Part 11: Mission 5 - A Nightmarish Gundam Fight
: …
#1: …We’ve a confirmed hit on the target! #2: Nice. Pretty good shot, dad. : (Rgh…urgh…) #1: Wait, what…?! This signal is…!: (Hrm…!) #1: C-Captain! The Death Army’s reemerging! #3: Formation D! All troops, fire at will! Bring them down!: (Kch… urgh…!) #2: I’m going in, Hugo! Cover me!: (S-Stop…! Foglia…!) #2: Relax! I’m not about to screw up right in front of my dad, you hear?: (Foglia, don’t…!) #3: This is Black Wolf! Forward team, status report! #1: Captain! The- The main unit’s starting to regenerate! #2: How the hell…?! What is this thing?! #3: Black Wolf to all troops, retreat! Right now! Get away from the main unit! #1: W-We’re not gonna make it! #2: Hugo, run! Get outta here!!: (Foglia…!!) #2: Urk— AAAAAAAAH!!
: FOGLIAAA!!: … A dream… Tch, it’s the same one again…
: Rgh?!MX Version:
: Gch…! I need… my medicine…: Hugo, it’s me. Can I come in? : Urk! Rrgh…!: Hugo? Is something wrong? Hugo?!*Aqua runs in.*
: Hugo…!: … What do you want?: Never mind that, what’s going on?! You’re so pale!: I-It’s… nothing. It’ll pass… soon…
: It’s happening again…?: …: Are you really alright? Shouldn’t you go see a doctor?MXP Version:
: My medicine's...worn off...?!: Hugo, it's time for us to meet with Lt. Douglas.: Rrgh…! I need… my medicine…!: Hugo? Hey, Hugo?!: Hrrm...!*Aqua runs in.*
: Hugo…!: …: What’s going on?! You’re so pale!: I-It’s… nothing. It’ll pass… soon…: It’s happening again…?: Didn't you say young girls shouldn't... enter a bachelor's room...?
: That's neither here nor there right now! Are you really alright? Shouldn’t you go see a doctor?Common ground:
: Just leave me alone…: No, I’m not! If anything happens to you, it’d mean a huge headache to me!
: Shut up…: …I’m going to ask Lt. Douglas to take you off the rotation.: Mind your own business…!: Say what?! You don’t seriously think you can go on patrol like this, do you?!
: I told you to mind you own goddamn business!!: Wha—: Who do you think you are to act that way with me, huh?! (PSP version: What's wrong with you?! You've absolutely no reason to be this mad!): … Let’s go.: Go where?!: To the Bridge. We’re going to find Lt. Douglas and confirm our mission orders.: “Confirm”…?! You…
Douglas can tell from their frowning faces that the two of them have been fighting, though Hugo denies it. He's about to tell them the area he wants them to patrol when an alert comes in from a Federal surveillance plane: unidentified Mobile Suits at point F2309.
Bright orders him to try and get an ID and, when he does, Torres is shocked: “Th-this code is… the Death Army!”
The footage from the surveillance plane leaves no mistake, as evidenced by Hugo’s shocked expression. Douglas is also dumbstruck, as those units should have all vanished with the Devil Gundam a year ago – the Argama crew was even there to see the Shuffle Alliance end the monster.
Hugo is pissed off, wondering if this means the Devil Gundam has resurrected. As he froths at the mouth with rage, ignorant of Aqua’s confusion, Bright orders everyone to battle stations – the Nahel Argama is going to intercept these things.
Mission 5 – A Nightmarish Gundam Fight
Bright is loath to relive this nightmare again and Torres immediately pings the Death Army engaging us.
There are no underground heat signatures, meaning the main Devil Gundam isn’t around; Ginga is having a hard time believing the monstrosities ahead are MSs but Hokuto had seen them before on TV.
With that in mind, Bright sends everyone forward.
Kill everything, don’t lose the Argama.
We’ve land-bound Death Army soldiers to the north plus, and I’m 100% serious about this name, Death BIRDIES to the west. They’re a wee bit bulkier than the mooks we’ve fought thus far but still no threat at all.
With that in mind, Ginga is just in range to showcase his strongest attack. Getting kills with him is necessary for a secret.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIW1-uPU9Hs
Kouji and Ryouma fall barely short of oneshotting others.
