Author's note: Here's the next chapter—the picture becomes clearer as the battle tactics are devised in preparation for the big fight. There are appearances of some other gundams and a pairing that I thought was intriguing to explore. Thanks for reading and if you're signed in, please review.
PREPARATIONS BEGIN
A large cavernous subterranean warehouse, which was located just below the pagoda where Rain was brought to was a beehive of activity. It was here where clusters of black clad individuals bustled about as the monstrosity known as the Dark Gundam was slowly rebuilding itself, regrowing circuitry, innards and outward encasings in a miraculous way. Soujiro watched as areas of burned out chassis and frames knit themselves together as the thing produced more black clad workers from the side, it ability to self-multiply intact and working as well.
Soujiro smiled in satisfaction as he ordered his Dark Gundam produced drones to continue as he stepped on a platform that ascended him to the center of the machine. It opened and there, encased in the silvery veneer that had been her prison before was Rain.
Soujiro preened in self satisfaction, "Dr. Mikamura, you never looked lovelier."
At the same time, Domon had directed Akino to do everything she could to track down the whereabouts of the Dark Gundam based on what little information the Shuffle Alliance had uncovered and her own deductions. She assured him that she would do everything she could to locate the thing and the madman now behind its resurrection. He in the meantime was in the wilderness far behind the hangar with the rest of the Shuffle Alliance and their gundams.
They were gathered in a circle going through katas to focus their collective fighters' spirits on the objective, which was to become stronger. Domon lead them in the exercises that the late Master Asia had schooled him in to concentrate their kis and direct their energies into the movements that would unleash the power needed for the ultimate attack.
Domon directed them in clipped tones as he repeated what Schwartz had told him while they were in the Guyana Highlands, to seek the serenity that comes from peace of mind. The Shuffles in spite of the tense circumstances appeared to be in the serene state with little trouble, but Domon himself was struggling with it, his thoughts dwelling on Rain. He just couldn't take his mind off her and the terror he was feeling as doubts plagued him, doubts of whether he and the Shuffles could finally defeat the Dark Gundam so it could never again threaten them or the world again. And more importantly never snatch his reason for living away again.
Domon took a deep breath as he directed, "Okay, guys. The next thing is to focus all your spirit on the point in your body that you know has the most of your fighters energy."
Chibodee responded, "That's easy, it's my fists of course."
George scoffed, "Oh really, I thought it was your mouth."
The Neo American fighter's sea green eyes narrowed as he snapped, "That was a low blow, Frenchy. Are you askin' for it?"
Argo snapped in annoyance, "Can't you two ever act like adults?"
"Yeah, I'm the youngest but even I don't act like this," Sai chimed in.
"He started it."
"Enough!" Domon roared. "We have enough to contend with, we don't have time to indulge in childish squabbles. The peace and safety of the world is at stake, not to mention Rain's life so knock it off!"
George looked shamefaced as he said, "You're right, Domon. I'm sorry." He turned to Chibodee and stated, "Chibodee, my remark was uncalled for and I apologize." He proffered his hand, genuinely sorry.
Chibodee took it and shook saying, "It okay, George we're all a bit punchy. Forget it."
His ire cooling, Domon sighed and said, "Okay now that you two have kissed and made up, shall we get back to the business at hand?"
The Shuffles all nodded as the katas continued. . . .
Back in the pagoda, the gundam fighters, Chandra Shiejima from Neo India, Chico Rodriguez from Neo Mexico, Andrew Graham of Neo Canada and Hans Holgar from Neo Denmark all were gathered in puzzlement as to where they were and why they were there. They were trying to that out when they were joined by Soujiro who greeted them effusively.
"Welcome, gentlemen, how good of you to join me here. I trust your trip was a pleasant one?"
"What's going on here?" Andrew growled.
"And where are we?" Chico asked, his chocolate eyes narrowed.
"Patience my friends. All will be clear in due time. Until then please just relax as I prepare the way for you." Soujiro clapped his hands and the air filled with a sweetly pungent aroma that cause the men's eyes to grow heavy as they became limp and collapsed to the floor. Then several of his black clad army descended upon the unconscious fighters and proceeded to hoist each man up to spirit them away. . . .
And as the afternoon sun became obscured by a layer of lacy high clouds, the Shuffle Alliance continued their training, under the persistence of the successor to the school of the Undefeated of the East. Domon Kasshu was relentlessly drilling as he too concentrated on focusing his ki to bring the ultimate power to the ultimate attack.
Domon addressed his friends, "Okay guys, next we concentrate on the crest and draw all of your fighters' spirit to that, keeping in mind that you have the soul of a fighter who expresses all feelings through your fists. Everyone get before a rock, it's time to experiment with what I taught you."
Each Shuffle member placed himself before a large rock formation as Domon directed. He then said, "Now focus your fighters' spirits on the strongest attack you have and level the rock in front of you."
Each of the fighters closed their eyes in deep concentration as they directed all their fighter spirit energy into their strongest weapons for attack. For Sai it was his lightning footwork and Shaolin temple martial arts. For Chibodee it was the power in his fists, for George it was his swordsmanship and fencing expertise and for Argo it was the sheer size and force of his arms. But as they all concentrated their collective strengths and combined them with their fighters spirit, the Shuffle crests illuminated brightly, displaying their very souls.
