Chapter II: Shuffle Alliance

America, Future Century 64, 34 days until start of 14th Gundam Fight.

The sun was bright and annoying as it shone into the large apartment on New York City's Manhattan Island. Chibodee Crocket fought hard to keep the bright lights out of his pupils, but his attempts proved futile and he was forced to jar himself out of the pleasant sleep he had been enjoying. The Neo-American Gundam Fighter brought his right hand up to his usually larger than life mouth to cover a loud, audible yawn and then ran his fingers through his thick blue hair. He glanced at his alarm clock just a short distance away from his bed and chuckled when it showed 9:00 A.M. back to him. Still earlier than he preferred to wake up, but this would have to do.

Chibodee stood up from bed slowly, raising his arms above his head to get the kinks out. He quickly dropped to the carpeted floor beneath him and went through his usual exercise routine after waking up; 50 sit-ups and 20 one arm push-ups. This helped to ensure that he would be in good physical shape when he began the day's activities. The Gundam Fighter of Neo-America couldn't let himself go now could he?

Throwing on whatever clothes he could get his hands on, Chibodee stumbled through the door to the spacious apartment and fought back another yawn as he trundled on towards the local boxing ring where he would train later that morning.

He stepped into the early morning light of the Manhattan skyline and walked briskly along the sidewalk, passing onlookers who appeared absolutely stunned to even lay eyes on Chibodee. Halfway between his apartment and the boxing ring, Chibodee stopped at his favorite local diner to grab some breakfast. The old waitress, gray hairs beginning to frost her brown hair attractively, greeted him with the usual, "How are you?", before Chibodee sat down to a warm cup of coffee. Chibodee was on good terms with the waitress and the guy who owned the place, so every morning before he went to whatever place he had to get to, he would stop by here and eat breakfast in this great atmosphere. He ordered a triple-stack of buttermilk pancakes, poached eggs, bacon, and more coffee before opening up the morning newspaper. Once again, everything that was anything was concerning the upcoming Gundam Fight in Hong Kong. Chibodee would be there in a matter of time, along with his trusty Maxter Gundam, to hopefully win this time around.

He ate breakfast quickly, wiped his mouth cleanly with a white linen napkin and said goodbye to everyone with a smile. The waitress passed him a danish before he left through the door and disappeared into the Manhattan streets once again.

About ten minutes later, Chibodee waltzed into the local boxing ring that was now infamous in America as being the place where the great Chibodee Crocket had come in off of the streets and begun his quest to become Neo-America's Gundam Fighter and scoffed down the danish in one bite. As he entered, he caught sight of his four, beautiful mechanics that had served by his side ever since he had started Gundam fighting. Janet Smith, Shirley Lane, Cath Ronary and Bunny Higgins greeted him with enthusiastic smiles and heart-felt embraces. Chibodee fought off their movements long enough to get sight of the nearest ring where two young boys were beginning a sparring lesson under supervision of the local instructor.

"Have you checked the Maxter and made sure it's ready to go?" Chibodee asked each of them with his usual cocky smile.

"It's loaded up and ready for transport," Shirley said quickly.

"All systems were checked yesterday and they're up to standards," Janet added.

"What about the C-7 system?" Chibodee asked, referring to the new system that had been installed on many of the Gundams since the discovery of the environmental catastrophe that was immanent with the continuation of the fights. "Is that up and running?"

"Yep," Bunny put in. "We checked it out and it seemed to be working fine."

"Great. That means we can just get up and get to the Guyana Highlands by next week," Chibodee said, leaning up against a nearby steel beam and folding his arms. "Can't wait to see Neo-Japan and the others again."

"Why did you decide to go to Guyana again this time?" Shirley wondered out loud.

Chibodee laughed. "Where else better to train for the fight than the place we did before? It's got the most peaceful setting in the world, at least from what I've seen and there's hardly anyone living within fifty miles of the place. The real question is, why not train there this time?"

The life-as-limb boxer brought his strong arms over his head in a relaxing position and sighed evenly. "Besides...if I'm gonna win this time...I'm gonna need every advantage I can get."

"Chibodee?" one of his girls asked.

