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Well then things certainly took an exciting turn in the last chapter. The Gundam Fight began with an explosive battle between Neo-America's Chibodee Crockett and Neo-Scotlands Roland McGregor. Chibodee won the bout, successfully eliminating McGregor from the tournament. However trouble still lurks in the desert. Even as Sai-Saici and Allenby Beardsley enter a hidden base inside a plateau to save their friends Domon and Rain Kasshu they are confronted by two enemies. As if they already didn't have enough trouble, Kane DeMarco is stalking Saette and Rain determined to capture them once again. Will Saette be strong enough to take on this enigmatic Gundam Fighter? We'll just have to wait and see. Gundam Fight all set. Ready!, GO!!!
A New History Forgotten: Chapter 6. The Better Part of Valor. Saette's Sacrifice.
They were both breathing hard, sweating with exertion and anxiety. Dim lights flashed by their heads as they fled, barely illuminating the dark and dank stone walls that always seemed far too familiar. At least to the parts of their minds that were still worrying about such things. The more pressing concern was the sound of rolling thunder in the distance behind them. The staccato rhythm of dozens of pairs of boots seemed to only grow closer. Neither truly had any grasp of how long they had been running. The quiet voice in the back of their minds told them it couldn't possibly have been more than a few minutes. However their aching chests, and numbing limbs left them with the impression that they had been on the move for an eternity. Panic was settling in, and they were fast running out of breath. It only made matters worse when they turned a corner and were greeted with the sight of rocks and other debris piled in the way, blocking their route entirely.
With a cry that expressed both pain and anguish Rain Kasshu bent at the waist and leaned on the nearest wall. "Well that's it then." Her voice was small, almost insignificant compared to the approaching din of footfalls.
Saette Gyuzelle regarded this newest obstacle with unabashed rage and his tightly clenched fists and jaw were only the outward signs. Yet one look at his sullen and heartbroken charge and he knew what he had to do. He resigned himself to it. "I'm sorry Rain. I'm sorry about everything." His voice was light, almost carefree and it frightened her.
"Saette? What are you thinking?" Rain's alarm only grew as he reached inside his jacket to reveal a handgun.
"I'll try to lead them off. Distract them long enough for you to get away. You have to run Rain." Saette offered Rain a small smile as he turned to head back the way they came.
"Saette, don't! They'll kill you!" Rain moved to stop him but he began sprinting and he was quickly out of her sight. The sound of gunfire mere moments later chilled Rain to the bone and spurred her into action. Once more she began running.
[Main Hangar.]
The main gate crumpled like paper before Dragon Gundam's attack. The doors were at least fifteen meters tall, and ten meters wide. Five feet of armored titanium alloy. It only took one punch, and Dragon Gundam and Noble Gundam were free to enter.
Both Gundams sprinted inside and took a moment to reflect on their surroundings. Allenby and Sai had seen similar facilities, storage bays, Gundam repair and maintenance docks. They were all interconnected by a series of suspended planks and gangways. The gangways were not empty.
"Are they actually serious?" Allenby wondered aloud as she watched several men open fire with small arms. The hits did not even register on her mobile trace system.
"Doesn't matter. We don't have time to waste on them." Sai's voice was straight and focused. "Let's just see if we can't find something to distract their attention."
"Uh, Sai. We just busted through their front door with two Gundams, I think they're as distracted as they're gonna get." Allenby turned a confused glance towards Sai.
His lips twisted in a smirk as he spotted something, "Well well, ammunition storage. This should make a bang." The right hand on Dragon Gundam withdrew to reveal its flame-thrower.
"That might not be such a good idea!" Allenby tried to protest too late. With practiced precision Dragon Gundam's arm elongated and punctured the structure. Sai immediately dosed countless crates of bullets and other high explosives with searing flames. "Get back!!! Allenby roughly grabbed Sai's Gundam and pulled as hard as she could. They had taken perhaps three steps before the hangar detonated, shaking the entire plateau and raining stone and flaming wreckage amidst a maelstrom of billowing fires and rising smoke. When Noble Gundam and Dragon Gundam returned to their feet besides some faint scoring, they looked no worse for wear.
"Brilliant. Just brilliant!" Allenby admonished Sai even as she looked in awe at the carnage he had wrought.
"Hey, it gave them something else to worry about didn't it?" Sai tried to defend himself, but the words sounded hollow to his own ears.
"You could've brought the whole plateau down on us! Rain and Domon are
still in here somewhere!" Allenby started forward. "Come on we have to
find them!"
"You don't have to tell me twice." Sai quickly fell into step behind her as they advanced into the facility.
[Not far away]
One lone figure remained standing calmly in a control center amongst the flames and wreckage. He went unnoticed by the pair of Gundam Fighters, and he was not happy. Slade MaCaffrey's arms were crossed as he surveyed Sai's handiwork. He was particularly interested in the large amounts of stone that had been piled in front of his mobile fighter. Slade let out an irritated sigh as he realized he only had one option. With a few quick key strokes he was listening in on Roland and Chico's channel.
He heard Roland speaking, "I know the regulations. Now get out of me way, I don't need help ta destroy him." Slade shook his head lightly and grinned at McGregor's boasting. 'That boy is gonna get his ass handed to him. Shame I don't have time to watch.' "Chico, forget about Roland. We've got a bigger problem." Another explosion caused Slade's expression to darken. "Two more Gundams burst through the main gate and collapsed half of the hangar. I can't even get to my Gundam."
"All right. I'm on my way back." Chico answered.
'Just you two wait. You'll pay. I'll make you pay.' Slade quietly turned from the console and slowly made his way down to the main hangar floor. By the time he had arrived Chico was already using Spike Gundam to clear away the debris and make way to Slade's Gundam. "That'll do Chico. You go on ahead, I'll be right behind you." Slade didn't even give Spike Gundam a second glance as he advanced on his machine. The fires had illuminated it quite well. A light brown color scheme dominated most of the unit, coupled with several tan areas at the joints, the head and the torso. A large dull yellow line slashed diagonally from the right shoulder across the cockpit hatch to its waist. Both legs housed large rectangular compartments above the knee joints. The hands of the unit were covered in extra layers of black armor, lending them the appearance of hard knuckled gloves. The feet were thick at the ankle joints and both housed numerous protruding blades. The eyes were yellow. The head's armor was fashioned to look like a fedora with one side bent up. At either side the vulcan ports were quite visible. The yellow chevron at the brow was unique, not in color but in shape. Instead of sharp angles, the metal was bent and flat, lending it the appearance of a boomerang. "This is gonna be fun." Slade's mouth twisted up as the Gundam's eyes lit with activation. [Main Terminus]
Allenby and Sai moved with caution. They had no idea what kind of defenses or other surprises awaited them deeper into the facility. Neither wanted to find out the hard way. Both were alert, their gazes sweeping back and forth carefully scrutinizing their surroundings. The cavern was not well illuminated. Sporadic floodlights were visible in the ceiling, but their glow only made the shadows longer. Dank and dark were the words that came to Allenby's mind as they continued forward. 'This is wrong.' She thought to herself. 'There should be automated turrets, mines, something. It doesn't make any sense.' Her brow was decorated lightly with sweat.
'I don't know what kind of game their playing. But I'll be ready for them.' Sai promised himself.
Suddenly warnings lit up in both Gundam cockpits and the fighters turned and saw Spike Gundam rapidly approaching. "That's far enough! I won't let you pass!" Chico's voice was labored and dark. Sai's eyes narrowed as he saw the Gundam draw it's beam pike and he quickly rushed forward to meet the attack head on. Dragon Gundam was rapidly spinning glowing Fei-long flags in each hand.
Both fighters shouted at the blinding flash that erupted with the impact. Chico's weapon was caught between Sai's and they were both struggling to gain supremacy. "Sis! You go on ahead. We don't have the time to waste on this guy!" Sai called out, his attention never wavering from Chico.
Allenby didn't like it but saw little choice, with every passing second it was more likely that the entire base would come down. "All right. Be careful." Allenby turned her back to the battle and quickly made her way deeper into the facility.
Sai quickly let all his concerns slip from his mind as he focused his senses on the opponent in front of him, "Tell me something will ya? I've heard the stories about you, I've listened to Domon and Rain. You didn't seem to be the kind of Fighter who would be involved in something like this." Sai leaned into his weapons as he pushed against Chico, the light of their flashing beams was sporadically illuminating his face. When Chico didn't reply Sai tried again, "I actually admired you in a way. For fighting for your sister."
Chico roughly interrupted, "Don't you dare talk to me about my sister! You know nothing about me!"
"I know that you're helping these people toy with my friend's lives!" Sai challenged back. "Isn't that what you fought to protect her from? People toying with your life!? Making your decisions for you!?"
Chico's eyes began to burn and he was losing his focus. Sai's words were striking far too close for comfort as painful images and memories roughly forced their way to the surface. He clenched his jaw and quickly shook his head as he tried to knock Sai off balance with a quick push. The Ace of Clubs was ready and responded in kind. They were still deadlocked with the groaning of machinery and the whine of their beams as evidence of the power behind their struggle.
"Do you think she'd be happy to know what you're fighting for now?" Sai asked. 'I really don't think he's one of the bad guys. I'd rather avoid hurting him if I can. I just hope he'll listen___'
Finally Chico had had enough and shouted his answer, "I have to fight! I can still save her if I help them! I'll do anything it takes, even if it costs me my soul!" With a roar Chico finally succeeded in pushing Sai off balance and launched a dizzying series of attacks with his beam pike.
Sai had no trouble staying well ahead of his opponent's moves, but he was working on automatic. His mind was still trying to process what it had just heard. 'So they have his sister too.' Sai's heart wept for the desperate man before him. "So they promised a cure after you're done fighting for them?"
Chico halted his attack and stood at the ready, "That's right. If I have to become a criminal to give my sister her life back then there's simply no other choice for me. I'll fight to my last breath!"
"Very well. If you truly wish to fight then I'll oblige you." Sai cast a downtrodden look to the ground as he announced, "But on the condition that our battle be in the form of a Gundam Fight Match."
Chico's eyebrow twitched and his hands tightened around his pike, "If losing your head in an official fight is how you want this to end that's fine by me. GUNDAM FIGHT!!!"
Sai's head snapped up to regard Chico as he called back, "READY!!!"
