Author's Note: Here is the next chapter and yes, the Shuffle Alliance will be in battle against the Dark Gundam again. In the final episode, at the end in the scene with Dr. Kasshu and Karato I saw remnants of the tentacles it sent to earth still intact and I figured that its ability to self-recover would still be active. Thanks to all who are reading this and to those folks who are reviewing, I appreciate the feedback. Lil'Rose Angel, I'm sorry if you're confused but this chapter and the next one should do much to alleviate your confusion. And to my Kindred Soul Friend Jen23, if it weren't for your encouragement, I'd have pulled this story (Hope you enjoy the G-Gundam manga—Merry Christmas!)
THE GAUNTLET TOSSED
There was a flurry of frenzied activity at and all around the Neo Japan gundam hangar as the five Shuffle Alliance gundams made their landing. Outside waiting for them was all their collective crews and Prime Minister Karato who appeared beside himself. They all came forward as the fighters left their cockpits.
Shirley, Janet, Bunny, and Cath all scurried up to Chibodee with worry etched across their pretty faces. They all assaulted the Neo American with alarmed reports of the Dark Gundam's disappearance as Chibodee listened with a grim visage.
"It's unbelievable!" Bunny expostulated excitedly. Cath and Janet nodded.
Shirley, calm as usual stated. "We were discussing possible strategy when we heard a commotion at the hangar here. We came over and everyone was saying the Dark Gundam was gone."
Over at the Gundam Rose, Both Raymond and Marie Louise approached George. Marie Louise came to the Jack of Diamonds and clutched his arm.
"Oh George, I thought we had destroyed that monster when the Shuffle Alliance and Gundam Federation attacked it," she fretted.
George gazed down on the flaxen haired princess and said, "We did, Miss Marie Louise but I swear on my honor as a knight, we will make sure that we find the contraption and wipe it out."
At Dragon Gundam Zuisen and Keiun approached their gundam fighter. "Sai Saici, we are available to fight the beast again with you," they intoned in unison.
The Ace of Clubs grinned and said gratefully, "Thanks, you guys."
Nastasha approached Argo as he dismounted from the hulk that was the Bolt Gundam. She looked up at him and inquired in trepidation, "So what did you find in your investigations?"
Argo regarded the former gundam commander and answered flatly, "The reports of remnants of the Dark Gundam falling from space and regenerating are true. We saw it ourselves."
Nastasha's violet eyes narrowed as she stated acidly, "That monstrosity is incredible. Domon Kasshu, what do you--?" She whirled around and saw that the King of Hearts was not around. "Where the devil did he go?" she asked impatiently.
While the rest of the Alliance were reuniting with their crews, Domon had gone over to the front of the hangar to talk to Prime Minster Karato and Commander Akino and discuss the situation. He addressed the commander.
"Akino, what exactly happened? Tell me everything."
The chestnut haired mechanic began softly, "My crew and I stepped into the hangar to begin to gather the necessary data needed to begin disabling the theoretical abilities. Hakase Kasshu had supplied us with the original plans and notes so we were ready to at least begin the process."
Domon and Karato watched her intently as she continued, "When we entered the restricted area to begin working, the open space had alarmed us immediately. We then contacted you, Karato-sama."
"And I, in turn contacted you," Karato responded, his eyes boring into the countenance of the King of Hearts. "So what do you plan to do?"
Domon smirked as he replied, "Humph! It seems everyone's asking me the same question. With all due respect, isn't it obvious? The Shuffle Alliance will defeat it."
Karato eyed him dubiously. "You already defeated it and it appears to be making a comeback. So I hope you intend to make sure that it's completely gone this time."
Domon's eyes narrowed as the implication became clear. "Would you like someone else to handle it, sir?" He stressed the term of respect in a mocking way, his pique at Karato's lack of faith apparent.
Karato snapped, "You know that there isn't anyone else we can depend on to do this!"
"Then I suggest that you tend to the matters of running the nation and let me and the Shuffle Alliance tend to finding and destroying the Dark Gundam." With those words Domon whirled away to join his Shuffle comrades as Karato sputtered in indignation, leaving Akino to soothe the leader's ruffled feathers.
He walked up to the rest of the Alliance and their crews as they all gazed expectantly at the King of Hearts. He addressed them brusquely.
