Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam
Gundam Rise Purpose
Chapter 13: Gunpla Battle
"Rise, Meijin Kawaguchi!"
He remembered it like it was yesterday. The day he was given a name and declared the greatest mobile suit pilot. Though created by the Uragiri organisation, General Legacy gave him purpose. Meijin Kawaguchi's purpose was to cripple the enemies of Legacy. To reach that objective he had to destroy Sensou's chance of bearing an army. A few of the members that had already been in the military took their own machines into Sensou, but that wouldn't make them a formidable enough force to face the Earth Alliance if needed. They needed to create their own mass production machine, one that was easy to use and could be universally piloted by anyone coming out of ZAFT, the EAF or the numerous factions set out across the Earth sphere. The Build colony possessed one of the largest mobile suit production facilities in Earth sphere space. There were also talented pilots and mechanics there as well as a company that would make a formidable ally if the chairman ever went over to Sensou's side.
"In order for Uragiri to be revived, no improved over Sensou it is necessary to occupy the colony, or coerce the Earth Alliance into destroying it," Meijin explained to his newest ally.
"Flit Asano is relentless in his search for the revenge, but to destroy a whole colony, I don't think he has the gall to follow through," Nine Barthes tilted his glasses as he walked with Meijin.
"It doesn't matter whether its Asano or that brute Bask Om, the fact is sooner or later someone on that colony is going to get tired of the EA presence. That is when we will strike, not just from outside the colony but from within too," Meijin said.
"That's why I'm here after all," Nine said.
They walked through a doorway where numerous monitoring stations had been set. Nine and Meijin walked to a station monitoring a glass tube filled with blue liquid.
"From our friends the Innovades, expert of data exchange Clandest Ein," Nine pushed a button for a camera, showing the inside of the tank.
Clandest Ein had the yellow glow in his eyes all Innovades had. But when the glow faded he had blue eyes. He seemed to be taller than most Innovades though and had normal brown hair. Nine and Meijin then walked towards a monitor that showed a bed chamber with numerous doctors gathered around a silver haired man.
"Dug Raiv, he is a carbon human clone of a pilot whose DNA we had on record, not the most stable but he'll be able to hold his own if trouble starts," Nine explained.
"We already know about Carbon Human Copy's," Meijin said.
"Indeed," a voice said from the shadows.
A young mane stepped out with a face Nine knew well, but a completely different expression.
"But how," Nine gasped.
"Uragiri had people at Mendel, people capable of getting genetic samples, to be more precise he's a clone not a carbon human copy, he doesn't have any of the originals memories, he's a true Killer, something our agents will need," Meijin explained.
"Then I'd like to introduce you to our best infiltrator, passed all of her combat tests," Nine turned to another monitor that showed a bedroom.
A girl with white hair sat in the bedroom, finishing dressing into her grey and black flight suit.
"What kind of suit is that?" Meijin asked.
"An Exam system, one that will allow us to control her if necessary, she isn't a genetic creation, even if she doesn't have anywhere else to go we cant afford her falling to the other side," Nine explained.
"I understand, once you've succeeded in creating a smaller Exam system let my employer know, he'll want to make use of it," Meijin said.
"Very well, what about the agents?" Nine asked.
"Stick them in civilian clothes and send them out onto a shuttle, they have work to do," the man said as he took off his glasses.
He was considered the best pilot because his eyes had been fully consumed by the seed factor. His glasses were the only thing keeping his enhanced vision from overwhelming him. He put his glasses back on and looked at the path ahead of him, if push came to shove he would have to rip the build colony apart himself. But General Legacy gave him very specific instructions, ones he dared not question.
Gekido kept a close eye on the Purpose as the PPSE workers took it off of its place on the shuttle. Tatsuya looked at the Purpose with an amazed expression on his face. Quatre and Trowa stood with the Shrike team members and Woolf.
"So a guy in a mask gave you the blue prints for Wing Zero?" Woolf asked the blonde.
"Yes, I think he wanted me to destroy the colonies, or at least draw Sensou away," Quatre sighed.
"Good thing OZ handled it then, listen kid I get you were temporarily insane, but quite frankly that's not enough, we saved the Extended pilots at Jachin Due but even they didn't get off free," Woolf explained.
