Within the docks of the Innovater ship, Tieria's Gundam the Seravee was at the full mercy of the Innovators now. Despite his best efforts he was about to meet his untimely fate against this perverted interpretation of Aeolia Schenberg's plan. "How can this happen? The others are too busy against the enemy and I'm forced into this final duel with Ribbons himself..." He cursed under his breath.
His circumstances were emphasized further when he heard the said villain contact him, "You should have joined us Tieria Erde. You should have joined me..." He briefly sounded wistful of the idea but regained his venom when he cursed, "But as it has been seen you only choose to fight for the weak. If you will not join us in realizing Aeolia's Plan... Then you will die with them!" Before the Reborns was able to deliver the final blow an explosion occurred enveloping the Garazzo. Ribbons was brought to alert when he asked, "What? Regene, what was that?"
Regene was quickly assuming an analysis with GRM’s computer when he reported, "It's something we haven't foreseen! It's another Gundam!" As soon as Regene gave his report the foreign Gundam skid its way into the hangar bay while the "Outer Senshi" theme played in the background.
The pilot of the Gundam announced to her opponents, "Miki O. Shirakawa! Sending TC to assist fellow Meisters!" The TC took action when it continued to fire its beam rifle at the GRM. Even when it entered Trans-Am mode the shots only managed to hit the GRM at is vital areas leaving only the left arm and left leg intact.
Regene continued to move back when he exclaimed in audible fear, "How is this possible?! She's facing us with something beyond even that of our technology!" As if a realization overcame him at the last second he said, "This could only be..."
"The power of star crossed love!" Miki answered as the Gundam cast aside its beam rifle and engaged with all four of its beam sabers. The TC lunged forward with its beam sabers and sliced across in an x pattern across the remains of the mobile suit.
Regene’s cockpit was spared long enough for him to scream his last breath, "AAAHHH!!!"
Ribbons saw the death of his ally and prepared himself, "No! Aeolia’s Plan must be brought forward! I will not lose to a mere human!"
The Reborns collided with the TC but found itself quickly being disassembled when the four beam sabers sliced away at its limbs and front cannons. Miki contacted Ribbons when she told him, "I am sorry you have denied your chance at happiness Ribbons Almark. But when anyone of any species chooses ambition of power over the natural bonds of love, they will never succeed!"
What remained of the Reborns made a final dash back when it grabbed hold of its beam saber. Ribbons pushed himself when he prepared for the next strike, "This is... fate! I can still fight!"
The TC prepared its four beam sabers to sweep down when Miki answered, "Fight all you can. You cannot overcome my one true desire!" As soon as the Reborns came into range the TC made its sweep and saw the elimination of its opponent.
Ribbons had enough time to scream, "NOOO!!!" The Reborns exploded before the TC and Ribbons Almark’s hopes to advance Aeolia’s Plan were undone.
"The power of star crossed love..." Tieria watched in sheer awe from his cockpit.
The TC stood close to the front of the Seravee when Miki stepped out and removed her helmet asking, "Tieria Erde... Have I proven myself to you?"
Tieria stepped out and saw the young woman before him when he dreamily answered after removing his helmet, "Yes... Miki O. Shirakawa..."
The two were in a gaze much like that of Shiro and Aina’s first meeting before Miki introduced poetically, “My Gundam… I call it the TC. And I name it this because it is Tieria’s Chariot. I have awaited this chance to one day escort you to my heart Tieria Erde…”
Tieria’s face flushed when he heard the promise and announced as he floated towards her, “I… I have always wanted a day like this to happen…”
Miki began to float towards him as well when she gazed into his eyes. She could tell after all this time she would finally be within the embrace of the man she dreamed of. She floated through the zero gravity prepared for his kiss, "Tieria..."
"Miki..."
"There's no way this is going to work." Right before she was within grasp she heard a voice from outside observe this.
Miki turned around as though she were facing a director on a set, "Oh what? Okay maybe just an RX-78GP01-Fb wouldn't be enough to destroy the GRM and Garazzo but a super climatic duel with my Gundam against the Reborns has to be enough to give me some credibility!"
"You need to get better at this..."