"You girls forget...Neo-Japan is still the guy to beat at this tournament," Chibodee reminded them. "His machine is still intact, plus now with that new C-7 unit installed to protect the Earth from pollution, besides the fact that he's virtually out of personal vendettas this time around, Kasshu really doesn't have anything that would hold him back this year. Which means he may be even tougher to beat. And I still couldn't beat him last time with all that crap hanging over his thick head." Chibodee brought his right hand to a point directly in front of his eyes. The symbol of the Queen of Spades of the Shuffle Alliance glared back at him. "Not to mention the fact that I still have my responsibilities as a member of the Shuffle Alliance." He clenched his hand into a fist and brought it next to his heart. "But even through all that I still plan to win. No matter how strong Neo-Japan's gotten, I still know I can beat him. And this time...I vow this time I'll win the tournament!" In one quick move, Chibodee pivoted on his left knee and swung a mighty punch directly across his right cheek with his clenched fist.

However, Chibodee's cheerful mood quickly evaporated into an anguished grinding of his teeth and widening of his eyes as his fist smashed directly into the steel beam, a cracking sound audible within his hand. The girls were at first shocked, then they slowly began to approach his slowly trembling form. "Chibodee...are you okay...?" Bunny managed, the first one of them to even utter a word.

"Note to self..." Chibodee hissed through his teeth. "...refrain from bare-knuckle boxing with steel beam..." The pain continued to course through his hand even long after the incident occurred.

England, Future Century 64, 34 days until start of 14th Gundam Fight.

From his vantage point, George de Sand, Jack of Diamonds of the Shuffle Alliance, could see the shiny, metallic parts being attached to the framework of the all new Royal Gundam, the machine that would be representing the country less than 100 miles from his own. The Gundam was remarkably similar to the one that the late, three-time Gundam Fight champion, Gentle Chapman, had used during the last fight four years previous, but there were also stark contrasts. This machine was colored in the traditional, red, white, and blue of the British flag and sported a taller physique than its predecessor. Of course, to George these changes meant nothing. His own Rose Gundam would no doubtedly have no trouble dispatching this machine if it came down to that.

"I see you admire our new design," came a crisply accented English voice from behind him.

George turned with a smile to face David Erickson, Neo-England's new Gundam fighter approaching him with an outstretched hand. George took it firmly within his own and shook it. "It's very different, I must say," George said openly. "So much from that retched thing that Chapman used during the last fight."

"I know," Erickson answered cheerfully. "That's the exactly way I want it. During my reign as England's fighter I want to disassociate myself as far as possible from that old man. Just thinking about what that bastard did during the last fight makes my skin crawl," he grimaced.

"Come now, don't get so worked up, he was infected by Devil Gundam cells as it was," George reminded him. "If it wasn't for that he wouldn't have even been in the Gundam fight in the first place after Domon killed him before the fight even started." He shook his head, his long red hair blowing in the cool breeze, glancing up at the Royal Gundam with pride in his eyes. "What a difference four years makes. Just think. Four years ago all of Western Europe was looked down on by the other parts of the world because we had guys like Chapman and Michelo running things around here. You remember, don't you Erickson?"

"They called us the scum of western civilization," Erickson put in. "I must say that I had to agree with them in some respect." He joined George in looking up into the face of his Gundam. "Things used to be so chaotic around here back then. Now that all that's done, you're really the shining light for all of Western Europe at this point, George. All the nations out here are saying that you're the best chance all of us have against Kasshu in Hong Kong."

"Never say never. Who knows. Maybe some nobody will come through this year, though I highly doubt that," George said. "I'm due to head to the Guyana Highlands today as it is. I'm meeting with the others of the Shuffle Alliance, plus Domon. We plan on training there like we did for the last fight. Hopefully everything will go according to plan this time around."

"That's unlikely." George turned his head slightly towards Erickson who added, "What with all that happened last week in Norway."

"What happened?"

"Didn't you hear? Olaf Kaowitz, Neo-Norway's Gundam Fighter, you know him?" George nodded. "He was found dead last week of a gunshot wound to the head beside his Gundam. Nobody knows who did it."