Domon was deep in concentration himself. Eyes tightly closed he poured everything into his fists as he cried out and the others joined in unison, "These hands of mine are burning red, their loud cry tells me to destroy you! SEKIHA TENKYOUKEN!"
As the cry was uttered, a ball of energy formed at each fighters' hands and as they all swung them down to the rocks with all their might the energy with the power of the blows combined and obliterated the rocks, turning them to piles of pebbles at their feet.
After the dust settled, each Shuffle member opened their eyes and were amazed by the results of their actions. They looked in utter astonishment at the gravel that just a few seconds ago were strong boulders that towered over them.
"Wow!" was all Sai could say as he reached and ran the dust through his hands. "I can't believe I just turned this rock into nothing."
Domon smirked as Chibodee rejoined, "Yeah, same here. I've knocked in my share of hotel room doors but this is absolutely incredible!"
Argo nodded, "The power surging through my body was unlike anything I'd ever felt before. This technique is unbelievable."
Domon asked George, "Well, George, what do you think?"
The knight that was known as the Jack of Diamonds was kneeling silently at the hill of igneous remnants. He rose slowly to his feet as he said quietly, "It is truly awe inspiring. But it is also necessary to send the monster to oblivion for good."
His words served to make the group of fighters even more sober, with determination present on each grim visage. The Alliance was standing there, each one wordless while they all contemplated the battles that were inevitable when their thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Nobel Gundam and a trim gamin form who trotted over to them, stopping at the King of Hearts.
"Domon!" Allenby cried as she clutched at his shoulders. "Did you hear? Hans and his gundam have disappeared!"
Domon took hold of her arms and responded, "I know, Allenby. I know all about it and the others too. And Rain's been snatched by the one behind it all, Ulube's cousin. He's been the one that's been resurrecting the Dark Gundam."
Allenby's emerald eyes widened as she shook her head in disbelief. "This is like a bad dream. Will that thing ever just leave us alone?"
Domon released her and stepped away as he said flatly, "Not till we wipe the damned thing out. And that's what we intend to do, right guys?"
The Shuffles all nodded in agreement.
Later, Domon was sitting on the open hatch of Burning Gundam's cockpit staring out into the moonless night, his thoughts on Rain as usual. His heart was aching as he pictured her once again encased in a metallic coat that rendered her helpless as the Dark Gundam drew from her the life it needed to proliferate and grow. Like the nightmares she had before she left, suddenly coming true to stalk and capture her and him being nowhere in sight.
Domon grit his teeth in frustration as he felt himself filling with a burning rage, rage at Soujiro who in his own diseased mind had formulated this diabolical plan for revenge that once again had him and his love in the Dark Gundam's clutches. He was overwhelmed with the unfairness of the situation and wondered bitterly if he and Rain would ever have the opportunity to have a peaceful future together. Would he and the Shuffle Alliance defeat it again only for it to self recover and threaten them over and over, a practice in utter futility? Or would they finally manage to make it disappear, never to return?
He was startled from his morose brooding by Allenby who had leapt up to the hatch, taking a seat right next to him.
She sighed deeply as she mused, "Well we're back into the fray again, huh Domon?"
He grunted in reply as she continued, "You have any idea where it is now?"
Domon snorted, "I wish I did. Akino, the chief mechanic is doing everything she can to track it down. But Soujiro has done a great job covering his tracks."
"Soujiro? Who's that?" Allenby wanted to know.
Domon's eyes narrowed as he replied acidly, "He was Rain's mousy little lab assistant. But the mouse turned out to be a rat, he's actually Ulube's cousin and he's out for revenge for Ulube's death."
Allenby looked incredulous. "You gotta be yankin' me!"
Domon shook his head. "I wish I were. The slime had Rain kidnapped while she was out gathering facts to complete her research to develop an antidote to wipe out DG cells." He got to his feet and began to pace restlessly as he said as if to himself, "She saw that the DG cells needed to be wiped out and was trying to do that to clear the memory of her father. But I was too stupidly secure that we had destroyed the monster and I wouldn't listen to her, thinking she was being too extreme. Damn it!" He stopped pacing and slammed a fist down on the railing of the hatch, causing the gundam to shudder slightly as his umber eyes welled up.
Allenby rose and went over to the man she once had an unrequited love for, her heart heavy for him as she knew he was blaming himself for the disappearance of the woman that had captured his heart. She again felt as she had the moment they met that they were kindred souls, for now she had someone dear that had been taken for the Dark Gundam's evil purpose as well. She laid a comforting hand on his slumped shoulder.
"Domon," she said softly. "You can't blame yourself. You only wanted the nightmare to be over so you and Rain could have your future. You had no idea that the thing was still able to self recover."
Domon sighed deeply as he wiped his moist eyes dry. "I should have listened to Rain. I thought that she was just letting the guilt of her father get to her. I wish I had listened to her, maybe if I had and supported her instead of spouting off, she'd be safe and here with me now."
