Disclaimer: I still don't own G-Gundam or any of its original characters. I do however own the DVD's, and in the end is that not what man has dreamt of since he first gazed upon the stars?---Sorry, I've been watching Futurama. Can you blame me?
Okay then, going on over two months since I've updated, after saying that I was close to finishing up. So I guess that makes me a liar, and I hope that any loyal readers I have left can forgive me. I know Jen23 will be the first to assure me that the chapter was worth the wait. I can only hope that I live up to that expectation.
In the last chapter I noticed that my pauses didn't translate over. So if you see --- that means a pause in characters' statement. Quotes mean dialogue, comas where you think quotes should be represent inner monologue. Means a change of perspective in a location.
In our last chapter Domon Kasshu challenged Kane DeMarco to an unofficial battle. Things seemed to be going well for the King of Hearts right up to the point where he thought to use Erupting Burning Finger to finish his foe. Kane displayed Gundam Vlad's true strength, the ability to steal his foe's power and combine it with his own. Domon was knocked aside with one vicious blow, and Rain nearly lost all hope. However salvation appeared in the form of Chibodee Crockett and Sai-Saici who defended Burning Gundam against the impressive power of Gundam Vlad. Once again the shuffle alliance appeared to have things well in hand, but Kane surprised them all. Chibodee and Sai's enormous combination attack seemed to backfire, leaving Dragon Gundam lying in ruins while Gundam Vlad stood comparatively unscathed. Now the shuffle alliance's hopes lie on Chibodee's shoulders as he enters a Gundam Fight match with a seemingly unstoppable enemy.
Gundam Fight All Set! Ready!!! GO!!!
A New History Forgotten. Chapter 8: Burning Fists vs. Vampiric Claws.
Kane DeMarco grunted as another blow landed on his bleeding face. 'This is ridiculous!' He spun with the contact and turned, settling into a balanced stance. His breathing was still labored, he hadn't yet recovered from the massive attack that Chibodee and Sai delivered. His growing rage wasn't helping either. 'I should be able to handle this reckless oaf with no problem! Why is he proving so difficult!?' He mused to himself as he regarded Gundam Maxter in front of him.
Chibodee Crockett stood at the ready in his cockpit, keeping his senses focused solely on the opponent in front of him. He couldn't help but be impressed with Kane's stamina and resilience. He knew that if forced to go through half the punishment that Kane had been subjected to, he would be lying flat on his back and dead to the world. Yet that wasn't important. He wanted to take Gundam Vlad's head and be finished with it. 'Under different circumstances I'd be thrilled to fight this man.' He mused to himself, his eyebrows arching even more. 'But for now, I've got a promise to keep. He's going down no matter how long it takes.' Chibodee's breath wasn't labored but uneasy. Sweat decorated his brow and his arms rose and fell to his quickened heartbeat as he stood before Gundam Vlad.
Domon Kasshu had an unobstructed view of the battlefield that lay before him. The sun was merciless, baking the brown and tan earth beneath it with an unbearable heat. The vapors and gases that rose form the ground slightly blurred his vision of Gundam Vlad and Gundam Maxter. Almost as if they were simple mirages instead of the powerful machines he knew them to be. A strong wind kicked up a small cyclone of sand that darted between the two mobile fighters, an appropriate sign of the tension that hung heavy and thick in the air.
The view was both unnerving and exciting. At the same time Domon felt goose bumps on his arms and a chill running through him. However impressive the battlefield itself was, it wasn't the cause of the King of Hearts discomfort. For to his practiced eyes, the very souls of the combatants themselves were laid bare to him. The skill he had learned from his master, and his brother was put to good use. The view was as clear to him as a cloudless sky.
Kane's soul was malevolent and dark. In it Domon saw Kane's raw strength, power, and technique. He saw his lustful determination to bend others to his will. Not satisfied with his own strength, he would seek to dominate the wills of others. Domon was disgusted, he had never witnessed a martial artists' soul that was so black and heartless. Not even Michelo Chariot, with his insane drive for revenge could compare to the unrestrained malice that rolled off Kane like a stifling miasma.
Chibodee's aura could not have been more different. It shone with a reckless light. It was neither invasive or harmful, but warm and relaxing. Chibodee's confidence was born from an inner strength that he drew from his friends and his desire to share his dream with the world. However Domon also noticed one more thing, something that was not present the last time he saw Chibodee. 'A promise?' He wondered. 'A promise to someone important.' He finally concluded. 'DeMarco seriously underestimates Chibodee. He'll never understand the power of his soul.' Domon crossed his arms. He would enjoy watching Chibodee educate the Neo-Romanian.