"GO!!!" Chico surged forward and attacked with the ferocity of a beast. He was almost wild, his attacks completely fueled by adrenaline and instinct. However there was no accuracy, no plan of action behind his strikes and Sai was able to dodge every attack with minimal movement or effort.
"You never stood a chance against me." Sai stated the fact coldly without remorse. He knew mere moments into the match that Chico had absolutely no hope of victory.
"Shut up!" Chico's frustration was growing rapidly. His attacks degrading further and further as he let the rage take over. It was the kind of battle that Sai despised.
'This is wrong. This whole thing is just wrong! I have to stop it!' Sai's jaw clenched as he continued to wait to make his move.
Chico had finally exhausted and Spike Gundam was prone, supporting itself on one knee. The torso was moving up and down perfectly simulating the deep breathing of its fighter.
"I'll make it easy." Sai promised as he hefted two deployed Fei-Long flags.
Chico saw Gina's smiling face before him. It was rapidly fading away, he was losing sight of her and his heart went cold. "No! I can't lose! I won't lose!" Chico sprang forward and Sai rushed to meet him. Both men let out challenging cries as they quickly closed on one another. At the final moment both drew back with their weapons and connected with a blinding flash of light and blur of movement too fast for the eye to track. Both Gundams were down on a knee with their backs to one another. A moment passed in silence until finally Sai retracted his weapons and replaced them in their holsters. Dragon Gundam stood to its full height and lifted its right foot. In perfect unison to the footfall six even and seamless lines appeared in Spike Gundams head, two diagonal, one horizontal that separated it like sliced pie before it roughly detonated. The headless Gundam fell backward gracelessly and laid prone upon the ground.
Sai finally turned to regard his fallen adversary. 'I never wanted it to come to this.' He thought with regret. With one precise blow Sai penetrated the cockpit and gingerly lifted Chico Rodriguez's unconscious form free of the torso. 'I can't leave him here to die in this forsaken place. He doesn't deserve that.' With his new charge secure in his grip, Sai rushed after Allenby.
[Location Unknown]
Rain was hopelessly lost. She had never been allowed outside of the lab and room she had been provided. She had no sense of direction, and no idea how to utilize the many corridors she came across. The only good news was that she had eluded her pursuers. At least temporarily. 'Saette___' She thought with dread. The memory was still fresh and powerful. He disappeared around that corner and likely ran straight to his death. All to save her. 'I can't stop now. I have to keep going.' She tried to ignore the ache she was suffering as she diligently continued her trek. When two men appeared before her she had to cover her mouth to contain the scream she knew was lurking at the back of her throat. She quickly ducked down another corridor and pressed herself flat against the wall. Thankfully they hadn't noticed her.
Rain refused to let any sound escape from her lips so when the pair of men dressed in blue lab coats began speaking she couldn't help but overhear. "You took care of the dark haired guy right?" The first asked.
'Domon?' Rain thought with a renewed sense of hope.
"Yeah, I gave him the dose just like DeMarco ordered." The second answered. "I just don't get it. The guy just had his regular interval an hour ago. He'd have been out for at least ten hours. Upping the medication is dangerous and pointless."
"DeMarco doesn't like taking chances. Apparently this security breach has him spooked good." The first began again. "What about the girl?"
'Girl? What girl?' She hadn't know they were holding anyone else.
"I forgot my damn badge, so I had to use the universal code." The second complained.
"Neighbor of the beast. I don't know why DeMarco thinks up stuff like that."
"Yeah no kidding. Anyway, her cryostasis is stable. She's fine too."
"Well that's it then. We should head to the emergency bunker."
"After you."
Rain listened until the sound of their footsteps faded before she peeked around the corner. Seeing no one she rushed down the hall the two scientists had appeared from. There were two doors, one on either side. Both were securely locked. Rain considered the door on her right first and regarded the keypad thoughtfully.
'Neighbor of the beast? Where have I heard that before?' Rain reached out and with one slender finger punched in six, six, seven. The door slid open without complaint. She carefully stepped inside, thankful that no one was there. She silently approached the capsule situated in the room's center and gasped when she got her first view of the occupant inside. 'That's Gina Rodriguez. They put her in a cryogenic state?' It broke her heart when Rain realized there wasn't anything she could do to help her. She couldn't move the cryo chamber without terminating its power source, and she couldn't wake Gina without risking her life. 'I'll have to come back with help later.' Rain doubted whether or not that would be possible. Yet she was left with little choice. She finally turned away from Gina's sleeping form and walked out of the room and crossed to the other door. She confidently punched in the same code and the door opened to her.
"DOMON!" Rain couldn't help her ecstatic cry as she rushed to her husband's side. He was prone upon a table with a bright light shining down upon his unconscious form. His limbs were bound and a single IV was connected to his arm. Rain could feel the tears run down her face as she embraced him for the first time in an eternity. She sobbed quietly for a moment before lifting her head to look directly at him. He hadn't responded at all.
'I've got to get him out of here.' Rain quickly surveyed the room and found medical supplies in a locker. 'I can't be sure what they gave him, or how much. But I can't carry him out of here by myself. I need him conscious.' She finally settled on a mild stimulant and quickly replaced the sedative drip he was receiving with it. 'Domon, I hope you wake up soon. I need you.' Rain quietly stroked his forehead as she waited for his eyes to open. Unfortunately she hadn't noticed the camera over the doorway that was intently focused on her.
[Security Center]
Saette had fought even after he ran out of bullets. Unfortunately his skills as a fighter were rendered useless against the hail of rubber ammunition that had finally subdued him. When he awoke he wished he hadn't. His entire body ached, burned, and he quickly discovered his arms were bound behind his back. He recognized the room. He was in the security center. 'I have to get out of here.' Saette grunted as he flexed his wrist, but sighed when he felt the reassuring weight of his lock pick fall into his waiting hands. He quickly set to work and in mere moments was free. 'Where are all the guards?' Saette finally wondered as he surveyed the countless surveillance displays. He finally caught sight of Dragon Gundam and Noble Gundam in the facility and it dawned on him. 'Looks like they pulled through after all. All the enemies' attention is focused on them.' Saette was about to turn away when he saw her. Rain was standing over Domon. 'Thank god she's okay.' He thought with relief. However his reprieve was short lived. Security was moving in on her, and she hadn't a clue. Saette ran as fast as his battered body would allow.
[Fuel Depot]
Allenby hadn't encountered another human being since she had separated from Sai-Saici. Navigating had proved more difficult than she originally anticipated. She had no idea where she was. 'This is nuts. The place is huge! It must've taken them years to build it. I need a plan. At this rate it'll take days to find Domon and Rain.' Allenby hadn't stopped for even a moment's rest. She continued her trek diligently surveying the terrain, looking for any signs that could assist.
Her senses were well attuned, however they still didn't react fast enough. She heard the whistling noise, and that was the only warning she received. At the speed Allenby was moving the sudden pull around her neck tore her from her feet and snapped her head back. With a painful thud Noble Gundam crashed to the earth. Allenby was desperately trying to fill her lungs with air as she struggled against the bond that was fastened around her throat, but to no avail.
"Seems to me like you're lost little girl. Need help finding your way home?" Outback Gundam slowly approached Noble Gundam from behind, carefully coiling its whip to keep the maximum pressure on Allenby. "Well don't you worry, I'll be more than happy to send you right on back to meet your maker."
Allenby heard his words but couldn't understand them. She was beginning to feel lightheaded. There were black spots dancing in front of her eyes. Her stomach was uselessly heaving, trying to draw in precious oxygen.
Outback Gundam had finally reached Noble Gundam and Slade lifted his right foot. His mouth broke out into a grin as he snapped his foot down, yet remarkably Allenby was able to shift her head. The blow landed harmlessly next to Noble Gundam and Allenby saw her chance. She quickly rotated her hips and kicked out, catching Outback Gundam at the knee joints. Slade grunted as his legs buckled at the blow and inadvertently loosened his grip.
Allenby gladly took advantage of his distraction and pulled herself to her feet and heaved in a heavy breath as soon as she tore Slade's weapon from around her throat. Allenby quickly retreated several steps as Outback Gundam quickly rose back to its feet all the while sucking in delicious oxygen as fast as she could. 'That was not fun.' She thought bitterly as she massaged her sore neck. 'Who the hell is this guy?'
"All right then. You want to make a show of this. Suits me just fine little girl. You should've just let me choke the life from you." Outback Gundam's eyes lit up menacingly as it turned to face Noble Gundam. A vid-screen appeared in Allenby's cockpit and she took her first glance at Slade MaCaffrey. His fight suit was a seamless mixture of countless shades of colors. You couldn't tell where one began, or the next ended. It was like he was wearing a cloak of sand, constantly shifting and changing with the wind. The center of his chest was decorated with a dark green boomerang, arched in mid flight. His blue eyes never wavered as his angry and dark voice continued, "Now I'm gonna take my time, and make it nice and slow for ya."
Allenby was unimpressed. She'd dealt with his kind too many times to count. 'Aw, man. Why do I always get the sado-masochist pigs?' She lamented to herself. "Listen, I don't know who you are. Frankly I don't care either. The only thing I care about is getting my friends back. Stay out of my way, or I'll put you down." Allenby was in rare form. Usually the Gundam Fight was just another game to her, it was rare indeed to meet opponents the inspired the kind of resentment and rage that colored her face.
Slade growled as he called back, "Enough! I didn't come here to talk!"
"Fine! Have it your way! GUNDAM FIGHT!!!" Allenby answered as she drew her beam ribbon.
"READY!!!" Slade roared as he cracked his whip down upon the ground.
Allenby was quickly rotating her wrist in front of her body, spinning her ribbon, "GO!!!" She fired her veniers and hurtled herself at Outback Gundam with her ribbon rotating around her as a constantly shifting shield.
Slade quickly used his left hand to pull out a flat object from the holster on Outback Gundam's leg. With a flick of his wrist it snapped out into the shape of a boomerang. A second flick of the wrist sent it flying at Noble Gundam's head.
"You'll have to do better!" Allenby cut the weapon neatly in half with a swift slash and delivered a heavy body blow to Outback Gundam below the cockpit. Slade grunted as he doubled over slightly, only to clench his jaw as Allenby quickly rotated her body and delivered a roundhouse kick that snapped his head to the right.
