A/N- Sorry for these weird characters that have been showing up in the fic. I have no clue what is causing them since I haven't done anything differently with uploading it. The fanfics I write are always in Microsoft Word format, so I don't know what the answer to getting rid of them is. So, until I do, I apologize for the inconvenience.

Chapter 4- Allenby's First Match

The small, shabby diner inside of town was the place for a shady meeting. In one of the booths sat three folks, deep in discussion until.

One pointed over towards the door. "Look, there they are."

Another man, one with an exceptionally bulky built, peered over his mug of coffee. "Ah, so that is Neo Sweden's team?"

"Yes Senor Suarez. The girl fought in the 13th Gundam fight."

"Her name's Allenby Beardsly." The third fellow inquired. "Don't let her fool you because she is a very skilled fighter."

"Who said I was fooled by her?" Antonio Suarez asked. "I don't doubt my opponent's abilities until I see them in action."

Allenby and Sven found an empty booth nearby and slid into it. Immediately, they picked up their menus and began scrolling down the lists of food. "Mm! That looks good! But so do the burritos!" the blue-haired girl muttered, licking her lips hungrily.

Sven suddenly felt a strange feeling come over him, other than the nerves he felt at eating such spicy food. Were they being.watched? Slowly, he lifted his gaze up and glanced about. It was late at night, so not a lot of people were present in the diner. But one booth across from theirs was full. Four people, definitely Mexican due to their dark skin and black hair, occupied this place. And all, save one, had their eyes fixed on he and Allenby.

"Hey, Allenby?" Sven asked.

She didn't even lift her eyes from the menu. "Yes what's up?"

"I think those guys over there are the Mexican Gundam team." He whispered.

"What?" Her head snapped up and she looked to where he pointed. Sure enough, she recognized the three who locked eyes with her. "They're the same guys from the last Gundam Fight!" But she paused as she laid eyes on the bulky man who kept his gaze to the mug of coffee in front of him. "But that guy there.he's not Chico Rodriguez!"

Just then, a waitress came up to the two. "What can I get for you tonight?" she piped.

"Oh! Geez I forget what I picked!"

As Allenby fumbled back through her menu, Sven spoke up. "I'll just have some tea, ma'am." He felt the Mexican team's eyes piercing into him even more.

"Sven! You have to get more than just a puny mug a' tea!" Allenby interjected. "We've got a big day coming up and that's not gonna keep ya going!"

"But, uh.Allenby I."

She shook her head. "I'll tell you what. I'll order the special Burrito/Taco combo and we'll split it. Don't be shy now!"

Sighing, he scratched the back of his head. "Well, alright. If it'll make you happy."

Allenby recited the order to the waitress, who scribbled it down on a pad and walked away. "Hey, where do you think those guys got off to?" Allenby asked, noticing the booth across from them was empty now.

"I suddenly don't feel like this is the best place to be right now." Sven muttered under his breath.

Meanwhile, Suarez and two of his men had left the diner and were heading down the street. Just then, the Gundam fighter turned. "Wait a moment.where's Pedro?"

His followers looked at each other. "Oh.he had to.use the bathroom. He told us to go on to the gundam without him!" Marco answered quickly.

In the kitchen of the diner, Pedro poked his head in, just as the chef began to prepare Allenby's order. Snickering, he fingered the small vile in his pocket.

.......

A while later, Allenby led the way outside of the diner and stretched. "Ahhh.that was a good bunch of burritos! I love Mexican grub!"

Sven followed her, already clutching his stomach. "Uh.too hot.too spicy."

"Allenby Beardsly!"

The Swedish duo paused, as someone called to them. Allenby peered into the darkness, the sun still not up to make sight easier. "Oh! It's Neo Mexico's fighter!"

Suarez stepped into view beneath a street lamp. He seemed even more formidable now that all 6'5'' of him could be seen. He pointed at the girl with his finger. "Neo Sweden, I challenge you to a Gundam Fight at sunrise!"

Smirking, Allenby slammed her fists together. "Alright! I accept!"

Behind Suarez, still hidden in the darkness, three figures covered their mouths to quiet their snickering.

.......

