Authors Note: Well finally the climax, and a big thanks to everyone reading this as it developed at a snail's pace. My apologies for that as I wanted to develop the plot as believable as possible to the G-Gundam universe. Major fluff coming in the epilogue, so Domon and Rain fans rejoice! Again thanks for all the terrific reviews, you all are the best.
SEARCH, DESTROY AND RESCUE
In Burning Gundam, Domon was soaring over the leaden sky heading to his meeting with the Dark Gundam as an overwhelming feeling of déjà vu came over him. He glanced about him at the desolate landscape, remembering Master Asia's last words to him:
Flashback:
Domon knelt with his beloved mentor, the man he had respected at the same level he had his own father as Master Asia was on death's edge. He looked into the once fierce visage now peaceful as he breathed his last breath. His heart constricted as he realized that he was about to experience the loss of yet another precious person in his life courtesy of the Dark Gundam.
"My young Domon, you did well. My pupil, you have finally surpassed me."
"Master, I--"
"Ahh, you're still willing to call me Master. Even after I tried to destroy you. But I want you to see one thing." He reached and pulled open his tunic to show a chest still muscular but clear. "There are no DG cells."
"I know, Master. You just wanted to save the earth from mankind. But you forgot that for all his evil, man is the highest form of life."
Master nodded, "As I said, you surpassed me by teaching me that fact. So for one last time, THE SCHOOL OF THE UNDEFEATED OF THE EAST!"
Domon responded, "THE WINDS OF THE KING!"
"TEMPA KYORAN!"
"ZENSHIN KEIRETSU!"
Together, "LOOK THE EAST IS…IS…BURNING RED!"
End Flashback
Domon's mind teemed with not-so-distant memories of what had transpired at this bleak wasteland that now was the stage for the next and hopefully final act of the diabolical monster known as the Dark Gundam. His umber eyes locked on the beast silhouetted against the leaden sky, a landscape of ominous foreboding. He drew closer as his heart began pounding in anticipation of the battle before him and adrenaline began coursing through his tightly coiled body.
Inside the control center of the monster, Soujiro sat and watched as Burning Gundam approached, his own sense of anticipation heightening as he sensed ultimate revenge at his doorstep. His crazed eyes glowed like black pearls as he observed that Domon had come alone. He addressed the fighter who held the coveted title of Gundam of Gundams.
"Welcome Domon Kasshu, King of Hearts. I had thought you'd have your Shuffle comrades with you," Soujiro said in mild disappointment. "Well, no matter, I'll take care of them after I dispose of you."
"Soujiro, you really think you have a chance against me?" Domon scoffed, his anger present but subdued, simmering beneath a surface of forced civility. "I will crush you!"
Soujiro laughed as if he were listening to a good joke. "Ohhh, King of Hearts you are so very naïve, it's priceless. But it's all just bluster and strutting on your part, because the Dark Gundam will be the cause of your demise."
"Aren't you getting a bit overconfident yourself?" Domon countered. "This monster was beaten before and I promise you it will happen again."
Soujiro sneered, "Now who's overconfident, King of Hearts? Big talk coming from a condemned man."
Domon was getting more incensed and dangerously close to losing what little grip he still had on his temper. But he just clamped down on his wrath as he answered, "I plan to back it up with action. So let's cut out the chitchat and you get out here so we can fight. Or can't you fight without your Dark Army or DG infected gundams that we just totaled?" He smirked unpleasantly.
"Why don't you come at me and find out?" Soujiro taunted.
The gauntlet tossed, Domon got into position. "Okay, have it your way. YEEHHHH!" He charged at the Dark Gundam, his laser cannon blazing. But as he drew closer, the laser shots were ricocheting from the seeming empty air surrounding the monstrosity and he barely dodged them as they shot back at him.
"K'uso! What the hell is going on?" Domon roared. "Soujiro, what devious dirty trick are you pulling?"
Soujiro's high-pitched cackle crackled in Domon's cockpit. "I see you've become acquainted with my new device, my ultra strong force field. Notice that your puny laser shots have no effect on it. I developed this when my cousin informed me of his plans for the Dark Gundam."
"Your cousin?"
Soujiro continued gloating, "Yes, my dear cousin Ulube. He was like a brother to me and shared all his plans with me so I could help develop a better defense system for the Dark Gundam but he didn't live long enough to see it. And I have, this force field not only uses electromagnetic waves but super sonic waves as well. It's impenetrable. Plus there's an extra added surprise for you."
Domon backed Burning Gundam back and he lunged forward as he made to ram his way to the Dark Gundam. The force field not only prevented him from getting near but high voltage electric energy waves shot through Burning Gundam, rendering it and Domon helpless.