Slade shouted as he rotated with the blow and delivered a hard punch of his own, catching Noble high on the torso. "This'll teach you to keep your mouth shut!"
Allenby fell backwards with the blow then screamed when Slade struck out with his whip, striking Noble Gundam under its head and lifting it into the air. Slade rushed forward to press his advantage, but was totally unprepared for Allenby's response.
Upon landing she used her arms to launch herself feet first at Outback Gundam. She aimed her attack well. The loud impact echoed throughout the cavern as Outback Gundam was lifted clear of its feet. Allenby continued on and as she passed overhead she struck out with her ribbon and coiled it around Outback Gundam's right arm.
"Vulcans!" Slade bit out through the ache in his jaws as he tracked Allenby's path. His bullets found their mark and Allenby cried out as she dropped her weapon from her throbbing hand. As Allenby landed she had to quickly dodge out of the way of her own ribbon as Slade was swinging it as an impromptu weapon.
"You've got good aim, but a dull brain!" Allenby was able to snatch the handle of her weapon out of the air and quickly pulled on it, digging the weapon into her opponents arm.
Slade tried to hold in the scream, but it eventually forced its way out of his mouth as the mobile trace system flashed red, burning him as intently as Allenby's beam was searing his Gundam.
With one quick and sure pull Allenby succeeded in tearing the limb free from the torso and Slade only screamed louder. "Time to finish you off!" She called as she reared back for the final blow.
Slade's eyes held a promise for murder as sweat freely ran down his face. "Not just yet it isn't." When his intact left hand Slade swung his whip and caught Allenby right in the hand, once again she dropped her weapon. "Lets see how you like this!" His mobile trace system crackled with power as he stood to his full height. He began spinning his whip like a lasso over his head, and Allenby watched as it began glowing with an intense yellow light. With a loud roar Slade swung with all his might and his whip exploded with power as electricity began dancing freely along its length.
Allenby was glad that she avoided the blow. For the earth underneath the whip was blackened and smoking. 'This could be a problem.' She thought with dread as Slade began advancing swinging his weapon as fast as he could, driving Allenby farther and farther back. He had yet to connect with a single blow, but Allenby was forced to remain on the defensive. 'I don't have the reach to do any damage without getting myself fried.' Suddenly her path of retreat was cut off as she roughly slammed into a thick metal wall. 'Uh-Oh.' She commented.
"Now you're mine!" Slade boasted as he fired his Verniers. He swung his whip again, and again Allenby was able to dodge it, but she didn't avoid his extended shoulder. The sheer force of the impact drove both Gundams through the wall and they crashed in a heap in the new chamber.
Allenby moaned as she got back to her feet. She quickly spotted Outback Gundam rising as well. However she saw something else that also demanded her attention. 'Not good.' Connected by piping all along the floor were storage cells at least a story high. There were a lot of them, densely packed that extended as far as Allenby could see. "Don't! You'll blow us BOTH up!" She called out with dread as Slade reared back for another attack.
'What's she going on about?' Slade wondered until he too spared a glance at the surroundings. His eyes widened as he too recognized the danger, unfortunately his charged whip was dancing around like a free power cable. The end struck one of the pipes and heated the fuel inside. It took less than a second for the first explosion to rip through the chamber. Both Gundams were buffeted by the heat and force of the detonation, and neither fighter was going to stick around to find out how the tragedy played out. They pushed their machines to move as fast as possible. There was a bright light, and Allenby knew nothing more.
[Neo-Australian Desert.]
Gundam Maxter was standing victoriously over the charred remains of Highlander Gundam. Suddenly, Chibodee's attention was drawn back to the plateau base. An explosion lifted fire and black smoke into the air and Chibodee was instantly worried. "Hang on everyone! I'm coming!!" His verniers were burning too slowly, he had to move faster. 'Please, please be okay.'
[Main Terminus.]
Sai-Saici was just about to turn a corner when a wall of fire billowed through the archway. He cried out in alarm as he threw a hand in front of his face and rapidly backpedaled. Reacting on instinct he quickly opened his cockpit and secured Chico inside. He took only a moment to ensure the other man was still unconscious before he returned his full attention to the raging flames that were still growing. The entire plateau was shaking and large stones started falling from the ceiling under the onslaught. Sai's reflexes were being cruelly tested by the catastrophe. 'What's going on!?' Sai asked himself as he drew one of his flags and began spinning it rapidly over his head, deflecting falling debris. The stone underneath him shifted and cracked, and Sai lost his balance. When he looked back up, a stone the size of a Gundam was bearing down on him.
"BURNING PUNCH!" The stream of flame exploded the stone in an instant, and all that was left were small drifting particles of sand.
"Bro, good timing." Sai's voice shook slightly when he turned to see Gundam Maxter in boxing mode.
"You all right short stuff?" Chibodee's face appeared in Sai's cockpit.
"Call me that again and find out." Sai snapped back.
Chibodee chuckled for a moment but stopped when he noticed Chico. "What's he doing in there?"
Sai turned to look at Chico before answering, "Don't worry. I've already defeated him. He won't be a problem anymore." He turned back to look at Chibodee. "They have his sister. That's why he was helping them."
"I see." Chibodee replied with a serious expression on his face. He looked around for a moment, "Hey, where's Allenby?"
"We were separated when I was fighting Chico. She went on ahead___" Sai trailed off and his voice vanished as he turned to regard the fire that was still raging deeper into the facility.
"What!? You mean she's in there!?" the panic in Chibodee's voice was nothing compared to fear that was running through him like ice water. He fired his verniers and traveled directly into the flames, with Sai a mere second behind him.
[Deep inside the base.]
Saette was on the move when the first tremors shook the corridors. 'What in the world?' He stopped in his tracks as the vibrations increased, his entire body was trembling. He jumped into an archway and held on for dear life as it seemed the entire base was coming down. His teeth were rattling in his jaw, his bones ached. Just as suddenly as it began it stopped, and Saette sank to his knees in relief. He was breathing heavily, and he was feeling pain in places he didn't even know he had. 'I don't have time for this, gotta keep moving.' He was off again.
[Domon's Cell.]
'A watched pot never boils' Rain reminded herself as she regarded Domon. He still had not awakened. She had removed his bindings, administered the proper medication. Now all she could do was wait, with the rhythmic rising and falling of her husband's chest her only company. 'The longer we're here the more likely they are to find us. I hope Chibodee and the others are on their way.' Rain's attention shifted from Domon when the first tremors ran their way through her body. She screamed when the entire room began shaking violently. Instinctively, she grabbed Domon and pulled him under the table, shielding him with her body. She squeezed her eyes shut and winced at every deafening explosion, wrapping herself tighter and tighter around Domon. Lockers fell over, spilling dozens of bags of drugs over the floor. From cracks in the ceiling dust and other debris peppered the floor.
It was a beautiful thing when the room blissfully settled. It was even better when Rain felt Domon's hand clench against hers. She held her breath as she regarded his face. Slowly his eye's fluttered open, and the world slid into focus. Rain slid into focus. She was crying. "Rain? Why are you crying?" His throat was weak. It felt heavy, slow, like he hadn't used it in a long time. 'I feel terrible.' He thought.
"Thank God." Was all Rain was able to get out before her voice broke and she began sobbing openly. She couldn't speak, so she wrapped her arms around his head and held him. Her crying didn't subside when he embraced her back.
That was how Saette found them when he entered the room. Along with the elation of seeing her safe he also felt the familiar pang in his heart. She was with her husband, and he might as well not even exist. 'Good. It looks like all the guards were neutralized in the explosion. We may just get out of this yet.' "Rain, Domon!" He finally spoke out and caught their attention.
"Saette?" Rain asked as if she couldn't believe it. "Saette, I thought for sure they'd kill you!" Rain slid out from under the table and pulled Domon with her. "Please, give me a hand. He's not well."
Saette obliged and draped one of Domon's arms over his shoulder and helped him to his feet. "Been a long time." Was Domon's dry remark to him.
"Yeah, it has." Saette agreed with a defeated tone to his voice. "Come on, I know the way out of here." He and Rain supported Domon together as they began making their way through the halls.
"Where are we? What's going on?" Domon asked.
"It's a long story Domon." Rain answered. "The short and ugly version is that we were taken hostage over two months ago."
The drugs were still weighing him down heavily, but Domon did manage to let out a surprised gasp. "What? What're you talking about Rain?"
"They wanted me to help them develop some new Gundam technology. They kept you sedated and told me they'd kill you if I didn't cooperate." There was an angry edge behind Rain's words. It was a tone that Domon rarely had the opportunity to hear.
"So you helped them." It was a statement, not a question. Domon knew that as far as his health was concerned there was nothing Rain wouldn't do.
"Yes." She admitted sadly. "I didn't have any other choice. I tried lying. Told them that what they wanted wasn't feasible. Then they gave me a deadline, and said if I broke it, they'd break you."
"What is it Rain? What did you make for them?" Domon asked.
"I harnessed the power of nanites. Created a form that could be controlled and utilized by a Gundam." She explained.
"And they've already installed the technology in five mobile fighters." Saette picked up where Rain left off. "Steel Gundam, Outback Gundam, Phantom Gundam, Gundam Longshot, and Gundam Vlad."
"The first four units gained relatively minor enhancements." Domon listened intently as Rain continued. "The real danger though, is Gundam Vlad."
"Why? What's so special about it?" Domon asked.
"The first four machines just utilize the nanites to enhance functions that they already possessed. It makes their talents more energy efficient, more powerful. However Gundam Vlad is different. It can deploy the nanites directly as a weapon." Rain's gaze hardened as she continued. "Try to imagine it Domon. Just like your thoughts and movements drive your Gundam, the fighter can utilize his thoughts to change the shape, durability, the very nature of his weapon to fit the circumstance. That's not all. He can also utilize the technology to steal energy and strength from other Gundams."
"And he has no qualms about fighting dirty either." Saette interjected.
"Who? Who is the fighter?" Domon asked.
"The representative from Neo-Romania, Kane DeMarco." Saette answered.
"Never heard of him." Domon remarked.
"Hopefully, you'll never have to meet him." Saette warned. "The guy is powerful and cruel. With any luck he was buried alive somewhere in this mess." Saette finally stopped. "This is it, we're here." Rain and Domon looked at the rail cart dubiously. "Don't worry. I checked, the path out is clear. This'll take us right to the main hangar. We're almost out of here."
