Gundam SEED Fan Fiction ❯ Gundam Seed Shadow ❯ Episode 4 Revelations and a Cowboy ( Chapter 5 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Hcps 
Anime/Manga: Gundam SEED Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Fanfiction Sequel | Uploaded On: 12.30.2011 | Pages: 11 | Words: 9.6K | Visits: 174 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Gundam SEED Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Fanfiction Sequel | Uploaded On: 12.30.2011 | Pages: 11 | Words: 9.6K | Visits: 174 | Status: Work In Progress
Episode 4
The episode opens up with Nightwing still in the middle of the desert running west. The sun is setting giving off the appearance of Nightwing having ran all day. We cut inside the cockpit to see Shadow doing the whole running in mid-air thing, sweat is pouring down the tired warrior's face as he struggles to keep his breath.
Kenny is standing by the left wall typing on a computer screen attached to the wall. Cagalli is still sitting down buckled up; she’s dozing off when Kenny shouts
Kenny: All done!
Shadow: Ah, thank God!
Our tired hero exclaims with relief as he stops moving and lifts up his helmet screen. Cagalli jolts awake.
Cagalli: Huh, what, done with what?
Shadow: Thanks for joining us princess.
Shadow says playfully. Cagalli still sleepy snaps back
Cagalli: Can it!
Kenny eager to show off his work explains
Kenny: I just finished installing an auto-pilot program into the Gundam.
Shadow: Nightwing, its name is Nightwing!
Shadow tells Kenny annoyed. Kenny sighs
Kenny: Fine, Nightwing, anyway Shadow needs rest too, so I entered in a program that will keep the Gun-
Shadow stares hard at Kenny. Kenny quickly fixes his mistake.
Kenny: I mean Nightwing running without Shadow staying hooked up to the NS system.
Cagalli: That's impressive.
She says this with sincerely. Kenny enjoying the compliment replies
Kenny: Thank you, it's nice to have someone appreciate my talents.
He says this as he looks at his old friend gloating. Shadow just rolls it off.
Shadow: yea, yea, have your moment of glory. Can I try this thing out?
Kenny nods his head.
Kenny: yea, go ahead.
Shadow clears his throat then shouts
Shadow: Nightwing disengage the NS system.
Shadow is lightly put down onto the floor as the Zero-gravity bubble turns off we can see the red lines once again appear all over Shadow's body this time though they’re retracting rather than spreading.
Shadow also isn’t in pain as the black fog starts creeping out from his feet and heading towards which it came from. In heartbeats the black fog and red lines are once again gone, completely absorbed into the floor.
Nightwing: NS system disengaged.
Shadow: Ok, Nightwing activate the auto-pilot program.
Nightwing: Activating auto-pilot.
We cut outside to see Nightwing start moving again. The yellowish red flare of the sun has disappeared beyond the horizon as its sister the silver moon begins its shift at work. The camera cuts back inside Nightwing's cockpit to show a triumphant hero.
Shadow: Ah ha, it works!
Shadow says this as he takes his helmet off and walks over to where his companions are.
Kenny: Of course it worked.
The technician says with slight annoyance. Shadow and Kenny join Cagalli on the ground as the tired princess yawns.
Cagalli: So, how much longer till we get to this city, and while we're at it, what's the name of the city and what country are we in?
Kenny: We'll get to the city within day break, as for the rest we have no idea.
Cagalli is shocked.
Cagalli: How could you have no idea?
Shadow responds sarcastically
Shadow: Oh yea, the warden told us where we were over tea.
Cagalli blushes
Cagalli: Ok, so the prison guards didn't tell you but couldn't you figure it out when they first took you to Slyer?
Kenny shakes his head.
Kenny: No, they made sure that all the inmates were unconscious when they came to the desert, like Shadow and me who woke up on the bus in the middle of the desert; some special inmates get to come to the jail itself unconscious and have the great honor of the warden personally greeting you.
Shadow: Like you princess.
Shadow says playfully. Cagalli just glares at him as he then yawns
Shadow: Well I don't know about you guys but I'm tired so wake me up when we get to the city.
With that the tired Gundam pilot puts his helmet on ground within arm's reach and lays flat on his back as he closes his eyes. Kenny yawning follows Shadow's lead.
Kenny: Shadow's right, we should rest.
Kenny leans against the wall and closes his eyes, and last but not least our most tired hero Cagalli leans back against the wall as one of the longest days of her life finally comes to an end. Cagalli closes her eyes and begins to bask in the warmth of what she imagines is going to happen tomorrow.
Cagalli: Yes, then tomorrow this nightmare will finally come to an end.
For a moment no one says anything then Shadow displays one of his rare moments of wisdom as he says without moving.
Shadow: That's funny; I was thinking that we needed the rest because in a way tomorrow is going to be the hardest day we have had yet.
The ominous words cause the blonde to turn and face the Gundam fighter. She stares at him a moment looking for an answer to a question but the weariness from the long day is too much and sleep quickly overtakes her ending the scene.
The next scene opens up inside Nightwing's cockpit, all is peaceful and quiet as our newly freed heroes take a well-deserved sleep break. Which lasts all of 10 more seconds before we hear a loud *Boom* followed by the males getting thrown into the air and crashing to the ground. Cagalli still buckled down just hits her head on the wall.
Cagalli: OW!
Kenny rolling on the ground in pain groans
Kenny: Shadow, stop the auto-pilot.
Shadow is also groaning in pain.
Shadow: Nightwing stop auto-pilot.
We hear Nightwing stop moving as Shadow and Kenny get up slowly.
Nightwing: Auto-pilot disengaged.
Already over his pain the ever optimistic Shadow says
Shadow: Well at least we didn't have to wake up to gun fire.
Kenny: I think I prefer that to being thrown three feet in the air.
Kenny replies still annoyed about how he was awaken. Cagalli starts rubbing her head and then unbuckles her seat belt and gets up.
Cagalli: Did we hit something?
The hacker goes over to the wall and pulls down a computer screen, think laptop only attached to the wall. He begins typing away.
Kenny: No idea, I'm trying to find out how far we traveled.
Never a patient person Shadow walks to the exit.
Shadow: Sure you could find that out by typing on your computer, or you could just look outside.
With that he opens the door and steps into the light. Cagalli looks to Kenny empathic then follows Shadow into the light. Kenny annoyed says under his breath.
Kenny: Smartass.
Then he follows after them. The passage way between the cockpit and outside is small and narrow, designed for only one person to walk through. Shadow is first with Cagalli standing behind looking over his shoulder.
The camera is positioned directly in front of them staring straight at their faces; both are wide eyed and stunned. Despite Kenny's height he's simply too far away from the entrance to see anything, of course that doesn't stop him from jumping up and down to try and get a better look.
Kenny: Well what do you see?
Shadow gets over the shock then says
Shadow: A forest.
When he says this we zoom out to see Nightwing in a lushes green forest, unlike the solid never yielding caramel color of the sand in the desert the forest is a blast of different shades of green with brown tree trunks.
For Shadow who was imprisoned in that God forsaken place the change in color and scenery is almost blinding and even Cagalli is surprised by how drastic the scenery changed in one nights travel.
Nightwing stands amongst the oak trees matching their height. The Gundam already looks dirty no doubt from its first fight, in several places its armor is dented.
Shadow: Well I must say this is a welcome if not expected sight.
Cagalli stunned asks
Cagalli: How far did we travel?
Shadow: Far enough.
The young's warrior's excitement is growing as he points out the tops of skyscrapers, far off in the distance. The first signs of civilization he's seen since his time at Slyer. The camera skips forward a few minutes in time.
Nightwing is on one knee; its hand is held up half way between the ground and the opening to the cockpit acting as a step for the escapees to get down from. Kenny and Cagalli have already climbed down and are waiting for their 3rd musketeer by Nightwing's unkneed leg.
Shadow jumps down from Nightwing's hand to the ground and eagerly runs up to his friends to show them what he discovered.
Shadow: Hey, guys check it out the Neon gauntlet on my arm; it changed colors.
Holding up his Neon gauntlet for them to see, it appears that the midnight black color has become permanent. Kenny looks at it with curious interest.
Kenny: huh, that's weird I wonder why it did that?
Cagalli on the other hand couldn't care less about what she perceives as some kind of watch and asks out of politeness
Cagalli: What's with that thing anyway?
Never taking his eyes off it, the tech expert answers her question absent mindedly.
Kenny: The Neon Gauntlet, to put it simply is a remote control for the Gundam. In case the pilot ever gets in a situation where he needs his Gundam but can't reach it he can call it towards him by hitting on a few buttons on the touch screen.
He points to the screen on Shadow's arm.
Kenny: It also emits a tracking beacon, so that the pilot's crew can find him, and last but not least it can be used as a communication device.
Cagalli stares at the Neon Gauntlet as if seeing it for the first time.
Cagalli (Wow, I guess they weren't just testing the new cockpit design but they were also testing that new remote. It makes sense, when one thinks about it; it's hard to believe that no one's come up with this before.)
Shadow: That still doesn't tell us why it changed colors to black.
Kenny doesn't answer but just stares harder at the Neon Gauntlet as if the answer would suddenly appear. Shadow smiles and says jokingly
Shadow: Could it be the all-knowing Kenny finally does not know something?
Kenny seems to have great pride in his information gathering skills as shown when he turns around and begins walking away from Shadow growling.
Kenny: Shut up, and come on we should make it to the city in an hour.
Shadow seeing that he hurt Kenny's feelings chases after him.
Shadow: Oh, come on Kenny it was just a joke.
Cagalli follows after them.
Cagalli: hey, wait up.
The camera looks up and then does the tree top skip forward in time thing. We look down to see our 3 heroes still traveling along amongst the fallen leaves and branches. Shadow is in the lead with Kenny close behind but Cagalli once again reminded of her lack of physical exercise in the past couple of years has already grown incredibly tired and struggles to keep up with the others.
That's not to say that the walk hasn't left its mark on her 2 companions; all 3 of them are sweating and breathing heavily.
Cagalli: Are we getting close?
Kenny: We should be there soon.
Cagalli: Well, how long is soon?
Shadow: He has no idea and before you ask neither do I.
Shadow says this in his good humor way, making it apparent that the long walk under the hot sun has not affected his personality at all which of course irritates Cagalli.
Cagalli: Then how do you know we're not going in the wrong direction?
Shadow: I don't.