"I understand sir, I'll work for my redemption," Quatre bowed his head.
"That's so cute," Mahalia said, giggling with her friends.
Quatre blushed slightly and rubbed the back of his head. Unbeknownst to the Gundam pilots, two more pilot watched them. Ral stood on the railing with his arms crossed and the lieutenant leant against the wall next to him.
"So that's the Zephyranthes Gundams big brother," the Lieutenant muttered.
"I admit the two machines look very similar, but the source of their power is very different and the Purpose itself…there are rumours concerning its need for a pilot," Ral explained.
"I see, it'll be interesting to see what this Gundam is truly capable of," the Lieutenant removed his glasses, revealing a pair of blue eyes and a scar on the bridge of his nose.
"Well guys, this is where we part ways, you'll be joining with Sensou right?" Gekido asked.
The workers had just finished loading the Purpose onto a truck. Gekido had also secured some of his belongings and put them in his duffel bag.
"Aren't you going to join Sensou, the idea did come from you," Roly said.
"Actually the idea came from the Archangel crew, when they broke away from the Alliance…it came from Celestial Being when they began their armed interventions, it came from Sakon Date when he got rid of Jupiter's old leaders, the idea was shaped by the actions of the people around me. I cant be the one to lead Sensou, I'm the possible case to be a leader, but I can forge bonds and in the end an organisation is only as strong as the bonds between the people within it," Gekido explained as he looked at the Purpose shrouded by the sheet tied on the trucks cargo.
"You still have a place, Vincent and Canard would be happy to welcome you back," Junko said.
"I know, but I can't face them until I've sorted a few things out," Gekido sighed.
"Good luck out there Gekido and be careful," Trowa said.
Gekido nodded his head before he climbed into the truck. He drove out of the PPSE facility and into the streets of the Build Colony. While not as impressive or bright as the Plants, the Build colony had the architecture of a small Japanese town, an appealing sight. The PPSE main building was probably the biggest building in the colony and the best facility for the improvement of mobile suits. But what Gekido needed was someone who would work under the table, who would come up with a way to improve the internal design of the Purpose so that it wouldn't lose its sentience if it was destroyed again. Then he could worry about finding the people he needed to find to improve the Gundam's armour, phase shift was becoming increasingly unreliable.
"HEY WATCH IT!" Gekido yelled as two teenagers ran through the road.
A red haired boy was chasing a white haired girl, whom seemed to be cradling an object in her hands. Gekido huffed before he drove on. He watched Earth Alliance soldiers shaking down businesses and realised that nothing had truly changed. A miracle had resonated from the Arc generator at Jachin Due and had spread through space, yet not all had been tempered by its light. People still hadn't learnt to understand one another. Diplomacy alone would not win peace; likewise violence alone wasn't the answer a balance needed to be found.
'That's why I needed you Lacus, Kira, you needed to be the people to lead Sensou alongside Vincent, but you've chosen to live in peace and to turn your back to the conflicts going on around you, 'those who choose to fight are not wrong' you always say, but those who choose to stand by and do nothing while they have the power to act, does that not make them wrong either?' Gekido was torn between accepting the decisions of his friends and hating them.
"What's all this?"
He turned his head, looking into the park. Two Alliance blue coats were standing over a boy. The child must have been ten years old, wearing a red shirt with blue overalls, a straw hat rested on his set hair. After just thinking of how he criticised his friends, Gekido parked the truck in the nearby parking complex. He walked over to the park, his eyes set on the two Alliance creeps.
"Gunpla, child toys," one of them huffed.
"Actually the concept of Gunpla can apply greatly to real mobile suits, I'm a mechanic too," the boy said.
"Oh, are you one of those Sensou sympathisers?" the other soldier asked.
"Well I am interested in joining them," the boy said innocently.
"You see there's a problem with that," the first soldier said, touching the holster on his waist.
"My friend and I believe Sensou wont get past the airlock, so why don't we show you the privileges that come with being part of the Earth Alliance?"
"Um, no thank you I'm fine."