Miki began to complain harder, "What?! So what if I took a few creative liberties? This is my dream and I should be able to do what I want! If I wasn't al..." She began to choke on the sudden realization of the obvious problem in the room. There was no air in space.
Fortunately for her she wasn't in space after all. Hedy woke up and found her dream Gunpla alongside her homework after realizing she fell asleep at her keyboard again. Thankfully the latest commission for her deviantart account had been finished and uploaded. Her real concern at the moment was her dad in the room. "I had to get you up somehow kiddo. It's just a good thing you remembered to set your alarm."
Hedy rubbed her neck as she looked up answering, "Oh yeah... Good on me for sure. I'm never going to be late for school again now that I have a schedule we agreed to."
Her dad lifted the clock in question when he showed it was 8:43 A.M. when he told her, "And I believe we were hoping to see it start working today."
Hedy realized this and answered the only way any good student would, "AH!!!" The young lady quickly got her socks on and began to braid her hair.
“Be glad it’s a Late Start Wednesday. You still might be able to make it.” Her dad observed.
Hedy was very desperate to leave when she gathered her things and promised, “You’re right! I’m sorry! I’m heading in now!”
“Don’t forget, Continuum marathon tonight.”
“Won’t be late! Bye dad!” She threw herself out the door of her bedroom and made a jump down to the first floor where her mom was cooking scrambled eggs and bacon. Hedy rushed into the kitchen and wolfed down a handful of both before she parted with the food still in her mouth, "Mbmye Mmom."
Before her mom had a chance to ask anything she saw Hedy rushing out the front door and could only offer, "Uh... Have a nice day sweetie?"
Hedy had swallowed her food by now when she began to rush down the streets of Antioch from her hose when she kept cursing herself, "Oh god I can't believe I did this again. I am so dead if I don't get to the bus on time!" As soon as she saw her phone hit the 8:45 mark she saw the bus driving away from her location when she got there. "Ah! No!" She picked up her legs into full gear when she tried to catch up with the bus. The bus began to pick up speed when Hedy prepared for a final jump, "It's worth it!" She was fortunate not to land on the cement but instead managed to just barely grab hold of the emergency back door.
It was a 15 minute drive before Hedy was in front of Antioch High and began to rush ahead of the other students. She made her way through the halls before she found her first class period when she pressed on, "I'm almost in! I can't let it be in vain now!" With a final thrust Hedy jumped into the classroom and square into the seat of a nearby desk. The morning announcements were just getting started when she breathed to herself, "Whew... Another dramatic entrance." She checked the height of the boy in front of her as he sat down and found he was thankfully a few inches taller than her. She used this to her advantage and propped her textbook up in front. She fell back to sleep right in that moment.
The rest of the day had been going by at an uneventful pace by the time Hedy got to Lunch period. She saw several students on the sidewalk as they chatted and ate their lunch. Unfortunately all Hedy could do was pat her stomach from the growling when she asked herself, "Why did I have to decide to skip lunch again?" She took out her gunplay case when she sighed remembering, "Yeah, it's for you isn't it little guy? We'll just have to hope that you've got what it takes to go far."
"Hey Brian! What the hell is this crap?" Hedy turned around and saw a boy her age holding what was probably supposed to be a Gunpla but she didn’t remember the Trad 11 from Xabungle being announced as a model.
Continuing the theme another boy pointed out holding a Zambot 3, "These things don’t even register into the Battle System!”
“I don’t think some of these are even from Gundam at all.” An unfortunate girl agreed when she held up an ATH-Q58 Berserga DT model.
Another one of the group held up an actual gunpla when he pointed out, “He gave me a G-Savior though.”
The boy with the Zambot 3 reminded, “Of course he did idiot. That's one of the worst gunplas anyone can use!”
Brian only laughed at the squabble when he answered, “Just look at you losers. Hey all I did was offer a trade for one of a kind gunplas and you agreed to it.”
The girl with the Berserga pointed out, “We said for gunplas though!”
Brian shook his head when he corrected, “And I did say one of a kind didn’t I? So there you go. What can you do about our deal now?”
The boy with the Zambot 3 commanded, “Give us back our old gunplas Brian. I don’t want this thing taking up my shelf space.”