A wave of black smoke rose quickly from Dragon Gundam's cockpit hatch. Rain was caught by surprise and gagged as the cloud quickly escaped from the confined space. Once she composed herself she leapt in without hesitation. Wires were hanging loose from smashed panels and controls. Many of the lights were destroyed, and those that remained flickered, threatening to plunge Rain into darkness. The mobile trace system itself was barely recognizable, it was twisted in a horrid fashion that left Rain cold. 'No, Sai-Saici.'
As she approached the wreckage she was forced to choke back a surprised scream. One of the ruined rings was moving on its own, and before long it was displaced enough for Rain to see Chico Rodriguez bent over something.
"Please, give me a hand here." His voice was tired and strained.
Rain recognized the tone, Chico was clearly in a lot of pain. She approached warily, but forgot her caution once she realized that Chico was trying to pry Sai-Saici's unconscious form free of the rubble and debris. Rain felt an unfamiliar tightening in her chest as she got closer to Chico. It wasn't fear or anxiety, she was keeping a tight rein on the rage that was spreading through her. After all, she and Domon had risked a lot to help Chico and his sister in the past, and he repaid them with capture and torment. But for now, she was willing to bear his presence, as long as he could help Sai-Saici, she could tolerate him.
They had finally freed Sai-Saici and laid him gingerly down on the clearest patch of the cockpit deck they could find. Chico hissed in agony and promptly slid to the deck himself with his eyes tightly shut. Rain ignored him for the moment, her priority was clear. Sai appeared to be in bad shape, his hair was torn free, there were more cuts covering his body than she cared to count, and his head lolled from side to side, seemingly free of any motor control. With practiced caution Rain felt his wrist as she placed her ear over his chest.
"Not good." She quickly asserted that Sai's heartbeat was weak and erratic. His surface wounds were obviously not the only problem. She needed medicine and equipment, and she needed it fast. Her eyes were quickly scanning the wreckage around her. She always made sure that Burning Gundam was well stocked with emergency medical supplies, she hoped that Dragon Gundams' crew employed the same precaution.
"Here." Chico offered as he flicked his wrist.
Rain deftly caught the satchel and regarded Chico for a moment, "Why are you helping us now?" She asked as she tore the satchel open and began to browse through its contents.
Chico lifted weary eyes to Rain, but quickly turned his gaze away, his expression was miserable, "Because that's what Gina would want me to do."
Rain's eyes softened a bit as she turned back to Sai, making a promise with herself that once she knew he was safe she would tend to Chico's injuries as well.
[Neo-Japan Space Colony]
The young aide was surprised at how dark the Prime Minister's office was. During his last visit the room was almost painfully bright, but now the only thing keeping the shadows back was the stars shining through the view port, and the harsh glow of the monitor on the desk.
The aide approached at a steady rate, but he was growing more anxious with each step. The Prime Minister seemed to be in bad shape. His jacket was un-buttoned and colored with sweat, his hair was matted and in disarray, and his hands seemed to be painfully digging into his cheeks.
By the time the aide was standing at the foot of his desk Yujikawa still hadn't acknowledged his presence. Finally he mustered the courage to announce himself, "You sent for me Mr. Prime Minister?"
Yujikawa finally moved his gaze to regard the young man before him, "Yes lieutenant. I need you to perform a vital duty for your colony."
The lieutenant stood at attention as he replied, "Yes Sir! What am I to do?"
Yujikawa managed a small grin at the young mans fervor, 'Another few years in the service would kill that enthusiasm. I suppose I'll be doing him a favor.' Yujikawa stood at his full height. He was tall, but not lanky. He carried himself in a manner that seemed to emanate power. "There is an enemy of the state in solitary confinement. It saddens me to say that if brought to a public trial he could reveal---distasteful information that could embarrass our great nation and ruin our credibility." He took a moment to study the younger man's features. Yujikawa recognized a fierce determination. He almost wanted to laugh. "Obviously we cannot allow that to happen."
"Then we will be leaving the prisoner in solitary confinement sir?" The lieutenant asked.
Yujikawa anticipated the response, "I'm afraid that is no longer possible. People are already inquiring about him. Sooner or later we will be forced to bring him forward for trial."