"We were not asking, unless you're one of those spacenoids, they're almost as bad as coordinators," the second soldier snarled.
'Now I have even more reason to punch them,' Gekido grinned slightly.
He whistled as he rushed forward. The first Alliance soldier turned and was met with a fist to his face. Gekido then swung around and slammed his fist into the second soldier's gut, knocking the wind out of him until he fell unconscious like his friend. The boy knelt on the floor, picking up the pieces of the figurine he had been holding.
"Sorry your toy was broken, damn Earth Alliance," Gekido snarled.
"This isn't a toy mister, its Gunpla, there is a large difference," the boy said.
"Whatever, just get home kid outside isn't a place you want to be when the Earth Alliance are around," Gekido said as he turned his back.
He walked towards his truck, sighing in annoyance over how little a difference he had made. Despite Azrael and Sutherland's deaths there was still corruption present within the Atlantic and Eurasian Federations. The Earth Alliance Federation as a whole was flawed and Gekido wondered whether Sensou should completely replace it.
'Okay Gekido now you're thinking too far ahead,' he chuckled before getting into the truck.
"So where are we off to?"
Gekido turned his head in shock, seeing the same boy from earlier sitting in the passenger seat.
"What? How did you…no you aren't coming with me," Gekido snarled.
"But you said outside wasn't a place to be, I live in the mountains and the buses have been shut down," the boy explained.
"Public transport has been shut down, what is the commander looking for?" Gekido wondered out loud.
"This is a mobile suit truck right? I'm guessing a customised Dagger, maybe a limited production Strike?"
"Something like that," Gekido sighed, slightly annoyed by the boy's enthusiasm.
"Anyway about Gunpla, some of the concepts of Gunpla can be applied to actual Gundams. I'm a mechanic you see, the Shingyo school teaches both Gunpla building, Gundam building and the piloting of those machines through the Plavsky particle system," the boy explained.
"Wait, you are a mechanic?" Gekido asked.
"Yeah, well a mechanic in training, I was actually one my way to a friends to show him the results of my building, both with Gundam and Gunpla," the boy raised the figure he had been holding. "The MSA-0011 S Gundam from Gundam Sentinel," he grinned.
Gekido looked at the figure with a partly amazed expression, it was so well crafted. He looked to his rear view mirror; the sheet was beginning to come loose, slightly exposing the Gundam's leg.
"All right kid, take me to this friend of yours, I'm in need of a mechanic for a decent job," Gekido said.
"Sure thing, consider it payment for helping me against those EA soldiers, plus you'll need payment for the lift you're giving me," the boy explained.
"Forget it kid I need a builder anyway."
"I'm not kid, I'm Mao Yasaka and I've got the perfect Gunpla for you," Mao reached into his bag and pulled out the box for a model kid.
It showed an orange Ginn with a shield emblazed with a skull and crossbone symbol.
"The ZGMF-1017 GINN, the customised machine of Miguel Aiman," Mao said.
Gekido looked at the box for a moment and then groaned.
"God is punishing me," he sighed.
Flit Asano sat in what was probably the best café in the Build colony. His men knew that he liked it, so they didn't dare approach it or try to shake it down. The commander and pilot sat at his own table, other customers gave him dirt looks. His presence had been sanctioned by the government, so it wasn't as if he was there illegally.
"You're chicken and leek pie sir," the café owners daughter also acted as a waitress, she was probably just a year, maybe two or three years younger than Flit's own son was before he started working.
"Thank you Miss Kousaka," Flit smiled.
The girl bowed her head and walked away. Flit felt a small sensation in his head as the bell for the door chimed. He turned to look at the new entrants. Three attractive women, two teenagers and an old friend. Woolf squinted his eyes at the blue haired man before he gasped. The white haired man rushed away from his friends and sat with Flit.
"Flit Asano, X-Rounder extraordinaire," Woolf grinned.
"Hello Woolf, what brings you to the colony?" Flit asked.
"I'm here as part of Sensou, don't tell me you've stopped reading Asemu's letters?" Woolf asked.
"He and I still talk, he just doesn't really mention you, he's mentioned this mission he's partaking in though," Flit explained.