Brian became even smugger when he answered, “You know I would but there’s a problem. I already got a chance to sell them at the nearest gunplay store! Hahaha!” It was a short burst before he continued, “Don’t worry that money is going to some good use when I go back tonight. My Zssa was strong enough as it is. Now it’s going to have an easy time blowing up everybody once I make a convincing fuse with the 00 Qan[T]. I think I might even just buy that 1/100 Big Zam gunpla and then I can literally crush everybody at the Gunpla tournament this year! Hahaha!”
Little else stood out from Hedy’s observation when she heard that Brian had money on him. Lunch was probably not going to be skipped after all. At least if she could find a way to prepare herself for another battle. "What's a good quote to motivate me for this?" She wondered to herself.
"When one realizes the "emptiness" in one's belly, true strength appears!" The apparition above her head faded when Hedy found herself ready for another gunpla battle.
Hedy bowed when she thanked, "Thank you Gen Fudou for your encouragement!" She rushed up behind Brian when she challenged, "Hey Brian! If you're that confident about your Gunpla I'd like to see it in action. Let's make a duel on a bet huh?"
Brian and the small crowd of students turned to the challenge while Brian asked, "Oh sure. You got your terms?"
"Yes. If I win I get all of the money you got for those gunplas you sold."
Brian crossed his arms when he asked, "Pretty high request. Got something of equal value? Stakes can't be that high when there's too little to compete for."
Before Brian could laugh at the idea he saw Hedy lift up a doujinshi with a provocative cover of Setsuna F. Seiei holding Marina Ismail in a nightgown when she displayed, "Import Doujinshi of Mitarashi Kousei's The Sky of Marina autographed by the author himself. Finding him was worth all of the calluses. One of the top ten in my collection."
While the other students were staring and wondering if such material was supposed to be allowed on school grounds Brian was using this feeling to enthusiastically answer, "Alright you're on!"
The two gunpla battlers faced one another in the public school battle system before the procedures took place. The winnings were placed within a pot as the crowd outside waited for the outcome from the Battle System in the observed room. The automatic voice commanded, ‘Please set your GP Base.’
At the same time Hedy and Brian placed their bases and their battle information displayed above a public screen with their profiles. The first one read, ‘Hedy McVey. 7 wins. 2 losses.’
The other read, ‘Brian Scott. 11 wins. 3 losses.’
One of the scammed battlers observed the odds and experience when she asked, “You think she’s got a chance?”
The boy dealt the G-Saviour answered, “Whether or not she does, this is going to be a deciding battle for both of them.” He took out a packet of paper when he elaborated, “The School Rules dictate that for students to qualify for the Annual Gunpla Tournament field trip they must maintain a 75% win ratio with a minimum of 10 battles and a maximum of 15.” He gulped when he added, “I should probably also add that final entry submissions are due by the end of this lunch period.”
One of the nearby observers realized what was at stake when he said, “So whoever wins this literally is going to determine who’s going and who isn’t!”
The Battle System gave its first warning before the battle, ‘Beginning Plavsky particle dispersal.’
Within the battle room an aura of light made its way around the battlers when they got to see their new environment. The crumbling island of Orb was selected while the forces of ZAFT engaged in a programmed stalemate battle against the Earth Alliance. Both of their Gunplas were dropped into the hangar background when the battle system gave its final procedure, ‘Battle Start.’
Brian activated his Zssa and when he grabbed the two nearby spheres of light warning, "Time for you to see why I made it this far!" The Zssa launched its way onto the battlefield after he announced, "Brian Scott. Show your true power Zssa!" The yellow mobile suit landed firm on the cement streets as debris flew out of its way from the hangar portal.
Hedy from across the table prepared for her launch when she warned, "I won't go down that easily. I've got my doujinshi to protect!" The TC appeared before its opponent when she proclaimed, "Hedy McVey. Showing the power of the TC!" At this announcement the TC appeared with equal landing force.
Right in this moment the two Gundams were face to face while the city debris flew in various directions. The Zssa made its first move when Brian warned, "Time for you to see what I'm made of. A Gundam built for close range combat has easy weaknesses to exploit. Launch all missile launchers!"
