Disclaimer: I do not own the copyrights to Gundam Wing, Endless Waltz, G-Gundam, any movies or any songs that are used in this story. All copyrights belong to their respective owners.
Readers Note: This contains some spoilers for G-Gundam, so if you haven't seen the whole series I wouldn't recommend reading this.
G Gundam & Gundam Wing
G- W Gundam
Chapter 6: Prelude to Love and Hate
*
Well now everyone, it has taken us a long time but we are very close to the beginning of the official Gundam Fight. The Elimination's are coming to an end, and there are only four left. Today's match is between Preventers Quatre Raberba Winner, the Noble in the Desert verses Akeem Kuraski and his Oil Gundam representing Neo Saudi Arabia. Yet, will the pacifistic Quatre be able to fight someone purely for sport? Let's find out! Gundam Elimination's Set! Ready? Go! Quatre Raberba Winner felt the heat against his fair skin on the Neo Saudi Arabia Colony. Though it didn't make him feel uncomfortable but rather it made him feel more like at home. He did spend a lot of time in the desert with the Maganac Corps. Thinking about all of them did make Quatre feel a little bit lonely since he was here fighting by himself without his friends fighting by his side. Then the realization hit him like a brick on his head; he'd have to spend who knows how long doing this to find Trieze Kushrinada and Lady Une. Added to the fact that Quatre and his friends of Preventer could be stuck in this universe for, weeks, months, or maybe even years. He had a deeper sympathy for all those visitors who came to the universe where Preventer resided. He imagined how terrible it must have been to be in such a strange place where nothing was familiar, because he too felt it.
In the arena Quatre looked around the crowd and saw how it reminded him of when he was in the company of the Maganacs on Earth. How course and gritty the sand was in his clothes and upon his face. How everyone did treat him well just because he was a Gundam pilot, but here the rules have changed again. This time he was despised by the crowd, yet Quatre's spirit would not be broken.
He reached around his neck for his goggles, the very same pair that were given to him by the leader of the Maganac Corps, Rashim. It was Rashim who once looked upon Quatre as just a spoiled rich child. Then fate intervened and transformed Quatre into a kind-hearted boy. That was when Rashim gave him the goggles, an implied symbol of leadership of the Maganac. Quatre strapped them onto his head as he stepped into the mobile trace system.
The spandex/latex material were the colors of black, white and light tan that ran from his right shoulder down to his left hip. And in red letters across his left breast was the Arabic word for "Sandrock". This was the name of his Gundam.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" The Announcer called, "Let's begin the fight between our Gundam Oil and its pilot Akeem Kurashki against Gundam Sandrock and its pilot Quatre Raberba Winner! Gundam Fight! Ready! Go!"
"This is Quatre!" Quatre called as held the controls of the Sandrock, "If you surrender now you will not be harmed."
"Hey, one more thing for you!" Akeen Kurashki laughed, "Go to hell!"
"Sorry." Quatre apologized as he lunged forward at the Gundam Oil. He had already laid eyes upon it, it was an all black Gundam that looked as though it was hooded as well as dressed in a long black cloak. Yet this entire cloth-like exterior was just Gundanium, as Quatre lunged forward in his Sandrock the Gundam Oil opened up its cloak. It opened up in flaps and under it was its Gundam body as well as its weapon. Quatre never saw it coming, all he saw were small spouts under the cloak then all went black. As soon as Quatre tried to wipe away what was sprayed at him he made the connection. The Gundam Oil had spurted oil in his face to blind him.
Outside, the Gundam Sandrock was desperately trying to wipe the oil away from its face or at least the parts of it that contained the camera lenses. The Gundam Oil took the opportunity to sneak behind him and knock the Sandrock to its knees. From its side it drew its beam saber, to crowd it looked like the fight was all over for Gundam Sandrock.