Our relaxed hero begins to hum while Cagalli slaps her forehead, but not having a better plan, has no choice but to follow. Shadow comes to a large dense hunter green hedge; he stops for a moment looking up at the 3 people taller than him hedge.
Then shrugging his shoulders goes right on through it, Kenny and Cagalli follow. The camera flips around to the other side as all 3 travelers pop out from the hedge. For the second time today they all freeze in their tracks then Shadow does another one of his wide smiles.
Shadow: See it all worked out in the end.
The camera zooms out and spins around to reveal a highway heading straight for the city only a couple more miles away. The camera once again skips forward in time; the city appears to be just like any other, buildings of all sizes are spread across the city like leaves in the fall with the skyscrapers being the most notable.
Clean fuel efficient cars fill the roads the further you get into the city you get, it's still early morning yet the sidewalks are lined with people choosing to walk to work rather than drive in early morning traffic. Our heroes having finally reached their destination walk down a sidewalk until they reach a crosswalk.
Cagalli: Well this seems about a good of place as any to go are own separate ways.
From the beginning they knew this was only a temporary alliance; a temporary team formed so that they could achieve a common goal and now with that goal complete it only makes sense for them to part and set out to follow their own dreams/responsibilities.
Still they went through a lot in the short amount of time together, and all 3 members feel the awkwardness of the moment as they just stand their staring, not knowing what to say. Shadow breaks the silence.
Shadow: Well it was nice meeting you princess.
He holds out his hand. Cagalli shakes it.
Cagalli: It's Cagalli Shadow, and if you ever come to Orb feel free to contact me if you need anything.
Kenny also shakes her hand.
Kenny: It was nice working with someone who has some brains for once. God it gets tiring to be the only smart person on the team.
Shadow: Hey!
Cagalli laughs.
Cagalli: Thanks it was fun.
They stand there for another awkward moment then Cagalli starts walking down the left road. Shadow calls after.
Shadow: Hey Cagalli!
Cagalli stops and looks back.
Shadow: If you ever need help feel free to give us a call.
Cagalli smiles.
Cagalli: I will.
With that Cagalli turns around and continues walking getting quickly lost in the crowd of people. Kenny and Shadow go right and also get lost within the crowd. The camera follows our male heroes.
Kenny: So Shadow what do you want to do first as a free man.
The free man smiles as he thinks about this already having an idea in mind.
Shadow: Something every man does when he gets out of jail.
The scene cuts to a dark diner where a waitress has put a huge burger and fries in front of Shadow. He attacks the food; to say the least it wasn't pleasant for anyone to look at.
His partner at least manages to use his manners when he's eating his burger. The table they're sitting at is close to the window, but the shades are all closed giving it the feel of night time.
Kenny: Now Shadow don't get me wrong but when you said what every man does when he gets out of jail, I thought you meant something along the lines of getting laid.
Shadow answers with a face full of fries.
Shadow: Don't be stupid Kenny; everyone knows that you need at least some cash to hit on women.
Kenny looks at him.
Kenny: And how do you figure that?
Shadow takes another huge bite of his burger.
Shadow: Well you have to buy her drinks, its common manners that if you're going to have a girl sit there and listen to you make a fool out of yourself hitting on her, you have to at least buy her a drink and since we're flat broke I can't buy her a drink and so I can't hit on her.
Kenny nods his head as he realizes that makes sense when a voice suddenly interrupts their conversation.
Waitress: I'm sorry but did you just say that you have no money.
Even though the elderly waitress says this politely her eyes have a hard gray glint in them, like a school teacher asking a student if he cheated on a test. Shadow in turn like a student caught cheating on a test does one of those fake smiles as he says
Shadow: Um no.
We cut outside to the door of the diner, a couple is about to open the door when it bursts open sending the man whirling backwards. The dine and dashers come running out of the diner at full speed pushing people out of their way left and right. The waitress comes out of the diner but only stands at the door and at the top of her voice yells
Waitress: THIEVES, THIEVES, someone stop them!
We cut back to Shadow and Kenny who are quickly gaining distance. Shadow starts yelling at Kenny.
Shadow: Great Kenny thanks a lot; this is all your fault!
Kenny not liking being yelled at shouts back
Kenny: Hey, how is this my fault? You're the one that told the waitress we had no money!
Shadow snaps back
Shadow: Only because you asked me why I wasn't trying to pick up chicks!
They've ran far enough to the point where they can't hear the voice of the waitress. They slow down to catch their breath. Shadow talks first already over his missed meal and planning on how to get another one.
Shadow: Well anyway the great thing about a city is there are plenty of places to do a dine and dash.
Kenny gives a short laugh at this then the thieves go off. The camera takes off in the air like superman and flies over the heads of the people in the city until it comes to our only honest and noble hero. Like a lost tourist Cagalli walks the streets looking at buildings trying to find any landmarks she can recognize.
Cagalli (Damn I don't recognize this city at all. Where the heck am I? I guess I could ask someone, but I'd feel like an idiot.)
The prideful heroine stops for a moment debating between remaining lost in this random city for a couple more hours as she struggles to find a free cell phone or at least her location or looking like a complete fool in front of someone.
In the end though, her tiredness beats out her pride as the once proud leader of Orb takes a breath and prepares to make a fool out of herself. Cagalli walks up to some random person waiting on the corner for a cab.
Cagalli: Uh, excuse me sir.
The person turns to look at her, he takes in the grey lose fitting clothes with mild interest.
Person A: Yes
The lost Earthling already beginning to feel like an idiot says
Cagalli: Uh, you see I have a question that's going to sound really stupid but could you just humor me?
The person now somewhat interest looks at his watch then says in a polite way
Person: Sure good ahead.
Cagalli: Can you tell me what city we're in?
Person A looks at her for a moment to decide if she's messing with him, but on seeing the honest look on her face he comes to a different conclusion.
Person A: Hahahahaha, Let me guess you went to one wild party, kids these days.
Cagalli decides to just go with it.
Cagalli: Yes, something like that. So could you tell me?
Person A laughs one more time than answers
Person A: Why we're in Arianna.
There it is again, that fear that sense of doubt, that just maybe…maybe.
Cagalli (Arianna? I never heard of that City before. No calm down, Earth is a big place it only makes sense that I wouldn't know every single city on it.)
Cagalli stomps on this doubt and throwing away her pride and feeling even stupider asks
Cagalli: One more stupid question, what country are we in?
Now person A looks at her with a little suspicion.
Person A: Must have been some party, we're in Myrtus.
Back again, the doubt has never been stronger, her rational mind struggles with conflicting logic as the waves of panic burst through her dam flooding the emotions with the cold waters of fear.
Cagalli gives a nervous laugh as she fights to regain control of her imagination gone wild. She begins to talk out loud, to the complete stranger but at the same time trying to convince herself.
Cagalli: Hahaha, that's funny I've never heard of that country before, where is it located on Earth.
The random guy freezes. He looks at the lost girl the way you would look at a crazy person. He talks slowly
Person A: You mean Sora right?
Cagalli now freezes and looks at him in horror. She begins talking to him louder now.
Cagalli: No, I mean Earth, E. A. R. T. H. Earth, not some made up planet called Sora!
With panic in full gear Cagalli screams the last part out loud for all to hear. The stranger a little afraid of what he thinks is a nut job begins to back up slowly and he's not alone, other people who were walking by at the time now stop and stare at Cagalli.
They slowly inch away also not wishing to find out if the crazy girl is dangerous or not. Feeling more alone, lost and scared then she's ever felt, Cagalli stands there breathing heavily as she looks around and sees the faces of the sane people and then the truth just hits her.
Cagalli (I'm….I'm on Sora. The warden was telling the truth, I'm on another planet.)
It can't be possible, it shouldn't be possible and yet no matter how farfetched it might sound it's the only explanation that's still standing. Cagalli's whole world crumbles as her mind crashes like a computer hard drive.
With her amber eyes wide open yet cloudy she begins to wander the streets aimlessly. The streets are full of people, laughter, shouting, talking, car horns, engines rumbling but it might have well as been empty for how little it effected Cagalli; perhaps this is why the Earthling didn't notice the change in surroundings.
We begin to see less and less of the business looking crowd and more of the thuggish looking people. The buildings begin to look older, cheaper, and less well made. We see sketchy characters in long trench coats making shady deals with obvious "under the influence people"; the elderly are pushing around shopping carts with all of their possessions.
While the poor wake up from their makeshift camp in the alleyways; almost everyone in the area looks dirty and unshaved, like they haven't seen a bathroom in weeks and to some level everyone seems dangerous. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know you're in the bad part of town.
Unfortunately the shock of being on another planet is still too much for the Cagalli's mind to cope with making her unable to process anything. Going on basic instinct Cagalli enters a diner after all she hasn't eaten anything since the other day, but it seems that even lady luck is against the girl today.
Smoke like smog hangs heavily in the air clouding the field of vision. The shades have all been pulled down letting no light in except from the lamps hanging from the ceiling, all these factors combine seem to distort one's sense of time in this place. When Cagalli walks in we can immediately see this is a gang hangout.
Just from the lose ripped clothing, body language and the poorly hidden small caliber guns we can tell that the majority of the people in this diner are gang members. 3 of the gang members are playing pool. The only sign anyone has noticed Cagalli is the quick movement of the eyes.
With her hard drive still crashed Cagalli just takes a seat at the bar. It's hard to tell how much of her own movement's she's aware of. One of the gangsters playing pool looks up at this and begins walking over to her.
Gangster A: Hey, bitch that's my seat.
Cagalli is too lost in her own head to hear him. Gangster A mistakes her silence as an insult.
Gangster A: Don't ignore me bitch!
With a quick swipe of his feet gangster A sweeps out Cagalli's chair from under her causing the young girl to crash to the ground, but this actually is more helpful to Cagalli then hurtful since the small amount of pain acts as sort of a restart for Cagalli's brain.
Rolling over and rising to her knees for the first time Cagalli takes in her surroundings including gangster A and his poorly concealed small caliber gun hanging from his belt. Getting up slowly as to not startle or anger the tiger, the diplomat begins
Cagalli: I don't want any trouble.
Cagalli is slowly backing up away from gangster A but this has the opposite effect that she was hoping for. Gangster A upon realizing she's no throat smiles wickedly and decides to have some fun with her.
