A/N: Hello once again, guys! Finally done with the chapter. Well, it took me quite a bit to keep my motivation afloat, but hey. I managed to do it! This is going to be quite a long one considering this is the first time the three shall be fighting together as a team. And I hope it delivers well to you. I hope you do enjoy the chapter and please, I would love to hear your thoughts with this chapter or any of the other chapters, or this story in general. I would like to know what you all think. Thanks!

Also, in order to keep my motivation, I would like to ask a favor to some of the people who really like this story: if any of you know how to roleplay as Nepgear, please PM me. I would like to RP with you in either Facebook or Twitter. PM me on my profile for details. Thank you once again!

Now, onto the chapter!

RaiXGear Chapter 11

[Raiken's P.O.V.]

Family…how much does that word mean to me? Why did I feel a sudden surge of sadness as I heard that word from the chief?

A family murdered by the Ancient Dragon…it's quite sad news in itself, but why did I take it so deeply and personally…

Why, you may ask? I can't exactly tell my reasons to anybody. Some of them I don't even understand. Not even my own beloved sister, Naomi. There are things that none of us could comprehend in a blink of an eye.

It's too much for them to take in so easily.

After eating at the local restaurant owned by the chief's brother, we then went on our way to the place where the person who saw the murder of the family reside in. I hung my head low, unable to smile unlike before.

"Raiken, are you okay?" Nepgear walked beside me and looked at me in concern.

"…" I had no response.

"O-Oi, you look down…" Purple Heart came after.

I suddenly lift my head up, trying to smile it off. "I'm fine, you guys…don't worry about me."

The two girls look at each other, worried about my emotional state, especially Nepgear.

Later on, we arrived at the other side of the village where the attack occurred. And it was a disastrous sight. There was a house that seemed to have burned down and got ravaged by a huge monster. People nearby are observing the damage and rubble.

Meanwhile, on the other side was another house, still pristine and free from damages. It was a 2-story house with a large yard surrounded with bushes. There is a big oak tree on the right side of the house with lots of shade. The family of that residence were admired by the neighbors because they were helpful in times of need.

At the corner of the yard, I see a man observing the people that are investigating the other side. He had gray hair and is wearing a simple long-sleeved shirt and pants. We assumed he was the owner of the place.

"That man over there." I silently thought.

"Could that man be the one we're looking for?" Nepgear asked.

"I think so. Let's ask him, Nepgear." the two nod at each other.

The two approached the man by the bush.

"Umm, excuse me..." Nepgear called out.

The man turned to us and smiled warmly.

"Ah! The CPUs of Planeptune. How may I help you?" he then turned to me. "Oh...what do you know? It's the Gundam!" he stood up from his seat and approached me eagerly.

I then in turn bowed as a greeting. "Yes sir. We're here to ask a few questions. May we have a word with you?" I replied.

The man shook my hand and bowed his head. "I'm Marco. I'm the owner of this lot. Pleased to meet you."

"I am Raiken S. Tsutsumi. An honor to meet you as well." I replied with a sort of monotone.

"We're here to solve the case about your neighbor...I heard you were good friends with the father of the residence." Nepgear said.

"Ah, yes...I knew Tom a few years ago." he sighed in sadness. "He was a good neighbor and a good friend. He would often help me with the harvest when we go out into the fields to work."

I bowed my head again in sadness and sympathy. "My deepest condolences...I'm sorry about your loss."

"Thank you. He and his family were very good people indeed." he replied. "Why don't we all come inside and have some tea? It seems you three have traveled a long way from Planeptune, I assume." Marco bowed.

"Thank you, Mr. Marco. Indeed, we have traveled quite the distance." Neptune said as we followed him inside his yard.

As we settled ourselves inside the living room, Marco went to the kitchen to provide us some tea. I rubbed my head, trying to shrug off any distracting and concerning emotion that may hinder me from being at my finest.

"This place looks pristine..." Neptune thought as she turns her head around to have a good look at the place.

"It sure is..." Nepgear replied.

I couldn't muster a word at the moment. I just want to help Marco with this and end the problems in Nasuune once and for all. If someone has to help Nasuune, it shall be us.

I kept analyzing the possible outcomes of the fight in my head. Of course, I trust the CPUs and I would win, but it's also good to take extra precaution.

"Raiken..." my thoughts suddenly end as I hear Nepgear's voice calling to me.

"Y-Yes, my Lady?" I asked.

"Are you really okay? You seem so insecure right now..." she showed concern in her expression.