Again, they underestimated the skill and experience of the Preventers. The Gundam Sandrock turned over on its back but still couldn't see, at least that's what the pilot of Gundam Oil thought, until the Sandrock made its shot. From the Sandrock shoulders came two missiles, the first one impacted below the head of the Gundam while the other one was heading towards the face. As the missile came closer and closer, the last thing that went through the mind of Akeem Kurashki was, how in the hell did the Gundam Sandrock get the better of him? He asked this as his Gundams head exploded off of its shoulders and fell back to the ground.
"Sandrock told me." Quatre answered
* * *
Well now, everyone. It has been an exciting few days for the Gundams of Preventer. All of them have taken their places in the Gundam fight. However, the elimination's only have a few more fights to go through before the actual Gundam Fight begins. Today's opponent is Ranma Soatome of Neo Hong Kong and his Kung Fu Gundam. This one will be fighting against the Solitary Dragon of Preventer, Wufei Chang and his Gundam Nataku. Let's get things started, Gundam Elimination Set, Ready, GO!
The Shuffle Alliance and the Preventers had arrived early at the Neo Hong Kong colony. They figured that they could have time to wander around the Neo Hong Kong Colony. Some of them went shopping, others went to eat, but not Wufei Chang the Solitary Dragon. He was one to truly live up to his name like the others; he wandered off on his own. The streets of Neo Hong Kong was an inviting place to Wufei to be on his own because it reminded him so much of home, Colony L-5, the place where he spent most of his life and the place where he learned martial arts from Master Long. Except colony L-5 no longer exists, since during the Eve wars it was destroyed, self-destructed by the Long Clan, and ever since then only Wufei and Johan were the surviving members of the Long Clan. Wufei was only a blood member, while Johan was more of an honorable member. Thinking about all these things about home, the Long Clan, and Master Long made Wufei feel a little sad.
As his thoughts centered around Master Long, suddenly he felt something approach him from behind. It was one of those feelings similar to that when he felt like someone was watching him. It wasn't paranoia like with most people, with people having such high Martial Arts skills as Wufei the feeling was more than paranoia. This feeling was sureness that someone was following him at a very quiet pace, Wufei never turned around to look at the person he only wanted to lead this person to a secure area. Wufei made sure that the feeling was still there like knowing where in the mouth a bad toothache is located. He walked the streets until he saw a small alleyway and he walked in and saw a dead end, this was the spot.
"Bad move." A voice said from behind Wufei
Wufei felt that now was the time to look at the person that was following him. He turned and saw a young boy with black hair and a long black braided ponytail. He was wearing red Chinese clothes, red silk for his shirt that had a high collar and baggy blue pants with loafers for shoes.
"I have you trapped, Gundam Fighter." The boy said
Wufei narrowed his eyes, "Can I know the name of the person who wants to kill me?"
The young boy pointed a thumb at his chest, "My name is Ranma Saotome of the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial arts and pilot of Kung Fu Gundam."
Wufei smiled in arrogance, "My name is Wufei Chang of the Long Clan and pilot of Gundam Nataku, and I don't think you have a chance against me."
"Oh yeah?" Ranma said as he took his fighting post in the alleyway.
Wufei only stood still as a statue waiting for the impulsive Ranma to make his first move. Ranma stayed still in his fighting posture, either he was planning his move or he could be waiting in frustration for Wufei to take his stance. At last out of frustration he made the first move, he jumped up high into the air, he held out a fist and came back down ready to shove the fist into Wufei. Yet, Wufei sidestepped making Ranma send his fist into the concrete and cracking it but not his fist.
Ranma looked up from where he landed and saw Wufei standing unfazed by the move that he had made. Ranma smiled, "You're good. Not very many people can dodge that attack. I know that you'll be a great opponent in the Gundam Fight."
"That's why you were following me?" Wufei asked, "To size me up to the Gundam Fight?"
"Yes."
Wufei paused, "I still think you don't have a chance against me."
Ranma Soatome smiled at Wufei as he dashed out of the alleyway. Wufei felt that if Ranma had been a true warrior or at least a true martial artist he would have stayed and fought instead of running away. Was Ranma really trying to size up the Solitary Dragon for the Gundam Fight that would happen later on in the day or was this just a taste of the fight to come? Wufei could only think on the matter as the Gundam fight approached ever so closer.