"I see." George sounded calm, but on the inside he was shocked. With Kaowitz dead, that meant that two Gundam fighters had been killed mysteriously within the last month. For George had also heard the news out of India about Inomu de Lahbi's mysterious death the month before. Two fighters dead outside of a fight. There was another factor that just then sounded in George's mind. Something that trouble him greatly. First India...now Norway. All fighters who Domon fought just before their deaths...

"You alright?" George's train of thought was interrupted by Erickson's voice. "You looked like something was troubling you, George." George opened his mouth to respond, but something else caught his attention just that moment. Something he particularly didn't want to hear.

"George! Sir George!" From the top of the staircase that led to the wharf George and Erickson stood on, was Princess Marie-Louise of Neo-France, George's so-called 'girlfriend'. "George, you'll miss your plane!" her peppy voice called out to him. "You won't be able to get to Guyana for another day if you don't leave now!"

George sighed. "What is she doing here...?" he muttered under his breath.

"What?" Erickson said.

"Nothing," the Frenchman answered quickly. "I said nothing." George began to walk towards the stairs and the wildly waving Marie-Louise, but managed to say over his shoulder, "I look forward to seeing you in Hong Kong, Erickson. Together we'll bring prosperity and respect back to Western Europe!"

"Nothing would make me happier, George!" As George walked away, Erickson couldn't help but smile. Slightly at the prospect of fighting George in Hong Kong, but mostly at how dismal the man looked when Marie-Louise grabbed him by the arm and dragged him up the stairs.

China, Future Century 64, 34 days until start of 14th Gundam Fight.

His hands thrust deep into the pockets of his warm, wool jacket, Sai Saichi, Ace of Clubs of the Shuffle Alliance, wandered silently through the quiet halls of the Shaolin Temple he protected and took care of in his spare time. When he wasn't fighting for his country, Sai spent most of his time here, inside this holy place that generations of his family had struggled to protect and save for many years, centuries even. His feet clicked on the hard rock floor beneath him and the brisk, chilly wind that blew in from the outside shuffled his scarf around his neck.

The 19-year old came to an old gargoyle inside the temple and brought his hand up to touch its forehead. "Don't worry, I won't be gone long," he said reassuringly to it, as if it were a real living animal. "I'll be back soon." Sai was scheduled to depart for the Guyana Highlands to meet with his Shuffle Alliance counterparts that very hour, but he wanted to make sure that everything in the temple was set for the long months where he would not be there to take care of it. Over and over again Sai traversed the layout of the entire temple, occasionally glancing out one of the windows at the snow that continued to fall heavily outside. Everything seemed to be in order. Sai was just sorry that he would have to leave this place for such a long time. But it was his duty as Neo-China's Gundam Fighter. He and his Dragon Gundam would fight once again. This time, they would win!

"Master Saichi." Sai narrowed his eyes and sighed evenly at the deep, melodic voice of Keiun, one of the shaolin monks that always accompanied him on his voyages near and far. Sai slowly turned to face both of the monks, both heavily wrapped in heavy clothing to protect them from the snow outside. "It is time, Master Saichi."

"Yes," Sai said quietly, nodding his head. "But if you ask me...you two are in quite a hurry today. May I ask why?"

"You have trained only scarcely this year, Sai Saichi," Zuisen reminded him. "If you are to win the Gundam Fight you must begin training as soon as possible. Or else Domon Kasshu and the others will once again defeat you. And China cannot afford to have that happen again."

"I know," Sai responded. "All that I'm saying is that I really don't believe it's necessary to be in such a hurry when all we're doing is going to the Guyana Highlands to train."

"Exactly the point," the monk answered. "You must begin training immediately if you are to win. You want to protect this temple don't you? The Chancellor still does not guarantee its safety even after the last fight."

"Whatever," Sai sighed. He knew the monks were just attempting to play mind games with him, but he went along with it anyway. "Let's go then."

Sai wandered out the doors, past the monks, and into the blinding snowstorm. The white flakes of all shapes and sizes fluttered down into his long black hair and onto the ground beside him. As the monks began to follow, Sai reached down into the snow with both hands and scooped some of the white powder up. "It seems strange though," he said to the duo behind him. "This year, you guys don't seem to be as uppity as you were during the last fight. Why?"