"A deep space mission to better understand the colonies and what those spacers saw beyond Jupiter and Mars," Woolf said.
"Indeed, I'm curious to see what kind of propulsion system the ships use," Flit said.
"Well too bad its classified, which is more than I can say for your reason for being here," Woolf narrowed his eyes slightly.
"I have legitimate reasons for being here, legitimate suspicions," Flit said.
"Is there? What is the Earth Alliance's source of information?" Woolf asked.
"That's classified as well, besides I don't know myself, the Intel is good though."
"Why because you're hoping it would be right? I'm sure the Americans felt the same when they invaded Iraq," Woolf huffed.
"This is an occupation not an invasion, PPSE is full cooperation just as it is in full cooperation with you," Flit explained.
"What exactly have you been told Flit?" Woolf asked.
"There is a Vagan presence here Woolf, a Builder specifically whom may have intelligence on the Vagan people, if so then he is someone who should either be threatened into service or executed for aiding terrorists," Flit narrowed his eyes, doing little to conceal his anger.
"The Vagan haven't been active for a while Flit, they're too busy fighting opposing factions on Mars to worry about Earth," Woolf said.
"That isn't true, yesterday confirmed it…" Flit reached into his pocket and pulled out a photo.
Woolf looked at the picture and widened his eyes slightly.
"They've been slightly customised and they're working with mercenaries but this proves that the Vagan want to get into the colony, they want to rescue their ally," Flit explained.
"It can't be that simple Flit, you need to confirm whose provided you with the information, don't rush in and cause a tragedy," Woolf growled.
"The Vagan killed my parents in their bid to be free and independent, you and I also both know that there is more to their plans than simple independence from the federation."
"Still living in the past I see," Woolf sighed.
Flit huffed as he stood up.
"Do not interfere Woolf, our friendship will only get you so far," Flit said.
"Flit Asano," Woolf suddenly spoke, stopping the commander. "If the Federation begins to bully this colony, if they become a tyrannical presence then Sensou will throw them out," he explained.
"Sensou…you and Asemu will see that Sensou can only get so far, especially when you don't have an army," Flit smirked before he walked out of the café.
Junko and the others had watched the exchange in concern. The Shrike team second in command walked over to the former racer and pulled him off of his chair.
"What was that?" she asked.
"A potential problem, one we'll have to deal with later, for now lets eat," Woolf grinned.
Junko shook her head, 'men,' she thought.
Gekido had to admit that Mao was a talented artist. He could have sworn he was looking at a miniature version of his rival's signature mobile suit. The boy was eager too, he kept telling Gekido about his own rival Sei Iori, owner of the hobby shop and mobile suit garage they were going to. It was a family run business, so Sei's mother signalled the truck as they back into the garage. Her husband, Sei's father Takeshi walked to her side and looked at the hidden mobile suit, excited to find out what was hidden by the shroud. Gekido climbed out of the truck and watched Mao run to Sei and his red haired friend. He then walked to Takeshi and shook the man's hand.
"Nice to have a new customer, and thank you for looking after Mao," the Japanese man said.
"You're welcome, Mao speaks highly of this place," Gekido said.
"I see he's gotten you into Gunpla," Takeshi smiled.
Gekido looked at the GINN in his hand and sighed.
"I would be rude to reject it, listen I don't want to get your family in trouble but I need this job done with very little knowledge from others, which means your son and his friends shouldn't talk about it with others. My mobile suit is a Gundam…"
"A GUNDAM! OH BOY I LOVE GUNDAMS!" Takeshi yelled.
"TAKESHI-BAKA!" Rin slapped her husband across the back of his head.
"Anyway," Gekido's eyebrow twitched in annoyance, "Its delicate, consider it mobile suit surgery on the machine's internal systems, I also need a full improvement of those systems, data protection software and a sturdier system so that if the inside ever does take a hit it'll last longer than it previously did and I know this is asking a lot but…I need a place to lay low for a while," he explained.
Takeshi and Rin looked at one another with uncertain expressions.
"Listen if you're not comfortable with this I'll go someplace else, if you feel you should report me go ahead," Gekido sighed.
He should've known no one would help him. His requests were too suspicious, especially with the Alliance occupying the colony.