The lieutenant's expression grew troubled. "What is it you require of me then sir?"
"I want to you make sure that the prisoner won't be able to ruin this colony." Yujikawa stopped for a moment to gaze straight into the other mans' eyes. "I want you to kill him."
The younger man was shocked speechless. When he had finally recovered his voice he answered, "How can you give such an order sir!?" His voice revealed his disbelief.
"Its what must be done. Are you willing to do your duty soldier?" Yujikawa's voice was cold.
"I'm sorry sir, but I must refuse. I could never kill anyone in cold blood." The shock had finally passed, and the determined look returned.
"Well then, I suppose I can't force you lieutenant." Yujikawa knew it was sick to be enjoying this but he couldn't help the light feeling that ran through him. "I saw in your personnel file that you have a newborn."
The lieutenant's body instantly went rigid, and Yujikawa knew he had the other man's complete attention. "I think you and I understand each other lieutenant. I suggest you do your duty. I suggest that you be prompt. If I am unable to report your success---"Yujikawa trailed off and let his threat hang heavy in the air.
He was trembling, and he was fighting with himself to stay at attention. "Permission to be dismissed sir." He ground out through teeth that refused to unclench.
"I have one more suggestion for you before you go lieutenant. If I were you I'd be very discrete about both your objective, and the conversation that we just had. After all I have eyes and ears in every room in this complex. If I even suspect for a micro second that you aren't being faithful to your task," Yujikawa shrugged his shoulders. "Your family will be the first ones to bear the cost."
"Understood, sir." The man's voice was shaking.
"You'll be given all the details you need once you leave the room. You're dismissed." Yujikawa decided it wasn't worth berating the man for failing to salute before he made his leave. He had much larger problems to worry about. He returned to his screen and once again began evaluating the situation.
'Alexei and Anne were unable to stop Gulskii and de Sand. DeMarco managed to put down Dragon Gundam, but Burning Gundam and Gundam Maxter are still operational. Perhaps I should just leave Kane to his fate, my other assets should be sufficient to the task.' However Yujikawa quickly had to discard that notion. Even if he didn't need Kane's power, he did need Kane's discretion. If he was defeated and captured, if Gundam Vlad was dissected, it all could very well make it back to his door. 'But I'll never be able to convince DeMarco to run, and even if he can defeat Crockett and Kasshu he won't make it past Gulskii and de Sand.' Yujikawa's eyes narrowed as he regarded the screen in front of him. Gundam Rose and Bolt Gundam were too close. He had to stop them.
With several quick keystrokes, his monitor displayed a new image. "You're aware of the situation?"
"Of course Mr. Prime Minister." The man answered back.
"I'm authorizing you to use whatever force is necessary, you will not be held responsible. I'll see to everything."
"Understood sir. Then I'll do my part."
[The Skies over Neo-Australia.]
Bolt Gundam and Gundam Rose flew side by side ahead of the Dosstoy. They were pushing at maximum velocity, appearing to be mere blurs to any spectators observing from below. However they weren't moving quickly enough to avoid detection all together.
"Attention unidentified vessel, you and your escorts have violated Neo-Australian airspace, reduce your speed and change your vector or you will be regarded as hostile." Even the hiss of static and other distortions could not mask the hostility in the speaker's voice.
"Odd, we crossed into their airspace over an hour ago. Why are they this late to detect us?" George wondered out loud to his companions.
Argo wore an even more troubled expression than usual, "Nastasha, answer them."
She didn't hesitate to use her practiced voice of authority, "Neo-Australia, this is the Neo-Russian Gundam carrier Dosstoy. We are exercising our right under the international Gundam Fight Regulations to travel the fighting ring freely and without restriction."
Alarms were ringing in both the Gundam's cockpits and on the Dosstoy's bridge. George's eyes widened, "They're locking onto us with anti-air batteries!"
"You will change your course or you will be fired upon!" George and Argo had to shield their eyes from the bright flash that shot past their Gundams. "This is your final warning!"
"What are we going to do?" George turned his head to regard Bolt Gundam.
Argo's face appeared inside George's cockpit, "We have no choice. We can't turn back now."
"There will be consequences." Nastasha's voice warned them.
"The consequences will be far worse if we allow ourselves to be stopped here. WE GO THROUGH THEM!" Bolt Gundam's verniers burned even brighter as Argo accelerated. He was already swinging his graviton hammer when the first shots ripped through air.