"We'll begin our investigation of the Dark Gundam's disappearance immediately. We'll start by asking questions around here and then piece together possible motives."
George spoke first, "Have you any idea who could have taken it?"
Domon shook his head. "No, but we have to look into those who might have known that the Dark Gundam was sent down here from the colony." He gestured to the Shuffles as they huddled to discuss motives, suspects, and strategies. . . .
Meanwhile, the jet transport from Neo Rome carrying the late Michelo Chariot's gang and the unconscious Rain Mikamura taxied down on the private airfield in an uninhabited area to the northeast of Sapporo. It was there that a group of men dressed as ninjas were waiting for the passengers to disembark.
Andre and Lete went to the sack that held the young doctor and pulled it down to reveal the slack shapely form as Cameron eyed her lasciviously.
"Hmmm it's too bad we gotta deliver her to the Shadow. She's a real looker, it woulda been great to have a little fun with her." He licked his lips and smiled a greasy smile.
Lete nodded in agreement but Andre slapped each minion as he barked. "Forget it, you jackasses. Our job is to deliver her alive and unharmed or we don't get paid, understand?" Both underlings nodded, their disappointment plain.
"Okay, then let's deliver the goods," he ordered tersely as Lete and Cameron hoisted the lifeless girl up and the three disembarked.
They were met by the ninjas as two took Rain and one handed Andre a thick white envelope. He opened it and when he saw the contents his eyes popped and like a lizard, his tongue darted over his thin lips.
"Tell your boss it's a pleasure doing business with him," he gushed as the silent ninja nodded and withdrew. Andre guffawed as he called his comrades, "C'mon guys, we're done." The three re-entered the jet and took off for Neo Italy.
Over to the side of the airfield, the bound and gagged former gundam pilot was dumped into the back seat of a black waiting hover car limousine as the like clad men climbed in and took off. Rain found herself coming to wakefulness, with the customary disorientation as her eyes took in her surroundings. Icy fingers of fear tickled at her spine as she realized that she had been abducted.
The vehicle cam to a stop at an isolated yet sprawling pagoda and she was scooped up and brought into a large room without windows and dumped on the hard floor. Her eyes blinked upon the impact, which caused her back to ache as she tried to sit up.
A familiar voice startled her. "Do try to make yourself comfortable, doctor. If you can."
Rain's azure eyes flew open and became wide as saucers as she saw Soujiro Ishakawa smirking at her as he stood before her in obvious triumph. He knelt down and relieved her of the gag then untied her legs, keeping her hands bound behind her.
Rain took a deep breath and addressed her assistant becoming indignant. "Soujiro, what is the meaning of this? What do you think you're doing?"
The diminutive lab assistant threw his head back and laughed diabolically. "Oh my dear Dr. Mikamura, you are about to become the major ingredient to the final and greatest resurrection of the Dark Gundam! My dear departed cousin's dying wish shall be realized."
"Your cousin?" Rain inquired fearfully.
Soujiro smiled coldly as he replied, "Yes, my cousin, Ulube Ishikawa." At her horrified expression he leaned in for emphasis. "He was like a big brother to me as we grew up and always looked out for me. When bullies and roughnecks tried to beat me up, my cousin Ulube always stepped in and protected me. And you and that ruffian Domon Kasshu caused his death. For that, I'll never forgive you!" the man snarled as he grabbed the rope binding Rain's arms and yanked her to her feet, causing her to cry out in pain.
"B-but I thought your surname was Ishakawa?" Rain asked, puzzled.
Soujiro chuckled unpleasantly. "I changed my name when Ulube secured the position for me. We both decided to do that so he wouldn't be accused of nepotism. Unlike you," he spat.
Rain was amazed at the loathing she saw in the man's dark eyes. She shuddered in spite of herself.
"Come along now," he ordered as he pushed her along. They headed into a larger room that was designed like a concert hall with a high roof and then Rain's heart dropped as she saw what awaited. She turned and in growing terror her eyes pleaded with him but to no avail.
"Not again!" she cried as a black clad man from before punched her in the stomach, knocking her out. She fell to the floor calling weakly, "Domon!" before she lost consciousness. . . .