[Fuel Depot.]
"ALLENBY!" Chibodee called out desperately as he searched for any sign of Noble Gundam. "ALLENBY! Can you hear me!?" The fire only grew hotter as he traveled deeper and deeper inside. Chibodee didn't even seem to feel the flames, the fear and panic coursing through him blocked out everything else. He didn't even register Dragon Gundam which was following closely behind.
"Bro! It's getting too hot! We've gotta turn back!" Sai's voice cut through him.
"I'm not leaving without her! You go back if you want to!" Chibodee called back.
"Bro, its suicide! Face it, sis is dead!"
"Shut up! If you're not gonna help then just stay out of my way!" Gundam Maxter's verniers burned even brighter as Chibodee pushed his machine's acceleration as high as it would allow. He was rapidly vanishing from Sai's sight.
Sai hesitated only a moment before following suit. 'I could never live with myself if they died.' He tried to rationalize, tell himself that it was impossible. That they would never find her, that he was committing suicide. Yet all that was meaningless. If his help was needed, no matter the risk he would help.
'He's wrong! I know he is. She's still alive. She's still alive.' Chibodee repeated that to himself over and over like a mantra. His eyes were burning, his blood had long since run cold. He felt a small moment of elation when he finally breached the flames and came upon an area that wasn't free burning. Fires still dotted the cavern floor but they weren't dangerous. Yet that comforted him little when he finally saw the charred and smoking form of Noble Gundam. "ALLENBY!" Chibodee cried out as he ran towards the fallen Gundam. He took only a moment to lower Gundam Maxter to a knee before he opened the cockpit and leapt to the floor.
Chibodee slapped the cockpit release and waited anxiously as it hissed and slid open. He leapt inside without preamble, and there she was. Her fight suit was blackened and covered with debris. Her usually porcelain skin was covered in soot and cuts. Her eyes were closed. "Allenby?" Chibodee's voice was small. He was trembling and water gathered in his eyes. He was afraid, afraid to reach out and confirm the worst. But then his eyes noticed the most beautiful sight he could ever recall seeing. 'She's breathing!' He thought with a new sense of elation. Indeed her chest was rising and falling with short erratic breaths. Chibodee kneeled over her and carefully laid a hand over her heart. Chibodee retracted his hand as if it had been burned when she hissed at the contact.
"Allenby? Allenby can you hear me?" Chibodee asked softly.
Her eyes slowly opened as she answered in a small trembling voice. "Chibodee?"
"Oh thank God." Chibodee couldn't help the dumb grin that spread on his face, nor the tears that fell from his eyes. He reached out and embraced Allenby's hand between his. "Yeah, its me Allenby. I'm here."
"I was fighting__and then there was an explosion." She managed to get out between breaths, even as silent tears streamed from her glistening eyes. "I tried to get up, but I couldn't. I wanted to get up. We have to help Domon and Rain." She tried to rise but Chibodee gently restrained her. Her face was twisting in pain.
"Hey, take it easy. You need to rest." Chibodee choked back a sob that threatened to escape.
"I am tired." She agreed. "But can't rest. Gotta help Domon."
Chibodee's heart almost broke. Battered and bruised, she was still trying to fight. "Don't worry about that now. I'll take care of everything."
"Promise?" She asked as her eyes drifted shut.
"Promise. Just rest now." Chibodee's voice shook as he caressed her cheek. Then she was asleep, and Chibodee gingerly lifted her into his arms. He supported her head on his shoulder and carefully exited the Gundam.
"Bro! Is she. I mean she isn't?" Dragon Gundam had arrived, and Sai was unable to ask the question, he was afraid of the answer.
"She's alive." Chibodee confirmed, and Sai sighed with relief. "Do me a favor and get Noble Gundam. We're heading back for the hangar."
"But we still gotta help bro and sis." Sai complained.
"We still will." Chibodee answered. "But we won't be able to go any further this way. The route's completely blocked off. On my way in I noticed another path, we'll head that way."
Sai regarded the chamber and realized Chibodee was right. The entire cavern was blocked off by stone and flames. "All right, I'll carry Noble Gundam."
Chibodee wrapped Allenby in his coat and gently set her down in Gundam Maxter's cockpit. "Good. Then let's get out of here."
[Main Hangar.]
"How are you feeling Domon?" Rain asked. The rail cart had been traveling for a few minutes. Carrying its passengers into the main hangar.
"I'm still groggy. Slow. It feels like my muscles are ten times heavier than normal." Domon shifted uncomfortably as his body protested against its rough treatment.
"That'll fade. It's amazing you're even moving at all. It usually takes days to recover from such heavy sedation." Rain assured him.
"So, how do you fit into all of this Saette?" Domon turned his glance to the other man who was sitting as far from him as possible.
"That's not really important Domon." Rain tried to interrupt.
"No, its fine." Saette answered. "DeMarco approached me, told me that if I didn't fight for him he'd hurt Rain. I agreed. That simple."
"So now what? You're just helping us because you know Kane'll lose? Why didn't you do something when we were first taken!?" Domon surged to his feet.
"Domon stop it!" Rain begged as he put a hand on Domon's arm.
Domon tugged his arm free of her grasp and approached Saette. He grabbed him by the collar and hauled him to his feet. "Well!? Why didn't you help sooner!?"
Saette finally knocked Domon's arm away, "I did everything I could. I had to be careful, I couldn't risk them hurting Rain. I had to wait for the right opportunity. If you hadn't already noticed, I'm the only reason you're getting out of here in one piece!"
"Stop please!" Rain shouted. "We're still in trouble here, we have to work together!"
The car finally slid to a stop and the doors opened. "All right. Let's go." Saette left the car without another word, leaving Rain to support Domon by herself as they followed behind him. "Just keep heading in that direction, I'm going to get my Gundam." Saette pointed towards the breached main gate as he entered a dead run towards Scythe Gundam, which was still patiently waiting. Its eyes glowed when Saette activated the mobile trace system. As soon as his fight suit was active he took off towards the main gate. On the way he snatched the very jeep he rode to the base into his hand and deposited it in front of Domon and Rain. "I'll make sure its clear. Wait here." Saette walked into daylight, and when his eyes adjusted to the glare he wished they hadn't.
Standing before his path was Gundam Vlad. "Saette my dear boy. You've certainly caused a far amount of trouble wouldn't you say?" Kane's voice ripped through him without mercy. Saette couldn't help but tremble at the sight before him.
Gundam Vlad was slender when compared to most other Gundams. Its body was hidden from view by the black cloak that surrounded it. It shifted and moved like it was alive. The head's armor was black as well, yet the face was white, and shaped roughly to appear as if it bore two fangs. Its red eyes burned viciously underneath its yellow Chevron. The head's armor elongated into thin points that lent it the appearance of slender ears. It shifted slightly and the cloak fell away from the torso, revealing it to be mostly gray and black. The fingers were shaped into points.
"Its over Kane. We're leaving." Saette finally responded.
He cringed when Kane answered with laughter. "Sorry, but I'm inclined to disagree." Gundam Vlad began striding forward confidently. "I'll give you one last chance Saette. You can fight for me and reap the benefits. Or I'll destroy you and everything else you care about."
"I already told you, I'm through helping you Kane!" Saette shouted back.
"Brave words. Too bad your voice is trembling, I might've believed you." Kane mocked him.
Rain and Domon could only watch helplessly as the scene unfolded in front of them. The memory would be burned into their minds for the rest of their lives.
"Let's get this over with Kane." Saette drew his scythe and settled into a ready stance.
Gundam Vlad's hangs lifted in a shrug, then crossed them over its chest. "As you wish. Gundam Fight stand by." He initiated the challenge without the fire, or passion that most other fighters exhibited. It was almost like he was bored.
"READY!!! GO!!!" Saette roared back as he fired his verniers. Gundam Vlad didn't move an inch as Scythe Gundam approached. Kane's mouth lifted in a small smirk as Saette launched his first attack.
"What!?" Saette called out in surprise. His sword passed right through the space that Gundam Vlad had occupied, but he never saw his enemy move. He quickly turned and there it was standing behind him exactly as it was before. Saette grunted in frustration as he attacked again. This time he caught a flicker, almost as if he saw several silhouette's of Gundam Vlad arch out of his path. This time it appeared overhead, suspended in mid air. It still hadn't moved a limb, yet it was appearing in different spaces.
"Rain, what's going on?" Domon asked dumbfounded as he futilely tried to track Gundam Vlad.
"I don't know." Rain replied helplessly.
'Hold still. Hold still!' Saette desperately thought to himself. He had given up trying to attack, Gundam Vlad wasn't staying put long enough for him to even try. Its image flashed in front of him, behind him, above him.
"What's the matter Saette? Where's the fire you were displaying just a moment ago!?" Kane finally launched an attack that caught Saette unprepared. The kick lifted Saette of his feet, then he was slammed unceremoniously to the ground when Gundam Vlad materialized behind him and delivered an elbow blow to his back. "Get up." Kane ordered.
Saette growled as he lifted himself to a knee and then quickly turned and slashed. Kane nimbly leapt and landed on the blade, perfectly balanced. Saette stared dumbfounded. "What are you?" He asked.
Kane's answer was brutal and swift. With his clawed fingers he jabbed Scythe Gundam with enough force to completely penetrate the head. Saette's scream was cut short when the head detonated.
"No! Saette!" Rain cried.
Domon was shaking in fury. He had instantly forgotten his numbed limbs, the dizziness that had clouded his mind. In that one instant it was all burned away and forgotten. "You MONSTER!" Domon accused Kane as Scythe Gundam's remains sank to the ground.
"Don't be melodramatic." Kane's voice cut through the air from Gundam Vlad's speakers. "I defeated him mercifully. He didn't suffer."
"But you most certainly will!" Domon promised. "RISE BURNING GUNDAM!!!"
End
Wow. That was longer than I thought it would be, and there's still more to go! Okay, I tried to write the best fights that I could, but I don't want you guys to think I copped out with the short ones with Chico and Saette. I was trying to realistically depict the great differences in the Fighters respective skills. So basically I was trying to say that Sai and Kane were ten times better than their respective opponents. I hope you enjoyed, I'm looking forward to your reviews. In the next chapter Burning Gundam vs. Gundam Vlad. See you soon!