"AHHHHH!" he screamed as the power enveloped him in yellow waves. "The power's incredible!"
Soujiro laughed maniacally as he jeered, "Oh dear, it wasn't as easy as you thought it would be, now was it? This time I've made sure that neither you nor your Shuffle Alliance can come close enough to destroy the Dark Gundam or remove the life force!"
At that statement Domon stammered between gritted teeth, "R-Rain, Y-you can't have Rain! If it's the last thing I do I'm gonna rescue Rain!"
"Very well then King of Hearts. I invite you, come and meet your doom!" the former lab assistant challenged.
Domon became enraged as he broke through the power wave. His eyes narrowed to umber slits, he again prepared to charge forward, yet he was halted by the clump of a gundam hand on Burning Gundam's shoulder. He whirled his head and saw the solid form of Bolt Gundam at his side and the rest of the Alliance and the three allies behind him.
Argo's baritone boomed, "You didn't think we'd let you handle this all by yourself this time did you?"
George's smoothly cultured voice added, "Really Domon, you can't allow us, the Shuffle Alliance the shame of standing back and letting our leader handle the ultimate destruction of this monster by himself. That would be in direct contradiction to my honor and duty as a knight."
Chibodee nodded as he said, "Yeah, you hogged up all the fun the last time. Let us be where the action is or was all that extra training for nothing?"
"Yeah, Bro we're here to help finish that thing off for good this time and get back Sis. So what are we waiting for." Sai Saici piped up.
"And don't forget us," Kiral said. "We three are also ready to assist in the final and complete destruction of the Dark Gundam." Saette nodded in Scythe Gundam, his scimitar ray at the ready.
"That's right, Domon," Allenby said. She went over to his other side. "I owe my life to Rain and now that I've rescued Hans from the darkness, I'll help you rescue Rain."
Domon gazed at the group of gundams at his side and felt the warm rush of gratitude in his heart at the knowledge of having such good and faithful friends. "You guys are something else." His smile of gratitude faded into a scowl when the air became filled with Soujiro's hideous cackle.
"How touching! Well, you all can join forces in seeking your demises for that is what is awaiting you!" Soujiro announced.
Chibodee snapped, "We'll see about that." He turned to Domon and asked, "Well, what's next, Skipper?"
Domon replied tersely, "He's got a force field around the Dark Gundam. I've tried to get through but when I tried to break through it, I was stopped, it has amazing power."
"So you couldn't get through?" Saette asked, incredulous.
Domon snorted, "It wasn't for lack of trying, believe me. He's got such a force field that it was impossible for me to get through."
"So what do we do about it?" George inquired.
Domon was silent, his mind reeling as he tried to think of a way to defeat Soujiro's defense and rescue Rain What if I can't break through this? I'll never get Rain back and then what will I do, she's my whole life!
Then his thoughts went to what Master Asia and Kyoji had said before:
The ultimate secret attack of the School of the Undefeated of the East has power that is far greater. And didn't you teach it to your Shuffle comrades and the others?"
Domon opened his mouth to answer but Master's image evaporated and in its place was his brother, Kyoji.
"And didn't you make a promise to Rain when you rescued her before, that you would never let her go? What about that?"
I can't, no I won't let this thing take away the one woman who stood by me through everything! It tried to before and failed and this time it won't only fail, it will cease to exist, never to self recover again! "Okay guys, we're gonna bring this thing down, and here's how."
The gundams all gathered in a huddle to plan. . . .
In the Dark Gundam control center, Soujiro was chortling in fiendish glee as he watched the gundams gathered and he strode over to the silvery life force. He jeered at the form that enclosed Rain Mikamura in chrome. "Well, Dr. Mikamura, it appears your beau is unable to get through. My wonderful force field is truly the proverbial impenetrable wall, you are forever my Dark Gundam's life force!" He laughed like the lunatic he had become.
Inside her prison, Rain determined that the situation she was in was neither permanent nor hopeless. The last time, filled with grief she had severed her heart's tie to Domon in order to keep him away but his relentless drive and declared love had set her free. This time though, her heart was secure in its knowledge of Domon's love and she was determined to right the wrong her father had done so she could lay his ghost to rest and go forth into a bright future with Domon by her side. So this time, she was ready to fight the monster from the inside with everything in her allowing her fighter's spirit to emanate from within.
Outside, the Shuffles and their allies had the plan finalized. Each gundam was ready to carry out their specific duty and they all went over the plan one more time. Domon addressed the group.
"Okay guys it'll be like this. Each one of you split up and surround the mountain. Even the Dark Gundam can't take a full attack from all sides. I want you all to use your individual ultimate attacks and at the count of three we'll all let the attacks loose and weaken the force field. Everyone ready?"