Gangster A: Too late bitch, you see by sitting in my seat you offended me. I'll tell you what though; since I'm a nice guy I'll let you pay the penalty instead of just shooting you.
Not wanting to be shot but sensing something off with the deal, the negotiator asks
Cagalli: And how much do I have to pay?
The gangster laughs.
Gangster A: Hahahaha. No, you see you've got it wrong, it's not money I want, you see the price is something only a woman can give.
When he sticks his thumb towards the back room Cagalli gets the idea; suddenly her amber eyes harden as we see the old Cagalli from GS back again for better or for worse.
Cagalli: You can forget it, that seat was up at the bar and last I checked you don't own this bar.
If the girl had just rolled her eyes and left he wouldn't have done anything other than shout out some more catcalls but by openly challenging him in front of his buddies who start saying "ohhhh you just got told." Pissed gangster A off; Cagalli turns to walk away but he quickly grabs her arm.
Gangster A: You bitch, time someone taught you some manners.
He then throws Cagalli into one of the oak tables, no one blinks an eye. He walks over to her and before the injured girl can get up he kicks her. The kick causes Cagalli to roll right into a wall. Cagalli grits her teeth stubbornly refusing to cry out in pain.
Gangster A is still pissed and would have continued to beat the crap out of Cagalli had a new voice not called out.
Cowboy: That's enough there mate.
Gangster A turns his head to where the voice came from, so does the camera. We see the figure sitting alone at the back of the diner in a booth. When you see this guy the first thing that should come to your mind is a Crocodile Dundee wannabe.
He's got a dark brown cowboy hat, the light brown cowboy vest, lose fitting worn down jeans, and cowboy boots. He has brown hair from what we can see coming out of his hat. His hat is pull slightly down covering his eyes but when he speaks he lifts his head up revealing those sharp dark blue eyes.
His tone of voice was soft spoken not shouting but the way he said it so firmly causes all the other gangsters to look up, he also has an Austrian accent. Gangster A still pissed about Cagalli insulting him turns toward this new guy.
Gangster A: And what are you going to do about!?
Cagalli still on the ground holding her ribs where gangster A kicked her looks up and sees the cowboy get up from his booth and walk over to gangster A. We can see that he's also packing, but unlike gangster A his gun is in a holster and the way his hand casually goes down and unbuttons the strap holding it in place screams experience.
The other gangsters are watching with interest now. The bartender and waitresses have decided to leave the diner through the back door. He stands about a foot away from gangster A.
Cowboy: A gentleman never raises his hand to a lady, and a gentleman does not stand by and watch a lady get hit!
He says the last statement with his sharp eyes looking at the other gangsters. The other gangster had been watching the scene like some sort of sport, but the moment the cowboy says his statement their mood turns dark, clearly not liking him insulting them.
Gangster A: I'll tell you what, if you leave right now, we might not kill you.
He says this as he lifts his shirt revealing the gun in his pants; cowboy doesn't move but continues staring hard at gangster A. Seeing that he isn't backing down gangster A shrugs his shoulders and then says
Gangster A: Alright it's your funeral.
The moment he says this he goes for his gun, but the cowboy is a lot faster. He pulls out his own gun and fires one shot just as gangster A's hand grabs his gun. The bullet hits the shoulder of the hand on the gun.
Gangster A screams in pain as he turns around and falls to the ground, just as gangster A hits the ground the cowboy turns around and fires two more shots at the other gangsters going for their guns, both shots hit the shoulders of the intended target.
The other gangsters dive for cover while the cowboy runs over to Cagalli and picks her up with one hand, just as the gangsters start returning fire. The cowboy kicks a table over and puts Cagalli down behind it.
Cowboy: Now just stay here Miss, it will just take me a few minutes to take care of these mates.
The oak table is strong, thick and acts as a good shield against the gangster's small caliber guns but the cowboy isn't packing any more power than them. With the damsel in distress safe the Cowboy runs over to another table drawing their fire.
In motion he fires 3 more shots, one hits a gangster hiding in a booth in the leg, the other one hits a gangster looking up from a turn table in the shoulder, the third was aimed at one hiding in the bar but he ducks just in time causing one of the beer bottles to explode.
The cowboy now runs to the bar evading the gangsters bullets. Another gangster lifts his head from the bar to aim, but cowboy fires and hits him in the shoulder causing him to fall back and hit his head on a couple more beer bottles.
The moment his head lands on the beer bottles, the cowboy jumps over the bar and fires another shot at the gangster that had ducked before. This time it hits him in the leg as he was reloading his gun. When he gets hit he screams and his gun goes flying.
Cowboy takes the end of his own gun and knocks the gangster unconscious. He keeps his head down. The remaining gangsters are firing everything they have, all of the bottles are blowing up now, glass and beer rain down on the cowboy but he is unaffected by it.
Cowboy: (Let's see now, that makes 8 bullets, so I got one left in the clip, and another clip of 9, so that means I've got 10 bullets left. That should be more than enough to take out the three remaining guys.)
He nods his head and prepares to go on the offensive. The camera cuts to Cagalli she's still hiding behind the table. The gangsters aren't paying her any attention so needless to say they aren't shooting at her. She's lifting her head slightly over the table watching the fight with wide eyes when suddenly we hear a voice
Gangster A: This is all your fault, bitch!
Gangster A had gotten up and is holding his gun in his uninjured hand. The hand that was shot hangs limply by his side, and his gun is pointed at Cagalli. When he speaks Cagalli turns around and faces him, her eyes are open wide with fear. The cowboy jumps up and fire one shot when he notices gangster A.
Cowboy: (Oh crap)
His hand moves quickly to grab his last clip on his belt. The empty clip drops from the gun but he's too slow. He can see gangster A pulling the trigger.
Cowboy: (I'm not going to make it.)
Cagalli closes her eyes trying to prepare herself for the end when at the last moment a hand comes and grabs the end of the barrel forcing the gun to point straight up into the air. The gun goes off ripping right through the unknown's palm but other than his hand the bullet hits the roof harmlessly.
Gangster A looks on shocked by this third wild card completing the triad. Cagalli upon hearing the gunshot but feeling no pain nor finding herself in the afterlife slowly opens her eyes to reveal Shadow with his hand still on the gangster's gun. Shadow glares at gangster A intensely with his electric green eyes
Gangster A: Who the f-
He doesn't get to finish before Shadow punches him with his other hand so hard that gangster A is knocked out before he hits the ground. Cagalli just sits their amazed.
Cagalli: Shadow?
The light hearted hero turns to face her as his eyes go back to normal and his smile lights up his face.
Shadow: Hello princess.
The remaining gangsters perceive this new guy as a threat and quickly open fire on him but Shadow ducks down next to Cagalli his good mood unruined.
Shadow: Well you seem to be having fun.
Cagalli despite herself replies sarcastically
Cagalli: Sure, who wouldn't have fun getting shot at?
The cowboy runs across the room, once again dodging the bullets and ducks behind the same oak table. He asks in worry
Cowboy: You alright Miss?
Cagalli goes to reassure him.
Cagalli: I'm fine.
Cowboy: This mate a friend of yours Miss?
He points at Shadow who remains silent taking in the cowboy and the remaining gangsters.
Cagalli: Sort of.
Shadow turns around and in his grand voice says
Shadow: I am the great, the wonderful, the fantastic, Shadow Zoomarey.
As he says this he stands up a little, big mistake, a bullet comes flying over his head just barely missing him. He ducks down causing the cowboy to laugh.
Cowboy: Hahahaha, well I give you this mate that's a nice introduction, I'm Nick Mu by the way.
He holds out his hand. Shadow takes it and shakes it.
Shadow: Nice to meet you Nick.
Nick: Same here mate.
Cagalli not believing they're having this conversation shouts over the bullets
Cagalli: Do you really think this is the best time to be having this conversation?
Cagalli raising a good point causes Nick to refocuses.
Nick: Right, do you mind if I take care of the rest mate?
Shadow gestures with his uninjured hand.
Shadow: Normally I would but since you were here first I'll let you finish it.
Nick nods his head. The gunfire has stopped. He gets up slowly and looks around then walks very slowly towards the tables the gangsters are using as a shield. Shadow is looking over the table at Nick very intensely. Cagalli looks at Shadow unbelievingly.
Cagalli: You're not just going to let him do this by himself are you? Those are 3 guys with guns.
Shadow doesn't take his eyes off Nick and grins in an excited manner.
Shadow: I want to see what this cowboy's got and besides I've got a feeling this is going to be over in a minute.
Cagalli taken off guard by his overwhelming confidence turns her head and watches Nick too. Nick takes another slow step, one of the gangsters jumps up from behind the table, but before he can take a shot Nick shoots him in the shoulder.
Nick dives to one side the second the bullet leaves his gun, another gangster comes up from behind the table as the other gangster falls to the ground and fires at the spot where Nick was a moment ago. Nick rolls and is on one knee, he fires at the gangster as the gangster realizes Nick wasn't where he shot.
The bullet hits the guy in the side of his shoulder, he falls. Nick starts running while still keeping low to the ground; he goes around the table aiming for the last gangster. The last gangster looks at him in shock. Nick fires right into his shoulder finishing the fight in perfect victory.
The gunman stands up and walks quickly towards the door. He looks over to Shadow and Cagalli and gestures to the door with his head. We can hear the cries of the wounded but other than that it's silent. Shadow turns to Cagalli and says in his humorous voice
Shadow: I think that's our sign to leave.
Shadow grabs Cagalli by the arm and leads her to the door; they all exit at the same time. We cut outside to see Nick, Shadow, and Cagalli walking away from the diner at a quick pace but not too quick so that they don't draw much attention to themselves. Shadow has let go of Cagalli's arm. Kenny walks over to them.
Kenny: So seeing as you're not dead, I'll assume you won, and who is this guy?
He points at Nick.
Nick: The names Nick Mu mate.
Kenny: Kenny Cyes.
They shake hands, suddenly Cagalli snaps. Her fear of the unknown and just being so completely alone, away from anyone that she ever knew or cared about has boiled over and transforms into a red hot rage which she directs at Shadow.
Cagalli: Why are you here did you follow me!?
It's not like he was expecting a big show of thanks but talk about being ungrateful. Shadow snaps back by reflex
Shadow: Please, don't flatter yourself princess, me and Kenny were looking for a place to eat, so imagine our surprise when we open the door to a diner and see a warzone inside with you smack dab in the middle so sorry for trying to help you!