Thank you for your reviews. Please keep letting me know how much you enjoy the story.
Well then things certainly took an exciting turn in the last chapter. The Gundam Fight began with an explosive battle between Neo-America's Chibodee Crockett and Neo-Scotlands Roland McGregor. Chibodee won the bout, successfully eliminating McGregor from the tournament. However trouble still lurks in the desert. Even as Sai-Saici and Allenby Beardsley enter a hidden base inside a plateau to save their friends Domon and Rain Kasshu they are confronted by two enemies. As if they already didn't have enough trouble, Kane DeMarco is stalking Saette and Rain determined to capture them once again. Will Saette be strong enough to take on this enigmatic Gundam Fighter? We'll just have to wait and see. Gundam Fight all set. Ready!, GO!!!
A New History Forgotten: Chapter 6. The Better Part of Valor. Saette's Sacrifice.
They were both breathing hard, sweating with exertion and anxiety. Dim lights flashed by their heads as they fled, barely illuminating the dark and dank stone walls that always seemed far too familiar. At least to the parts of their minds that were still worrying about such things. The more pressing concern was the sound of rolling thunder in the distance behind them. The staccato rhythm of dozens of pairs of boots seemed to only grow closer. Neither truly had any grasp of how long they had been running. The quiet voice in the back of their minds told them it couldn't possibly have been more than a few minutes. However their aching chests, and numbing limbs left them with the impression that they had been on the move for an eternity. Panic was settling in, and they were fast running out of breath. It only made matters worse when they turned a corner and were greeted with the sight of rocks and other debris piled in the way, blocking their route entirely.
With a cry that expressed both pain and anguish Rain Kasshu bent at the waist and leaned on the nearest wall. "Well that's it then." Her voice was small, almost insignificant compared to the approaching din of footfalls.
Saette Gyuzelle regarded this newest obstacle with unabashed rage and his tightly clenched fists and jaw were only the outward signs. Yet one look at his sullen and heartbroken charge and he knew what he had to do. He resigned himself to it. "I'm sorry Rain. I'm sorry about everything." His voice was light, almost carefree and it frightened her.
"Saette? What are you thinking?" Rain's alarm only grew as he reached inside his jacket to reveal a handgun.
"I'll try to lead them off. Distract them long enough for you to get away. You have to run Rain." Saette offered Rain a small smile as he turned to head back the way they came.
"Saette, don't! They'll kill you!" Rain moved to stop him but he began sprinting and he was quickly out of her sight. The sound of gunfire mere moments later chilled Rain to the bone and spurred her into action. Once more she began running.
[Main Hangar.]
The main gate crumpled like paper before Dragon Gundam's attack. The doors were at least fifteen meters tall, and ten meters wide. Five feet of armored titanium alloy. It only took one punch, and Dragon Gundam and Noble Gundam were free to enter.
Both Gundams sprinted inside and took a moment to reflect on their surroundings. Allenby and Sai had seen similar facilities, storage bays, Gundam repair and maintenance docks. They were all interconnected by a series of suspended planks and gangways. The gangways were not empty.
"Are they actually serious?" Allenby wondered aloud as she watched several men open fire with small arms. The hits did not even register on her mobile trace system.
"Doesn't matter. We don't have time to waste on them." Sai's voice was straight and focused. "Let's just see if we can't find something to distract their attention."
"Uh, Sai. We just busted through their front door with two Gundams, I think they're as distracted as they're gonna get." Allenby turned a confused glance towards Sai.
His lips twisted in a smirk as he spotted something, "Well well, ammunition storage. This should make a bang." The right hand on Dragon Gundam withdrew to reveal its flame-thrower.
"That might not be such a good idea!" Allenby tried to protest too late. With practiced precision Dragon Gundam's arm elongated and punctured the structure. Sai immediately dosed countless crates of bullets and other high explosives with searing flames. "Get back!!! Allenby roughly grabbed Sai's Gundam and pulled as hard as she could. They had taken perhaps three steps before the hangar detonated, shaking the entire plateau and raining stone and flaming wreckage amidst a maelstrom of billowing fires and rising smoke. When Noble Gundam and Dragon Gundam returned to their feet besides some faint scoring, they looked no worse for wear.
"Brilliant. Just brilliant!" Allenby admonished Sai even as she looked in awe at the carnage he had wrought.
"Hey, it gave them something else to worry about didn't it?" Sai tried to defend himself, but the words sounded hollow to his own ears.
"You could've brought the whole plateau down on us! Rain and Domon are
still in here somewhere!" Allenby started forward. "Come on we have to
find them!"
"You don't have to tell me twice." Sai quickly fell into step behind her as they advanced into the facility.
[Not far away]
One lone figure remained standing calmly in a control center amongst the flames and wreckage. He went unnoticed by the pair of Gundam Fighters, and he was not happy. Slade MaCaffrey's arms were crossed as he surveyed Sai's handiwork. He was particularly interested in the large amounts of stone that had been piled in front of his mobile fighter. Slade let out an irritated sigh as he realized he only had one option. With a few quick key strokes he was listening in on Roland and Chico's channel.
He heard Roland speaking, "I know the regulations. Now get out of me way, I don't need help ta destroy him." Slade shook his head lightly and grinned at McGregor's boasting. 'That boy is gonna get his ass handed to him. Shame I don't have time to watch.' "Chico, forget about Roland. We've got a bigger problem." Another explosion caused Slade's expression to darken. "Two more Gundams burst through the main gate and collapsed half of the hangar. I can't even get to my Gundam."
"All right. I'm on my way back." Chico answered.
'Just you two wait. You'll pay. I'll make you pay.' Slade quietly turned from the console and slowly made his way down to the main hangar floor. By the time he had arrived Chico was already using Spike Gundam to clear away the debris and make way to Slade's Gundam. "That'll do Chico. You go on ahead, I'll be right behind you." Slade didn't even give Spike Gundam a second glance as he advanced on his machine. The fires had illuminated it quite well. A light brown color scheme dominated most of the unit, coupled with several tan areas at the joints, the head and the torso. A large dull yellow line slashed diagonally from the right shoulder across the cockpit hatch to its waist. Both legs housed large rectangular compartments above the knee joints. The hands of the unit were covered in extra layers of black armor, lending them the appearance of hard knuckled gloves. The feet were thick at the ankle joints and both housed numerous protruding blades. The eyes were yellow. The head's armor was fashioned to look like a fedora with one side bent up. At either side the vulcan ports were quite visible. The yellow chevron at the brow was unique, not in color but in shape. Instead of sharp angles, the metal was bent and flat, lending it the appearance of a boomerang. "This is gonna be fun." Slade's mouth twisted up as the Gundam's eyes lit with activation. [Main Terminus]
Allenby and Sai moved with caution. They had no idea what kind of defenses or other surprises awaited them deeper into the facility. Neither wanted to find out the hard way. Both were alert, their gazes sweeping back and forth carefully scrutinizing their surroundings. The cavern was not well illuminated. Sporadic floodlights were visible in the ceiling, but their glow only made the shadows longer. Dank and dark were the words that came to Allenby's mind as they continued forward. 'This is wrong.' She thought to herself. 'There should be automated turrets, mines, something. It doesn't make any sense.' Her brow was decorated lightly with sweat.
'I don't know what kind of game their playing. But I'll be ready for them.' Sai promised himself.
Suddenly warnings lit up in both Gundam cockpits and the fighters turned and saw Spike Gundam rapidly approaching. "That's far enough! I won't let you pass!" Chico's voice was labored and dark. Sai's eyes narrowed as he saw the Gundam draw it's beam pike and he quickly rushed forward to meet the attack head on. Dragon Gundam was rapidly spinning glowing Fei-long flags in each hand.
Both fighters shouted at the blinding flash that erupted with the impact. Chico's weapon was caught between Sai's and they were both struggling to gain supremacy. "Sis! You go on ahead. We don't have the time to waste on this guy!" Sai called out, his attention never wavering from Chico.
Allenby didn't like it but saw little choice, with every passing second it was more likely that the entire base would come down. "All right. Be careful." Allenby turned her back to the battle and quickly made her way deeper into the facility.
Sai quickly let all his concerns slip from his mind as he focused his senses on the opponent in front of him, "Tell me something will ya? I've heard the stories about you, I've listened to Domon and Rain. You didn't seem to be the kind of Fighter who would be involved in something like this." Sai leaned into his weapons as he pushed against Chico, the light of their flashing beams was sporadically illuminating his face. When Chico didn't reply Sai tried again, "I actually admired you in a way. For fighting for your sister."
Chico roughly interrupted, "Don't you dare talk to me about my sister! You know nothing about me!"
"I know that you're helping these people toy with my friend's lives!" Sai challenged back. "Isn't that what you fought to protect her from? People toying with your life!? Making your decisions for you!?"
Chico's eyes began to burn and he was losing his focus. Sai's words were striking far too close for comfort as painful images and memories roughly forced their way to the surface. He clenched his jaw and quickly shook his head as he tried to knock Sai off balance with a quick push. The Ace of Clubs was ready and responded in kind. They were still deadlocked with the groaning of machinery and the whine of their beams as evidence of the power behind their struggle.
"Do you think she'd be happy to know what you're fighting for now?" Sai asked. 'I really don't think he's one of the bad guys. I'd rather avoid hurting him if I can. I just hope he'll listen___'
Finally Chico had had enough and shouted his answer, "I have to fight! I can still save her if I help them! I'll do anything it takes, even if it costs me my soul!" With a roar Chico finally succeeded in pushing Sai off balance and launched a dizzying series of attacks with his beam pike.
Sai had no trouble staying well ahead of his opponent's moves, but he was working on automatic. His mind was still trying to process what it had just heard. 'So they have his sister too.' Sai's heart wept for the desperate man before him. "So they promised a cure after you're done fighting for them?"
Chico halted his attack and stood at the ready, "That's right. If I have to become a criminal to give my sister her life back then there's simply no other choice for me. I'll fight to my last breath!"
"Very well. If you truly wish to fight then I'll oblige you." Sai cast a downtrodden look to the ground as he announced, "But on the condition that our battle be in the form of a Gundam Fight Match."
Chico's eyebrow twitched and his hands tightened around his pike, "If losing your head in an official fight is how you want this to end that's fine by me. GUNDAM FIGHT!!!"
Sai's head snapped up to regard Chico as he called back, "READY!!!"