George hesitated a mere moment before he set his nerves and narrowed his eyes, "ROSE BITS!!!" His thoughts arrayed the weapons around him and his companions as a constantly shifting shield. Some of them intercepted shots that were meant for the shuffle alliance, the others never ceased returning fire upon the seemingly endless line of enemy guns. A constantly building staccato of explosions was rapidly decorating the sky with smoke and shrapnel.
For miles in all directions a seemingly endless land based defense grid was directing a terrifying amount of artillery, rockets, and energy blasts at George, Argo, and the Dosstoy. Both the Gundams and the carrier were weaving erratically, in a vain attempt to avoid being damaged. Despite their chaotic movements they still suffered glancing blows, and an occasional direct hit that sent them tumbling in a horrifying spiral while they struggled to regain control.
The Dosstoy was constantly shuddering under the strain, small explosions were wracking the ship at irregular intervals. The crew was being shaken well beyond the point of mere discomfort. They were fighting for their lives and they knew it.
For the Gundam Fighters it was even worse. They were subjected to the same treatment, only the mobile trace systems were constantly flashing inside their cockpits, stinging both men with every strike that scored their mobile fighters. The pain that was constantly surging through George from the balls of his feet to his very scalp reminded George of the time in his childhood when he made the mistake of wandering too far from his parents and discovering a bee's nest. It was an endless array of buzzing needles that jabbed with white-hot fire.
They were being blinded by the flashes, their ears were filled with rolling thunder, and their muscles were burning. They still pressed on, and they fought with a desperate fervor. The Dosstoy's missiles and rockets answered with only a fraction of the fire-power that it was enduring, Bolt Gundam's vulcans were droning out an accurate and meticulous response that lit the landscape with rising explosions and smoke. George's Rose Bits were flitting back and forth over the battlefield like an angry swarm.
As quickly as it began it ended. Suddenly George's ears were clear enough to register his own battle cry grounding to a sudden halt. The utter chaos dissipated and was replaced by an awkward calm.
George and Argo were trying to collect their breath as they regarded the situation before them. 'Why have the guns stopped?' George wondered.
The calm ended with the appearance of dozens of mobile suits flying in formation right for them. Dread was easily making a home in both George and Argo's stomachs as they stared down the most energy weapons and fully automated guns they had seen since facing the Dark Colony years earlier.
[Desert of Neo-Australia.]
"I'll give you one last chance Crockett." Kane had finally regained his composure. His breathing was even and steady. "Just stand still, and I'll take Maxter's head swiftly. There will be little pain."
Chibodee's eyes narrowed, "You obviously have no idea who you're dealing with. After all you've done to the people I care about, I'm not about to just sit here and take any more of your crap!" Chibodee placed one foot back and raised his fists dangerously as Gundam Maxter's verniers warmed.
A grin easily settled on Kane's face as he stood to his full height, allowing Gundam Vlad's cape to once again drape itself completely over its frame. "Then you had better pray you defeat me here and now. If you don't, the suffering you and your friends have been forced to endure will pale in comparison to what I'm prepared to do next." A low laugh escaped his throat, "I'm going to enjoy every second of it."
Chibodee had been restraining his rage, instead focusing all of his senses on Gundam Vlad. However the sheer arrogance behind Kane's mocking laughter and threats caused something inside of Chibodee to snap. He could barely hear his own battle cry as his verniers flared brilliantly. Kane blocked Chibodee's first punch but was taken off guard by its power. Gundam Vlad was lifted off the ground and was suspended in air by Chibodee's onslaught. Kane was managing to take all of the blows on Gundam Vlad's arms, but the punishment the mobile trace system was inflicting was quickly leaving his own limbs numb.
With a fierce roar Kane knocked Chibodee's next strike aside and lanced out with a sturdy roundhouse kick. Chibodee moved his head back just in time to let the attack pass harmlessly in front of him, but was forced to retreat another step as Kane came back around with his cape's blades gleaming harshly in the sun. Once again Kane had missed. Gundam Vlad's mobile trace system flashed and Gundam Vlad's cape changed form again, this time elongating into a elastic, and thin blade.
Chibodee's eyes widened in alarm as he attempted to retreat out of range, but he wasn't fast enough. The blow left a hot trail of fire across Chibodee's chest and forced a scream past his mouth. Chibodee's eyes involuntarily squeezed shut against the fresh agony, 'Damn it! Eyes open, always keep your eyes open!' Chibodee berated himself. He finally opened his eyes in time to lean out of the way of a blow that would have surely claimed Gundam Maxter's head.