If it were any other day Cagalli would have realized that she was in the wrong and apologize, but because of the realization that she's on Sora and almost getting killed again, has flipped all of her switches causing her to just lash out.
Cagalli and Shadow glare at each other intensely like animals trying to assert dominance or in the eyes of Kenny and Nick like morons being stupid.
Nick: Come on mates this isn't the time to be fighting.
The lonely girl turns her gaze to Nick and lashes out at him.
Cagalli: And why are we the ones retreating, you shot them all, right?
The cowboy unmoved by her anger matches her gaze and answers evenly
Nick: I only hit them in non-lethal places, so they should be only stunned, if we had stayed there more people would have gotten back up and try to continue fighting. By leaving instead of pursuing us they'll head to the hospital and get their wounds looked at, like we should do.
With knowing eyes the kind man looks at Shadow who embarrassed looks away.
Nick: I saw the bullet pass through your hand, so it isn't life threatening but if you don't get that looked at right away you could lose the ability to move that hand.
Hanging limply by his side Shadow had been trying to hid the wound. He may not be a gentleman like Nick but the stubborn warrior has his own pride. For the first time Cagalli notices the bloody hand and the small trail of red leading back to the diner.
The haze of rage lifts as the fallen princess calms down and realizes what a jerk she's being.
Kenny: There's a hospital not too far from here that offers a free clinic, lets head there.
They all nod in agreement. The camera cuts to the next scene, Cagalli and Kenny are sitting in a chair in a doctor's room. Nick is standing, leaning against the wall right next to the door. Shadow is sitting on the patient bed. A doctor has some kind of device over Shadow's injured hand.
Doctor: Well that should be long enough.
He takes the device off to reveal the hand completely healed. Shadow begins to flex it.
Shadow: Thanks doc it's as good as new.
He says excitedly, he puts his hand in a fist and punches the air. The doctor looks at his watch.
Doctor: No problem, well I've got to get going, close the door on your way out.
After the doctor leaves Kenny gets up and walks over to his old friend.
Kenny: Well that's a relief.
Guilt ridden our heroine gets up and begins to say slowly and nervously
Cagalli: Listen Shadow, I want to say-
Shadow interrupts her.
Shadow: Don't worry about it princess, but I'll tell you what if you show some skin we'll call this even.
He says this Jokingly. Cagalli blushes a little then yells at him.
Cagalli: Not even in your dreams you pervert, I can't believe I was going to apologize.
She folds her hands and turns her back on him as Kenny and Nick laugh, then Nick gets up from the wall and turns to go to the door as he says
Nick: Well since you're all better now I'll be on my way mate.
Shadow: Hold on a second cowboy.
Shadow says quickly. Nick stops and turns to look at him.
Shadow: Listen Nick, I've seen your skills and I've got to say I'm impressed.
Nick blushes at the compliment.
Nick: Well thanks mate.
Shadow goes on.
Shadow: Look I'm starting a Gundam team, and I want you to join.
Nick ponders this for a moment while Kenny rolls his eyes. Cagalli looks back and forth between the three not sure what they're talking about.
Cagalli (Gundam team, what are they talking about?)
Kenny: Come on Shadow, we're not even in the city for a day before you start recruiting, besides I'm sure he's busy and has other-
Nick interrupts him.
Nick: I accept.
Kenny shuts up and just stares at Nick not believing his ears. Shadow jumps up and high-fives his new teammate.
Shadow: Alright, welcome to the team.
Kenny still stunned asks
Kenny: B-B-But why?
Nick shrugs.
Nick: Well you see mates I don't have any money left, and I've come from New Austria, so I don't know any mates here, so I figured why not.
Shadow: That's all the reason I need.
He says laughing. Nick starts laughing then Kenny and last but not least Cagalli starts laughing too. We cut outside to see our 4 heroes exit the hospital and walk back onto the street. Shadow, Kenny, and Nick are walking in a line while Cagalli walks behind them still trying to get her head around the impossible.
Cagalli: What's a Gundam team?
It may not seem the most important question considering everything else she could asked but it's a place to start, however she might as well have asked an Earthling what is football or any other well-known sport. All 3 guys stop in their tracks and turn to stare at her unbelievingly.
Kenny: You know the teams the Gundam fighters are on, that you have to be a part of to be recognized as an official Gundam fighter by the GFC.
Like trying to explain the official rules of hockey to someone from the deep south, possibly from Africa. Kenny thinks Cagalli simply isn't a fan of the sport and doesn't understand the technical talk, but Cagalli is looking for the very basics.
Cagalli: GFC?
Even more shocked now Nick answers
Nick: The Gundam Fighter Committee, the people who run the Gundam fights mate.
Cagalli now getting frustrated by not knowing and looking like an idiot goes to say something else but Shadow cuts her off.
Shadow: Kenny why don't you go with Nick and see if you can't find a Gundam manager, me and Cagalli are going to get some new clothes
Kenny nods his head as the camera moves over them showing that Shadow, Cagalli, and Kenny's clothes not only looks weird but have blood and dirt on it.
Kenny: Alright we'll meet outside the shopping mall, oh and can you pick me up a set of clothes too.
Shadow nods his head.
Shadow: Sure.
Kenny and Nick go one way. Cagalli is about to say something else but Shadow grabs her and pulls her along.
Cagalli: Wait a minute, I still have questions.
She comes to a stop and looks hard at Shadow.
Cagalli: And I'm not moving an inch until they're answered!
Shadow stops and looks at her and then smiles one of his full of humor smiles.
Shadow: Fine, but first answer my question. If you're a real princess then you should know all about the Gundam Fights, so how come you know nothing?
Cagalli hesitate a moment then answers.
Cagalli: You're going to think I'm crazy.
Shadow rolls his eyes.
Shadow: Listen I was in a prison full of nut jobs, so anything you say won't surprise me.
Cagalli: Ok
She takes a deep breath.
Cagalli: I'm from Orb, Orb is on Earth.
Shadow looks at her for a moment his face impossible to read then he smiles and starts walking toward the shopping mall.
Shadow: Ok.
Cagalli not sure of what he means follows him.
Cagalli: Ok as in I believe you, or Ok I think you're nuts?
Shadow says uncaringly
Shadow: Ok as in I don't care.
Cagalli looks at Shadow confused. Seeing this Shadow explains
Shadow: Look you act sane enough to understand your surroundings and that's all that matters to me, so if you believe you're from Orb on Earth good for you but I don't care.
Cagalli is taken back but she's not about to argue with the only person who somewhat accepts/believes her.
Cagalli: Well that's a weird way of thinking, so are you going to tell me what the whole thing with the Gundam fights is?
Shadow nods his head.
Shadow: Sure, First you need to know some of the history of Sora. About 100 years after the Crew of the Lost Ones dropped to Sora most of the land had been explored, and people had settled all over the planet, that's when different governments came and started fighting one another for territory and control of the land, pretty soon everybody was fighting.
Cagalli has been taking this in as they walked to the shopping mall. This is all common knowledge for anyone who's been to a Sora school, like 4th grade history, so Shadow takes no interest in this part of the story.
Cagalli: You mean like a World War?
Shadow: Yea, exactly like a World War, only this one lasted another 50 years before peace came. The governments still in power gathered together in a great meeting and decided on a system that would allow nations to observe one another's military strength without going to war, that system is the Gundam fights.
Cagalli is a little confused.
Cagalli: Wait the Crew of the Lost Ones, dropped to Sora over 5 hundred years ago, not even coordinators were around back then, so how did you guys have mobile suits.
Shadow a little annoyed by the question answers.
Shadow: Because we invented the Gundam's first, before Earth. The inventor of the first Gundam was Issaic, and the first Gundam pilot was Neon.
Shadow's face takes the look of admiration. Cagalli notices but decides to ignore it and go on.
Cagalli: Ok, go on.
Shadow snaps back to focus, this time he eagerly describes how the fights work.
Shadow: Right, so the way that the Gundam fights work is that every nation sends in a team of their best Gundam pilots and their best Gundams to compete in Gundam fights, their stats determine what rank they are.
Cagalli doesn't understand.
Cagalli: So wait how does that prevent war?
Shadow thinks for a moment as they walk into the mall.
Shadow: Well let's say nation A can send 3 Gundam teams into the Gundam fights while nation B can only send 1, that might mean that nation A has a larger military or more money than nation B and can send more teams in, but if the 3 team get rank C while nation B's one team gets rank B than it would seem that nation B's military may be better fighters than nation A.
Understanding dawns on the once ruler's face.
Cagalli: Unless nation B's Gundam team is the only one in their military on that level, or if they only put one team in to make themselves look small, wow I'm getting a headache just thinking about.
Shadow laughs.
Shadow: I think that was the point, they wanted to confuse the nations, so that they would be too unsure to a make a move against any other nation, but just in case they add a third variable to make it even harder to plan an attack on another nation.
Cagalli looks at him curiously.
Cagalli: Oh what's that?
The Gundam pilot's smile gets even bigger and he sticks his thumb at himself as he says
Shadow: Us, Gundam teams that declare themselves independent from any nation. In a time of war, some of them might decide to fight for money, for people they like, for their birth places, the possibilities are once again endless.
As one who constantly seeks to find a way to eternal peace Cagalli can't help but admire this plan and the way it plays to human strengths and weaknesses.
Cagalli: The plan is ingenious when you think about it, no leader of a nation would risk going to war without knowing such important information, but they wouldn't be able to find the information easily which will make them decide that it's better to wait in case of an attack instead of launching one. Hahahaha, it's ironic that the only way to prevent war is by fighting though.
They both laugh, then they calm down. Cagalli stops for a moment and examines a fancy formal shirt on display in one of the mall store windows. Shadow starts watching her for a moment, thoughtful then asks
Shadow: Hey, Cagalli how about you travel with us for a while.
Cagalli stops and looks at him.
Cagalli: What?
Shadow shrugs and tries to pass if off as no big deal.
Shadow: I'm just saying that if you're from Earth then you don't know anyone on Sora or anything about its customs, so you should travel with people who do. Just until you can find your way around without help, then you can do whatever you want.
Cagalli thinks about this for a moment then answers.
Cagalli: Yes, alright, thank you Shadow.
She says sincerely. This is actually a touching moment which makes Shadow uncomfortable so he decides to ruin it with a joke.