Later that day: Inside the Gundam Dome of Neo Hong Kong the fight was about to begin. Wufei stood outside of the Gundam Nataku already in his Mobile Trace suit. It felt oddly comfortable to him like sitting a very new and comfortable chair. The suit itself was white all over except for those shoulder boards that acted as the link-nodes between the pilot and the mobile suit. Wufei looked out across the battlefield at his opponent, the Kung Fu Gundam.
The Kung Fu Gundam was just like Ranma himself. It was red around the chest, had blue legs and on top of the Gundam head was a bulk of Gundanium that looked like his black hair. Yet the Gundam head itself still had those features to it such as the yellow spikes as well as the green centerpiece in its chest. The Gundam itself was in a sitting position with its legs crossed in a lotus pose. Wufei knew that Ranma was preparing for whatever could be thrown at him. Wufei knew this tactic, meditation before the fight. A clearing of the mind or cleansing exercises. Still, he didn't want to dwell on this, he had bigger fish to fry. He got back into the Gundam Nataku where the Mobile Trace System was already up and running.
"Checking pilots brainwaves, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, all green." The Computer stated.
Wufei looked out at the screen where the Kung Fu Gundam was sitting. He waited for the announcer and sure enough without a single minute passing the announcer came on.
"Today's fight is between the pride of Neo Hong Kong, Ranma Saotome in his Kung Fu Gundam and the challenger Wufei Chang in his Gundam Nataku. Gundam Fight!"
"Ready?" Ranma asked
"Go!" Wufei shouted as he took out the double-ended beam trident from the storage of Nataku. He caught a glimpse of it in his hand of the mobile trace cockpit system. He could feel it in his hands but he had to put the odd feeling aside as he fought the Kung Fu Gundam.
He looked as the Kung Fu Gundam had its own weapon. It wasn't anything fancy it was just an ordinary beam saber. Wufei smiled knowing that he had the advantage with his weapon. He watched as the Kung Fu Gundam leaped up into the air and came back down with its beam saber out and ready to strike.
Wufei knew this tactic, so he decided to rise up to meet Ranma. He fired up the engines of Nataku and flew up to him. Yet he wasn't going to strike first with the beam trident, he instead fired off a shot from the dragon tail. It was a weapon curved to the back of the Nataku which when brought up would fire twin shots from its double barrel cannons. Wufei fired and the shots hit the Kung Fu Gundam in its shoulders throwing off of its balance and sending it back to the ground.
The Kung Fu Gundam fell onto its side its beam weapon phased off while the Nataku came gracefully down onto its feet.
"I told you that you didn't have a chance against me." Wufei repeated, "You're weak and the weak should not be fighting. When the weak have weapons like yours they give into their own hearts and go wild."
"Oh shut up!" Ranma shouted as the Kung Fu Gundam got back to its feet and took back its beam weapon. This time he took the beam saber and chucked it at Wufei, it went flying like a javelin towards the Gundam Nataku. It pierced the Nataku's left shoulder.
If this was a regular battle Wufei could have handled being knocked around inside the cockpit, but not with the mobile trace system. In this system he felt the surge of pain course through his left shoulder. It felt like he had just been shot, he looked down and expected there to be blood spurting from the source of pain. Yet all he saw were sparks of green light as well as what looked like patterns on a computer board that glowed an iridescent green.
The pain was numbing to Wufei, he wished that he used the regular cockpit system instead of this mobile trace system. All he could try and do was block out the pain. he looked back out to see the Kung Fu Gundam making its next attack on him. It brought up its fist and it landed right in Wufei's face. As he spun around on his heels he could feel that dull sensation in his face, the same sensation that he would have if someone did in fact punch him. He had to regain himself, the pain in both his face and his arm was sickening almost to the point of nausea.