"Sure we can do that!"
His eye nearly bulged out of its socket.
"What?" he looked at Takeshi with a confused expression.
"This is a Gundam we're talking about, Gundam pilots are always doing something important, we'll definitely help," Takeshi said.
"And we have plenty of room in the house, just so long as you help out a little in the store," Rin added.
"Could I just help with delivery and storage?" Gekido asked.
"Sure we could use a little more muscle, and the money," Takeshi grinned.
Gekido reached into his pocket and pulled out the debit card his father left him. An account with enough money to set him for a life of peace, and he was using it to find lost secrets. He looked to the truck as the three teenagers looked at it.
"Don't touch it," he said, a bit too sternly.
"What is it?" Sei asked.
"It's a Gundam!" Takeshi said.
"If I hear that sentence one more time," Gekido snarled.
The Iori's were good people, they made an honest living, and even the most law-abiding person took a little money on the side or did something that was declared illegal. Sei however didn't even download his favourite anime series. He was a fanatic of anime and Gundam; models of mobile suits were set out across his room. They were well done too, just like the GINN Mao had given him.
"A new concept, Crossbone Mao," the boy smiled, holding up a picture of his design.
"How about this, the Star Build Strike," Sei too held up his drawing.
Gekido was in the guest room, sleeping on a bedroll with Reiji next to him. The boy had a unique look to him, clothes that told him he wasn't local to the colony. A pair of sunglasses rested on his strangely styled hair and a gold bangle with a jewel on it was wrapped around his wrist. He looked over at the boy as he continued munching on his snacks.
"Are you a Newtype?" Gekido asked.
"What's that?" the boy asked.
"Nothing, forget I said any of it, how long have you live with the Iori's?"
"For a while, its strange, my parents expect me to be out learning about the rest of the world, but I've just learnt how cool Gunpla battle is, Aria is a peaceful place in the furthest reaches of space, I don't see why we have to worry about anything," Reiji explained.
"Where have I heard that name from?" Gekido wondered.
"You strike me as someone who's seen the worst of the universe and survived," Reiji grinned.
Gekido touched his patch and huffed.
"Sometimes the only way to know how bad the world can get is for you to suffer its sting, experience everyone whilst you're still young, don't go and stay in one place afraid of what's out there…sure you may have hard times," Gekido smiled as he looked at the orange GINN, "But sometimes you'll make friends and someone even more special than that," he closed his eyes, thinking of Lacus, when she was the image of perfection, before he found out how flawed she truly was.
"What do you mean someone special?" Reiji asked.
"Someone you can share your hardships with, even your life with," Gekido said.
"Eh?"
'This kid cant seriously be that sheltered can he?' Gekido wondered.
He looked at Reiji's ignorant expression and narrowed his eye slightly. The one eyed man noticed certain traits of Reiji he had seen in Dagger Thanos and surprisingly Casvall, and it wasn't just their red hair.
'Okay now you're thinking crazy things Gekido,' he reminded himself, it would be too much of a coincidence if all three were related.
"He's talking about his this," Rin stood at the doorway, holding up her finger.
Gekido huffed as he got off his bed.
"Its kind of history, I haven't told her but I don't really think there is a future for us, she's done a lot of things I don't approve of," he sighed.
"If you don't talk to her she'll never understand and she'll never change, relationships are about honesty and communication," Rin explained.
"I know that, I guess I just expected her to be perfect…that's my baggage I know but too much has happened, she probably knows it too."
"Give her a chance, she might surprise you," Rin smiled.
Gekido nodded his head slowly and walked down to the store level. There customers were already browsing and buying stock. He smiled at how even war machines could inspire such a peaceful and innocent hobby.
"Turn A, I don't know about putting Gundam on the box, its not really a Gundam," one customer said.
"Of course it's a Gundam, it has the same colour scheme and a V-Fin," his friend said.
"That isn't a V-Fin, it's a moustache!"
'So I'm not the only one who notices that,' Gekido thought.