Before Kane could attack again Chibodee planted a vicious jab high on Gundam Vlad's torso, and followed it up with an uppercut that jarred Kane's jaw shut, and rocked his head back. Chibodee's advantage was short lived, Kane let the force of Chibodee's attack propel him away from Gundam Maxter, and he took the opportunity to strike out with three more of his long blades. Chibodee was not fast enough to evade them all, and he grunted as Gundam Maxter's left leg was skewered.
"Now you're done!" Chibodee gasped in horror as the imbedded blade suddenly wound itself around the leg like a snake. Kane pulled with both arms and Chibodee was slammed to his back. His vision blurred, and his ears were ringing. He was gasping for breath. The extra weight he suddenly had on his chest made drawing in air even more difficult. Chibodee slowly opened his eyes and gasped at the sight before him.
"This is it!" Kane roared as he pointed his clawed fingers at Gundam Maxter's head.
Domon Kasshu only smiled, "Not by a long shot."
There was a horrible screeching as metal was torn and rendered like hay in a thresher, but that sound was nothing compared to Kane's agonized wailing. His entire body was trembling, his extended left arm worse of all. For the mobile trace system had shattered the bones in Kane's fingers, just as Gundam Maxter's Gundanium gloves had shattered Gundam Vlad's left hand.
Kane retreated several steps, clutching his pained hand as Chibodee calmly climbed back to his feet. Kane's eyes widened and he halted his mumbling as Chibodee slowly brought his right fist to bear. The blow spun Kane and dumped him unceremoniously onto the hard earth face first.
Chibodee took a moment to gaze down at what had covered him only a moment before. He felt his heart go cold, and his stomach lurched. 'I can't believe I was stupid enough to leave her in here.' Allenby Beardsley was still wrapped up in his jacket, and still dead to the world on the deck of Gundam Maxter's cockpit.
A new sound snapped Chibodee out of his reverie. Allenby's eyelids were fluttering as she continued to groan. She lifted a hand to her forehead as she finally opened her emerald eyes. "Chibodee?" She quietly asked. "What's going on?"
"Just keeping my promise Allenby. Try to relax, I'll make this quick, and then I can tell you all about it." Chibodee answered.
"Help me up." She reached up to Chibodee and he easily brought her to her feet. She held onto him for a moment as she took in her surroundings. Her eyes narrowed as she beheld Gundam Vlad for the first time. "Is that DeMarco?" She asked with fire in her voice.
"Not for long its not! Get up!" Chibodee commanded as he bounced off the balls of his feet, his fists at the ready. "Get up!" He shouted again, "Get up and fight you FILTH!!"
Domon's Smile only grew wider.
Allenby stood in front of Chibodee and looked him in the eyes for a moment as a serene smile grew on her face. "Do me a favor?" She softly asked. "Go kick his ass." She finished with a lighthearted tone that drew a hearty laugh from Chibodee as he flashed his thumb up and winked.
Kane had no idea what was going on, but once he heard Chibodee's laughter he growled, 'Oh I've had quite enough I think.' With a mental command his cape once again sprang to life, it rushed at Gundam Maxter from several directions at once like a hail of javelins.
Chibodee responded to the new threat instantly and with every thrust of his fist a stream of flame leapt from Gundam Maxter to smash the missiles to pieces. One final deft jab aimed a column of energy directly for Gundam Vlad's still prone form. Kane managed to push off the earth with his good hand with enough force to carry him well out of the harms way and into the air.
Kane continued to attack from a distance, but Chibodee's Burning Fists were smashing the nanites that made up Gundam Vlad's cape faster than it could regenerate them. 'If this keeps up much longer, my primary power source will be exhausted.' Kane's eyes narrowed as he viewed Gundam Maxter with renewed hatred. Gundam Vlad's verniers sputtered and died suddenly, dropping the mobile fighter to its feet. 'DAMN IT!' Kane clenched his jaw tightly as Gundam Maxter quickly grew larger in his view.
"This will finish you!" Chibodee called triumphantly as he reared back for the final blow.
Kane was breathing heavily as he watched the Gundanium glove descending to take his head right off his shoulders. His body was relaxed, his arms hanging limply at his sides as he sunk to his knees in exhaustion.
Allenby was beaming with pride and joy, 'This is it! Chibodee is finally going to end this nightmare!' Yet something suddenly felt wrong, an alarm was ringing in the back of her head.