Back in the government gundam hangar in Tokyo, Domon and the rest of the Shuffle Alliance were in conference as they tried to piece together motives so that they could come up with possible suspects in the Dark Gundam's disappearance. They had just finished asking all technicians and other personnel if they had seen anything suspicious but the response was negative which had the Alliance as much in the dark as ever. One thing had been established, however, that the Dark Gundam had been taken when the hangar was closed down for the night. At the next morning's dawning it was gone without a trace.
Domon was preoccupied during the session, his mind on Rain and how she was faring with her quest. He reached for the microcommunicator they used during the gundam fight. They had seldom used it except in extreme emergencies and before she left, they both decided to do the same. He figured that once he told her about the Dark Gundam's disappearance, she would probably cut her trip short to come back and help with the investigation.
Domon tapped the signal switch three times, his and Rain's SOS signal but was dismayed then annoyed when there was no response. They had promised each other to be alert to the signal should it come up. When he tried again with no answer, a chill of panic gripped him but he kept it to himself.
As the Shuffles continued to discuss possible reasons and motives, Commander Akino scurried over to the group, her uncustomary look of alarm alerting them.
Panting, she began, "Domon-san, we just received word. The nations gundams of Neo Denmark, Neo Canada, Neo Mexico and Neo India and their pilots have vanished!"
The Alliance members all eyed her in astonishment. "What??"
Domon roughly grabbed her shoulders and pinned Akino with his blazing eyes. "Are you sure?"
She nodded as she said, "Karato-sama has just contacted me with the news. The countries' leaders have all contacted him to ask for Neo Japan's help." Domon released her and whirled around with a grunt of both fury and frustration, his back to his comrades.
"What do we do now, Bro?" Sai asked as the rest of the Shuffles waited.
Domon stood there with his mind teeming saying to himself, This is crazy! It's like a bad dream. The Dark Gundam's gone and now nations' gundams and their fighters are disappearing too? It's all too incredible!
Before he could respond to Sai's inquiry, the large communication screen in the hangar flashed and Prime Minister Karato's face filled the wall. "Attention Domon Kasshu and the Shuffle Alliance! We just received a report from Neo Rome, Neo Italy. The police have identified the belongings of Dr. Rain Mikamura in an alley not far from headquarters but no trace of her. The inspector seems to think she's been abducted."
Domon's eyes flew wide than narrowed dangerously as he bellowed, "What the hell are you talking about?"
"She's turned up missing! Domon Kasshu, you and---," but he was cut off by the interruption of another outside transmission. The screen then was filled with the image of Soujiro Ishakawa, his face screwed into a malevolent smirk.
"Greetings Shuffle Alliance. I trust you are all well? You all look quite put out."
The Shuffles gazed quizzically at Domon as he replied, "Hey, aren't you Rain's lab assistant? What's the meaning of this?"
Soujiro laughed as he answered, "A bit in the dark are you? Well rest assured you won't be for long."
Chibodee spoke up as he became irritated, "Look, we're in no mood for playing games, so take a hike."
"Tsk, tsk. That's not a very nice comment to make. And to the next world leader, too."
Domon approached the screen and was face to face with the projected image of the once meek man. "What the hell are you talking about? We don't have time for riddles!"
"Then let me spell me spell it out for you. By now you are all aware that the Dark Gundam which was sent here from the colony has vanished. Well, it is alive and self recovering nicely thanks to the return of its life force."
The implication was not lost on any of the Alliance members but the King of Hearts grit his teeth in fury as he snarled, "You bastard! You've taken Rain!"
Soujiro laughed heartily, thoroughly enjoying himself. "Yes, the good doctor is back where she belongs where my dear departed cousin intended for her to be." His face them twisted in a grotesque grimace of hatred as he snapped, "My late cousin Ulube's aspirations and my revenge will be simultaneous as I direct the Dark Gundam and become ruler over all."
"You're insane!" Chibodee gasped.
"You'll never get away with it. We, the Shuffle Alliance will do everything in our power to defeat you and rescue Mademoiselle Rain," George declared as he drew his saber.
"We will defeat you," Argo promised grimly. "Bank on it."
"Yeah, we won't fail," Sai Saici said shaking a fist.
"You really think so?" Soujiro asked mockingly. "Well, if so then try because I have a few surprises in store for you. I've made some additions to the Dark Gundam that will assure my victory. But by all means come see for yourself. I invite you to come find me."
