A/N: Well, I finally decided to update again. This chapter and the next few are going to be kind of sad/angst, but there will be some humor, as well. Onto the story.
Sora: I'm glad you liked the Poland/Russia fight. You'll be seeing more of Jacek in later chapters, but he's just going to be a minor character for now.
Dark Dragon: I'm glad to know that I have more than one reviewer for this story. It kind of builds up my drive to write, so thanks. Glad you like.
Saffron: You'll find out just who that guy in the picture is soon. Just not now. **gives evil grin** Ain't I just a pain?
Alex gasped. Everywhere he turned, evil shapes leapt out of the shadows. Mocking him, laughing, taunting. He ran, and ran, but more came out and surrounded him. A laugh ripped through his soul, as a huge shape rose up, dwarfing him. He tried to run, but the shadows pulled him back. As he struggled, he heard his name being called. "Alex… you cannot win. Give it up… or give up your own life…."
Alex tried to run, but his legs wouldn't move. The huge shape let out another terrible laugh, and Alex screamed as he prepared to die….
And woke up in a bed, gasping for breath. He was drenched in sweat, with his Mobile Trace System still on. He looked up, and immediately saw the biggest pair of eyebrows he had ever seen.
"I see you're awake."
Alex gulped, as Argo Gulskii stood up. Towering above the young man, Argo frowned. "Would you mind telling me just what it was that attacked you last night?"
A sunken look came into Alex's eyes. "I…I can't. It's not for me to tell you."
Argo sighed. "You have to tell me. I helped get it away, and I want to know just what it was."
Alex backed into the bed. A crazed look filled his eyes, and he swung an arm at Argo. "Stay away from me! Leave me alone."
The Neo Russian looked down at the young man in shock. Never had he seen a look like this in someone's eyes. He walked out of the door, and closed it. There was only one more thing he could do.
As Argo closed the door, Alex sank out of his bed and into a corner. A hideous laugh echoed through his mind. Covering his ears, he whispered, "Leave me alone. Go away!" As the laugh continued, he started to sob, vainly trying to block the voices in his head…
"Take this!"
Domon Kasshu leapt at the Dragon Gundam, pulling out a beam saber. In response, the opposing fighter, Sai Saici, pulled out a feilong flag. The two weapons collided with each other, sending sparks into the air.
From the sidelines, Allenby and Rain sat, for the most part watching. Allenby was still thinking about the Neo Canada fighter. I haven't felt like this since I met Domon. Wonder how he's doing…
Beside her, Rain sighed, and looked at her watch. "Those two have been fighting for nearly an hour now. How much longer will they be?"
Suddenly, both Gundams grasped their hands, as if the pilots were in pain. Inside the cockpit, Domon gabbed his hand. His crest was burning brightly. Sai's voice came over his comm. "Hey, Bro! What's goin' on? How come our crests are lit up?"
Domon grimaced. "I dunno. The last time that happened was with the Devil Gundam." He sighed. It was beginning to go away now. "Hey, Sai, I think we'd better just call this match a draw. I need to find out just what exactly caused that."
Sai Saici, the hyperactive midget from Neo China, nodded inside his cockpit. "Fine with me, bro. Anyway, I think that I might go visit Cecil. I haven't seen her since the Tournament began."
Domon grinned. Sai's girlfriend, Cecil, had the little letch infatuated, and was about the only thing besides the monks that could control him. His thoughts then turned to confusion and worry. If, indeed, the Shuffle Crest had signaled of danger, then everything could be jeopardized. He needed to find the source of the Crest's appearance quickly…
************************A few hours later****************************************************************************
Rain and Allenby were working on the Shining Gundam, it's silver armor now tarnished from the recent battle. Wiping away some filth with one hand, Rain sighed again. "Allenby, I think it's done. Test the right arm now."
Rain had to admit, having the younger woman around helped with the repairs a lot. Not only did she know a thing or two about mechanics, she was also able to get into the MTS and test the Gundam. Behind her, a small beeping sound caught her attention. Climbing out of the cockpit, still in her MTS suit, Allenby blinked a few times. "Rain, I think that's-"
But Rain had already gone over to the communicator. Pressing the ON button, a small image of a familiar man popped up. "Argo! How are you?"
No emotion showed throught the giant's face, save for his eyes becoming softer at her image. "Rain, get Domon now. I need to talk to him."
Rain was surprised by Argo's abruptness. True, the Neo Russian left most of the talking to his guard-turned-wife Nastasha, but when he did talk, it was never this straight-forward. She called up to Allenby "Go get Domon! Tell him Argo needs to talk to him."
"Domon!"
Turning away from the punching bag, Domon looked at Allenby. "Yeah?"
Nodding her blue-green head towards the hanger, Allenby said, It's Argo. He wants to talk to you right now."
Domon 's look went from relaxed to confused. "Wonder what he wants?" Allenby just shrugged. Domon trotted of into the hanger. As he did so, Allenby looked back at the punching bag, and raised her arm to throw one of he own. But the bag suddenly tore, spilling the contents on the ground and leaving a very amused Allenby.
Domon sat in a chair and looked at the picture of his friend. "So, Argo, what do you need me for all of a sudden?"
Argo frowned. "You've met the Neo Canada fighter, Alex Thomas, right?"
Domon frowned in turn. "Yeah, he's kind of a friend. Why?"
Argo's dark looked got even darker. "Last night, I found hi facing a monster Gundam. It almost reminded me of a scaled down Devil Colony.. It was about to kill Alex, but I drove it off. The boy woke up a few minutes ago, but I can't get a word out of him. I need you to talk to him."
Domon looked at his friend. "First of all, let me say that that's the most I've ever heard you speak." At this, the Neo Russian scowled. "Second, as soon as I get there, you need to tell me just what happened. Alright?"
Argo nodded. "I understand. Get here as soon as possible." With that, the link dropped and the Russian's face disappeared, replaced wit the Shining Gundam's stats.
Allenby and Rain came into the room. Rain walked up to her husband. "What was that all about?"
Domon looked at both of them. "Listen up. Rain, Load up the Gundam. Allenby, prepare the transport."
"We're going to Russia."
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