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Chapter 2-2: The Journey of Hope

"Kori...KORI!"

A strange voice called out to the young man. His eyes opened as slowly as the sound was recieved to his ears. The young man's eyes opened to see only the glare of the sun. His hands covered his face. Suddenly he sprung up with a huge gasp of air. He looked around with a terrified look upon his face.

"WHERE IS SHE!" he screamed at the top of his lungs. Out of breath he started gasping for what little air his lungs woud allow at the time being. Once his mind and body came back to the present, he looked in the eyes of his friends, whose Gundams surrounded his own. They were stationed in the cockpit of Breaker, where Kori passed out

Justine had a tear in her eye. As her voice trembled with fear, words finally left her lips

"Ceadar's...gone?" she asked before breaking down into tears.

Gaile helped Kori up to his feet. The group was all in a somber moment while Kori was mourning for his lost sister.

"My sister...why did this happen?" Kori's fist clenched tightly at the agony he was feeling. He knew he was supposed to protect his sister. He was supposed to be there for his sister.

"Maybe we should tell your father," Vladimar started before Kori snapped back.

"It's none of his damn business!" Kori yelled as Vladimar and the rest of the crew stepped back. "If he were to find out he would kill me. I was her brother, her protector. Only she could..." Kori stopped. His eyes glanced at Justine, who glanced back at Kori. "Nevermind," he continued as he drew attention back to what he was saying, " I must find her."

Jaques put his hand up to stroke his red hair. A wild expression popped onto his face. His expression soon turned into words. "I got it! How about we help you in the search?"

"Yeah, we'll help you Kori" Gaile said winking her eye. "It's not like you can do it yourself."

" I find that looking for a challenge is quite hard to find around here, especially with these inexperienced so-called Gundam Fighters" Vladimar comedically implied, with an "I'll help you" grin on his face.

A hand flung out towards Kori. "I'll follow you whereever you take me." Justine stated as a smile caressed her face.

As Kori took a look at his friends, he laughed with a joyous look upon his face. "It's time to attain to destiny I guess."

As the group returned to their Gundam's cockpit, a screen appeared with Justine's face on it.

"Listen all." She spoke to the rest of the team, who also saw her on their monitors. "We must first gear up before we set off on our journey"

Another screen appeared with Gaile's face on it.. She had a weird look on her face.

"But where do we start searching?" she finally let out, continuing with the stoned look on her face.

"How about that base we found?" Vladimar asked. "We had already planned to dispose of those lame pilots and their Amps today anyway. Maybe that's the main base?"

"No show," Kori replied with his head down. "I was told it was a fake. Let's continue this conversation later, when we meet up at Justine's house"

"Yeah, my mom might have an idea on what to do. If anything we can trust her not to tell our secrets." Justine smirked. "Well what are we waiting for. Let's get this mission on the go!"

The group all gave a nod and dispersed. As Justine and Kori flew side by side in the glaring morning sky, the mood seemed to change for the two. Feeling seemed like they needed to be express but the two were too stubborn to let it out. The ride home consisted of "Are you okay"'s and "We're there for you"'s. The two Gundams flew into the distance, heading to the Kasshu's residence.

Hours Later at the Kasshu's Residence

As the children of the Shuffle Alliance reported to the designated meeting place with their parents along with them. Supposedly Rain called in their mothers and the Shuffle Alliance, who were away on business duty.

"Kori," Gaile whispered to him in a solemn voice "I thought you said this was secret!"

Kori looked at Gaile with squinted eyes. "Seemed like Mrs. Kasshu couldn't keep this a secret."

"So...he took your sister and you and the rest of the kids..."

"MOOOM!" Justine rudely interupted. "WE ARE NOT KIDS ANYMORE!

Rain picked up her cup of coffee, which was steaming enough to be visible. Her lips touched the brim of the cup as she took a sip from it. She then calmly set the cup back down to the coaster on which it was on. She took a look at the rest of the "kids". She then took a look at Sai Saici as well as the other kids parents.

Sai Saici stood up with a look of despair on his face. He searched for his words and finally spoke.

"You kids will not get yourself involved with this. It is my job as a father to look for Ceader and our duty as parents to make sure you stay safe." He turned his body toward Kori. "WE WILL NOT LOSE YOU TO THEM TOO!" he spoke with a tear rolling down his cheek.

Domon stood up to comfort his "bro" and spoke in a calm voice, which he had learned to do, having a kid and all. He pointed to the kids and asked them to come over in his direction as he lead them out of the room.

"Look," he reported "I know you guys are gonna do what you think is right and I believe there is nothing wrong with fighting for what you believe in. But I know one thing if you do decide to leave after we tell you not to: I want you to bring me back a memento." Domon snickered as he told the kids. Yeah, he weas the same fighter he was back in the 13th Gundam Fight.

Domon and the kids walked back into the room as Shirley Crockett was talking to her husband across the room.

"Well, we won't be seeing problems from them." Domon stated as he sat back down next to Rain.

Conversation soon broke out between the families about random subjects. Sai stood up with distrought on his face and walked out on the balcony. Kori noticed this and walked out onto the balcony with his father.

"Dad..." Kori said as he looked at his father. Sai looked at his son and embraced him.

End Chapter Chapter 2-2: The Journey of Hope Next Chapter 2-3: Voyage Revenge