"GO!!!" Chico surged forward and attacked with the ferocity of a beast. He was almost wild, his attacks completely fueled by adrenaline and instinct. However there was no accuracy, no plan of action behind his strikes and Sai was able to dodge every attack with minimal movement or effort.
"You never stood a chance against me." Sai stated the fact coldly without remorse. He knew mere moments into the match that Chico had absolutely no hope of victory.
"Shut up!" Chico's frustration was growing rapidly. His attacks degrading further and further as he let the rage take over. It was the kind of battle that Sai despised.
'This is wrong. This whole thing is just wrong! I have to stop it!' Sai's jaw clenched as he continued to wait to make his move.
Chico had finally exhausted and Spike Gundam was prone, supporting itself on one knee. The torso was moving up and down perfectly simulating the deep breathing of its fighter.
"I'll make it easy." Sai promised as he hefted two deployed Fei-Long flags.
Chico saw Gina's smiling face before him. It was rapidly fading away, he was losing sight of her and his heart went cold. "No! I can't lose! I won't lose!" Chico sprang forward and Sai rushed to meet him. Both men let out challenging cries as they quickly closed on one another. At the final moment both drew back with their weapons and connected with a blinding flash of light and blur of movement too fast for the eye to track. Both Gundams were down on a knee with their backs to one another. A moment passed in silence until finally Sai retracted his weapons and replaced them in their holsters. Dragon Gundam stood to its full height and lifted its right foot. In perfect unison to the footfall six even and seamless lines appeared in Spike Gundams head, two diagonal, one horizontal that separated it like sliced pie before it roughly detonated. The headless Gundam fell backward gracelessly and laid prone upon the ground.
Sai finally turned to regard his fallen adversary. 'I never wanted it to come to this.' He thought with regret. With one precise blow Sai penetrated the cockpit and gingerly lifted Chico Rodriguez's unconscious form free of the torso. 'I can't leave him here to die in this forsaken place. He doesn't deserve that.' With his new charge secure in his grip, Sai rushed after Allenby.
[Location Unknown]
Rain was hopelessly lost. She had never been allowed outside of the lab and room she had been provided. She had no sense of direction, and no idea how to utilize the many corridors she came across. The only good news was that she had eluded her pursuers. At least temporarily. 'Saette___' She thought with dread. The memory was still fresh and powerful. He disappeared around that corner and likely ran straight to his death. All to save her. 'I can't stop now. I have to keep going.' She tried to ignore the ache she was suffering as she diligently continued her trek. When two men appeared before her she had to cover her mouth to contain the scream she knew was lurking at the back of her throat. She quickly ducked down another corridor and pressed herself flat against the wall. Thankfully they hadn't noticed her.
Rain refused to let any sound escape from her lips so when the pair of men dressed in blue lab coats began speaking she couldn't help but overhear. "You took care of the dark haired guy right?" The first asked.
'Domon?' Rain thought with a renewed sense of hope.
"Yeah, I gave him the dose just like DeMarco ordered." The second answered. "I just don't get it. The guy just had his regular interval an hour ago. He'd have been out for at least ten hours. Upping the medication is dangerous and pointless."
"DeMarco doesn't like taking chances. Apparently this security breach has him spooked good." The first began again. "What about the girl?"
'Girl? What girl?' She hadn't know they were holding anyone else.
"I forgot my damn badge, so I had to use the universal code." The second complained.
"Neighbor of the beast. I don't know why DeMarco thinks up stuff like that."
"Yeah no kidding. Anyway, her cryostasis is stable. She's fine too."
"Well that's it then. We should head to the emergency bunker."
"After you."
Rain listened until the sound of their footsteps faded before she peeked around the corner. Seeing no one she rushed down the hall the two scientists had appeared from. There were two doors, one on either side. Both were securely locked. Rain considered the door on her right first and regarded the keypad thoughtfully.
'Neighbor of the beast? Where have I heard that before?' Rain reached out and with one slender finger punched in six, six, seven. The door slid open without complaint. She carefully stepped inside, thankful that no one was there. She silently approached the capsule situated in the room's center and gasped when she got her first view of the occupant inside. 'That's Gina Rodriguez. They put her in a cryogenic state?' It broke her heart when Rain realized there wasn't anything she could do to help her. She couldn't move the cryo chamber without terminating its power source, and she couldn't wake Gina without risking her life. 'I'll have to come back with help later.' Rain doubted whether or not that would be possible. Yet she was left with little choice. She finally turned away from Gina's sleeping form and walked out of the room and crossed to the other door. She confidently punched in the same code and the door opened to her.
"DOMON!" Rain couldn't help her ecstatic cry as she rushed to her husband's side. He was prone upon a table with a bright light shining down upon his unconscious form. His limbs were bound and a single IV was connected to his arm. Rain could feel the tears run down her face as she embraced him for the first time in an eternity. She sobbed quietly for a moment before lifting her head to look directly at him. He hadn't responded at all.
'I've got to get him out of here.' Rain quickly surveyed the room and found medical supplies in a locker. 'I can't be sure what they gave him, or how much. But I can't carry him out of here by myself. I need him conscious.' She finally settled on a mild stimulant and quickly replaced the sedative drip he was receiving with it. 'Domon, I hope you wake up soon. I need you.' Rain quietly stroked his forehead as she waited for his eyes to open. Unfortunately she hadn't noticed the camera over the doorway that was intently focused on her.
[Security Center]
Saette had fought even after he ran out of bullets. Unfortunately his skills as a fighter were rendered useless against the hail of rubber ammunition that had finally subdued him. When he awoke he wished he hadn't. His entire body ached, burned, and he quickly discovered his arms were bound behind his back. He recognized the room. He was in the security center. 'I have to get out of here.' Saette grunted as he flexed his wrist, but sighed when he felt the reassuring weight of his lock pick fall into his waiting hands. He quickly set to work and in mere moments was free. 'Where are all the guards?' Saette finally wondered as he surveyed the countless surveillance displays. He finally caught sight of Dragon Gundam and Noble Gundam in the facility and it dawned on him. 'Looks like they pulled through after all. All the enemies' attention is focused on them.' Saette was about to turn away when he saw her. Rain was standing over Domon. 'Thank god she's okay.' He thought with relief. However his reprieve was short lived. Security was moving in on her, and she hadn't a clue. Saette ran as fast as his battered body would allow.
[Fuel Depot]
Allenby hadn't encountered another human being since she had separated from Sai-Saici. Navigating had proved more difficult than she originally anticipated. She had no idea where she was. 'This is nuts. The place is huge! It must've taken them years to build it. I need a plan. At this rate it'll take days to find Domon and Rain.' Allenby hadn't stopped for even a moment's rest. She continued her trek diligently surveying the terrain, looking for any signs that could assist.
Her senses were well attuned, however they still didn't react fast enough. She heard the whistling noise, and that was the only warning she received. At the speed Allenby was moving the sudden pull around her neck tore her from her feet and snapped her head back. With a painful thud Noble Gundam crashed to the earth. Allenby was desperately trying to fill her lungs with air as she struggled against the bond that was fastened around her throat, but to no avail.
"Seems to me like you're lost little girl. Need help finding your way home?" Outback Gundam slowly approached Noble Gundam from behind, carefully coiling its whip to keep the maximum pressure on Allenby. "Well don't you worry, I'll be more than happy to send you right on back to meet your maker."
Allenby heard his words but couldn't understand them. She was beginning to feel lightheaded. There were black spots dancing in front of her eyes. Her stomach was uselessly heaving, trying to draw in precious oxygen.
Outback Gundam had finally reached Noble Gundam and Slade lifted his right foot. His mouth broke out into a grin as he snapped his foot down, yet remarkably Allenby was able to shift her head. The blow landed harmlessly next to Noble Gundam and Allenby saw her chance. She quickly rotated her hips and kicked out, catching Outback Gundam at the knee joints. Slade grunted as his legs buckled at the blow and inadvertently loosened his grip.
Allenby gladly took advantage of his distraction and pulled herself to her feet and heaved in a heavy breath as soon as she tore Slade's weapon from around her throat. Allenby quickly retreated several steps as Outback Gundam quickly rose back to its feet all the while sucking in delicious oxygen as fast as she could. 'That was not fun.' She thought bitterly as she massaged her sore neck. 'Who the hell is this guy?'
"All right then. You want to make a show of this. Suits me just fine little girl. You should've just let me choke the life from you." Outback Gundam's eyes lit up menacingly as it turned to face Noble Gundam. A vid-screen appeared in Allenby's cockpit and she took her first glance at Slade MaCaffrey. His fight suit was a seamless mixture of countless shades of colors. You couldn't tell where one began, or the next ended. It was like he was wearing a cloak of sand, constantly shifting and changing with the wind. The center of his chest was decorated with a dark green boomerang, arched in mid flight. His blue eyes never wavered as his angry and dark voice continued, "Now I'm gonna take my time, and make it nice and slow for ya."
Allenby was unimpressed. She'd dealt with his kind too many times to count. 'Aw, man. Why do I always get the sado-masochist pigs?' She lamented to herself. "Listen, I don't know who you are. Frankly I don't care either. The only thing I care about is getting my friends back. Stay out of my way, or I'll put you down." Allenby was in rare form. Usually the Gundam Fight was just another game to her, it was rare indeed to meet opponents the inspired the kind of resentment and rage that colored her face.
Slade growled as he called back, "Enough! I didn't come here to talk!"
"Fine! Have it your way! GUNDAM FIGHT!!!" Allenby answered as she drew her beam ribbon.
"READY!!!" Slade roared as he cracked his whip down upon the ground.
Allenby was quickly rotating her wrist in front of her body, spinning her ribbon, "GO!!!" She fired her veniers and hurtled herself at Outback Gundam with her ribbon rotating around her as a constantly shifting shield.
Slade quickly used his left hand to pull out a flat object from the holster on Outback Gundam's leg. With a flick of his wrist it snapped out into the shape of a boomerang. A second flick of the wrist sent it flying at Noble Gundam's head.
"You'll have to do better!" Allenby cut the weapon neatly in half with a swift slash and delivered a heavy body blow to Outback Gundam below the cockpit. Slade grunted as he doubled over slightly, only to clench his jaw as Allenby quickly rotated her body and delivered a roundhouse kick that snapped his head to the right.