Shadow: Of course since we're traveling together you'll have to resist the urge to throw yourself at me, after all inter team dating never goes well.
Cagalli bushes deep red and then yells at him.
Cagalli: As if that would ever happen, pervert!
The episode ends with Shadow stepping back acting scared as Cagalli yells this in his face.
The episode opens up with Nightwing still in the middle of the desert running west. The sun is setting giving off the appearance of Nightwing having ran all day. We cut inside the cockpit to see Shadow doing the whole running in mid-air thing, sweat is pouring down the tired warrior's face as he struggles to keep his breath.
Kenny is standing by the left wall typing on a computer screen attached to the wall. Cagalli is still sitting down buckled up; she’s dozing off when Kenny shouts
Kenny: All done!
Shadow: Ah, thank God!
Our tired hero exclaims with relief as he stops moving and lifts up his helmet screen. Cagalli jolts awake.
Cagalli: Huh, what, done with what?
Shadow: Thanks for joining us princess.
Shadow says playfully. Cagalli still sleepy snaps back
Cagalli: Can it!
Kenny eager to show off his work explains
Kenny: I just finished installing an auto-pilot program into the Gundam.
Shadow: Nightwing, its name is Nightwing!
Shadow tells Kenny annoyed. Kenny sighs
Kenny: Fine, Nightwing, anyway Shadow needs rest too, so I entered in a program that will keep the Gun-
Shadow stares hard at Kenny. Kenny quickly fixes his mistake.
Kenny: I mean Nightwing running without Shadow staying hooked up to the NS system.
Cagalli: That's impressive.
She says this with sincerely. Kenny enjoying the compliment replies
Kenny: Thank you, it's nice to have someone appreciate my talents.
He says this as he looks at his old friend gloating. Shadow just rolls it off.
Shadow: yea, yea, have your moment of glory. Can I try this thing out?
Kenny nods his head.
Kenny: yea, go ahead.
Shadow clears his throat then shouts
Shadow: Nightwing disengage the NS system.
Shadow is lightly put down onto the floor as the Zero-gravity bubble turns off we can see the red lines once again appear all over Shadow's body this time though they’re retracting rather than spreading.
Shadow also isn’t in pain as the black fog starts creeping out from his feet and heading towards which it came from. In heartbeats the black fog and red lines are once again gone, completely absorbed into the floor.
Nightwing: NS system disengaged.
Shadow: Ok, Nightwing activate the auto-pilot program.
Nightwing: Activating auto-pilot.
We cut outside to see Nightwing start moving again. The yellowish red flare of the sun has disappeared beyond the horizon as its sister the silver moon begins its shift at work. The camera cuts back inside Nightwing's cockpit to show a triumphant hero.
Shadow: Ah ha, it works!
Shadow says this as he takes his helmet off and walks over to where his companions are.
Kenny: Of course it worked.
The technician says with slight annoyance. Shadow and Kenny join Cagalli on the ground as the tired princess yawns.
Cagalli: So, how much longer till we get to this city, and while we're at it, what's the name of the city and what country are we in?
Kenny: We'll get to the city within day break, as for the rest we have no idea.
Cagalli is shocked.
Cagalli: How could you have no idea?
Shadow responds sarcastically
Shadow: Oh yea, the warden told us where we were over tea.
Cagalli blushes
Cagalli: Ok, so the prison guards didn't tell you but couldn't you figure it out when they first took you to Slyer?
Kenny shakes his head.
Kenny: No, they made sure that all the inmates were unconscious when they came to the desert, like Shadow and me who woke up on the bus in the middle of the desert; some special inmates get to come to the jail itself unconscious and have the great honor of the warden personally greeting you.
Shadow: Like you princess.
Shadow says playfully. Cagalli just glares at him as he then yawns
Shadow: Well I don't know about you guys but I'm tired so wake me up when we get to the city.
With that the tired Gundam pilot puts his helmet on ground within arm's reach and lays flat on his back as he closes his eyes. Kenny yawning follows Shadow's lead.
Kenny: Shadow's right, we should rest.
Kenny leans against the wall and closes his eyes, and last but not least our most tired hero Cagalli leans back against the wall as one of the longest days of her life finally comes to an end. Cagalli closes her eyes and begins to bask in the warmth of what she imagines is going to happen tomorrow.
Cagalli: Yes, then tomorrow this nightmare will finally come to an end.
For a moment no one says anything then Shadow displays one of his rare moments of wisdom as he says without moving.
Shadow: That's funny; I was thinking that we needed the rest because in a way tomorrow is going to be the hardest day we have had yet.
The ominous words cause the blonde to turn and face the Gundam fighter. She stares at him a moment looking for an answer to a question but the weariness from the long day is too much and sleep quickly overtakes her ending the scene.
The next scene opens up inside Nightwing's cockpit, all is peaceful and quiet as our newly freed heroes take a well-deserved sleep break. Which lasts all of 10 more seconds before we hear a loud *Boom* followed by the males getting thrown into the air and crashing to the ground. Cagalli still buckled down just hits her head on the wall.
Cagalli: OW!
Kenny rolling on the ground in pain groans
Kenny: Shadow, stop the auto-pilot.
Shadow is also groaning in pain.
Shadow: Nightwing stop auto-pilot.
We hear Nightwing stop moving as Shadow and Kenny get up slowly.
Nightwing: Auto-pilot disengaged.
Already over his pain the ever optimistic Shadow says
Shadow: Well at least we didn't have to wake up to gun fire.
Kenny: I think I prefer that to being thrown three feet in the air.
Kenny replies still annoyed about how he was awaken. Cagalli starts rubbing her head and then unbuckles her seat belt and gets up.
Cagalli: Did we hit something?
The hacker goes over to the wall and pulls down a computer screen, think laptop only attached to the wall. He begins typing away.
Kenny: No idea, I'm trying to find out how far we traveled.
Never a patient person Shadow walks to the exit.
Shadow: Sure you could find that out by typing on your computer, or you could just look outside.
With that he opens the door and steps into the light. Cagalli looks to Kenny empathic then follows Shadow into the light. Kenny annoyed says under his breath.
Kenny: Smartass.
Then he follows after them. The passage way between the cockpit and outside is small and narrow, designed for only one person to walk through. Shadow is first with Cagalli standing behind looking over his shoulder.
The camera is positioned directly in front of them staring straight at their faces; both are wide eyed and stunned. Despite Kenny's height he's simply too far away from the entrance to see anything, of course that doesn't stop him from jumping up and down to try and get a better look.
Kenny: Well what do you see?
Shadow gets over the shock then says
Shadow: A forest.
When he says this we zoom out to see Nightwing in a lushes green forest, unlike the solid never yielding caramel color of the sand in the desert the forest is a blast of different shades of green with brown tree trunks.
For Shadow who was imprisoned in that God forsaken place the change in color and scenery is almost blinding and even Cagalli is surprised by how drastic the scenery changed in one nights travel.
Nightwing stands amongst the oak trees matching their height. The Gundam already looks dirty no doubt from its first fight, in several places its armor is dented.
Shadow: Well I must say this is a welcome if not expected sight.
Cagalli stunned asks
Cagalli: How far did we travel?
Shadow: Far enough.
The young's warrior's excitement is growing as he points out the tops of skyscrapers, far off in the distance. The first signs of civilization he's seen since his time at Slyer. The camera skips forward a few minutes in time.
Nightwing is on one knee; its hand is held up half way between the ground and the opening to the cockpit acting as a step for the escapees to get down from. Kenny and Cagalli have already climbed down and are waiting for their 3rd musketeer by Nightwing's unkneed leg.
Shadow jumps down from Nightwing's hand to the ground and eagerly runs up to his friends to show them what he discovered.
Shadow: Hey, guys check it out the Neon gauntlet on my arm; it changed colors.
Holding up his Neon gauntlet for them to see, it appears that the midnight black color has become permanent. Kenny looks at it with curious interest.
Kenny: huh, that's weird I wonder why it did that?
Cagalli on the other hand couldn't care less about what she perceives as some kind of watch and asks out of politeness
Cagalli: What's with that thing anyway?
Never taking his eyes off it, the tech expert answers her question absent mindedly.
Kenny: The Neon Gauntlet, to put it simply is a remote control for the Gundam. In case the pilot ever gets in a situation where he needs his Gundam but can't reach it he can call it towards him by hitting on a few buttons on the touch screen.
He points to the screen on Shadow's arm.
Kenny: It also emits a tracking beacon, so that the pilot's crew can find him, and last but not least it can be used as a communication device.
Cagalli stares at the Neon Gauntlet as if seeing it for the first time.
Cagalli (Wow, I guess they weren't just testing the new cockpit design but they were also testing that new remote. It makes sense, when one thinks about it; it's hard to believe that no one's come up with this before.)
Shadow: That still doesn't tell us why it changed colors to black.
Kenny doesn't answer but just stares harder at the Neon Gauntlet as if the answer would suddenly appear. Shadow smiles and says jokingly
Shadow: Could it be the all-knowing Kenny finally does not know something?
Kenny seems to have great pride in his information gathering skills as shown when he turns around and begins walking away from Shadow growling.
Kenny: Shut up, and come on we should make it to the city in an hour.
Shadow seeing that he hurt Kenny's feelings chases after him.
Shadow: Oh, come on Kenny it was just a joke.
Cagalli follows after them.
Cagalli: hey, wait up.
The camera looks up and then does the tree top skip forward in time thing. We look down to see our 3 heroes still traveling along amongst the fallen leaves and branches. Shadow is in the lead with Kenny close behind but Cagalli once again reminded of her lack of physical exercise in the past couple of years has already grown incredibly tired and struggles to keep up with the others.
That's not to say that the walk hasn't left its mark on her 2 companions; all 3 of them are sweating and breathing heavily.
Cagalli: Are we getting close?
Kenny: We should be there soon.
Cagalli: Well, how long is soon?
Shadow: He has no idea and before you ask neither do I.
Shadow says this in his good humor way, making it apparent that the long walk under the hot sun has not affected his personality at all which of course irritates Cagalli.
Cagalli: Then how do you know we're not going in the wrong direction?
Shadow: I don't.
Our relaxed hero begins to hum while Cagalli slaps her forehead, but not having a better plan, has no choice but to follow. Shadow comes to a large dense hunter green hedge; he stops for a moment looking up at the 3 people taller than him hedge.