Allenby pulled herself free, now coated in her MTS spandex. Reaching for her beam ribbon, she took a flashy stance before her opponent. She had to admit, being back in the cockpit of Noble Gundam made her adrenaline surge.

The battlefield was just outside of the town. As the sun began to rise over the red mountains, small crowds of people began to form along the perimeter to watch. Among them, Sven stood, or rather, was trying to stand. Every once in a while, he'd feel the urge to vomit as his stomach was attacked by the dinner he'd forced himself to eat. "No matter what she says, I will NEVER eat Mexican AGAIN!" he'd sworn to himself over and over. All the while, he wondered how Allenby could stand fighting after such a meal.

Tequila Gundam faced her, awaiting the first attack. Suarez smiled. "My first match in the tournament. I will make this a memorable one."

His crew watched from nearby. Pedro smirked. "It should be kicking in any time now."

Just then, Allenby felt her stomach begin to burn. Her whole body seemed to go up in flames in response. "Ergh!" she wiped the sweat off her forehead, only to find that her vision was wavering. "What's.what's happening to me?"

Sven watched as Noble Gundam staggered. "Allenby?"

"Tired already, are you?" Suarez asked. "Then I will end this right now!" Gathering strength, he charged at her, brandishing a beam trident.

Allenby straightened up and struck with her beam ribbon. "Got you!"

But no, she had missed by a mile. Tequila Gundam zipped past her, skidded to a halt, and struck with its weapon.

"ALLENBY, LOOK OUT!!" Sven cried.

Ears ringing, Allenby leapt to her left so that Noble Gundam narrowly dodged the blow. But instead of regaining herself, she tripped and fell to the ground.

"Yeah! It worked!" Pedro jeered.

"Now she's totally helpless against our gundam!" Marco agreed.

"I believe our first win is secured." Eduardo added, his arms crossed confidently over his chest.

But instead of charging once again, a move that would probably earn him the victory, Suarez scowled at her. "What is the matter with you, chica? I was confident I'd find a decent match in you, but instead you can barely stand after just one move!"

Allenby panted as she struggled to rise. The pain in her torso was searing, agonizing. What was wrong? All she did when she arrived here was eat.

She gasped.

Sven realized it as well. "I knew it! It was the food all along!"

Using his radar/computer instrument, he projected himself onto one of Allenby's computer screens. There, he could see her, trying desperately to stay in the battle. "Allenby! It's that huge meal we had! It must've been the burritos!"

"It can't be just that, though!" Allenby argued. "I've.always been.able to eat anything!"

Suarez heard the conversation. "Food poisoning?" Just then, he remembered walking out of the diner hours before. His brown eyes narrowed in anger. "Pedro and the rest of those fools."

Tequila Gundam stepped forward. The crowds of onlookers fell silent, wondering what their fighter was planning. Pedro and the crew watched, having stopped their laughing. Allenby stood on shaky legs, holding her torso painfully. Then, the opposing pilot said two words:

"I forfeit."

Everyone gasped. "WHAT???" Pedro screamed.

"Why boss?" Eduardo demanded.

Suarez growled at them. "After what you all did to ensure my victory, I find that Neo Mexico is undeserving of this match."

"Did he just throw the fight?" Allenby wondered aloud.

Suarez turned to face her once again. "Allenby Beardsly. You had best get some medical attention. We will face each other again someday." With that, the fight was over.

.......

Sven opened the door to Allenby's room and came in. He smiled as he saw her sitting up restlessly in the hospital bed. "How are you feeling?"

She gave him a peace sign. "The doctor says that I can leave tonight." She cocked her head at him. "How about you?"

"I didn't eat as much as you did, so I fared okay." He told her. "Either way, I would've ended up with heartburn and indigestion."

Allenby laughed. "Hah! Well, don't worry. I won't make you eat THAT stuff ever again. When we go to Neo Spain, we'll just pack our lunch, okay?"

"Good idea." He went over to the window and peered outside. "There, he could see Noble Gundam standing there on the plain of orange soil, shining in the mid-day sun. "It's an interesting road ahead." He murmured. "But hopefully, we'll be able to get through the matches like we did this one."

"Ay, but we'll defeat our opponents," Allenby corrected. "Not have them forfeit to us."