"Because have matured, Master Saichi," Keiun answered. "You no longer pelt us with insults and destroy your body with endless rounds of eating. You have grown up, so they say, in these four years."

"Yeah...I guess you're right," Sai said quickly, pivoting on his left foot and launching his newly made snowballs at his followers. Both monks were startled when the snowballs connected squarely with their bald heads, decorating them like a frosting covered cake. Sai smiled ahead of them. I still got it, he chuckled to himself as he ventured further into the snow.

Russia, Future Century 64, 34 days until start of 14th Gundam Fight.

The large, wooden door opened slowly so that the large figure could exit the stuffy room that the door enclosed. Argo Gulskii, Black Joker of the Shuffle Alliance, former space pirate, Gundam Fighter for Neo-Russia, etcetera, entered the staunch hallway beyond and began his trek towards his destination. For someone that had been practically imprisoned in Russia during the last fight, Argo would take his own room, bed, and food over anything he had previously been given during his time here.

A short distance away, Argo entered a dark cafeteria with dimmed lights. Only a scattered few individuals were seated at various tables, choking down their food or just chatting over drinks. Given that it was mid-morning, it was usual for this time of the day. A maitre de seated him at a small table with two chairs and Argo ordered a breakfast of steak and eggs with bacon, sausage, and hot coffee. When the food was presented before him, Argo couldn't help but think back to the time when he would have had to have been extremely lucky to get this kind of treatment under the old regime in Neo-Russia. For you see, in the time frame between Gundam Fights, the government of Neo-Russia had changed, in Argo's opinion, for the better. Now the government was more tolerant of its citizens and prisoners, treating them like human beings for once. Argo's pirate crew had been released from captivity just as he had and they now lived their lives in this new nation that now offered them a decent living, as well as everyone else in the country. As Argo sipped the boiling hot coffee, he thought to himself, Russia has actually become civilized. How much things can change in four years.

"Excuse me sir," came a voice behind him. "You're guest has arrived, sir," the maitre de informed him. Argo nodded his head and picked up the morning paper that was sitting beside his chair. As he began skimming the articles with little attention whatsoever, he watched his compatriot approach his table, a small briefcase clasped firmly in her strong but delicate hands. The maitre de pulled the chair back so Natasha could sit and she did so, roughly at first but eventually settling in nicely. She smoothed the fabric of her dress suit and pushed her chair in.

"Natasha," Argo nodded to her.

"Argo," Natasha acknowledged.

"I trust the meeting went well," Argo said kindly, lowering the material of the paper so that he could see her face.

Natasha took off her glasses and wiped them with her napkin. "It's a meeting Argo. They all are the same."

"I don't recall you being that flustered when you told me about it yesterday."

Natasha put her glasses on and frowned. "When have I ever looked forward to one of these pointless meeting, Argo?" she asked roughly. "As far as I'm concerned they're just an excuse for me to look even worse that what I truly am. The stupid heads of the government still despise me and my methods."

"What, because you released the bomb that was attached to me during the last fight?" Natasha glared across at him. "Sorry! Forget it. But I can't see them actually doing that on purpose, Natasha. You're a strong woman and they know it. That's why they kept you on. Plus you do look rather flattering when you dress like a girl."

"Argo..."

"Hey, it's a compliment," he said quickly, pouring himself some more coffee.

Natasha sighed and then shook her head. "I'm sorry. Don't take it personal, Argo."

"I don't."

After Natasha ordered her breakfast, she said, "Is everything set for this afternoon?"

"Yes. I spoke to my crew this morning. The Bolt is loaded up onto the transport, all the equipment is stored, paperwork in order, I'm still in one piece, you're still with us...?" Argo winked at her. Natasha rolled her eyes, but still managed a smile. "Everything's set then."

"I still can't believe that your crew actually agreed to become your new mechanics," Natasha mused. "After all we put them through..."

"You're forgetting one thing, Natasha. My crew will follow me through thick and thin. They'll stay by my side no matter what. Plus, you've got admit they do do a good job on the Gundam. Plus it takes some of the responsibility away from you, so the two of us can spend time together. Right?"

Natasha blushed slightly. "Right. Now may I please have some coffee, Argo." Argo willingly poured some into her mug.