"Yeah. I'll be fine. I'll help the people of Nasuune as much as I can." I smiled.

"We can do it together, Raiken. With you on our side, things will be much much easier." Neptune crossed her shoulders proudly and smiled back at me.

Nepgear moved from her spot and sat beside me. "Yeah. But...it seems that the people who died really bugs you. Why is that?"

She hit the mark. She was right. I am the kind who becomes sad at the thought of failure, or failing to protect someone to be more specific. I feel so much guilt, knowing that with all my capability as a Federation Commander, a knight who protects, would still fail in protecting some people...The very thought of it depresses me much so.

Though, it's not the first time that this happened. A lot of people couldn't make it during the last war. And I have carried the burden with me until now. I know I'm not fully responsible, but I feel that I could have done something to prevent more saddening losses.

I wouldn't want people to suffer like me...with so many losses. So much sorrow. So much longing.

Marco came back with a tray with tea, some cups and some sweets. "Here you go, everyone. Please, indulge yourselves. It's a brand new blend today." he laid down the tray and then sat on a chair before us.

"Thank you very much." Nepgear smiled.

A few minutes later, we were discussing the events that had happened to Marco's friend.

"It all happened 2 days ago, I was returning from my trip to the Virtua Forest to find some berries for my family's cake..."

[Marco's P.O.V.]

-Two days ago-

I walked a specific path leading to the exit from the Virtua Forest, carrying with me a basket. My wife asked me to gather some berries in order to complete 3 of our blueberry cheesecakes. One of which is going to my dear friend Tom and his family.

It was already dark, but luckily I brought my night lamp along with me to illuminate the dark. Virtua Forest can be a place of nightmares during the evening, and it's easy to get lost unless you follow the trail.

It's a tradition to us that whenever we explore, we bring sticks along with us to use as a sort of mark to be able to find our way around. Sometimes we use cloth, we also light turn them to torches, other times, we use sticks with odd shapes to plant onto the ground.

I suddenly stop in my tracks as I heard an explosion nearby. It indicated 2 things: one, I am nearly out of the forest and into our lawn. Second, I see a large flame. I immediately thought it was my home, so I ran over, dropping my night lamp in shock.

I came to a halt when I finally see the sight; a once-beautiful house is torn and set ablaze. I also witness a giant shadow lurking around the flames. It roared loudly, enough to deafen my ears. I hid behind a tree, fearing for my life as a wall on the side was blown off, as the shadowed figure finally revealed itself. It was an Ancient Dragon.

It suddenly left the premise, its rampage finally ending. I immediately called out to my dear friend or any of his family members.

"Tooooooom!" I shouted. "Lily-saaaaan! Edward!" I screamed, but no one answered.

I frantically pace around, confused on what to do. Suddenly, my wife arrived on the scene.

"Marco! I just called the firefighters...They're on their way now, but...!" I still couldn't calm down hearing her words due to what I am seeing.

"Honey, Tom and his family are in there...!" tears began to flow from my eyes.

"I know...I know!" my wife held me tight as we just stood there, unable to do anything until the firefighters arrived.

Unfortunately, no one made it out alive. Tom, Lily and their son Edward vanished in the flames…

"...I couldn't do anything for them. I failed him as a friend...it'll forever be a haunting memory..." Marco bowed his head, fighting back the tears.

A moment of silence occurred, Neptune and Nepgear wearing sad expressions. I on the other hand stood up immediately, surprising them.

"...I'll give them the justice they deserve." my blonde hair covered my eyes as I suddenly spoke up.

Marco looked at me straight. Nepgear and Neptune also stood up with me.

"I'll help you avenge your dear friend. I will make that dragon pay in blood for what it has done..." I continued.

Marco smiled. "Thank you, Raiken...I never thought I'd see such determination in person..."

"I'll help too...your friend and his family didn't deserve this!" Nepgear said.

"Yes. We will not let the rest of you end up suffering the same fate." Neptune smiled.

Marco couldn't hold back his tears anymore "P-Please...Show that dragon your might!" we nodded at each other.

We went out the house as Marco followed. "I'll take you to the Nasuune Caves. Please, follow me..." he walked in front of us after picking up a spear and a revolver.

I wore my helmet, letting it give off that powerful optic glare as I mentally prepare myself for battle.

[Nepgear's P.O.V.]

"Raiken, do you have any battle plan?" Neptune turned to him and asked.

"...We just have to work together. Our enemy is only one, and there's no need for complicated tactical maneuvers." he replied.