Then shrugging his shoulders goes right on through it, Kenny and Cagalli follow. The camera flips around to the other side as all 3 travelers pop out from the hedge. For the second time today they all freeze in their tracks then Shadow does another one of his wide smiles.
Shadow: See it all worked out in the end.
The camera zooms out and spins around to reveal a highway heading straight for the city only a couple more miles away. The camera once again skips forward in time; the city appears to be just like any other, buildings of all sizes are spread across the city like leaves in the fall with the skyscrapers being the most notable.
Clean fuel efficient cars fill the roads the further you get into the city you get, it's still early morning yet the sidewalks are lined with people choosing to walk to work rather than drive in early morning traffic. Our heroes having finally reached their destination walk down a sidewalk until they reach a crosswalk.
Cagalli: Well this seems about a good of place as any to go are own separate ways.
From the beginning they knew this was only a temporary alliance; a temporary team formed so that they could achieve a common goal and now with that goal complete it only makes sense for them to part and set out to follow their own dreams/responsibilities.
Still they went through a lot in the short amount of time together, and all 3 members feel the awkwardness of the moment as they just stand their staring, not knowing what to say. Shadow breaks the silence.
Shadow: Well it was nice meeting you princess.
He holds out his hand. Cagalli shakes it.
Cagalli: It's Cagalli Shadow, and if you ever come to Orb feel free to contact me if you need anything.
Kenny also shakes her hand.
Kenny: It was nice working with someone who has some brains for once. God it gets tiring to be the only smart person on the team.
Shadow: Hey!
Cagalli laughs.
Cagalli: Thanks it was fun.
They stand there for another awkward moment then Cagalli starts walking down the left road. Shadow calls after.
Shadow: Hey Cagalli!
Cagalli stops and looks back.
Shadow: If you ever need help feel free to give us a call.
Cagalli smiles.
Cagalli: I will.
With that Cagalli turns around and continues walking getting quickly lost in the crowd of people. Kenny and Shadow go right and also get lost within the crowd. The camera follows our male heroes.
Kenny: So Shadow what do you want to do first as a free man.
The free man smiles as he thinks about this already having an idea in mind.
Shadow: Something every man does when he gets out of jail.
The scene cuts to a dark diner where a waitress has put a huge burger and fries in front of Shadow. He attacks the food; to say the least it wasn't pleasant for anyone to look at.
His partner at least manages to use his manners when he's eating his burger. The table they're sitting at is close to the window, but the shades are all closed giving it the feel of night time.
Kenny: Now Shadow don't get me wrong but when you said what every man does when he gets out of jail, I thought you meant something along the lines of getting laid.
Shadow answers with a face full of fries.
Shadow: Don't be stupid Kenny; everyone knows that you need at least some cash to hit on women.
Kenny looks at him.
Kenny: And how do you figure that?
Shadow takes another huge bite of his burger.
Shadow: Well you have to buy her drinks, its common manners that if you're going to have a girl sit there and listen to you make a fool out of yourself hitting on her, you have to at least buy her a drink and since we're flat broke I can't buy her a drink and so I can't hit on her.
Kenny nods his head as he realizes that makes sense when a voice suddenly interrupts their conversation.
Waitress: I'm sorry but did you just say that you have no money.
Even though the elderly waitress says this politely her eyes have a hard gray glint in them, like a school teacher asking a student if he cheated on a test. Shadow in turn like a student caught cheating on a test does one of those fake smiles as he says
Shadow: Um no.
We cut outside to the door of the diner, a couple is about to open the door when it bursts open sending the man whirling backwards. The dine and dashers come running out of the diner at full speed pushing people out of their way left and right. The waitress comes out of the diner but only stands at the door and at the top of her voice yells
Waitress: THIEVES, THIEVES, someone stop them!
We cut back to Shadow and Kenny who are quickly gaining distance. Shadow starts yelling at Kenny.
Shadow: Great Kenny thanks a lot; this is all your fault!
Kenny not liking being yelled at shouts back
Kenny: Hey, how is this my fault? You're the one that told the waitress we had no money!
Shadow snaps back
Shadow: Only because you asked me why I wasn't trying to pick up chicks!
They've ran far enough to the point where they can't hear the voice of the waitress. They slow down to catch their breath. Shadow talks first already over his missed meal and planning on how to get another one.
Shadow: Well anyway the great thing about a city is there are plenty of places to do a dine and dash.
Kenny gives a short laugh at this then the thieves go off. The camera takes off in the air like superman and flies over the heads of the people in the city until it comes to our only honest and noble hero. Like a lost tourist Cagalli walks the streets looking at buildings trying to find any landmarks she can recognize.
Cagalli (Damn I don't recognize this city at all. Where the heck am I? I guess I could ask someone, but I'd feel like an idiot.)
The prideful heroine stops for a moment debating between remaining lost in this random city for a couple more hours as she struggles to find a free cell phone or at least her location or looking like a complete fool in front of someone.
In the end though, her tiredness beats out her pride as the once proud leader of Orb takes a breath and prepares to make a fool out of herself. Cagalli walks up to some random person waiting on the corner for a cab.
Cagalli: Uh, excuse me sir.
The person turns to look at her, he takes in the grey lose fitting clothes with mild interest.
Person A: Yes
The lost Earthling already beginning to feel like an idiot says
Cagalli: Uh, you see I have a question that's going to sound really stupid but could you just humor me?
The person now somewhat interest looks at his watch then says in a polite way
Person: Sure good ahead.
Cagalli: Can you tell me what city we're in?
Person A looks at her for a moment to decide if she's messing with him, but on seeing the honest look on her face he comes to a different conclusion.
Person A: Hahahahaha, Let me guess you went to one wild party, kids these days.
Cagalli decides to just go with it.
Cagalli: Yes, something like that. So could you tell me?
Person A laughs one more time than answers
Person A: Why we're in Arianna.
There it is again, that fear that sense of doubt, that just maybe…maybe.
Cagalli (Arianna? I never heard of that City before. No calm down, Earth is a big place it only makes sense that I wouldn't know every single city on it.)
Cagalli stomps on this doubt and throwing away her pride and feeling even stupider asks
Cagalli: One more stupid question, what country are we in?
Now person A looks at her with a little suspicion.
Person A: Must have been some party, we're in Myrtus.
Back again, the doubt has never been stronger, her rational mind struggles with conflicting logic as the waves of panic burst through her dam flooding the emotions with the cold waters of fear.
Cagalli gives a nervous laugh as she fights to regain control of her imagination gone wild. She begins to talk out loud, to the complete stranger but at the same time trying to convince herself.
Cagalli: Hahaha, that's funny I've never heard of that country before, where is it located on Earth.
The random guy freezes. He looks at the lost girl the way you would look at a crazy person. He talks slowly
Person A: You mean Sora right?
Cagalli now freezes and looks at him in horror. She begins talking to him louder now.
Cagalli: No, I mean Earth, E. A. R. T. H. Earth, not some made up planet called Sora!
With panic in full gear Cagalli screams the last part out loud for all to hear. The stranger a little afraid of what he thinks is a nut job begins to back up slowly and he's not alone, other people who were walking by at the time now stop and stare at Cagalli.
They slowly inch away also not wishing to find out if the crazy girl is dangerous or not. Feeling more alone, lost and scared then she's ever felt, Cagalli stands there breathing heavily as she looks around and sees the faces of the sane people and then the truth just hits her.
Cagalli (I'm….I'm on Sora. The warden was telling the truth, I'm on another planet.)
It can't be possible, it shouldn't be possible and yet no matter how farfetched it might sound it's the only explanation that's still standing. Cagalli's whole world crumbles as her mind crashes like a computer hard drive.
With her amber eyes wide open yet cloudy she begins to wander the streets aimlessly. The streets are full of people, laughter, shouting, talking, car horns, engines rumbling but it might have well as been empty for how little it effected Cagalli; perhaps this is why the Earthling didn't notice the change in surroundings.
We begin to see less and less of the business looking crowd and more of the thuggish looking people. The buildings begin to look older, cheaper, and less well made. We see sketchy characters in long trench coats making shady deals with obvious "under the influence people"; the elderly are pushing around shopping carts with all of their possessions.
While the poor wake up from their makeshift camp in the alleyways; almost everyone in the area looks dirty and unshaved, like they haven't seen a bathroom in weeks and to some level everyone seems dangerous. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know you're in the bad part of town.
Unfortunately the shock of being on another planet is still too much for the Cagalli's mind to cope with making her unable to process anything. Going on basic instinct Cagalli enters a diner after all she hasn't eaten anything since the other day, but it seems that even lady luck is against the girl today.
Smoke like smog hangs heavily in the air clouding the field of vision. The shades have all been pulled down letting no light in except from the lamps hanging from the ceiling, all these factors combine seem to distort one's sense of time in this place. When Cagalli walks in we can immediately see this is a gang hangout.
Just from the lose ripped clothing, body language and the poorly hidden small caliber guns we can tell that the majority of the people in this diner are gang members. 3 of the gang members are playing pool. The only sign anyone has noticed Cagalli is the quick movement of the eyes.
With her hard drive still crashed Cagalli just takes a seat at the bar. It's hard to tell how much of her own movement's she's aware of. One of the gangsters playing pool looks up at this and begins walking over to her.
Gangster A: Hey, bitch that's my seat.
Cagalli is too lost in her own head to hear him. Gangster A mistakes her silence as an insult.
Gangster A: Don't ignore me bitch!
With a quick swipe of his feet gangster A sweeps out Cagalli's chair from under her causing the young girl to crash to the ground, but this actually is more helpful to Cagalli then hurtful since the small amount of pain acts as sort of a restart for Cagalli's brain.
Rolling over and rising to her knees for the first time Cagalli takes in her surroundings including gangster A and his poorly concealed small caliber gun hanging from his belt. Getting up slowly as to not startle or anger the tiger, the diplomat begins
Cagalli: I don't want any trouble.
Cagalli is slowly backing up away from gangster A but this has the opposite effect that she was hoping for. Gangster A upon realizing she's no throat smiles wickedly and decides to have some fun with her.
Gangster A: Too late bitch, you see by sitting in my seat you offended me. I'll tell you what though; since I'm a nice guy I'll let you pay the penalty instead of just shooting you.
Not wanting to be shot but sensing something off with the deal, the negotiator asks
Cagalli: And how much do I have to pay?
The gangster laughs.