How about you, Hugo?
Nope. That’s fine, Light finishes the job.
Everyone else is getting closer.
Enemy Phase!
Two Soldiers move after Hugo, their scorching remains resulting in a level up and him learning Spirit.
The last one gets wise and tries someone else.
Just as bad.
The Birdies are a bit smarter, with two hanging back to snipe at Ryouma.
Player Phase!
Then again, that gives me a chance to show off Double Getter Beam so it’s all good!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V481hon5v0k
Kouji cleans out the last bird, learning Prevail L2.
: We’ve got more! Over there now!
: They… They can’t keep this up forever, right?
: They can, actually. Self-multiplication is one of the traits of the DG Cells.
: Oof… I heard the stories but these things are even worse than I expected.
: But they should still all have been destroyed…!
: Does this mean someone’s brought them back…?! #1: … Any signs of it? (These portraits are meant to be half-hidden but I couldn’t find their files.) #2: None. Looks like it’s not here. #1: Fine; then I’ll just go and end these worms. Everything ready? #2: Of course. #1: Alright…!
: RISE, GUNDAAAAAAAAAAAM!!*Finger snap!*
It’s not FRYING DA SKY but I reckon this BGM works well enough.
: Haaaaaah…! Hm!
: Th-That Gundam!
: Can it be?!: Come, Fuunsaikiiiiiiiiii!!*
*
: A horse?!
: (Is that a Data Weapon?!): (No… I don’t think it is…)
: Here I go!
: Hmph, they were no trouble at all. Likely because the main unit really isn’t around here.
: Wow! That guy just wrecked them in the blink of an eye!
: He’s…: Domon Kasshu of the Shuffle Alliance – the King of Hearts…!
: I-I know! His championship match with Kazuya Ryuzaki in the last Colonial Tournament was the most awesome thing ever!
: You're well-informed...
: ‘Course! Any martial artist would be!
: Well, he’s famous even beyond those circles as part of the Shuffle Alliance.
: Yeah. I heard he helped Daimos and the Federation Army during the Baam War…: (What a surprise to find him here…)
: Hugo… is there something with you and the King of Hearts or the Devil Gundam?: …: It’s just that you’ve been acting strange for a while now.: Aqua, switch our power source to the batteries.: Huh…? But those are only for emergencies…: I need to be sure that the mech will move as I want it to right now.: And what is that supposed to mean, huh? That I can’t be relied on to keep our output steady?: (There’s no way this is the end when we’re dealing with those things – they’re way more stubborn than that…!): And I really don’t think you’re in a position to talk like that to others! How’s your body doing today, huh?!: Enough – just do as I say and make the switch. Do you want to die here?: !: F-Fine! But I’ll want an explanation later!
: We’ve an incoming transmission, sir.
: Put it through.
: It’s been a long while, Cpt. Bright.: Since the Devil Gundam Incident, Rain Mikamura. : I’m getting in touch to ask that you all stay alert. It’s possible there are more enemies on their way.: No, they’re already here!*Alarm!*
: Captain! We’ve detected some objects on high-speed approach!: Here they come! Stand ready, troops!
: Dragon Gundam and Gundam Rose?!
: Hey, bro!
: It’s been ages, Domon Kasshu.: You two…
: Hey, are those…: Yeah; Sai Saici, the Ace of Clubs, and George de Sand, the Jack of Diamonds. Also members of the Shuffle Alliance.: Sai, George… why are you here?: Isn’t it obvious? It’s the Shuffle Alliance’s duty to exterminate those abominations, no?: Yeah, that’s why, bro. Still, how about a battle for old time’s sake?: What?!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPU--Qbhoxo
: What are you doing, Sai?!: I just told you! Let’s go, bro! Time for a battle – a Gundam Fight!: (He’s…!): What is he doing…? This is hardly the time for that…!: I suppose I will just sit back and watch. And please, do not hold back, Domon. : … Fine. Everyone else will stay out of this.*Domon splits off from Fuunsaiki*
: Haaaaaah…! Haah!!
: Ok… Let’s do this, bro! Gundam Fight!: Reaaaadyyyyyy!: GOOO!!So now we have to reduce the Dragon Gundam under 50% HP and, like our last Medius battle, no one else can even move.