"CHIBODEE LOOK OUT!!!" Domon roared at the top of his lungs.
"What?" Chibodee was caught off guard at Domon's warning and took his eyes off his opponent to turn to Burning Gundam.
Allenby's eyes widened as she saw what Domon saw, "DODGE!!!"
"Too late, you're mine!!!" Gundam Vlad's undamaged left had was covered in a swirling mass of black nanites. "VAMPIRIC CLAW!!!" With speed that belied the immense pain that was wracking his body Kane shot forward.
Chibodee's eyes went wide at the contact and he let out a surprised gasp. His body began trembling uncontrollably and he felt a freezing cold spreading over him from his stomach. Chibodee sank to his knees and would have fallen over completely had Allenby not wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Chibodee!? Chibodee are you all right!?"
Chibodee did not answer her, his eyes were squeezed shut and his whole body continued to tremble.
Domon had to restrain himself from leaping into the fray. His lips were quivering in impotent rage. He couldn't interfere.
"This is the end! You'll never escape me now!" Kane crowed happily. The nanites were slowly spreading from below the point of contact, right below Gundam Maxter's cockpit hatch. The Mobile fighter was perfectly imitating Chibodee's trembling and its eyes were flickering violently as its power was being drained.
Inside the cockpit the mobile trace system was flashing incessantly as it struggled to maintain the link between Chibodee and Gundam Maxter. Allenby was desperately trying to rouse a response from Chibodee. Tears were slowly falling down her face as she shook him, "Chibodee wake up! Please, you have to open your eyes now!" She kept trying, not only for Chibodee's sake, but in a futile attempt to drown out Kane's insane laughter.
[The Skies Over Neo-Australia.]
Argo let out a roar as he swung his Graviton hammer into another enemy mobile suit. The tan and red war machine took the full force of the blow right to the head and it fell gracelessly from the sky. With his other hand Argo literally grabbed hold of another suit's head and squeezed. No sooner had the broken suit fell from his sight had five more appeared with their beam cannons flashing. Two of the high powered beams found their mark and Argo shouted as he was thrown back.
George streaked in from the attacker's flank with three rose bits circling Gundam Rose. George let out a battle cry as his vulcans and lasers tore into the formation. Three suits detonated before George was close enough to draw his beam rapier. With a deft cut, a mobile suit was separated from shoulder to hip, while George dispatched the final one with a thrust through the head. The Dosstoy appeared in front of George and its cannons were lit, preparing to fire. Gundam Rose instantly shot out of its path and it unleashed a torrent of fire that cut into several more enemy suits.
"How many more are there?" George's chest was heaving, his brow decorated with sweat, but his vulcans had never stopped firing.
"Last one." Argo called as he latched onto the mobile suit's legs with both arms. With a great cry he stretched, and came away with both limbs. The pilot bailed out of the suit as it began its descent to the ground below.
George had finally let his guns stop. Smoke was pouring from the barrels of his vulcans as he let his eyes drift shut. He was still collecting his breath. Bolt Gundam and Gundam Rose bore fresh scars from the recent battle. Their armor was blackened and burnt in several places. Gears and inner machinery were exposed where the plating had finally failed. Black smoke was slowly drifting away from their weakened verniers. Yet the Dosstoy was in far worse condition. Less than half of her guns were still working, and only one of her engines. Smoke was freely trailing the craft as it limped its way through the skies.
"Casualties Nastasha?" Argo asked with a cold tone.
"I imagine everyone is suffering from minor cuts and scratches. Dmitri is in the worse shape. His legs were broken. The Dosstoy didn't fare nearly as well. We need a safe place to land and quickly." Nastasha finished her report with a firm emphasize.
"Understood. We should hurry then." Bolt Gundam quickly took point again with Gundam Rose and the Dosstoy close behind.
Suddenly both George and Argo gasped in fresh pain. They looked down to the brilliant flare of their shuffle crests. It was a pain they had never before felt, they only knew it suddenly left them with a chilling cold that rivaled the Neo-Russian winter. "Are we too late?" George asked with dread.
Argo didn't bother to answer, instead he turned his gaze forward and drove Bolt Gundam to its maximum speed. 'Chibodee---Stay alive Crockett.'
[The Desert of Neo-Australia.]