He took control, he looked at the Dragon Fangs on his arms and sent them flying out. They flew like they never had before. The Kung Fu Gundam tried to dodge them but Wufei had more control over them then in previous models of his Nataku. Both Dragon Fangs came back and met together. One of the fangs hit the Kung Fu Gundam in his left shoulder, the very same spot where Wufei had been struck. The next one went right for the Gundam head. It clasped itself around the Gundam head and squeezed until the head burst sending out sparks and debris. Wufei retracted the Dragon Fangs and allowed Nataku to rest. He opened the cockpit door and stepped out breathing in the fresh air and looking at the Kung Fu Gundam.
"You really are weak." Wufei said as the announcer blared.
"We have a winner! Wufei Chang in the Gundam Nataku has won the title of representative of Neo Hong Kong!"
Wufei jumped down and took several steps away from his mobile suit. He then turned and looked back at it.
"Thank you, Nataku." Wufei had whispered to the Gundanium giant, "You and I are strong."
* * *
Well now everyone. The fight between Wufei and Ranma has been decided. Wufei will now be the representative of Neo Hong Kong. But the Gundam Elimination Rounds are far from over. Today's opponent is Preventers Star Dragon, Johan Peacecraft Rodriguez in his Gundam Ryu against the current champion of Neo Spain. Though the way that this fighter will fight will be very different. Let's get things started. Gundam Elimination's set, ready? Go!
It was the same as the fight on the Neo Hong Kong colony. The Preventers and the Shuffle Alliance had arrived on the Neo Spain colony rather early. As a matter of fact they had arrived several hours before the fight was to begin. So, like before they decided to relax some more before this fight starts especially for Johan and Haruka.
The previous night before the fight on Neo Spain and after the fight on Neo Hong Kong, Johan and Haruka had to come to a painful decision.
"Haruka." Johan said, "I think we should leave the titles of husband and wife behind."
"Why, Johan?" Haruka pleaded with the welts of tears in her eyes.
"We will be representing different nations in this Gundam Fight. If anyone knew that we were married, people would grow suspicious of us. We have to do this in order to secure the success of this mission."
Haruka paused for a moment gazing into Johan's eyes, "I understand Johan." She said with the tears now rolling down her cheek, "But I shall never allow this ring to leave my body."
She held up the ring that Johan gave to her when they were married, still holding up her hand she took the ring off of her finger and then took out a gold chain from her pocket. The golden chain was an anniversary gift that Johan gave her. Yet, it wasn't just a gold chain, it also had a diamond encrusted heart on it. She strung the golden thread through the ring and placed it around her neck.
Johan did the same, he took the gold band from his ring finger on his left hand and placed it on a golden chain around his neck. He held the ring in his hand as he gazed at his wife. He understood the dangers as well as the emptiness that lay ahead of them, but in order to save Trieze Kushrinada and Lady Une from the Devil Gundam, a small sacrifice has to be made on his part, a sacrifice of being away from his love. Johan outstretched his arms and embraced his wife.
"I love you, Haruka." He whispered to her
"I know, Johan." She said smiling, "Let me stay with you tonight. One last night as husband and wife before we are separated."
"Sure." Johan smiled
That very same night with the space colonies of this strange universe moving around the Earth and the Stars sparkling beyond, Johan and Haruka shared love like never before.
That was the night before the fight that Johan had to do with Neo Spain. Though he felt that there was time to spare to relax. Even though he and Haruka left the titles of Husband and Wife behind they still couldn't deny their feelings for each other. It was the same between Heero and Relena, even though Heero never showed it very often.
Johan and Haruka stopped at a small restaurant called, "La Catina". With them were Domon Kasshu and his wife Rain as well as Duo Maxwell, Chibodee Crocket with his girls, and Quatre Raberba Winner. The restaurant that they stopped at was truly a "hole in the wall" restaurant, there were only a few tables with the bar at one far end and a stage on the other end. The group came in and followed the sign that said, "seat yourself" in both Spanish and English. They took their seats at one of the tables that could accommodate their group.
A thin Latin girl who took out her pen and asked something in Spanish met the group. The group didn't understand a word, except Johan. He was about to say something then the girl asked something in English.