He walked through the hallways of the store shelves, looking at the boxes of model kits. They had mobile suits he had never seen before, variants of ZAFT and Earth Alliance suits and even variants of the Gundams. He spotted variants of the five colony Gundams, the ones used by Trowa and his friends. Some of them looked cooler than the originals, except for the Deathscythe, which seemed out of place with a white head that looked like it came off of the Wing Gundam. He then spotted a Gundam that looked like the Purpose, labelled the Forever Gundam, though it had funnel bits on it.
"Please set your GP-base," he heard a metallic voice speak.
Gekido crossed over to the checkout and saw a glass wall showing some kind of gaming system. A boy Sei's age, with helmet hair and a purple jacket was holding two golden orbs like they were control sticks. Gekido curiously walked past Takeshi and into the gaming room. He looked in amazement at the board and the Plavsky particles it gave off.
"This is Gunpla battle," Mao said, sitting against the wall next to him.
"Get ready to taste the power of my upgraded Gyan Ga Gyan," the pilot of the opposing machine said.
"The Wing Gundam is one of the best Gundams out there Susumu," Sei said.
The Wing Gundam flew across a desert field. Sei fired his buster rifle, but the gold painted Gyan swerved to the side. Susumu fired the missiles on his twin shields, hitting Sei with a barrage of missile fire. He landed and threw one shield aside, drawing a beam rapier. Sei drew his own beam sabre and attempted to match the Gyan in hand to hand. The Gyan thrust its rapier forward, piercing the Wing's shield and hitting its shoulders and chest. Sei attempted a slash, but Susumu twirled his sabre around before stabbing the Wing Gundams head.
'Like that would happen if Heero was using it,' Gekido thought.
"Battle ended," the electronic voice signalled the end of the match.
Sei lowered his head and though Gekido felt sorry for the kid he knew the loss was inevitable. Sei struck him as a good builder, but a very poor fighter. He patted Sei on the shoulder.
"So what do you think of Gunpla battle?" Sei asked, putting on a smile.
"Its got good graphics at least," Gekido huffed. "Don't feel too bad about your loss, it's a game so you can get back up and try again, become better than your opponent," he explained.
"Ha, the day that happens will be when pigs fly," Susumu said. "Besides my Gyan was upgraded more than the Wing Gundam, it didn't even matter if a decent pilot was using it. In the end it's the superior machine that wins, just look at the Strike Gundam and the Archangel, far more superior than the ZAFT forces and their primitive ships," he explained.
"Okay that's taking it a little too far, the Archangel had a good team and good pilot they got by on team work and skill with limited resources, they're a classic example of the ideal military team," Gekido explained.
"But if they had gone against the Eternal with the Justice and Freedom meteor packs together they would have lost abysmally, even if they had backup from the Hyperion and Astrays," Sei explained as Reiji entered.
"No offence to you Sei but no matter how good the machine of the ship if the person using them isn't good enough then they're going to lose. No amount of engineering and upgrading can overcome experience, skill and effective tactics, even talent is nothing against good old fashioned guts!"
"I'll take that bet," Reiji smirked.
Sei looked at Reiji in shock as he stepped up to Gekido.
"Sei's best machine against you, take any machine you want, but I get to pilot…I'm one of those talented people you know, we'll see how far your skill gets you," Reiji explained.
"I don't have a Gunpla," Gekido said.
"What about the one I made for you?" Mao asked.
Gekido narrowed his eyes slightly as Reiji continued to arrogantly smirk. Takeshi turned away from the checkout and moved to close the store. He stopped however as he saw Ral standing with Fellini and the Lieutenant. Allowing the veteran pilots to enter, the four men watched as Gekido stretched his limbs and then looked at the GINN Mao had given him.
"All right Miguel, lets see if I'm as good in a GINN as you were," he whispered.
Reiji stretched his hands as the arena became active. Plavsky particles began to fill the room, making it go slightly dark. A holographic display formed over both the fighters. The control orbs appeared and the arena began to form.
"Stage: Heliopolis colony," the computer's voice said.
Gekido narrowed his eyes as the Gunpla Sei gave Reiji.
"Please set your GP base," the voice spoke again.
Gekido looked at the base for his Gunpla before putting it on the console. Reiji then set his Gunpla, a copy of the Strike, but it was equipped with all three of the striker packs the Archangel had.
