."

Chibodee punched his fists together angrily. "Augh! And now there's a chance!"

"Yes, a chance that the Devil Gundam is the one causing all of these earthquakes." Sai Saici agreed.

"We cannot afford to let our guard down now." Nastasha said in a general- like tone. "Who knows how strong that monster could be now."

"Hm," Argo agreed with a nod.

"Lucky for us, we have more fighters here this time," Sai Saici said. "Almost all of the kids here have Gundams of their own and know how to use them. And with someone as powerful as Schwarz on our side it won't be easy for the Devil Gundam to get the upper hand."

Rain sighed worriedly. "Yes, but if only there was a way to avoid involving them. They shouldn't have to go through what we had to."

.......

The children were sitting at the edge of the cliff, staring out over the now-charred landscape.

Angie laced her fingers behind her head. "So now we have to fight something other than each other. A really strong and colossal Gundam."

"It's more than just a Gundam I'm afraid." Mason interjected. "It was the greatest evil our mothers and fathers ever knew."

"It'll probably be the greatest evil we will ever know," Anya proclaimed.

"My dad is the King of Hearts!" Keiji stated. "If I want that title passed down to me, then I will fight!"

"We're the heirs of the Shuffle Alliance," Sai Lin said. "So we're all responsible for proving ourselves worthy of those crests. Because eventually we will wear them someday-whenever the time is right."

Everyone looked at her. "You talk very noble for a 7-year-old." Angie remarked.

"But she's right," Anya replied. "You all know it."

.......

Hiroji was still asleep in his sleeping bag by the time the sun had set. He hadn't woken up since the earthquake fiasco and seemed badly hurt.

Schwarz knelt at his son's side, keeping the vigil with an uncharacteristically worried expression. Domon brought a bowl of water and sponge into the tent and gave it to his brother.

"Thanks," Schwarz whispered, careful to keep his voice low. Wringing the sponge out, he placed it gently on Hiroji's scorching forehead. It seemed as though his injuries had caused a fever.

Domon sat down next to him with the water bowl in his gloved hand. "Rain told me that we need to keep him hydrated. So we should try and get him to drink some of this."

The masked fighter wasted no time in lifting Hiroji up slightly by the shoulders so that the back of the boy's head rested on his upper arm. "Let's give it a try then."

"Right," Domon pulled a cup from his pocket, dipped it into the bowl and handed it to Schwarz.

"Hiroji," Schwarz called softly. "Try and drink this,"

Deep in the depths of his mind, Hiroji was dreaming of his life as a young child: from the days he and his mother would go visit his father down at the lab, when Kyoji would make the boy Gundam models to play with, to when he first met Uncle Domon at the docks. Yet in the midst of it all, he swore he could hear his father's voice-so cheerful and warm.

"Hiroji,"

The teen's thoughts came to a stop. It was that voice! And it was calling for him. "D-Dad?"

"Try and drink this."

Still asleep, Hiroji opened his mouth just a little bit. The cool water drizzled down his throat, reviving it from the desert it had become. It was a welcoming sensation since he felt like he was still inside the inferno of Glowing Gundam's cockpit.

After the cup had been emptied, Hiroji relaxed free of his torment. Domon smiled, relieved to see his nephew's improvement, and as he glanced up at his brother he knew there was that same look of satisfaction beneath that mask.

"So the worst of it seems to be over," the masked fighter remarked, gently placing the youth's head back down on the sleeping bag.

"This has got me concerned, Niisan," Domon hissed. "That earthquake was no natural incident."

"I know how you feel, Domon." Schwarz told him, looking at him full. "Something's definitely on the rise."

"Don't you think you should stick around then? Closer to camp?" Domon asked.

Schwarz's gaze once again shifted towards his sleeping son. Though he still couldn't reveal his identity to him, he couldn't risk leaving him alone, as well as his younger brother. He wanted to be there; he had to be there.

"Think you could spare the space?" Schwarz asked, though he knew the answer way ahead of time. "You've already got a full house here with the Shuffle Alliance."

Domon grinned and nodded, bringing a smile to Schwarz's masked face. It was funny, even after all those years, and having a family of his own, Domon was still like a little boy, always looking up to his brother and anyone else that could set an example for him. He was still the little brother that Kyoji had remembered and worked so hard to protect.

Schwarz placed his hand on Domon's shoulder. "Thanks Domon. Thanks for looking after Hiroji for all these years."

"He's a good kid," Domon said. "A lot like you in more ways than one."

"I take it that's a good thing, right?" They both laughed and Schwarz shook his head. "Sorry Brother, it's been a long time."

Domon nodded. "It sure has."

Author's Note (again)- Sorry to end it so abruptly, but it was getting a tad long. The conversation continues in the next chapter! Thanks.