Granted, it’s not like Domon even needs help to do this:
Fuunsaiki
Pilot Skills:
- Support Defense L1
- Support Attack L1
- Hit & Away
- Accelerate (5)
- Strike (20)
- Iron Wall (35)
Yup, it’s a horse. Not even a cyber-horse or an AI – just a goddamn awesome horse that gets a Mobile Suit and puts on a special suit!
Fuunsaiki’s purpose is to serve as a mount for Domon (or Master Asia, in games where he’s around) and help him fly and tear through the battlefield faster. He also provides a slight boost to HP, Armor and Mobility.
I think he may serve as ablative armor, taking a killing blow himself while leaving the God Gundam unscathed… but that would require Domon ever being at risk of being killed.
God Gundam (Domon Kasshu)
Pilot Skills:
- Meikyou Shisui – Activates at 120 morale, giving +10 to all stats, +200 HP, +50 EN and +10 Mobility, as well as enabling more attacks
- Prevail L2
- Sword Cut L3
- Assisted Attack L1
- Focus (15)
- Invincible (10)
- God Shadow – Activates at 130 morale, giving a flat 50% chance to dodge all attacks
Holy shit, this guy’s broken. He’s strong as no one’s business (I’d say strongest Real in the game), has a decently ranged MAPW and is virtually untouchable once his morale gets going. Domon’s stats are, of course, through the roof in all but defense and range – the two he needs the least.
The only weaknesses he has are that the God Gundam is rather limited in movement and reach if you’re not using its strongest attack (Fuunsaiki or parts fix the former, too). It can be a bit of an EN-guzzler, too, but his attacks are rather crit-happy so you can go mook hunting with his cheaper weapons.
You’ve no reason to not use Domon unless you’re purposefully holding back.
Now, just because Domon could beat Sai by himself (again), doesn’t mean we can speed things up for us. I’ll move him a few steps back to draw in the Dragon Gundam.
Enemy Phase!
And here he comes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAw84ZkES3c
How the usual battle with Domon will play out.
George, true to his word, is standing by.
Player Phase!
You seem healthful. Would you like to not be?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfQhwWx9sps
No introduction needed for this attack, right? And you better the yelling along with Domon!
: Oof… You still got it, bro!: …While you’re not as good as usual, Sai. : Heh, heheheheh…: …: Still… I’m really gonna beat you today.: …!: Because I got my hands on…
: This wonderful power!
: Th-that’s… He’s regenerating?!
: I knew it. You’re…!
: That’s right, bro! We’ve DG Cells!
: I’m sure you’re also well aware of their magnificence, yes? Hmhmhm.: …: While I know you refused this power once, what about now? Would you care to partake?: Never!: Ho-hum, as stone-headed as ever. I suppose we’ve no choice but to use force now.: Domon! While we don’t know what happened, those two are now afflicted by the DG Cells!: No! That’s impossible!: Huh?!: As that battle raged on, these men took upon themselves the crests of the Shuffle Alliance… There is no way they bowed to the Devil Gundam!: Hmhmhm… I can see why you’d want to think that, Domon…: But we needed power beyond what the Shuffle Alliance offered…: That’s right. All to protect the Earth Sphere, you see.: …
: It’s just like before…! And in that case, we should be able to save them in the same way we did back then!: We don’t need to save these two! What I’ll do is defeat them!: What are you talking about, Domon?!: Captain Bright, give your troops the order to attack!
: …Are you sure?
: Aren’t they your friends? Why won’t you try to save them?!: Again, we don’t need to do that…!
: Is that true…?!: Yes. I swear it by my fists!
: Th-that’s crazy! If you’re wrong, this’ll end soooo badly!
: Nah, don’t worry about that.: Huh?!: The fists are the most important thing to any martial artist and he swore on them. So I believe him. 
: Just because of that…?!: (If he’s saying that much, then he must be certain…): All troops, bring down those two Gundams!
: R-really, captain?! They’re members of the Shuffle Alliance, just like Domon Kasshu…!
: If they’re infected by the DG Cells, then the better option would be to try and rescue them!: No – I’ll take full responsibility for the outcome! Fire at will!Welp, I guess we’re gonna be killing about a third of the Shuffle Alliance today. I hope these two weren’t your favorite G Gundam characters!