Rain had just finished applying a bandage to a cut on Sai-Saici's leg when she was suddenly blinded by the red glow of his shuffle crest. Rain watched as Sai-Saici's face twisted and his brow was decorated with fresh sweat. His body began jerking and Rain was hard pressed to hold him down.
"Give me a hand here!" She called over her shoulder at Chico. He nodded and quickly held Sai's shoulders down in his large hands. "Just try to hold him steady, I'm using a sedative."
"He's already pretty weak. Isn't that dangerous?" Chico asked.
"You want to take over his treatment? Or do you think you should leave it to the doctor!?" She snapped back as she tested the needle. Once she had the medicine inside him Sai calmed down enough for her to continue treating his extensive wounds. She was able to focus enough of her mind to wonder, 'What could have happened? I've never seen the shuffle crest shine that brightly. Domon, Chibodee---please be safe.'
Gundam Vlad's armor was pulsating with a ruby light. Its wounded right hand was swarming with nanites that was repairing and mended the damaged circuitry and Gundanium plating. Its eyes were spilling a ruby red glow, and through it all Kane was laughing with glee, even as Gundam Maxter continued to tremble as the nanites crept farther along its body. They had almost completely covered the front of the torso and were spreading to the legs and arms, and even towards the head.
Domon's fists were tightly clenched and his eyes narrowed as he beheld the scene before him. 'Come on Chibodee, you're stronger than this. Fight it, fight it and break free!' Domon's right fist crashed into his left palm as he continued to try and will Chibodee to rise again. The King of Hearts crest was flaring brilliantly.
It was a grim scene inside Gundam Maxter's cockpit. The lights were all but dead, the mobile trace system was failing. Allenby was distraught and her entire body felt numb. She held Chibodee as tightly as she could, but knew he was slipping away from her. His body had gone cold, and limp. Her heart was racing, and panic was steadily rising through her as she continued to try and rouse him.
She feared for his life, and it drove her to desperation. "You can't do this to me! You promised! You promised that once this was over we were going to make memories together! Chibodee, don't you dare leave me now! You can't." Her voice broke and she was sobbing freely, "Not now. Not after everything---"She trailed off and hugged herself to him. His head was resting on her shoulder.
Chibodee had finally stopped trembling and Allenby managed to halt her sobbing. "Chibodee?" She asked. The cockpit shook as the lights finally died. A moment passed before the red emergency lights were activated. Allenby let out a gasp.
"That should be enough." Kane finally withdrew his hand from Gundam Maxter and let it slump. The mobile fighter was on its knees, and its arms were limp at its sides. Gundam Vlad was once again a combination of black and blood red as an amber glow permeated its malevolent frame. Kane took a moment to flex his newly repaired right hand. 'A primitive form of self-healing I admit. But its better than nothing.'
Domon noticed the defect, 'The hand is functioning poorly. Obviously Rain's nanites aren't at good at self-healing as the DG cells.' Domon felt himself sag slightly as Gundam Vlad raised its right hand for the finishing blow. 'Chibodee, I failed you.' Domon's eyes closed, and in that moment his shuffle crest shined even brighter. 'What?'
"Its been entertaining Crockett." Kane announced as he readied his final blow. "I hope that Gulskii and de Sand can offer similar performances." With a sneer on his face Kane shot his hand forward. The force behind the blow kicked up a small sandstorm that quickly covered both Gundams. There was a sickening crunch, and the squeal of twisting metal.
After a short silence the sands once again settled, and Domon's eyes lit up at the sight.
Kane's teeth were grinding together, his mobile trace system flashed dangerously, and his right arm was trembling. His view was dominated by the sight of Gundam Maxter, still on its knees, its torso covered with fresh battle damage, and its head, still shining pristinely with its green eyes lit and ready. Kane let out a grunt as he shifted his gaze downward, Gundam Vlad's proffered right hand had punctured the Gundanium glove on Gundam Maxter's left hand.
Chibodee had one eye tightly closed against the pain that was shooting down his left arm. The other was looking into Allenby's shocked face. Chibodee let a grin spread across his features, "I'm not going anywhere beautiful. Like I said, I got a promise to keep."
Tears were still falling down Allenby's face as she smiled up at him. She quickly hugged him again, and as she withdrew she pressed her lips to his cheek. "I don't think I've ever been so afraid in my life." She admitted in a quiet voice.
"Don't worry about it. I'll handle things from here." Chibodee smiled at her again, then stood to his full height and focused his gaze on Gundam Vlad. A grin broke out on his face, "So, you ready to finish this DeMarco?"