"YEAH!"
"Then let's do it!" the King of Hearts roared as he and the others split up and encompassed the mountain, forming a circle around the Dark Gundam. Every gundam prepared to unleash their power to take out the monster once and for all.
"Okay everybody at the count of three let it rip! ONE…TWO…THREE GO!" Domon thundered. He then chanted, "This hand of mine is burning red, its loud cry tells me to defeat you! BURNING FINGER!"
"ROSE HURRICANE!"
"BURNING MACHINEGUN PUNCH!"
"GRAVITON HAMMER!"
"FIERY DRAGON CLAWS!"
"NOBEL HULA HOOPS!"
"MANDELA CIRCLE!"
"SCIMITAR SLASH!"
At once the most powerful attacks were launched at the invisible force field and the energy released enveloped the entire area around the Dark Gundam, causing tiny cracks that resembled lightning forks. In the control center Soujiro was first horrified then enraged.
"NO! It can't be! They're utter fools if they think they can defeat me!" he snarled as he increased the power output of the force field. The conductor shuddered as the device was pushed to the limit.
Unknown to Soujiro, Rain was concentrating on her own fighter ki, focusing on the memories of Domon's devotion and his first declaration of his love. She then remembered that she and Domon had performed the School of the Undefeated of the East ultimate attack along with the power of their love, radiating from their hearts. She concentrated and focused on the deep feelings buried within, Domon's handsome face before her. . . .
Meanwhile, Domon decided the time had come use the combined ultimate attack, Sekiha Tenkyouken with all his colleagues so he called to them all.
"Okay guys, listen up. It's time to stop playing games and get through to this thing and take it out once and for all. I want you all to do what I showed you, focus your fighter's spirit on your ultimate attack and when I say go, we'll let loose the Sekiha Tenkyouken."
"Oh boy, finally!" Sai Saici crowed in delight. "I've been waiting for the opportunity to use it."
Domon cautioned, "Well, don't get carried away. We just need enough to break the force field, remember, Rain's still inside there and we have to get her out."
"Right," Chibodee said. "So just say the word, Domon Kasshu, King of Hearts."
Soujiro was livid as he pounded on the panel, turning the knob controlling the force field to its limit. "You'll never win King of Hearts so why don't you and your friends give up? If you leave now I'll spare your lives."
"No way, Soujiro. We're gonna take you and the Dark Gundam down even at the cost of our lives! Okay, everyone get ready, and focus!" Domon closed his eyes and concentrated his ki as he led the rest of the gundam fighters in the words. . . .
"THESE HANDS OF OURS ARE BURNING RED! THEIR LOUD CRY TELLS US TO GRASP VICTORY! THE ULTIMATE ATTACK OF THE SCHOOL OF THE UNDEFEATED OF THE EAST, SEKIHA TENKYOUKEN!"
The fighters' bodies and gundams all began glowing like newly minted gold, energy waves flowing from them as they powered up. Balls of white hot energy formed at each gundams' hands and after the words were cried, the balls of energy all flew simultaneously at the invisible shield, causing a huge explosion as energy met energy.
As the force of the explosion penetrated the force field, it sent waves into the Dark Gundam, as it too began to disintegrate as a wave of white energy came from the life force capsule. The veneer keeping Rain imprisoned shattered and she was catapulted straight up as the intense heat of the blast vaporized the Dark Gundam, leaving no trace but for a crater at ground zero and a huge white mushroom cloud.
"OH NO!" Soujiro screamed before the blast, his death knell, as he too disintegrated.
"DOMON!" Rain screamed as she was thrown into the stratosphere, the kinetic energy sending her up as a projectile. She closed her cerulean eyes as sheer terror gripped her.
"NO, RAIN!" Domon bellowed as he accelerated Burning Gundam up and then opened the cockpit to catch his beloved in his arms as her momentum petered out and she began the descent that the earth's gravity created. She landed in the cradle of sinew as she hazarded to open her eyes and looked into the warm umber orbs that belonged to the man she loved.
"Oh Domon," she breathed, tears streaming down her cheeks. As he did the last time, he had managed to wrap her denuded body in his cape and held her as she was, the most precious thing in the world to him. He murmured soft words of comfort to her.
"It's okay now, koishii. It's all over now, tenshi, and the monster is finally gone forever." He kissed her tenderly as he cradled her to him, never intending to ever let her go again.
The rest of the gundams gathered about as the King of Hearts and his Queen as the cloud that was once the Dark Gundam dissipated into the royal blue atmosphere.
NEXT---EPILOGUE—REGRETS PUT TO REST