Fuunsaiki can’t scoop Domon up, so he’ll pop Iron Wall and make himself busy for a turn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjyfD3Yl_Cc
Everyone else starts closing in.
Enemy Phase!
Alright, Round 2.
: How could you abandon us, bro? Talk about cruel.: If you really are Sai Saici, then I’d readily risk my life to save you…: However, my heart… and my fists are telling me that you cannot be excused!
“VULCAAAAN!!”
George is done watching, of course.
: Domon… do you truly mean to strike me, your friend, down?: Shut up! The George I know has a spirit as noble as a rose! Having let yourself be consumed by power, you are now no more than a pig sloshing in the mud!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4fZwziqdsY
The enemies all close in on us.
Player Phase!
Still trying (and failing) on getting the ZZ kids levels.
Roux also kills a Birdie, still nothing. Maybe I’ll try again later, with stronger mooks.
Two birds left.
Now only one. It’ll die in a counterattack, easy.
Might as well send Kouji to have words with Evil Sai.
: Damn it, this guy keeps moving all over the place!: What, you think you can take me with the puny UFO? You wanna die?
You gotta be able to hit first, Sai (he had an 8% chance, fyi).
Enemy Phase!
George and Sai waste their time. Death Army soldiers still trudging on over from across the map and the Birdie actually decides to just move in.
Player Phase!
Hey, they’re finally getting closer!
And boom.
Elle decides to try my patience and fail to kill the Birdie. I would be annoyed but that allowed me to realize that I was wrong: Getter Dragon and Q actually have another combined attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrL-EC_KS54
About 600 points weaker than Double Getter Beam, and with two less range, but it still hits hard and is absolutely FREE to use!
Plus, I think this one looks nicer, what with Ryouma carrying Michiru away.
As I’m sending folks over to kill the remaining mooks, we’ll deal with Sai.
: Hah! There’s no way you can keep up with me!: Those who’ve lost themselves to power have no chance of emerging victorious! We’ll make you see that!
: You guys’ve no idea how great this power is!: Strength earned through training is something to be proud of.
: But yours came from cheap tricks. You don’t get to be all puffed up.: Well, you sure told me… Guess I’ll have to show you what I’m all about by breaking you in half!
: Come, now… you actually think you can pin me down with these sluggish moves?
: Zip it, ya ‘roided-up freak! I’m just getting started!
Sai gets pissed when he loses but Domon tells him to drop the act – the Sai he knows is FAR stronger than this.
“Sai” shakes his fist at him and explodes.
Oh, boy, Kaine just got even faster. I’m gonna need to give Tap and Light some speed boosts to keep up.
Judau, Roux and Bright reach the zombie soldiers at last and put them out of their misery. Now for George!
: You dare face me with such a pitiful contraption? Is this a traditional Japanese Kamikaze move? : Hey, screw you! I’m not about to be one-upped by someone who didn’t work to get strong!
: Keep your guard up, Ryou! Regardless of where his power came from, we’re dealing with a souped-up Gundam Fighter now!: Please. My strength has long since transcended that denomination.: And we’ll still come out on top, so long as you use that strength for your self-interest!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9oE5DpIf5k
Heeey, would you look at that.
: DG Cells… I refuse to allow such demonic technology to taint this beautiful planet!: Your posturing is so very quaint… However, you will soon learn that ideals, beliefs, love and courage all kneel before power.
: Big time heroes like the Shuffle Alliance resorting to these cheap tricks? How the mighty have fallen!: Bark all you want. My body is currently reverberating under the sweet melody a raw power…: Such sensation is beyond philistines like you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU-d8KvHFBE
No other way to finish this, really. SEKIHA TENKYOOOOOO KEEEEEEEEEEEN!!
George is gobsmacked that Domon could really strike him down without any hesitation.
Domon says that there's no way he would hesitate in the first place: even if a doll could imitate George, it could certainly not surpass him. George, as he blows up, has to hand it to his insight.
Domon takes four levels for a Cheered kill, learning Spirit and Prevail L3.
Sai and George dropped a Shuffle Crest (+5 to starting morale) and a Booster.