"GAT-X105+AQM/E-YM1 Perfect Strike," Ral identified the unit perfectly.
"Equipped with four extended battery packs the Perfect Strike can use all of the Striker packs at once for an extended period," Mao explained.
"You're in for a challenge newbie, Reiji beat everyone at school, except for the president of the model club," Susumu said.
"Well he hasn't faced me yet," Gekido smirked.
Gundam Build Fighters OST-Build Fight
"Reiji, Perfect Strike Gundam launching!"
"Aiman Ginn launching!"
The two machines launched from their bases, through into the city of Heliopolis. As he flew through the sky, Gekido got the sense of déjà vu. Especially when the Strike readied its cannon. He swerved to the right as the gigantic red and blue beam flew towards him. The Orange GINN had its own shield, with its rocket launcher attached to the back. But even a shield with anti-beam coating wouldn't protect Gekido from the impulse beam. The Perfect Strike Gundam fired the anti-ship Vulcan gun, sparing the air with bullets. Gekido landed and ran his GINN through the buildings.
"Those would be civilian casualties," Gekido said as Reiji shot through the buildings.
Reiji fired his shoulder mounted Vulcans, hitting the GINN's shield as it charged towards him. He fired his rocket anchor, latching it to the GINN's shield.
"Use your enemies weapons against him, basic fighting technique," Gekido said.
He used the pull of the Panzer Faust to increase his speed, slamming his fist into the Strike's face. Reiji quickly pulled his anti-ship sword off of his back, but the Strike was thrown back by a flurry of bullets.
"Phase shift armour idiot, your bullets wont get through," Reiji grinned.
Gekido flew into the air and kept on firing his machine gun, hitting the Strike again and again.
"Maybe not on the first mag, but eventually the Phase Shift armour will break down, that's why it's unreliable, because it relies on a battery," Gekido performed a flip in midair, dodging the Strike's beam boomerang.
He fired a round from his bazooka, and then flipped again, dodging the boomerang. Reiji widened his eyes, sure that the boomerang trick would get the one eyed pilot. The Strike took to the sky with its Aile pack, firing its Vulcans as it chased the GINN. Gekido fired several shots from his rifle and then a barrage from his bazooka. To his credit Reiji dodged some of them, and blocked a few more with his shield.
"He's learning," Gekido muttered.
The veteran pilots noted Reiji's improvement but focused primarily on Gekido's manoeuvrability, it wasn't graceful but it got the job done and it showed them that he had extensive experience in a mobile suit. He fired another few shots off with his rifle before charging Reiji. The Strike swung its sword but Gekido flew over the blade and stepped off of the Strike's head. He fired his bazooka, blowing off one of the wings of the Aile pack and damaging the Vulcan gun to the point where Reiji had to purge the shoulder unit. Reiji yelled as he swung around, firing his Agni cannon. The beam flew past Gekido and hit the wall of the colony. Reiji looked at his monitors in surprise as warning alarms blared.
"What's going on?" Reiji asked as he felt something pull on his suit.
End OST
"We're on a space colony genius, those shots with the Agni blew the thing open, you'd know that if you had a little tact," Gekido said, 'coming from me that's saying something,' he thought.
"It's the pull of gravity Reiji," Sei said, taking a position as Reiji's CIC support.
"My suit had its first sortie in space, the GINNs are their best in zero gravity situations," Gekido easily performed a flip in midair, allowing the gravity pull to drag him out of the colony.
Reiji grit his teeth together as he followed.
"Wait Reiji, it might be a trap," Sei said.
"You should listen to your support prince," Gekido grinned.
As soon as the Strike exited the colony it was met with a kick from the GINN. Gekido grabbed the Strike's sword and ripped it off of the shoulder unit. He then kicked the Strike in the back, throwing it into the debris field.
"The debris its confusing the radar," Sei said.
"Come on out coward, lets see you face Sei's Gunpla head on, cause in a head on fight its obvious that the GINN would lose," Reiji explained.
The Strike turned, looking for its opponent and even firing off shots with the Agni.
"Wait, I've detected a heat source," Sei said.