Domon was shaking in barely contained rage, his hands balled into tight fists as he growled, "If it takes my last breath, I will find the Dark Gundam, destroy it once and for all and then see to it that your life as a human being is ended. That is my solemn vow."
Soujiro clapped his hands delightedly. "Good, I look forward to our meeting with great anticipation, King of Hearts. Until then farewell." The screen went black again as the atmosphere was thick with tension, the challenge from Ulube's cousin hanging in the air like acrid smoke.
The Shuffles were standing in stunned silence as they all contemplated the situation but Domon whirled from them and went outside, slamming the door while drawing his katana from its sheath. Curious, his friends followed him as they observed their leader head to a copse of trees by the huge building. With a feral cry like an enraged animal he began hacking at the tree trunks, sending bark and splinters flying as his fury was displayed at its ultimate form. His martial arts skill wielded the Japanese sword with precision and savagery equal as his rage fueled his actions. The Shuffles watched in morbid fascination as the once tall trees were reduced to unevenly honed stumps while the King of Hearts took out his frustration.
His emotions finally spent, Domon sighed deeply as he re-sheathed his sword and stepped over to his Shuffle comrades.
Chibodee spoke first, "Don't worry, Domon. We'll get Rain back and defeat the Dark Gundam for good."
Argo nodded in agreement. "That's a promise," but Domon acted as if he did not hear them.
He addressed the Alliance with cold bluntness. "You all follow me. We have work to do." He headed toward the wilderness that surrounded the government installation.
The fighters all looked at the King of Hearts questioningly but followed him as he led the way to a clearing where there were several large rock formations. He drew his katana again and with another cry, pulverized the largest as the Shuffles looked on.
Then George spoke, "Domon, if you don't mind my asking, what are we doing out here?"
"Yeah," Chibodee said. "Rain's in danger again and the Dark Gundam is rearing its ugly head and you're busy altering the landscape."
Domon glowered at him and barked, "I know the situation, I don't need a recap from you, Chibodee."
"So why did you bring us out here?" Argo demanded.
Domon regarded his Shuffle companions with his countenance dark and determined. He replied tersely, "Up at the colony, Rain and I defeated the Dark Gundam with a combined attack using the ultimate secret technique of the school of the Undefeated of the East."
"You mean," Sai said in awe.
"Sekiha Tenkyouken," Argo, George and Chibodee said in unison as the enormous implication became clear. They had witnessed the technique when Domon finally defeated his teacher, Master Asia during the battle royale and it had been amazing.
Domon nodded as he added, "As the successor to the school of the Undefeated of the East and the leader of the Shuffle Alliance, I intend to teach all of you the technique before we go to find and defeat the Dark Gundam. Because this time, I want to make sure that it's completely wiped out with no chance of ever self-recovering. With the combination of all of our abilities and the added ultimate technique, we'll be invincible. So get ready to begin training, the lessons begin at once." He turned toward the woods and isolated himself as he prepared.
The rest of the Shuffles observed the departing figure of the King of Hearts and then went their own separate ways also inwardly preparing for the upcoming battle as well.
Off by himself, Domon sat on a rock and closed his eyes as he tried to focus his ki and draw upon his years of training to prepare for the battle awaiting him. Then his thoughts were interrupted by twin azure eyes that were like the limpid pools of the waterfalls at the Guyana Highlands. Framed by sooty long lashes in an ivory visage that was cameo perfection, with a smile radiating warmth like the midsummer sun, Rain, his Rain was as always paramount in his mind and heart.
Oh Rain, he began in anguish. Why did this have to happen again and so soon? We just started to get to the point to build a future together and now the past just won't let us go! I just can't believe it, I thought we were done with it. But it just goes to show that I'm still, in many ways, a fool. You saw it and sensed that there was more to be done but all I wanted to do was dismiss it. I'm so sorry about my attitude, koishii, I guess I just wanted it to be done. But as usual you were right and I was wrong and now the monster's back and it's got you again.
He made a fist with one hand and pounded it in his other open one. Rain, I make this solemn promise, I will reclaim you and destroy the monster for good. By my word as the King of Hearts I swear this to you. So believe in me, koishii.
NEXT---PREPARATIONS BEGIN