That’s all enemies destroyed and it seems pretty clear from Domon’s attitude that we were dealing with doppelgangers there. That’s why he fought as freely as he did.
Inwardly, however, Domon notes that all this seems to have been orchestrated to draw him out. Bright, of course, has many questions to ask and invites him and Rain aboard the ship.
Back in the Argama, Rain relates how the Death Army first showed up a few days before, in some ruins by the vicinity of Tokyo Jupiter. Why there? That’s what they’re trying to determine – still unsuccessful, mind.
Domon says that at the very least, one thing is clear: the doppelgangers were sent to divert their attention away from whoever’s scheming to revive the Devil Gundam. The problem, of course, is that all the DG Cells should’ve been destroyed by Raizou Kasshu, Domon’s father and the Devil Gundam’s creator. The best Domon can tell Kouji is that someone must’ve obtained a sample of DG Cells during the Devil Gundam incident.
That wouldn’t be too difficult to do, given how even the Dragonar team saw videos of the Gundam infecting so many places a year ago: the Guiana Highlands, Lantao Island, etc. Problem is, Rain says, Raizou had thought of that and that’s why he released a vaccine meant to trigger apoptosis in all DG Cells. It was with that vaccine that the Shuffle Alliance managed to win that battle… and the new Death Army today seemed immune to it.
In short, these units were made with upgraded DG Cells? Yes and Raizou told Rain that doing such modifications would require some top level tech. That carries a lot of weight, coming from their creator.
Vega ponders if the Gulfer could be behind it but, thankfully, Rain and Domon haven’t found any indication towards that. Still, they’re both planning on continuing their investigation and that’s why they wish to join the Nahel Argama crew. Bright is a bit queasy as doing so will mean thrusting other problems into them but Domon is ready to do his part, as one of the Shuffle Alliance.
In that case, Bright welcomes them with open arms. Light is a bit curious as to the captain’s apparent familiarity with these two and Bright informs that the Argama had also taken part in the final battle with the Devil Gundam, a year ago.
The Nadesico B was also there, along with a bunch of Gundams. Torres is still amazed at a certain stunt Domon pulled when facing the Devil Gundam… but the King of Hearts seems a bit queasy to retell. Rain says that’s a story for another time, leaving with Domon to do maintenance on the God Gundam.
Kouji doesn’t know what happened but Bright asks Torres to keep quiet about “that”. Light and Vega figure everyone’s got stuff they don’t want to be spread to the four winds.
: So, Hugo? Are you going to give me that explanation?: …: There was something between you and the Devil Gundam, no? …Did you fight it during your time with the Special Forces, maybe?: And what about the King of Hearts? Do you…: …*People walk over.*
: That was close, Domon. 
: Hm.: Still, it’s only a matter of time before everyone finds out.: I guess so…: (Domon Kasshu…): (Had he just destroyed that thing quicker, the Cry Wolves…): …: (…No, I shouldn’t resent him for that. From what I’ve heard, the Devil Gundam and DG Cells turned his life upside down as much as they did mine…)*Hugo leaves.*
: Hey! Where are you going, Hugo?! I’m not done talking with you!: Do you know him, Domon?: No, I’ve never seen him before.: (Then what the heck is his problem…?)*Panicked running sound.*
: U-um!: Oh… Are you, perhaps, the pilot of that Dendoh?: Y-yes! Ginga Izumo! 
: Is something wrong, Ginga? You’re shaking…
: I-I’m just freaking out, OK?! The King of Hearts is right here in front of me!!
: Hahah… So you want to meet him, hm?: …What do you need?: C-c-c-c…
: Can I have your autograph, Mr. King of Hearts, sir?! I’m a huuuuuge fan of yours!: …: Why don’t you, Domon? We’ll all be working together, after all. : In that case, I needn’t do so.: Huh?!: If you’re also a martial artist, then I’m sure you understand. : My crest, the King of Hearts, has already been carved into your heart – as proof of us standing, and fighting, together as comrades.*Domon walks off.
: He’s so cool…!: Sorry, Ginga, he’s just shy. Giving autographs isn’t something he’s used to doing.: “Shy”…? That’s what it was?: Hm. I know how he feels, having been his partner for so long.
: (A partner knows how the other feels, huh…?): (But that just feels impossible for Hugo and I…)