"GOT YOU!" Reiji yelled.
He swung around, firing the Strike's Agni cannon. The red and blue beam slammed into an object, blowing it apart. Reiji moved through the debris field and widened his eyes. The GINN had sacrificed its shield and bazooka.
"Idiot, you just sacrificed the only decent weapons the GINN has," Reiji chuckled.
"Once he shows himself Reiji shoot him down, the GINN's armour wont hold up against a shot from the Agni or even the Strike's vulcans," Sei explained.
"You see there's the problem with egg heads and cocky first time pilots," Gekido's voice seemed to echo through the field, causing the Strike to look at its surroundings.
Gundam Build Fighters OST- GUNDAM BUILD FIGHTERS!
"You brag about extended battery life, your weapons of mass destruction and armour systems and even the skill of the kid you're sticking into the machine but you forget one simple variable," Gekido explained.
The Strike moved its head to the right, removing a beam sabre from its Aile pack. Suddenly, the Strike's own Antiship sword wedged itself into the centre of the Agni cannon.
"Good old fashioned guts!"
The GINN suddenly slammed its fist into the Strike, delivering a punch so fierce that it jammed the left Vulcan. Reiji ignited the sabre and swung it at Gekido. The GINN fired a shot from its rifle, hitting the Agni cannon and blowing it and the anti-ship sword apart. Reiji was thrown back by the blast, but the GINN was still flying perfectly. Gekido fired bursts from his rifle, hitting the Strike again and again. Reiji drew both his sabres and flew after the GINN, hitting pieces of debris as he flew. The Strike raised its left sabre, swinging it downwards. But the GINN swerved to the side and grabbed the Strike's arm. Gekido fired his rifle point blank into the Aile pack's connection ports, causing the Strike's back to spark.
"GET OFF ME!" Reiji yelled, swinging his sabre at Gekido.
Gekido flew back, firing more shots from his rifle and aiming at the Aile. He emptied his clip and Reiji took that as his chance to strike. But Gekido threw his rifle at the Strike's head. The weapon bounced off of the Gundam and Gekido slammed his heel into the Strike's chest. He then grabbed his rifle and after reloading continued firing shots at the Strike.
"Didn't we tell you already, those bullets aren't to break the PS-armour," Reiji said.
"That's true, but the Aile pack isn't made of phase shift," Gekido grinned.
Sei watched the battle with his eyes wide in awe. Even Reiji's frustration was replaced with a sense of overwhelming respect as his opponent's rounds blew up the Aile pack. Gekido then drew his sword and lunged forward.
"This is…" Sei gasped.
"The real power…" Mao opened his eyes, widening them in shock.
"Of a Gundam pilot," Reiji said.
Gekido let out a roar before slamming his foot into the right side of the Strike's head, jamming the Vulcans. He then slashed the Strike's hand, knocking its left sabre out of its grip. Reiji locked his sabre with the GINN's sword. He widened his eyes as the Strike's phase shift suddenly deactivated, the Strike's sabre then faded, allowing Gekido to cut the Gundam apart.
"That's why phase shift isn't reliable anymore," Gekido grinned.
End OST
"Battle ended!"
"Impressive," Ral said.
"Impressive indeed," said the Lieutenant.
"I admit, the system is pretty addictive, if I had all day I'd play it all day," Gekido smiled, picking up his Gunpla.
Sei and Reiji sheepishly walked over to Gekido and bowed their heads.
"Thank you," they said at the same time.
Gekido raised his eyebrows in shock.
"You taught me that I need to improve not just my ability to build, but pilot too, I need to build a machine that'll utilise the skill of the pilot," Sei explained.
"And I need to trust my team more," Reiji said.
"No…you guys taught me something, I never piloted like that before, I always piloted from my heart. I need not just my skill and my guts but a machine that'll compliment me," Gekido explained.
'We need to change Purpose, just like Setsuna said, we both need to get better,' Gekido smiled as he thought of his Gundam, a Gundam that for the next few days he would strive to improve.
Next Chapter 14: Gunpla of the week
Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, next time the Iori family get started on the Purpose, whilst Reiji meets Aila and Gekido sees two familiar faces.