The Zssa fired the missiles from its legs and arms. The explosions were made on impact but the TC was flying out of the smoke and towards its target when Hedy warned, "Use the long range all you want. It just leaves me with an opening!" The TC prepared two of its beam sabers when it came in close and Hedy had an assured face that she was about to win. Reality struck her when the two strikes at the Zssa's sides were blocked when it prepared its own beam sabers.
Hedy was in the midst of shock when Brian asked, "Not that easy is it?"
"Yeah. I think it is." The TC prepared to unleash its other two arms with beam sabers but the Zssa made a flying motion back at this warning.
"Don't even try to take me out this easy." The Zssa wasn't close enough to make the hit but did manage to slice the lower right arm of its opponent.
Hedy saw the damage report on her screen when she cursed, "Oh damn it not this again!" She managed to maintain the balance of the TC when she continued, "I wish Tieria didn't make operating multiple beam sabers look so easy. Then again it's just too much to imagine him when he's piloting isn't it? The thought of that cool calculating face as he looks through those glasses... Ah! Focus! Focus!" The Zssa launched back when it managed to obtain another window of attack and launched its missile pods towards the ground of the TC.
Brian could be heard from across the table when he warned, "One less beam saber gives me the perfect opportunity. Too bad you couldn't stay that well on your guard."
The TC's remaining right arm withdrew its beam saber for now and took out its own beam rifle when she answered, "Don't worry I will!" The TC fired the rifle and destroyed the missiles that made their way towards it and put up a perfect defense for the time being. She knew it was time to change strategy when the Zssa began to fly around the debris.
The two mobile suits circled around one another as they continued to fire while Brian commanded, "Damn it go down! This match is mine!"
"Not for as long as I have an extra three arms!" Hedy answered back. Unfortunately the persistence didn't prove for much when the Zssa managed to fire off the remaining right arm and remove Hedy's long range attack.
"Can't do much when you're up against a 57mm High-energy Beam Rifle huh? Now go down like a good opponent!" The Zssa continued to fire the beam rifle as both mobile suits attempted to fly away from one another.
"Oh just great. How am I supposed to win now?" The TC was cornered further towards the tall building when Hedy found the perfect opportunity. "Uh oh! ZAFT fire!"
"What the?" Her distraction wasn't a lie when Brian looked up to find the missiles from ZAFT mobile suits making their way above the targeted building. The Zssa made a jump into the air when it fired at the stray missiles. Brian was distracted for a critical moment when Hedy found the chance to gain an environment victory. The TC moved back and took its beam rifle into one of its left hands before she checked the height of the jump.
The TC turned the corner and fired its beam rifle towards the crumbling pillars of the building. The shots were enough when Brian realized too late that the building began to fall. The upper levels of the building landed on top of the Zssa and Brian left to scream his cry of defeat.
"Draws are completely unacceptable!" Hedy told herself. She realized the building was about to fall on her as well and made a quick dash to the side to avoid the same defeat. As soon as the building fell over the TC oversaw the remains of the destruction when Hedy sighed, "Whew... Perfect fate for you isn't it?"
The light in the room faded when the Battle System announced to the crowd, 'Battle End.'
The results changed the profile numbers to read,
'Hedy McVey. 8 wins. 2 losses.'
'Brian Scott. 11 wins. 4 losses.'
Brian rushed out the room to see his results posted for all to see and was left with the only option of a sore loser. "No! No! Oh please god no! Something had to go wrong there! It had to be rigged!"
The crowd didn't seem to care when one of the students gave the pot to Hedy announcing, "And the winner: Hedy McVey!"
Hedy was bouncing and cheering for herself when the boy dealt a Trad 11 asked, "Nice to see you pulled it off Hedy. You got plans for the money I take it?"
She turned around to the cafeteria when she answered, "You bet I do. Stromboli is up on the menu today!" The unfortunate students who lost their gunplas were probably expecting something a bit more chivalrous as they gave collective sighs.
Hedy walked off the school bus when she arrived home when she wondered to herself, "Hm... Maybe I should have got them some tacos just to show I was thankful." Her face brightened up when she held the permission slip she needed to begin her dream trip. "Well whatever happens I'm going to treat them when I get home victorious. 10th Annual Gunpla Tournament here I come!" Hedy rushed into her house with the permission slip in hand when she opened the door. "Hi mom. Hi dad. I've got the permission!"