Allenby stood before him and with arms akimbo, thrust her face right in front of him. "Snap out of it, Domon! Torturing yourself with 'what ifs' isn't going to get Rain back or defeat the Dark Gundam. And you're not the only one that has something at stake here."
Domon nodded as he eyed her. "You're right. You're worried about Hans and where he could've disappeared."
"Right," she said quietly with resolve. "And if takes everything in me, I'm going to find where he is. I will take him away from the Dark Gundam, it will not take my love away from me." Her eyes grew luminous with unshed tears.
Domon gazed at the petite dynamo beside him and marveled at the paradox she was. Tiny, delicate and lovely yet one of the hardest fighters he had ever seen. And if seeing her with Hans Holgar in Neo Denmark was any indication, they were truly in love with each other. A smile lit his lips at the thought, for although Rain possessed his love completely, he would be lying if he said that Allenby didn't have a place in his heart as well. He was genuinely happy that she had found a man to love who could love her back. She deserved nothing less.
Domon embraced Allenby in gratitude as he said, "Thanks again for getting me back in focus. Come with us and help us to defeat the Dark Gundam so we can make our dreams for the future come true. The Dark Gundam can't and won't have the people we love."
Allenby disentangled herself as she wiped her emerald orbs. "Uh-HUH!"
The next day, the Shuffle Alliance, their crews, and Allenby were gathered in the Neo Japan gundam hangar talking to Commander Akino as she briefed them on her search for the whereabouts of the Dark Gundam.
She stood before the group of gundam fighters as she began, "We have been able to track down the location we believe is of the Dark Gundam. We've sent reconnaissance aircraft all around Neo Japan and have spotted an isolated building approximately forty five kilometers to the northeast of Sapporo, not far from the mountain region. We've also sent a team of spies to maintain surveillance on the building and they have discovered that there are signs of suspicious activity at what appears at the outside to be a large abandoned storage building."
She then passed out what had seemed to be photographs of covert operations that were taking place and the pictures were passed around the group. Allenby gasped as she saw Hans and Mermaid Gundam in custody of what appeared to be black clad ninjas along with the other fighters and their gundams.
"Look, it's a whole operation," Chibodee pointed out. "That guy's got his own army."
"Yeah, all created by the Dark Gundam," Domon remarked. "They're androids created by DG cells."
Nastasha regarded the soft-spoken Akino curiously. "So where do we go from here, Commander?"
Akino referred to her omnipresent clipboard. "His Excellency the Prime Minister has informed me of nations who have contacted us to lend their assistance. Neo Nepal has offered their Mandela Gundam to assist and we are receiving other nations' offers as we speak. The International Gundam Federation has been alerted and we are awaiting their response as well."
"So we have other nations joining us in this?" Domon asked.
"Yes, Domon-san. And Prime Minister Karato has informed me that your father has been asked to lend his knowledge to developing the antidote that Hakase Mikamura was working on."
At the mention of Rain, Domon whirled from the group and went outside, his emotions becoming intense as pictures of her floated in his mind's eye.
Akino looked regretful as she said, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause Domon-san any discomfort." She lowered her head as if in shame.
Chibodee got to his feet and laid a consoling hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry about it. Domon's having a real hard time dealing with Rain's disappearance. It's not your fault."
She gave him a bland smile as she composed herself but the atmosphere was heavy with the gravity of the circumstance and everyone was affected by the urgent feelings of a job needing to be done.
Outside, Domon was walking off his nervous energy, his thoughts on how they were going to beat the monster again when the roar of landing jets filled his ears with their din. He glanced over and saw a gundam landing and was surprised to see the metallic blue of Neo Turkey's Scythe Gundam. The cockpit hatch opened and Saette Guyzelle leapt down as Domon approached.
Domon viewed the Neo Turkish gundam fighter with a bit of caution, his old feelings of insecurity from the knowledge that Saette had once meant so much to Rain touching him as the two stood before each other. The men seemed like they were sizing each other up.
Saette gave Domon a crooked grin. "So we meet again, Domon Kasshu."
Domon nodded and answered gruffly. "I see you've completely recovered from your infection. So what brings you here?"
Saette regarded him evenly. "My government informed me that the Dark Gundam is threatening again and your government put out the word to the IGF so I'm here to offer my assistance."
"Humph!" Domon smirked as he said, "Is that the only reason?"
Saette replied honestly, "I'd be lying if I said that it was. I know that Rain's been taken and made part of the Dark Gundam again, your nation informed mine of the entire situation." He studied the King of Hearts intently as he continued, "So I'm here to help any way I can." He held out his hand.
Domon stared at the proffered hand of the man who he once tried to defeat, not only because of his exposure to the Dark Gundam but also because of his being a rival for Rain's affection, a fact that was unconfessed at the time. He then took the hand grudgingly and shook it.
"Welcome aboard. We all intend to destroy the Dark Gundam for good and---"
"Get Rain back at all costs," Saette finished for him with a grim determination written on his sculptured visage.
Domon saw the glint in the dark eyes that mirrored his and nodded in agreement. "Yeah."
NEXT---CALM BEFORE THE STORM