"Can I start you all off with something to drink?" She asked
"Margarita's all around." Johan said
"Very good choice, sir." The girl said as she scribbled down the order and went off.
"What's a margarita?" Domon asked
"It's shaved ice" Johan explained, "with a touch of lime flavor as well as the crucial ingredient, tequila."
"What's tequila?" Rain asked
"It's a little bit like Sake, but slightly different."
"How do you know about this?" Rain asked intently
"Hey, I'm not part Latin for nothing."
Soon, the attention of the whole group went to the stage where a man came out and began to introduce the next act.
"Ladies and Gentlemen." He said, "it is my pleasure to introduce our favorite singer, Miss Shakira!"
The whole room cheered as they watched a young woman wearing tight clothes and a skimpy shirt that showed off nearly everything except her breasts. She had a heart shaped face with long blonde hair that came down to her shoulders that had streaks of black bangs in random places. She took up her guitar and tapped the microphone.
"Thank you all." She said as the song began. The guitar was being strummed very lightly as the singer named Shakira began to sing.
You're a song
Written by the hands of God
Don't get me wrong cause
This might sound to you a bit odd
But you own the place
Where all my thoughts go hiding
And right under your clothes is where I find them
Underneath your clothes
There's an endless story
There's the man I chose
There's my territory
And all the things I deserve
For being such a good girl, honey
It was such a nice song that there were couples getting up from their tables and going to the dance floor in front of the stage. Johan looked back at Haruka, he moved his head towards the dance floor. On an unspoken level, Haruka got the message loud and clear. She and Johan moved out of their seats up to the dance floor.
"I thought we weren't husband and wife anymore in the Gundam fight?" Haruka asked
Johan placed his hands around Haruka's waist, "We're not in the Gundam Fight yet, and who's to say we can't be secret lovers."
Haruka smiled as they danced and the song kept going.
Because of you
I forgot the mart ways to lie
Because of you
I'm running out of reasons to cry
When the friends are gone
When the party's over
We will still belong to each other
Underneath your clothes
There's an endless story
There's the man I chose
There's my territory
And all the things I deserve for being such a good girl, honey.
I love you more than all that's on the planet
Moving' talking walkin' breathing
You know it's true
Oh baby it's so funny
You almost don't believe it
As every voice is hanging from the silence
Lamps are hanging from the ceiling
I'm tied up to this feeling
Underneath your clothes
There's an endless story
There's the man I chose
There's my territory
And all the things I deserve
For being such a good girl, honey.
For being such a good girl…
The song ended and the crowd applauded for their favorite singer. The singer on the stage bowed to her audience, which made them applaud even louder than before. There was even a standing ovation for the singer named Shakira.
"Thank you, very much." She said, "Now for this next song I'm going to need a dance partner."
Haruka and Johan were just leaving the dance floor when Shakira announced this. As she did, all the hands of the men raised in the room as if they were all radio controlled. They really wanted to be with this woman. Yet, the singer had other plans. Shakira was a woman who didn't exactly believe in love at first sight but she certainly knew about infatuation and she had it bad. When she sang the song "Underneath your clothes", she saw a man dancing with a blonde girl on the dance floor. He intrigued her, with his black hair, his green eyes, and his tanned skin that was so Latin. It could be infatuation or it could just be lust, pure, plain and simple. Either way, she wanted him. She came down off of the stage with the hands of all the men raised like anxious school kids. She crossed the dance floor ignoring all the raised hands and reached up to the man with the blonde girl.
She tapped him on his shoulder, "Excuse me." She said
The man turned around and her lust went right through the roof as she stared at him with green eyes.
"Yes?" The man asked
"I've requested a dance partner for my next song." She said
"Yes, I heard." The man answered
"Could I ask you to be my dance partner?"
The man smiled, "I will, but on one condition. We do a three way tango, with Haruka as the third person."
The man gestured to the girl whom he had his arm wrapped around. To Shakira, she was about the same height as her, but her hair was lighter blonde and she had a ponytail down to her waist.
"Can I have your name?" Shakira asked
"My name is Johan Peacecraft Rodriguez." The man said
"You know my name." The blonde girl said, "I'm Haruka, Haruka Tenou."