Kane was still struggling to retrieve his hand from Gundam Maxter, but it seemed impossibly stuck. "Finish what?" He asked with a strained voice. "I've drained your power supply, as soon as I'm free you're done!"
Chibodee laughed for a moment, "Sorry Kane, but you've got it all wrong." Kane eyes suddenly bugged as his mobile trace system flashed. He let out the scream that was building in his chest as his right wrist turned even tighter. With one final tug Chibodee snapped Gundam Vlad's hand off at the wrist and quickly followed it up with a jab that pushed Kane back several steps.
"Way to go Chibodee." Domon quietly commented.
'How!? Where is he getting the energy? I sucked that piece of junk dry!' Kane wondered as he cradled his aching hand. Then something curious happened to Gundam Maxter. 'What is that!'
Allenby smiled as the Queen of Spades crest shone on Chibodee's hand. As she watched his fight suit let off a golden glow.
Domon easily recognized what has happening. Gundam Maxter was achieving the hyper-mode. Its blue, yellow, and white colors were all replaced by the familiar power of Chibodee's soul.
"Prepare yourself Kane!" Chibodee called out in a deep voice as he concentrated on Gundam Vlad. "I've been working on something, and its gonna blow you away!"
Kane grinned, "Go ahead and try me you fool. Nothing can stop Gundam Vlad's power! I'll just absorb everything you throw at me!" Kane's voice was laced with his confidence, but deep in his stomach he felt a trickle of fear that he fought to suppress.
"Absorb this!" Chibodee called. He drew his right fist back, "FULL AUTO!!!" He spread his legs as he felt the power coursing through him, "BURSTING MACHINEGUN---PUNCH!!!!!"
Domon's eyes were blinded by the flash of energy that leapt from Chibodee's proffered fist. The violet and azure fire quickly spread out into the ten deadly columns of energy that Domon knew so well. However his eyes widened in surprise. Chibodee's right fist was still flying, and it offered an identical swarm of power with each blow. 'Incredible! He's found a way to combine the speed of his cyclone and burning punches, with bursting machine gun punch!'
Domon wasn't the only one awed by Chibodee's display of raw power. It looked much different from Kane DeMarco's perspective. Gundam Maxter was completely blocked from his sight, only a cacophony of violent colors appeared before him. His ears were drowned out by the horrid whistling and shrieking of the superheated air as the energy passed. Kane's expression was one of pure terror, and the scream that left his mouth expressed it perfectly. Kane lifted his arms in a vain attempt to protect himself as his cockpit grew brighter and brighter until the first wave finally hit.
The very earth shook beneath their feet as wave after wave of energy pounded into Gundam Vlad. An extended battle cry was flying from Chibodee's mouth. His right arm was merely a blur to Allenby's eyes. She saw the sweat pouring down his face, and the grimace that was tugging at his mouth and eyes. She knew he couldn't keep it up much longer. 'I only hope this will finally be enough'.
Finally Gundam Maxter slipped out of hyper-mode. Chibodee stood for a moment breathing heavily before his eyes rolled up in their sockets and he fell forward. Allenby was fast enough to catch him before his face could smash to the deck. With a determined expression she looked up, the energy from Chibodee's attack still hadn't abated and she couldn't see Gundam Vlad.
'This Gundam Fight Match is over.' Domon asserted to himself with a smile. 'Well done Chibodee.'
The glow had finally dissipated. A smoking crater and a littered pile of debris was all that remained. Allenby sagged in relief, and held Chibodee tighter. "Its over."
End.
Not quite yet fans. There's an epilogue on the way. I'd like to take the time to once again apologize for being so late, and I sincerely hope you've enjoyed this latest chapter. The only things that I think are even remotely weak, is that I kinda just threw it back in there that Allenby was still inside Gundam Maxter's cockpit, but I hoped it worked out well. I also kinda neglected Saette, and the situation in the colony, but I'll be taking care of that in the epilogue. If I do anymore continuation of this A New History Forgotten timeline, it would likely be similar to the series, bouncing around the shuffle alliance characters, but mainly focusing on Chibodee and Allenby. LOL can you tell I'm a fan of the pair? But seriously Chibodee is easily my favorite Fighter. Maybe its because he's the American, I don't know. I just know that I want to write him as the big hero if I can. Well I think that about wraps it up, see you at the epilogue, and don't forget to review!!!
madmanmay