Gangster A: Hahahaha. No, you see you've got it wrong, it's not money I want, you see the price is something only a woman can give.
When he sticks his thumb towards the back room Cagalli gets the idea; suddenly her amber eyes harden as we see the old Cagalli from GS back again for better or for worse.
Cagalli: You can forget it, that seat was up at the bar and last I checked you don't own this bar.
If the girl had just rolled her eyes and left he wouldn't have done anything other than shout out some more catcalls but by openly challenging him in front of his buddies who start saying "ohhhh you just got told." Pissed gangster A off; Cagalli turns to walk away but he quickly grabs her arm.
Gangster A: You bitch, time someone taught you some manners.
He then throws Cagalli into one of the oak tables, no one blinks an eye. He walks over to her and before the injured girl can get up he kicks her. The kick causes Cagalli to roll right into a wall. Cagalli grits her teeth stubbornly refusing to cry out in pain.
Gangster A is still pissed and would have continued to beat the crap out of Cagalli had a new voice not called out.
Cowboy: That's enough there mate.
Gangster A turns his head to where the voice came from, so does the camera. We see the figure sitting alone at the back of the diner in a booth. When you see this guy the first thing that should come to your mind is a Crocodile Dundee wannabe.
He's got a dark brown cowboy hat, the light brown cowboy vest, lose fitting worn down jeans, and cowboy boots. He has brown hair from what we can see coming out of his hat. His hat is pull slightly down covering his eyes but when he speaks he lifts his head up revealing those sharp dark blue eyes.
His tone of voice was soft spoken not shouting but the way he said it so firmly causes all the other gangsters to look up, he also has an Austrian accent. Gangster A still pissed about Cagalli insulting him turns toward this new guy.
Gangster A: And what are you going to do about!?
Cagalli still on the ground holding her ribs where gangster A kicked her looks up and sees the cowboy get up from his booth and walk over to gangster A. We can see that he's also packing, but unlike gangster A his gun is in a holster and the way his hand casually goes down and unbuttons the strap holding it in place screams experience.
The other gangsters are watching with interest now. The bartender and waitresses have decided to leave the diner through the back door. He stands about a foot away from gangster A.
Cowboy: A gentleman never raises his hand to a lady, and a gentleman does not stand by and watch a lady get hit!
He says the last statement with his sharp eyes looking at the other gangsters. The other gangster had been watching the scene like some sort of sport, but the moment the cowboy says his statement their mood turns dark, clearly not liking him insulting them.
Gangster A: I'll tell you what, if you leave right now, we might not kill you.
He says this as he lifts his shirt revealing the gun in his pants; cowboy doesn't move but continues staring hard at gangster A. Seeing that he isn't backing down gangster A shrugs his shoulders and then says
Gangster A: Alright it's your funeral.
The moment he says this he goes for his gun, but the cowboy is a lot faster. He pulls out his own gun and fires one shot just as gangster A's hand grabs his gun. The bullet hits the shoulder of the hand on the gun.
Gangster A screams in pain as he turns around and falls to the ground, just as gangster A hits the ground the cowboy turns around and fires two more shots at the other gangsters going for their guns, both shots hit the shoulders of the intended target.
The other gangsters dive for cover while the cowboy runs over to Cagalli and picks her up with one hand, just as the gangsters start returning fire. The cowboy kicks a table over and puts Cagalli down behind it.
Cowboy: Now just stay here Miss, it will just take me a few minutes to take care of these mates.
The oak table is strong, thick and acts as a good shield against the gangster's small caliber guns but the cowboy isn't packing any more power than them. With the damsel in distress safe the Cowboy runs over to another table drawing their fire.
In motion he fires 3 more shots, one hits a gangster hiding in a booth in the leg, the other one hits a gangster looking up from a turn table in the shoulder, the third was aimed at one hiding in the bar but he ducks just in time causing one of the beer bottles to explode.
The cowboy now runs to the bar evading the gangsters bullets. Another gangster lifts his head from the bar to aim, but cowboy fires and hits him in the shoulder causing him to fall back and hit his head on a couple more beer bottles.
The moment his head lands on the beer bottles, the cowboy jumps over the bar and fires another shot at the gangster that had ducked before. This time it hits him in the leg as he was reloading his gun. When he gets hit he screams and his gun goes flying.
Cowboy takes the end of his own gun and knocks the gangster unconscious. He keeps his head down. The remaining gangsters are firing everything they have, all of the bottles are blowing up now, glass and beer rain down on the cowboy but he is unaffected by it.
Cowboy: (Let's see now, that makes 8 bullets, so I got one left in the clip, and another clip of 9, so that means I've got 10 bullets left. That should be more than enough to take out the three remaining guys.)
He nods his head and prepares to go on the offensive. The camera cuts to Cagalli she's still hiding behind the table. The gangsters aren't paying her any attention so needless to say they aren't shooting at her. She's lifting her head slightly over the table watching the fight with wide eyes when suddenly we hear a voice
Gangster A: This is all your fault, bitch!
Gangster A had gotten up and is holding his gun in his uninjured hand. The hand that was shot hangs limply by his side, and his gun is pointed at Cagalli. When he speaks Cagalli turns around and faces him, her eyes are open wide with fear. The cowboy jumps up and fire one shot when he notices gangster A.
Cowboy: (Oh crap)
His hand moves quickly to grab his last clip on his belt. The empty clip drops from the gun but he's too slow. He can see gangster A pulling the trigger.
Cowboy: (I'm not going to make it.)
Cagalli closes her eyes trying to prepare herself for the end when at the last moment a hand comes and grabs the end of the barrel forcing the gun to point straight up into the air. The gun goes off ripping right through the unknown's palm but other than his hand the bullet hits the roof harmlessly.
Gangster A looks on shocked by this third wild card completing the triad. Cagalli upon hearing the gunshot but feeling no pain nor finding herself in the afterlife slowly opens her eyes to reveal Shadow with his hand still on the gangster's gun. Shadow glares at gangster A intensely with his electric green eyes
Gangster A: Who the f-
He doesn't get to finish before Shadow punches him with his other hand so hard that gangster A is knocked out before he hits the ground. Cagalli just sits their amazed.
Cagalli: Shadow?
The light hearted hero turns to face her as his eyes go back to normal and his smile lights up his face.
Shadow: Hello princess.
The remaining gangsters perceive this new guy as a threat and quickly open fire on him but Shadow ducks down next to Cagalli his good mood unruined.
Shadow: Well you seem to be having fun.
Cagalli despite herself replies sarcastically
Cagalli: Sure, who wouldn't have fun getting shot at?
The cowboy runs across the room, once again dodging the bullets and ducks behind the same oak table. He asks in worry
Cowboy: You alright Miss?
Cagalli goes to reassure him.
Cagalli: I'm fine.
Cowboy: This mate a friend of yours Miss?
He points at Shadow who remains silent taking in the cowboy and the remaining gangsters.
Cagalli: Sort of.
Shadow turns around and in his grand voice says
Shadow: I am the great, the wonderful, the fantastic, Shadow Zoomarey.
As he says this he stands up a little, big mistake, a bullet comes flying over his head just barely missing him. He ducks down causing the cowboy to laugh.
Cowboy: Hahahaha, well I give you this mate that's a nice introduction, I'm Nick Mu by the way.
He holds out his hand. Shadow takes it and shakes it.
Shadow: Nice to meet you Nick.
Nick: Same here mate.
Cagalli not believing they're having this conversation shouts over the bullets
Cagalli: Do you really think this is the best time to be having this conversation?
Cagalli raising a good point causes Nick to refocuses.
Nick: Right, do you mind if I take care of the rest mate?
Shadow gestures with his uninjured hand.
Shadow: Normally I would but since you were here first I'll let you finish it.
Nick nods his head. The gunfire has stopped. He gets up slowly and looks around then walks very slowly towards the tables the gangsters are using as a shield. Shadow is looking over the table at Nick very intensely. Cagalli looks at Shadow unbelievingly.
Cagalli: You're not just going to let him do this by himself are you? Those are 3 guys with guns.
Shadow doesn't take his eyes off Nick and grins in an excited manner.
Shadow: I want to see what this cowboy's got and besides I've got a feeling this is going to be over in a minute.
Cagalli taken off guard by his overwhelming confidence turns her head and watches Nick too. Nick takes another slow step, one of the gangsters jumps up from behind the table, but before he can take a shot Nick shoots him in the shoulder.
Nick dives to one side the second the bullet leaves his gun, another gangster comes up from behind the table as the other gangster falls to the ground and fires at the spot where Nick was a moment ago. Nick rolls and is on one knee, he fires at the gangster as the gangster realizes Nick wasn't where he shot.
The bullet hits the guy in the side of his shoulder, he falls. Nick starts running while still keeping low to the ground; he goes around the table aiming for the last gangster. The last gangster looks at him in shock. Nick fires right into his shoulder finishing the fight in perfect victory.
The gunman stands up and walks quickly towards the door. He looks over to Shadow and Cagalli and gestures to the door with his head. We can hear the cries of the wounded but other than that it's silent. Shadow turns to Cagalli and says in his humorous voice
Shadow: I think that's our sign to leave.
Shadow grabs Cagalli by the arm and leads her to the door; they all exit at the same time. We cut outside to see Nick, Shadow, and Cagalli walking away from the diner at a quick pace but not too quick so that they don't draw much attention to themselves. Shadow has let go of Cagalli's arm. Kenny walks over to them.
Kenny: So seeing as you're not dead, I'll assume you won, and who is this guy?
He points at Nick.
Nick: The names Nick Mu mate.
Kenny: Kenny Cyes.
They shake hands, suddenly Cagalli snaps. Her fear of the unknown and just being so completely alone, away from anyone that she ever knew or cared about has boiled over and transforms into a red hot rage which she directs at Shadow.
Cagalli: Why are you here did you follow me!?
It's not like he was expecting a big show of thanks but talk about being ungrateful. Shadow snaps back by reflex
Shadow: Please, don't flatter yourself princess, me and Kenny were looking for a place to eat, so imagine our surprise when we open the door to a diner and see a warzone inside with you smack dab in the middle so sorry for trying to help you!
If it were any other day Cagalli would have realized that she was in the wrong and apologize, but because of the realization that she's on Sora and almost getting killed again, has flipped all of her switches causing her to just lash out.