"Are you sure, Raiken? I mean...our enemy is strong after all..." I looked with concern.

"...I have faced stronger adversaries in my life, Lady Nepgear." I returned with silence.

"...Raiken?" I turned to him, anxious about his state of mind. He turned to me and smiled warmly to try and reassure me.

"...We'll be fine. Trust me. I'm here for you both. I won't let any of us down." Raiken pats my shoulder gently, making me blush a little.

My worries begin to subside when I see his smile. He kept it up as we walked along. Neptune also sighed in relief.

"Goodness, Raiken. You sure do worry me sometimes." Neptune said.

"I-I apologize, my Lady..." he replied back with a blush.

We finally arrive at the mouth of the Nasuune Caves. Raiken knelt down and summoned an array of weapons at his disposal. Objects of light appear as he extends his hand pointing to the floor. The light subsides and revealed all his available arnaments ranging from his beam pistols from earlier, a shield, a beam rifle, two submachine guns and 4 beam sabers in total; two of which store on his rear skirt armor and the other two are stored inside holsters on his waist armor. One weapon is already on him, which is a blade in its stored state on the right arm, ready to deploy. Raiken mounts all of these weapons at once to all the hardpoints and connection ports all over his mobile suit. It was an impressive sight to behold.

"W-Wow..." I looked in awe, Neptune and Marco also stared with much interest.

"That is a lot of guns..." Neptune commented.

"I won't have to run out of ammo or energy charges." he replied with a smug smile. "I'll rain hell on that dragon, that's for sure..."

Marco just stood there, amazed by what he saw. "I shall stay here. If anything happens from outside here, I will call for you guys. Please...defeat that dragon...!"

"You got it." I turned to him and gave a thumbs up.

"I'll be looking forward to fighting alongside you once again, Raiken." Neptune stepped towards me and gave me a high-five.

"Let's do this." I cracked my neck and crunched my knuckles and began entering the cave with the two following behind me. Marco remained outside the cave, anxiously waiting for us to come back.

A few kilometers in, we stopped for a bit. I had to adjust my helmet to night-vision mode and opened on my flashlight module on the right side of my helmet.

"It's dark in here...my flashlight may not be enough. I want you two to stay close to me." I glanced at my surroundings as the two follow.

"Raiken, I sense energy coming from the right turn..." Neptune whispered as we came upon two possible paths.

"Then let's head over there." Raiken held out one of his rifles. "Time to kill that motherfucker." Wow, this is the first time I heard him curse like that.

We finally arrived at a wide, open space, pitch black in darkness. Yet, I sense a lot of energy coming from the possible threat we were about to face.

"...It's too quiet. I'm firing a flare." Raiken fired a stick flare from another compartment of his rifle, illuminating the entire area. Suddenly, we came across a giant figure sitting in a particular spot. It's features definitely show, it's size, it's wingspan. Those glowing eyes...

It was the Ancient Dragon that had terrorized Nasuune.

The dragon's huge presence surprised us all as it turns around, noticing us.

"There it is!" I shouted, taking a defensive stance.

"Then let's bring the fight to it! Hiiiiyaaaaaaaaaah!" Neptune charged at the creature, only to be blocked by its arms.

"I will avenge the people you have slain!" Raiken stored his beam rifle and took out the two submachine guns that are stored on hardpoints on the knee armor and begins firing away at it.

Neptune continued her assault, using various combos to try and damage the beast, but its defensive capability and it's strong carapace render it nearly unable to feel the pain of her powerful blows.

"Haaaaaaaaaah!" Neptune tried to use her recently learned move, the Delta Slash. Although it did cause a lot of damage to the beast, it still stood strong, surprising her.

"Wait...how could this be? Normally, the other Ancient Dragons we face nearly gets finished in one blow...!" she thought to herself.

Raiken charged sideward and began shooting his submachine guns at the beast's legs, up to its waist area. A little damage was involved, but the beast was not deterred from destroying the three of us as it roared once more.

I in turn flew up and also began firing my gunblade, concentrating as much as I can to try and make a mark. Meanwhile, Neptune gets swatted away, but she easily regains composure midair and began to charge again at it, only to meet it's arm once more. This time, it sends her to the ground, damaging her.

"Aaaaaaaagh!" Neptune screamed.

"Lady Neptune! Grr, how dare you hurt Lady Neptune!" Raiken stored his weapons. Rage welling within him, he switches to his underslung blade, charging at it with a loud, mighty battle cry.

"Seeeeeeeiiiiyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!"