Slade shouted as he rotated with the blow and delivered a hard punch of his own, catching Noble high on the torso. "This'll teach you to keep your mouth shut!"
Allenby fell backwards with the blow then screamed when Slade struck out with his whip, striking Noble Gundam under its head and lifting it into the air. Slade rushed forward to press his advantage, but was totally unprepared for Allenby's response.
Upon landing she used her arms to launch herself feet first at Outback Gundam. She aimed her attack well. The loud impact echoed throughout the cavern as Outback Gundam was lifted clear of its feet. Allenby continued on and as she passed overhead she struck out with her ribbon and coiled it around Outback Gundam's right arm.
"Vulcans!" Slade bit out through the ache in his jaws as he tracked Allenby's path. His bullets found their mark and Allenby cried out as she dropped her weapon from her throbbing hand. As Allenby landed she had to quickly dodge out of the way of her own ribbon as Slade was swinging it as an impromptu weapon.
"You've got good aim, but a dull brain!" Allenby was able to snatch the handle of her weapon out of the air and quickly pulled on it, digging the weapon into her opponents arm.
Slade tried to hold in the scream, but it eventually forced its way out of his mouth as the mobile trace system flashed red, burning him as intently as Allenby's beam was searing his Gundam.
With one quick and sure pull Allenby succeeded in tearing the limb free from the torso and Slade only screamed louder. "Time to finish you off!" She called as she reared back for the final blow.
Slade's eyes held a promise for murder as sweat freely ran down his face. "Not just yet it isn't." When his intact left hand Slade swung his whip and caught Allenby right in the hand, once again she dropped her weapon. "Lets see how you like this!" His mobile trace system crackled with power as he stood to his full height. He began spinning his whip like a lasso over his head, and Allenby watched as it began glowing with an intense yellow light. With a loud roar Slade swung with all his might and his whip exploded with power as electricity began dancing freely along its length.
Allenby was glad that she avoided the blow. For the earth underneath the whip was blackened and smoking. 'This could be a problem.' She thought with dread as Slade began advancing swinging his weapon as fast as he could, driving Allenby farther and farther back. He had yet to connect with a single blow, but Allenby was forced to remain on the defensive. 'I don't have the reach to do any damage without getting myself fried.' Suddenly her path of retreat was cut off as she roughly slammed into a thick metal wall. 'Uh-Oh.' She commented.
"Now you're mine!" Slade boasted as he fired his Verniers. He swung his whip again, and again Allenby was able to dodge it, but she didn't avoid his extended shoulder. The sheer force of the impact drove both Gundams through the wall and they crashed in a heap in the new chamber.
Allenby moaned as she got back to her feet. She quickly spotted Outback Gundam rising as well. However she saw something else that also demanded her attention. 'Not good.' Connected by piping all along the floor were storage cells at least a story high. There were a lot of them, densely packed that extended as far as Allenby could see. "Don't! You'll blow us BOTH up!" She called out with dread as Slade reared back for another attack.
'What's she going on about?' Slade wondered until he too spared a glance at the surroundings. His eyes widened as he too recognized the danger, unfortunately his charged whip was dancing around like a free power cable. The end struck one of the pipes and heated the fuel inside. It took less than a second for the first explosion to rip through the chamber. Both Gundams were buffeted by the heat and force of the detonation, and neither fighter was going to stick around to find out how the tragedy played out. They pushed their machines to move as fast as possible. There was a bright light, and Allenby knew nothing more.
[Neo-Australian Desert.]
Gundam Maxter was standing victoriously over the charred remains of Highlander Gundam. Suddenly, Chibodee's attention was drawn back to the plateau base. An explosion lifted fire and black smoke into the air and Chibodee was instantly worried. "Hang on everyone! I'm coming!!" His verniers were burning too slowly, he had to move faster. 'Please, please be okay.'
[Main Terminus.]
Sai-Saici was just about to turn a corner when a wall of fire billowed through the archway. He cried out in alarm as he threw a hand in front of his face and rapidly backpedaled. Reacting on instinct he quickly opened his cockpit and secured Chico inside. He took only a moment to ensure the other man was still unconscious before he returned his full attention to the raging flames that were still growing. The entire plateau was shaking and large stones started falling from the ceiling under the onslaught. Sai's reflexes were being cruelly tested by the catastrophe. 'What's going on!?' Sai asked himself as he drew one of his flags and began spinning it rapidly over his head, deflecting falling debris. The stone underneath him shifted and cracked, and Sai lost his balance. When he looked back up, a stone the size of a Gundam was bearing down on him.
"BURNING PUNCH!" The stream of flame exploded the stone in an instant, and all that was left were small drifting particles of sand.
"Bro, good timing." Sai's voice shook slightly when he turned to see Gundam Maxter in boxing mode.
"You all right short stuff?" Chibodee's face appeared in Sai's cockpit.
"Call me that again and find out." Sai snapped back.
Chibodee chuckled for a moment but stopped when he noticed Chico. "What's he doing in there?"
Sai turned to look at Chico before answering, "Don't worry. I've already defeated him. He won't be a problem anymore." He turned back to look at Chibodee. "They have his sister. That's why he was helping them."
"I see." Chibodee replied with a serious expression on his face. He looked around for a moment, "Hey, where's Allenby?"
"We were separated when I was fighting Chico. She went on ahead___" Sai trailed off and his voice vanished as he turned to regard the fire that was still raging deeper into the facility.
"What!? You mean she's in there!?" the panic in Chibodee's voice was nothing compared to fear that was running through him like ice water. He fired his verniers and traveled directly into the flames, with Sai a mere second behind him.
[Deep inside the base.]
Saette was on the move when the first tremors shook the corridors. 'What in the world?' He stopped in his tracks as the vibrations increased, his entire body was trembling. He jumped into an archway and held on for dear life as it seemed the entire base was coming down. His teeth were rattling in his jaw, his bones ached. Just as suddenly as it began it stopped, and Saette sank to his knees in relief. He was breathing heavily, and he was feeling pain in places he didn't even know he had. 'I don't have time for this, gotta keep moving.' He was off again.
[Domon's Cell.]
'A watched pot never boils' Rain reminded herself as she regarded Domon. He still had not awakened. She had removed his bindings, administered the proper medication. Now all she could do was wait, with the rhythmic rising and falling of her husband's chest her only company. 'The longer we're here the more likely they are to find us. I hope Chibodee and the others are on their way.' Rain's attention shifted from Domon when the first tremors ran their way through her body. She screamed when the entire room began shaking violently. Instinctively, she grabbed Domon and pulled him under the table, shielding him with her body. She squeezed her eyes shut and winced at every deafening explosion, wrapping herself tighter and tighter around Domon. Lockers fell over, spilling dozens of bags of drugs over the floor. From cracks in the ceiling dust and other debris peppered the floor.
It was a beautiful thing when the room blissfully settled. It was even better when Rain felt Domon's hand clench against hers. She held her breath as she regarded his face. Slowly his eye's fluttered open, and the world slid into focus. Rain slid into focus. She was crying. "Rain? Why are you crying?" His throat was weak. It felt heavy, slow, like he hadn't used it in a long time. 'I feel terrible.' He thought.
"Thank God." Was all Rain was able to get out before her voice broke and she began sobbing openly. She couldn't speak, so she wrapped her arms around his head and held him. Her crying didn't subside when he embraced her back.
That was how Saette found them when he entered the room. Along with the elation of seeing her safe he also felt the familiar pang in his heart. She was with her husband, and he might as well not even exist. 'Good. It looks like all the guards were neutralized in the explosion. We may just get out of this yet.' "Rain, Domon!" He finally spoke out and caught their attention.
"Saette?" Rain asked as if she couldn't believe it. "Saette, I thought for sure they'd kill you!" Rain slid out from under the table and pulled Domon with her. "Please, give me a hand. He's not well."
Saette obliged and draped one of Domon's arms over his shoulder and helped him to his feet. "Been a long time." Was Domon's dry remark to him.
"Yeah, it has." Saette agreed with a defeated tone to his voice. "Come on, I know the way out of here." He and Rain supported Domon together as they began making their way through the halls.
"Where are we? What's going on?" Domon asked.
"It's a long story Domon." Rain answered. "The short and ugly version is that we were taken hostage over two months ago."
The drugs were still weighing him down heavily, but Domon did manage to let out a surprised gasp. "What? What're you talking about Rain?"
"They wanted me to help them develop some new Gundam technology. They kept you sedated and told me they'd kill you if I didn't cooperate." There was an angry edge behind Rain's words. It was a tone that Domon rarely had the opportunity to hear.
"So you helped them." It was a statement, not a question. Domon knew that as far as his health was concerned there was nothing Rain wouldn't do.
"Yes." She admitted sadly. "I didn't have any other choice. I tried lying. Told them that what they wanted wasn't feasible. Then they gave me a deadline, and said if I broke it, they'd break you."
"What is it Rain? What did you make for them?" Domon asked.
"I harnessed the power of nanites. Created a form that could be controlled and utilized by a Gundam." She explained.
"And they've already installed the technology in five mobile fighters." Saette picked up where Rain left off. "Steel Gundam, Outback Gundam, Phantom Gundam, Gundam Longshot, and Gundam Vlad."
"The first four units gained relatively minor enhancements." Domon listened intently as Rain continued. "The real danger though, is Gundam Vlad."
"Why? What's so special about it?" Domon asked.
"The first four machines just utilize the nanites to enhance functions that they already possessed. It makes their talents more energy efficient, more powerful. However Gundam Vlad is different. It can deploy the nanites directly as a weapon." Rain's gaze hardened as she continued. "Try to imagine it Domon. Just like your thoughts and movements drive your Gundam, the fighter can utilize his thoughts to change the shape, durability, the very nature of his weapon to fit the circumstance. That's not all. He can also utilize the technology to steal energy and strength from other Gundams."
"And he has no qualms about fighting dirty either." Saette interjected.
"Who? Who is the fighter?" Domon asked.
"The representative from Neo-Romania, Kane DeMarco." Saette answered.
"Never heard of him." Domon remarked.
"Hopefully, you'll never have to meet him." Saette warned. "The guy is powerful and cruel. With any luck he was buried alive somewhere in this mess." Saette finally stopped. "This is it, we're here." Rain and Domon looked at the rail cart dubiously. "Don't worry. I checked, the path out is clear. This'll take us right to the main hangar. We're almost out of here."