"In that case you know mine."
"Yes, Shakira."
"It means graceful in Arabic." She explained
"My name means, Sky King." Haruka said as she cocked one eyebrow at Shakira.
The three of them made their way to the dance floor, the "ahs" of the disappointed men in the room could clearly be heard. Shakira didn't pay attention to any of them because her sights were set on this man named Johan Rodriguez. The name Rodriguez really stood out to her because she knew that she was getting Latin stock out of this. It was time for her to make her move. She talked to her band while Johan and Haruka were waiting on the dance floor, as she talked so did Haruka and Johan.
"What are you doing, Johan?" Haruka asked in quiet frustration
"Having a little fun." Johan smiled
"I think she's attracted to you." Haruka warned
"Don't worry, I do remember my vows." Johan reassured
"It's not you I'm worried about, it's her. I just hope you can dance."
"I learned from you."
I was true, before Johan had met Haruka he didn't know how to dance. Then after being with Haruka for this much time he knew how to dance, he could waltz, he could tango and he could even do break dancing. Combined with the acrobatics both of them learned from Trowa, and their martial arts skills the two could cut and slice rug.
The song began with a great gong, a great Arabic melody came from the band. Shakira turned around very seductively and walked over to the dance floor. That was when the Latin beat came in and she moved her shoulders and her hips to the beat. She took Johan's hands and the two of them began to dance as Shakira sang.
Oh, you know I have seen
A sky without sun
A man with no nation
Saints, captive in chains
A song with no name
For lack of imagination
Ya he…
And I have seen
Darker than Ebony
Ya he…
And now it seems, that I
Without your eyes could never be.
Haruka stood at the side waiting for her turn to come from her husband. She saw a look in Shakira's eyes and that was when she knew for certain that Shakira had something for Johan. It could have been a crush or just lust but there was no mistake about it. She had to get Johan away from her. She went over to the dancing couple, she grabbed Johan's shoulder, Johan turned around and as quickly as she could she took Johan's hands and began to dance as Shakira continued to sing.
My one desire, all aspire
Is in your eyes forever to live
Traveled all over; the seven oceans
There is nothing that I wouldn't give
Came from Bahrain, got to Beirut
Looking for something comparing to you
Tearing down windows and doors
And I could not find eyes like yours
Haruka and Johan danced with such great passion that it stunned those in the room. That was when Shakira came over and stole Johan from Haruka. The two of them danced away as Shakira continued to sing.
Came from Bahrain, got to Beirut
Looking for something comparing to you
Tearing down windows and doors
And I could not find eyes like yours
Oh, I have seen
A woman of means
In rags and begging for pleasure
Crossed a river of salt
Just after I rode
A ship that's sunk in the desert.
Shakira grabbed Johan and as they danced she showed off one of her greatest assets, belly dancing. She shook her hips like no one else that Johan had ever laid eyes on. It was as if her hips were super human or double jointed at least.
Ya he…
And I have seen
Darker than Ebony
Ya he…
And now it seems, that I
Without your eyes could never be
My one desire, all I aspire
Is in your eyes forever to lie
Traveled all over; the seven oceans
There is nothing that I wouldn't give
Came from Bahrain, got to Beirut
Looking for someone comparing to you
Tearing down windows and doors
And I could not find eyes like yours
At last, Haruka grabbed Johan and the two of them danced faster than what Shakira had ever seen. The two of them even parted and did moved that were combinations of break dancing, acrobatics, and martial arts. She had never in all her life seen anyone move with that much grave and agility. She brought her self back to reality in a snap to sing the last part of the song.
Came from Bahrain, got to Beirut
Looking for someone comparing to you
Tearing down windows and doors
And I could not find eyes like yours.
When the song ended she watched as Johan and Haruka kissed each other. Yet, she could see how hard the two were breathing by the movements of their hair. She was amazed at the kind of moves they did, but there was something that broke Shakira's heart. The heart of the man she lusted for belonged to someone else.
To be continued…