Raiken strikes from behind the beast, managing to wound one of it's wings. The beast let out a roar of pain.

Suddenly, it's giant tail swished around so fast. Unlike any Ancient Dragon we have faced before, this one has a spear-looking tail. And unfortunately, that part of the beast strikes Raiken on his stomach, stabbing through him and his armor.

"K-Khhh!" Raiken coughs out blood as he loses his composure, unable to activate his thrusters in time, crashing to the ground.

"Raiken!" I cried out in vain, as I tried to fly towards him, but the dragon would not let me as it flew upwards as well, attacking me with it's brute strength.

"Aaaaaagh!" I screamed as I was hit one time on my side, throwing me a bit backwards. Luckily, I was able to keep my flight and began firing back at the beast but with little to no effect.

"This dragon is so strong...I can't get to Raiken...at this rate, he's going to...!"

My thoughts stopped as the beast was in front of me, petrifying me. That window of time I accidentally provided it gave the dragon the opportunity to grab me with his huge hand with force, hurting me greatly with it's extremely tight grip.

"Aaaaaaaaaaah! I-I can't move...!" I screamed.

Neptune managed to get up, albeit weakly due to the force of the dragon's body towards her. "N...Nep...gear...!" she shivered as she tried to call out to me.

I kept my struggle against the dragon's strong hold on me, though I couldn't even budge.

The dragon's eyes locked onto Neptune with bloodlust, about to walk towards her to finish her off, while I'm on his hand, ready to be crushed at any given moment.

"Neptune! Please, get away and help Raiken!" I pleaded.

"I won't...lose..." Neptune simply mumbled under her breath. "I will...take this monster...down...!" she panted as the dragon was about to hit her once more with it's other arm.

"Neptune, please! RUN!" I pleaded again, this time in a screaming voice. I then looked over to Raiken, still lying on the ground. This time, there's a puddle of blood around him. "Raiken! Raaaikeeeeen!"

I then begin to realize that our impending doom is coming at this very moment, as Raiken could not move, and Neptune was too weak to fight any longer.

Negative thoughts begin to swirl around my head. To think that death would come to us this swiftly…we have been defeated by a monster that terrorized a village filled with people who have high hopes for us…

Thoughts about Planeptune begin to seep through as well. Our beloved nation…about to fall once the dragon finishes us off. What will happen to the loving people who live in it? What will happen to the peace and tranquility that we have worked so hard for?

And all of our friends…what will happen if they hear of this?

Tears begin to flow out of my eyes as I braced myself for the coming death of my sister, and my new friend who I regarded as someone special to me dying from his wounds until…

"…Trans-Am."

(Cue BGM: "Conclusion" from Oda Nobuna no Yabou" here)

Suddenly, a burst of green light erupts from Raiken's back as he slowly stood up. All of a sudden, his suit suddenly glows in a pinkish hue, saturated particles of light swirling around him for a moment until his entire body and silhouette are engulfed in a glowing pink aura.

The dragon immediately took notice as it turned around, but in a flash, the arm that was holding me was suddenly cut off, setting me free.

"Ra…Raiken…" I stared in utter shock as the Gundam stood mighty, particles of glowing light flowing freely from his back. Neptune weakly walked towards me, kneeling down as we both witness Raiken's mobile suit in its menacing glow.

The dragon roared loud in pain as blood pours out of the area sliced off by Raiken's blade. It thrashes around, until it sets its eyes upon the glowing eyes in Raiken's helmet, about to unleash its rage upon him.

As the beast was an inch away from hitting Raiken's helmet, Raiken suddenly dashed sidewards with high, even mach-like speeds, leaving behind a trail of afterimages. The dragon hits the ground, only to realize that its target is no longer there.

"Lady Nepgear, Lady Neptune…please let me handle this. Stay there and don't move." Raiken said as he swiftly blocks another sudden attack meant to hit his side, he then shifts away from it.

The jewel-like condenser pieces on his arms and the central chest piece glow a brighter green as Raiken jumps into the air, firing beams from his arm-mounted Vulcans towards the dragon's eyes, blinding it temporarily as it thrashes around. Raiken then lands on the ground, though he suddenly was brought to his knees due to his major stab wound.

"K-Khhh...! I'm not down yet…!" Raiken stood up again, avoiding the dragon's blind thrashes against him, forcing him to back away from the creature. "I'm not done…yet…!"

Neptune and I watch in amazement and concern as his condition grows worse. But, we kept on believing in him as he stood still.