Her dad was excited to hear this news when he congratulated, "Alright! I knew you'd be able to pull it off."
Her mom was in agreement, "That's fantastic honey. It looks like you get to go to Japan this year."
Hedy held the slip close to her chest when she showed her excitement, "It's the land that never gets old after every visit. The homeland of Tomino-san himself! The land that achieves the apotheosis of animation! And most importantly the greatest tournament in the world and it will be staring me! I cannot wait for Friday!"
Her dad gave a light laugh when he asked, "Just don't forget about us when you're there. So, ready?"
Hedy threw her book bag to the left side of the nearest couch when she remembered her promise from that morning, "Oh yeah! Ready!" She sat back in her couch while her mom prepared dinner while she thought to herself, Soon Tieria Erde... Soon you will see just how we are meant to be together once I arrive...
Brian was hard at work in the local Gunpla store when he told the store owner about the ordeal from hours ago. “From the sound of it you sure didn’t get the chance to head out for the Tournament like you had hoped.”
Brian was working on a left arm when he answered, “Not when I have what it takes to take advantage of the system.”
“Hm? How so?”
Brian set down the arm when he showed the stats on his Gunpla Base. Instead of the stats from earlier it now read ‘Brian Scott. 13 wins. 2 losses’. “Keeps track of battle data but the ID can be configured easy.” He explained.
The owner recognized the action when he observed, “You were willing to steal someone else’s Gunpla Base to gain a chance at entry. You sure have a way of following your old dad’s thinking down to a T.”
Brian was preparing the final basic attachments to his gunplay when he agreed, “He knows what’s right and what gets people ahead in life. They have to be the ones to want something the most to be the ones on top. You probably might be able to tell that I am probably one of those more ambitious types.”
The owner acknowledged the choice when he nodded asking, “So you do. You believe a cheat like this is something that will get you selected? You’ll probably be in trouble when you get back.”
Brian didn’t show any regret in his voice when he answered, “It’ll be worth it. People just need to see this as a way for us to learn how to be more ambitious. I’ll return a champion. No one is going to drag down my chances at being number one.”
The owner went to managing his shelves when he parted, “You certainly have ambition Brian. It’s only up to you to see your new Gunpla is enough to channel that spirit.”
“It will get me through alright.” Brian held his new Gunpla above when he promised himself, “You’ll provide me with the way forward I’m looking for. Gundam Revenge.”
Friday
Stockton Metropolitan Airport
Hedy was in amazement when she saw Brian preparing for the flight along with the other two students who qualified. She was wise to ask with her nearby friends, “How did he manage to qualify for this?”
One of them poked around the rumor, “He found some way to rig the system obviously.”
While another agreed, “I don’t even think he has a better gunplay for this he was desperate enough to bribe his way through.”
Hedy brought her determination forth when she warned, “Well I’ll have to be ready for him when it comes to the qualifiers. I beat him once, I can beat him several times over!”
“Yeah! You have what it takes girl!”
“Go out there and be ready to win the big ones!”
Hedy displayed her modesty when she promised, “You bet I will. All for you guys!” She turned away when she swayed for a few moments dreaming, “And for Tieria…”
“Could you at least not forget to send us a full report of what goes down at the Gunpla events?”
Hedy took hold of her friend’s face when she promised, “Sure thing Rachel. You just wait here for my mighty return!” Hedy leaned in to kiss her before parting, “So long! Pray for the winds of fortune to blow my way!”
Brian was observing the scene while waiting for the boarding to begin. He turned to meet with Hedy’s sight when he asked, “You think this will be easy? I’m more determined than you.”
Hedy crossed her arms when she told him, “If this plane had a Battle System I’d put you back in your place mister.”
The flight attendant outside announced to the passengers, “Boarding flight for Honolulu is leaving now.”
Hedy stepped behind another man when she warned, “Once we arrive in Japan we’ll see if you should have stayed or not.”
Brian agreed firmly, “Fine. I’ll just leave it at that.” The flight for what it was worth would have its peace for now. It was only when these future combatants had the chance to release their passions on the fields their true strength would be unveiled.