[Fuel Depot.]
"ALLENBY!" Chibodee called out desperately as he searched for any sign of Noble Gundam. "ALLENBY! Can you hear me!?" The fire only grew hotter as he traveled deeper and deeper inside. Chibodee didn't even seem to feel the flames, the fear and panic coursing through him blocked out everything else. He didn't even register Dragon Gundam which was following closely behind.
"Bro! It's getting too hot! We've gotta turn back!" Sai's voice cut through him.
"I'm not leaving without her! You go back if you want to!" Chibodee called back.
"Bro, its suicide! Face it, sis is dead!"
"Shut up! If you're not gonna help then just stay out of my way!" Gundam Maxter's verniers burned even brighter as Chibodee pushed his machine's acceleration as high as it would allow. He was rapidly vanishing from Sai's sight.
Sai hesitated only a moment before following suit. 'I could never live with myself if they died.' He tried to rationalize, tell himself that it was impossible. That they would never find her, that he was committing suicide. Yet all that was meaningless. If his help was needed, no matter the risk he would help.
'He's wrong! I know he is. She's still alive. She's still alive.' Chibodee repeated that to himself over and over like a mantra. His eyes were burning, his blood had long since run cold. He felt a small moment of elation when he finally breached the flames and came upon an area that wasn't free burning. Fires still dotted the cavern floor but they weren't dangerous. Yet that comforted him little when he finally saw the charred and smoking form of Noble Gundam. "ALLENBY!" Chibodee cried out as he ran towards the fallen Gundam. He took only a moment to lower Gundam Maxter to a knee before he opened the cockpit and leapt to the floor.
Chibodee slapped the cockpit release and waited anxiously as it hissed and slid open. He leapt inside without preamble, and there she was. Her fight suit was blackened and covered with debris. Her usually porcelain skin was covered in soot and cuts. Her eyes were closed. "Allenby?" Chibodee's voice was small. He was trembling and water gathered in his eyes. He was afraid, afraid to reach out and confirm the worst. But then his eyes noticed the most beautiful sight he could ever recall seeing. 'She's breathing!' He thought with a new sense of elation. Indeed her chest was rising and falling with short erratic breaths. Chibodee kneeled over her and carefully laid a hand over her heart. Chibodee retracted his hand as if it had been burned when she hissed at the contact.
"Allenby? Allenby can you hear me?" Chibodee asked softly.
Her eyes slowly opened as she answered in a small trembling voice. "Chibodee?"
"Oh thank God." Chibodee couldn't help the dumb grin that spread on his face, nor the tears that fell from his eyes. He reached out and embraced Allenby's hand between his. "Yeah, its me Allenby. I'm here."
"I was fighting__and then there was an explosion." She managed to get out between breaths, even as silent tears streamed from her glistening eyes. "I tried to get up, but I couldn't. I wanted to get up. We have to help Domon and Rain." She tried to rise but Chibodee gently restrained her. Her face was twisting in pain.
"Hey, take it easy. You need to rest." Chibodee choked back a sob that threatened to escape.
"I am tired." She agreed. "But can't rest. Gotta help Domon."
Chibodee's heart almost broke. Battered and bruised, she was still trying to fight. "Don't worry about that now. I'll take care of everything."
"Promise?" She asked as her eyes drifted shut.
"Promise. Just rest now." Chibodee's voice shook as he caressed her cheek. Then she was asleep, and Chibodee gingerly lifted her into his arms. He supported her head on his shoulder and carefully exited the Gundam.
"Bro! Is she. I mean she isn't?" Dragon Gundam had arrived, and Sai was unable to ask the question, he was afraid of the answer.
"She's alive." Chibodee confirmed, and Sai sighed with relief. "Do me a favor and get Noble Gundam. We're heading back for the hangar."
"But we still gotta help bro and sis." Sai complained.
"We still will." Chibodee answered. "But we won't be able to go any further this way. The route's completely blocked off. On my way in I noticed another path, we'll head that way."
Sai regarded the chamber and realized Chibodee was right. The entire cavern was blocked off by stone and flames. "All right, I'll carry Noble Gundam."
Chibodee wrapped Allenby in his coat and gently set her down in Gundam Maxter's cockpit. "Good. Then let's get out of here."
[Main Hangar.]
"How are you feeling Domon?" Rain asked. The rail cart had been traveling for a few minutes. Carrying its passengers into the main hangar.
"I'm still groggy. Slow. It feels like my muscles are ten times heavier than normal." Domon shifted uncomfortably as his body protested against its rough treatment.
"That'll fade. It's amazing you're even moving at all. It usually takes days to recover from such heavy sedation." Rain assured him.
"So, how do you fit into all of this Saette?" Domon turned his glance to the other man who was sitting as far from him as possible.
"That's not really important Domon." Rain tried to interrupt.
"No, its fine." Saette answered. "DeMarco approached me, told me that if I didn't fight for him he'd hurt Rain. I agreed. That simple."
"So now what? You're just helping us because you know Kane'll lose? Why didn't you do something when we were first taken!?" Domon surged to his feet.
"Domon stop it!" Rain begged as he put a hand on Domon's arm.
Domon tugged his arm free of her grasp and approached Saette. He grabbed him by the collar and hauled him to his feet. "Well!? Why didn't you help sooner!?"
Saette finally knocked Domon's arm away, "I did everything I could. I had to be careful, I couldn't risk them hurting Rain. I had to wait for the right opportunity. If you hadn't already noticed, I'm the only reason you're getting out of here in one piece!"
"Stop please!" Rain shouted. "We're still in trouble here, we have to work together!"
The car finally slid to a stop and the doors opened. "All right. Let's go." Saette left the car without another word, leaving Rain to support Domon by herself as they followed behind him. "Just keep heading in that direction, I'm going to get my Gundam." Saette pointed towards the breached main gate as he entered a dead run towards Scythe Gundam, which was still patiently waiting. Its eyes glowed when Saette activated the mobile trace system. As soon as his fight suit was active he took off towards the main gate. On the way he snatched the very jeep he rode to the base into his hand and deposited it in front of Domon and Rain. "I'll make sure its clear. Wait here." Saette walked into daylight, and when his eyes adjusted to the glare he wished they hadn't.
Standing before his path was Gundam Vlad. "Saette my dear boy. You've certainly caused a far amount of trouble wouldn't you say?" Kane's voice ripped through him without mercy. Saette couldn't help but tremble at the sight before him.
Gundam Vlad was slender when compared to most other Gundams. Its body was hidden from view by the black cloak that surrounded it. It shifted and moved like it was alive. The head's armor was black as well, yet the face was white, and shaped roughly to appear as if it bore two fangs. Its red eyes burned viciously underneath its yellow Chevron. The head's armor elongated into thin points that lent it the appearance of slender ears. It shifted slightly and the cloak fell away from the torso, revealing it to be mostly gray and black. The fingers were shaped into points.
"Its over Kane. We're leaving." Saette finally responded.
He cringed when Kane answered with laughter. "Sorry, but I'm inclined to disagree." Gundam Vlad began striding forward confidently. "I'll give you one last chance Saette. You can fight for me and reap the benefits. Or I'll destroy you and everything else you care about."
"I already told you, I'm through helping you Kane!" Saette shouted back.
"Brave words. Too bad your voice is trembling, I might've believed you." Kane mocked him.
Rain and Domon could only watch helplessly as the scene unfolded in front of them. The memory would be burned into their minds for the rest of their lives.
"Let's get this over with Kane." Saette drew his scythe and settled into a ready stance.
Gundam Vlad's hangs lifted in a shrug, then crossed them over its chest. "As you wish. Gundam Fight stand by." He initiated the challenge without the fire, or passion that most other fighters exhibited. It was almost like he was bored.
"READY!!! GO!!!" Saette roared back as he fired his verniers. Gundam Vlad didn't move an inch as Scythe Gundam approached. Kane's mouth lifted in a small smirk as Saette launched his first attack.
"What!?" Saette called out in surprise. His sword passed right through the space that Gundam Vlad had occupied, but he never saw his enemy move. He quickly turned and there it was standing behind him exactly as it was before. Saette grunted in frustration as he attacked again. This time he caught a flicker, almost as if he saw several silhouette's of Gundam Vlad arch out of his path. This time it appeared overhead, suspended in mid air. It still hadn't moved a limb, yet it was appearing in different spaces.
"Rain, what's going on?" Domon asked dumbfounded as he futilely tried to track Gundam Vlad.
"I don't know." Rain replied helplessly.
'Hold still. Hold still!' Saette desperately thought to himself. He had given up trying to attack, Gundam Vlad wasn't staying put long enough for him to even try. Its image flashed in front of him, behind him, above him.
"What's the matter Saette? Where's the fire you were displaying just a moment ago!?" Kane finally launched an attack that caught Saette unprepared. The kick lifted Saette of his feet, then he was slammed unceremoniously to the ground when Gundam Vlad materialized behind him and delivered an elbow blow to his back. "Get up." Kane ordered.
Saette growled as he lifted himself to a knee and then quickly turned and slashed. Kane nimbly leapt and landed on the blade, perfectly balanced. Saette stared dumbfounded. "What are you?" He asked.
Kane's answer was brutal and swift. With his clawed fingers he jabbed Scythe Gundam with enough force to completely penetrate the head. Saette's scream was cut short when the head detonated.
"No! Saette!" Rain cried.
Domon was shaking in fury. He had instantly forgotten his numbed limbs, the dizziness that had clouded his mind. In that one instant it was all burned away and forgotten. "You MONSTER!" Domon accused Kane as Scythe Gundam's remains sank to the ground.
"Don't be melodramatic." Kane's voice cut through the air from Gundam Vlad's speakers. "I defeated him mercifully. He didn't suffer."
"But you most certainly will!" Domon promised. "RISE BURNING GUNDAM!!!"
End
Wow. That was longer than I thought it would be, and there's still more to go! Okay, I tried to write the best fights that I could, but I don't want you guys to think I copped out with the short ones with Chico and Saette. I was trying to realistically depict the great differences in the Fighters respective skills. So basically I was trying to say that Sai and Kane were ten times better than their respective opponents. I hope you enjoyed, I'm looking forward to your reviews. In the next chapter Burning Gundam vs. Gundam Vlad. See you soon!