"Raiken…" Neptune and I both mumble under our breaths.

"…I will protect you." he responded as he turned to us, his helmet's optics glaring at us once more before beginning to charge one more time. I could have sworn I saw him using some sort of injected fluid to give him a bit of strength…

The dragon was so distracted with its blindness that it was not able to determine where Raiken is about to strike him.

When it does regain its vision, all it now sees is Raiken's beam saber about to stab the chest area. Luckily, it strides off to the side, only grazing it deeply on the side of its body. The dragon still roared in pain, however due to the intensity of the ignited beam blade.

"Hhhh!" Raiken was put off guard as the other arm swats his head, breaking the helmet entirely to pieces as he was flown towards our front, severely injuring him once more.

"Raiken!" I cried out in worry as he quivers from the pain he's currently suffering. I tried to run towards him.

"Don't…!" Raiken mumbled as he put his hand out, signaling me to stop as he lifts his head up to look at me. I was shocked not only at the amount of blood flowing from his face and body, but his eyes are what caught our total attention.

His eyes were glowing a fierce sky blue, though his eyes are somewhat dilated. with a sort of symbol in the center of the irises. It was a surprise right before our very eyes.

"T-Those eyes…!" Neptune tried to muster any words that may describe what she is currently seeing.

The blonde smiled bravely at me once more, as the beast was about to hit him from behind. I yelled "Raiken, look out!" and he flash-steps away from the strike, a dust cloud forming in its wake.

Raiken suddenly appears behind the Ancient Dragon in midair, and began to slash one of the wings off, greatly delivering the pain to the creature. Attempting to strike it another time, its tail swipes him away; he got hit at the same place as his major wound.

But Raiken did not falter, and regained his composure. Then, we see his beam saber's color change from a dark pink to a light blue.

I could immediately tell that the change in color meant a significant increase in power because I feel the emotion and effort that Raiken has put through this blade as he aims it at the enemy in front of us all. With one last battle cry, he charged towards the enemy and prepared for the killing blow.

"Be erased from existence!" he stabs the creature straight in the head, after barely dodging the beast's other arm. Raiken then jumped backwards off the creature as blood spurts from the stab wound.

The dragon let out one last roar as it falls to the ground with a slam, eliminated from existence. Raiken stood there as he looked at the fallen beast one more time, turning off his beam saber.

[(BGM ends here)]

Neptune and I sighed in relief as we see Raiken's mobile suit return to normal, the aura wore off.

"That was an amazing display of strength, Raiken…I am completely blown away…" Neptune remarked, standing a bit more still after regaining a bit of strength.

"Raiken, you were great…! How did you do that?!" I exclaimed in joy as I took a good look at him.

But…unfortunately… "I…did it…"

Raiken suddenly dropped his beam saber to the floor, his whole body going limp from his injuries.

"…Target…neutralized…mission…complete…" he slowly said, as he fell on his knees, then onto the ground.

All the strength he could muster was all used up. He fell into unconsciousness, shocking us both.

"Raiken!" I rushed to his side and cradled him in my arms.

"Nepgear…can you heal him?" Neptune asked me, looking at the blonde man in concern.

"M-My healing would only seal the wound temporarily…we have to get him to a better medical facility…!" I said in worry, as I began to do my magic towards his wound as best as I could.

"Then let us carry him out, quickly…I'll help you, come on." Neptune began to gently carry him by the arm, while I go for the other side, picking up his beam saber in the process.

As we lead him out of the cave, Marco was still there, waiting for us. He was shocked to find us in our current condition.

"H-Hey! Are you guys alright?!" he asked as we got to our knees for a bit due to Raiken's current weight and Neptune's injuries.

"We successfully defeated the dragon together…well, Raiken has delivered the killing blow…" Neptune replied.

"That's amazing! As expected of the three of you. But…your injuries…you and Raiken need to go back to the town. Come on, I'll help you carry him up!" he immediately began to do so gently and we begin our walk back to the village.

While on the way back, I pondered upon how Raiken managed to activate such a powerful system to his mobile suit despite his injury. I looked at his beam saber closely, but I could not tell what properties it possesses when used by him.

That bright pinkish hue, those brighter jewel-like condensers, and that menacing glare, accompanied by precise skill and tenacity by the wielder...it is quite a sight to see.

That display of power is one I could never forget aside from his loving and remarkable personality. Truly for me, it was an exciting experience to be able to fight alongside a man like him…

Needless to say, Neptune and I are both glad to have him by our side.