Cagalli and Shadow glare at each other intensely like animals trying to assert dominance or in the eyes of Kenny and Nick like morons being stupid.
Nick: Come on mates this isn't the time to be fighting.
The lonely girl turns her gaze to Nick and lashes out at him.
Cagalli: And why are we the ones retreating, you shot them all, right?
The cowboy unmoved by her anger matches her gaze and answers evenly
Nick: I only hit them in non-lethal places, so they should be only stunned, if we had stayed there more people would have gotten back up and try to continue fighting. By leaving instead of pursuing us they'll head to the hospital and get their wounds looked at, like we should do.
With knowing eyes the kind man looks at Shadow who embarrassed looks away.
Nick: I saw the bullet pass through your hand, so it isn't life threatening but if you don't get that looked at right away you could lose the ability to move that hand.
Hanging limply by his side Shadow had been trying to hid the wound. He may not be a gentleman like Nick but the stubborn warrior has his own pride. For the first time Cagalli notices the bloody hand and the small trail of red leading back to the diner.
The haze of rage lifts as the fallen princess calms down and realizes what a jerk she's being.
Kenny: There's a hospital not too far from here that offers a free clinic, lets head there.
They all nod in agreement. The camera cuts to the next scene, Cagalli and Kenny are sitting in a chair in a doctor's room. Nick is standing, leaning against the wall right next to the door. Shadow is sitting on the patient bed. A doctor has some kind of device over Shadow's injured hand.
Doctor: Well that should be long enough.
He takes the device off to reveal the hand completely healed. Shadow begins to flex it.
Shadow: Thanks doc it's as good as new.
He says excitedly, he puts his hand in a fist and punches the air. The doctor looks at his watch.
Doctor: No problem, well I've got to get going, close the door on your way out.
After the doctor leaves Kenny gets up and walks over to his old friend.
Kenny: Well that's a relief.
Guilt ridden our heroine gets up and begins to say slowly and nervously
Cagalli: Listen Shadow, I want to say-
Shadow interrupts her.
Shadow: Don't worry about it princess, but I'll tell you what if you show some skin we'll call this even.
He says this Jokingly. Cagalli blushes a little then yells at him.
Cagalli: Not even in your dreams you pervert, I can't believe I was going to apologize.
She folds her hands and turns her back on him as Kenny and Nick laugh, then Nick gets up from the wall and turns to go to the door as he says
Nick: Well since you're all better now I'll be on my way mate.
Shadow: Hold on a second cowboy.
Shadow says quickly. Nick stops and turns to look at him.
Shadow: Listen Nick, I've seen your skills and I've got to say I'm impressed.
Nick blushes at the compliment.
Nick: Well thanks mate.
Shadow goes on.
Shadow: Look I'm starting a Gundam team, and I want you to join.
Nick ponders this for a moment while Kenny rolls his eyes. Cagalli looks back and forth between the three not sure what they're talking about.
Cagalli (Gundam team, what are they talking about?)
Kenny: Come on Shadow, we're not even in the city for a day before you start recruiting, besides I'm sure he's busy and has other-
Nick interrupts him.
Nick: I accept.
Kenny shuts up and just stares at Nick not believing his ears. Shadow jumps up and high-fives his new teammate.
Shadow: Alright, welcome to the team.
Kenny still stunned asks
Kenny: B-B-But why?
Nick shrugs.
Nick: Well you see mates I don't have any money left, and I've come from New Austria, so I don't know any mates here, so I figured why not.
Shadow: That's all the reason I need.
He says laughing. Nick starts laughing then Kenny and last but not least Cagalli starts laughing too. We cut outside to see our 4 heroes exit the hospital and walk back onto the street. Shadow, Kenny, and Nick are walking in a line while Cagalli walks behind them still trying to get her head around the impossible.
Cagalli: What's a Gundam team?
It may not seem the most important question considering everything else she could asked but it's a place to start, however she might as well have asked an Earthling what is football or any other well-known sport. All 3 guys stop in their tracks and turn to stare at her unbelievingly.
Kenny: You know the teams the Gundam fighters are on, that you have to be a part of to be recognized as an official Gundam fighter by the GFC.
Like trying to explain the official rules of hockey to someone from the deep south, possibly from Africa. Kenny thinks Cagalli simply isn't a fan of the sport and doesn't understand the technical talk, but Cagalli is looking for the very basics.
Cagalli: GFC?
Even more shocked now Nick answers
Nick: The Gundam Fighter Committee, the people who run the Gundam fights mate.
Cagalli now getting frustrated by not knowing and looking like an idiot goes to say something else but Shadow cuts her off.
Shadow: Kenny why don't you go with Nick and see if you can't find a Gundam manager, me and Cagalli are going to get some new clothes
Kenny nods his head as the camera moves over them showing that Shadow, Cagalli, and Kenny's clothes not only looks weird but have blood and dirt on it.
Kenny: Alright we'll meet outside the shopping mall, oh and can you pick me up a set of clothes too.
Shadow nods his head.
Shadow: Sure.
Kenny and Nick go one way. Cagalli is about to say something else but Shadow grabs her and pulls her along.
Cagalli: Wait a minute, I still have questions.
She comes to a stop and looks hard at Shadow.
Cagalli: And I'm not moving an inch until they're answered!
Shadow stops and looks at her and then smiles one of his full of humor smiles.
Shadow: Fine, but first answer my question. If you're a real princess then you should know all about the Gundam Fights, so how come you know nothing?
Cagalli hesitate a moment then answers.
Cagalli: You're going to think I'm crazy.
Shadow rolls his eyes.
Shadow: Listen I was in a prison full of nut jobs, so anything you say won't surprise me.
Cagalli: Ok
She takes a deep breath.
Cagalli: I'm from Orb, Orb is on Earth.
Shadow looks at her for a moment his face impossible to read then he smiles and starts walking toward the shopping mall.
Shadow: Ok.
Cagalli not sure of what he means follows him.
Cagalli: Ok as in I believe you, or Ok I think you're nuts?
Shadow says uncaringly
Shadow: Ok as in I don't care.
Cagalli looks at Shadow confused. Seeing this Shadow explains
Shadow: Look you act sane enough to understand your surroundings and that's all that matters to me, so if you believe you're from Orb on Earth good for you but I don't care.
Cagalli is taken back but she's not about to argue with the only person who somewhat accepts/believes her.
Cagalli: Well that's a weird way of thinking, so are you going to tell me what the whole thing with the Gundam fights is?
Shadow nods his head.
Shadow: Sure, First you need to know some of the history of Sora. About 100 years after the Crew of the Lost Ones dropped to Sora most of the land had been explored, and people had settled all over the planet, that's when different governments came and started fighting one another for territory and control of the land, pretty soon everybody was fighting.
Cagalli has been taking this in as they walked to the shopping mall. This is all common knowledge for anyone who's been to a Sora school, like 4th grade history, so Shadow takes no interest in this part of the story.
Cagalli: You mean like a World War?
Shadow: Yea, exactly like a World War, only this one lasted another 50 years before peace came. The governments still in power gathered together in a great meeting and decided on a system that would allow nations to observe one another's military strength without going to war, that system is the Gundam fights.
Cagalli is a little confused.
Cagalli: Wait the Crew of the Lost Ones, dropped to Sora over 5 hundred years ago, not even coordinators were around back then, so how did you guys have mobile suits.
Shadow a little annoyed by the question answers.
Shadow: Because we invented the Gundam's first, before Earth. The inventor of the first Gundam was Issaic, and the first Gundam pilot was Neon.
Shadow's face takes the look of admiration. Cagalli notices but decides to ignore it and go on.
Cagalli: Ok, go on.
Shadow snaps back to focus, this time he eagerly describes how the fights work.
Shadow: Right, so the way that the Gundam fights work is that every nation sends in a team of their best Gundam pilots and their best Gundams to compete in Gundam fights, their stats determine what rank they are.
Cagalli doesn't understand.
Cagalli: So wait how does that prevent war?
Shadow thinks for a moment as they walk into the mall.
Shadow: Well let's say nation A can send 3 Gundam teams into the Gundam fights while nation B can only send 1, that might mean that nation A has a larger military or more money than nation B and can send more teams in, but if the 3 team get rank C while nation B's one team gets rank B than it would seem that nation B's military may be better fighters than nation A.
Understanding dawns on the once ruler's face.
Cagalli: Unless nation B's Gundam team is the only one in their military on that level, or if they only put one team in to make themselves look small, wow I'm getting a headache just thinking about.
Shadow laughs.
Shadow: I think that was the point, they wanted to confuse the nations, so that they would be too unsure to a make a move against any other nation, but just in case they add a third variable to make it even harder to plan an attack on another nation.
Cagalli looks at him curiously.
Cagalli: Oh what's that?
The Gundam pilot's smile gets even bigger and he sticks his thumb at himself as he says
Shadow: Us, Gundam teams that declare themselves independent from any nation. In a time of war, some of them might decide to fight for money, for people they like, for their birth places, the possibilities are once again endless.
As one who constantly seeks to find a way to eternal peace Cagalli can't help but admire this plan and the way it plays to human strengths and weaknesses.
Cagalli: The plan is ingenious when you think about it, no leader of a nation would risk going to war without knowing such important information, but they wouldn't be able to find the information easily which will make them decide that it's better to wait in case of an attack instead of launching one. Hahahaha, it's ironic that the only way to prevent war is by fighting though.
They both laugh, then they calm down. Cagalli stops for a moment and examines a fancy formal shirt on display in one of the mall store windows. Shadow starts watching her for a moment, thoughtful then asks
Shadow: Hey, Cagalli how about you travel with us for a while.
Cagalli stops and looks at him.
Cagalli: What?
Shadow shrugs and tries to pass if off as no big deal.
Shadow: I'm just saying that if you're from Earth then you don't know anyone on Sora or anything about its customs, so you should travel with people who do. Just until you can find your way around without help, then you can do whatever you want.
Cagalli thinks about this for a moment then answers.
Cagalli: Yes, alright, thank you Shadow.
She says sincerely. This is actually a touching moment which makes Shadow uncomfortable so he decides to ruin it with a joke.
Shadow: Of course since we're traveling together you'll have to resist the urge to throw yourself at me, after all inter team dating never goes well.
Cagalli bushes deep red and then yells at him.
Cagalli: As if that would ever happen, pervert!
The episode ends with Shadow stepping back acting scared as Cagalli yells this in his face.