SD Gundam Fan Fiction ❯ Yakunan Rijun ❯ Marriage Rights and the Angel of Death ( Chapter 12 )

The search was coming to an end. After ruling out three worlds, only one remained. Time however, was running ever increasingly short. Not finding the Death Angel's weakness soon meant Celestin and Daichimaru would have to return home, a failed mission weighing down their pride. The prize, little did they know, is right under their nose, or better yet, their feet, so to speak.

 

“AHH! Oof!” Rubbish let out a pained groan, “That wasn't very nice.” The aged Time Sprite peeled himself from the rock, returning to his star shape form.

 

“Tired to warn ya!” Ninko shouted, riding pass on Reauma.

 

Led by Captain Gundam, the Force raced down the mountain from Dr. Electrocudo's Trans Dimensional Device towards Imperial.

 

Fleur smiled broadly, “It fells great to be home again.”

 

Shute quickly notes, “Looks like you're done rebuilding everything.”

 

“Yep!” the princess replied, “Took longer than we thought it would.”

 

Gio trailed behind, gazing in the opposite direction. Without a word, he broke from formation, heading towards a rural area.

Zero spotted him, “Gio! Come back! Gio!”

Captain stopped, spinning around, “Gio! That's the wrong way!”

 

Ignoring them, the yellow and green youth sped down his course, giving the others no choice but to follow.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

“Where is this kid going!?” Baku shouted annoyed.

Realization hit Zero, “I think I know.” The Winged Knight sped ahead trying to close the gap Gio made.

 

When they caught up, Gio stood under a tree, one hand rubbing its rough bark. He then leapt into its branches and made a square using his thumb and forefingers lost in memories.

 

“Oh dear,” Rubbish sighed mournfully.

“What?” Ninko asked. He didn't answer but closed his eyes.

Zero knew, “This is the spot where Celestin lost us isn't it Rubbish?”

“Aye, Zero.”

Fleur gasped, hand flying to her mouth guard, Baku and Shute turned pale, Captain, Zero and Ninko lowered their eyes lowered their eyes. Oblivious to them, Gio jumped from the high tree branches, and then slowly walked across the field before stopping at an imagined place. He then opened an imaginary door, walked inside and looked around. “Mum…Dad….” With a quick twist of his ankles, the youth retraced his steps until he stood in front of the waiting Gundam Force. Gazing at the tree line, he clinched his fist, pained memories flooding back.

 

“Poor guy,” Shute softly whispered.

 

Suddenly, and much to everyone's surprise, Gio faced them smiling, “Whoops. I took us in the complete wrong direction. Forgive me. On to Imperial my comrades. Time is short.”

`He's trying to hide it,' the samurai thought.

Fleur silently sighed, “Poor guy….”

 

Rumble…rumble….

 

Everyone snapped back to reality thanks to the shaking ground. “What the heck?” Shute asked.

Rumble. Rumble.

It grew louder and stronger. “Earthquake!” Baku and Ninko shouted.

Rumble! Rumble!

 

Captain found the source, “It is not an earthquake. It is-”

“You came back!” A massive white and silver dog like creature with fiery red wings, twin tails, and talons for fore paws pounced and pinned the core Gundam Force.

“-Skylar,” Captain finished.

 

Skylar quickly proceeded to licking them, “I've you guys so much! I thought you were never coming back!”

“Of course…we were,” Shute replied between getting licked.

Zero explained, “We've just been busy is all.”

Fleur couldn't help but laugh, “Alright Skylar they don't need a bath.”

Skylark's Great Protector sat up, freeing them from his weight, and soon spying Gio and Ninko looking out from behind Reauma, “Who are those guys?”

 

The gundam youths looked up so far they fell back, “Big doggie.” Ninko commented.

 

“That's Gio and Ninko,” Bakunetsu answered stretching.

 

Fleur flew up and scratched Skylar's pointed ears, “Give us a lift and we'll tell you about it on the way.”

He happily wagged his tail, “Okay!”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

One recap later, with several appropriate edits, Skylar ruffled his fur, “This Angel of Death guy sounds scary. I hope you find his weakness in time.”

Gio nods, “You and me both. We don't have much time left.”

“One week to be exact,” Rubbish chimed in.

“That's it?' Captain asked.

Shute commented, “I don't think you can scan this whole planet in a week.”

“Good luck anyway,” the winged mutt remarked, “When you do get rid of him, maybe you two can come back and watch Zero and Fleur's wedding in a month.”

Zero chuckled then was startled, “Wait! One month!”

“Don't remind me,” Fleur groaned. She then looked at Zero, “You didn't forget did you?”

 

“No! Of course not love! Umm… it just slipped my mind that it was so soon,” the knight smiled nervously, praying he covered it.

The samurai laughed, “You forgot didn't you!”

“I did not Bakunetsumaru!” he snapped back.

“Sure you didn't,” Baku replied with dripping sarcasm. Shute, Gio and Ninko shared a snicker.

With a head tilt, Skylar sank into confusion before shaking it off, “Hang on everyone!” One quick wing flap and Skylar cleared the city wall, landing smoothly in the caste's training grounds, “Last stop, everyone off.” He sat on his haunches allowing everyone on his back to smoothly slide off.

“Thanks boy,” Fleur hugged his foreleg

After giving her a quick lick Skylar took to the air, “I'll see you around Gundam Force!”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Thank you Purity,” the Angel of Death spoke with a hiss, signaling for the screen to vanish.

The white Time Sprite chirped, “I though you would be more worried what with them there and all.

“Hahahaha!” Death Angel chuckled, “You forget I fear no one. Although I must applaud Rubbish for thinking of that. It completely skipped my mind. Kudos.”

“So umm…,” Purity spoke hesitantly, “Now that we know what Rubbish was looking for, what do we do if they-”

“`If' keyword, sprite,” he interrupted, “They have less then a week. If they do find it then I will intervene personally.”

She nervously looked at her lantern encased clock, “Rubbish will be destroyed for interrupting the time stream…will I?”

“Huh?”

“Nothing milord.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

 

“Azural! Lucky!” Fleur groaned as the Gundam Force looked around the Grand Foyer.

 

“Someone should be here right?” Shute asked.

She nods, “Should.”

Captain spoke up, “Maybe they are else where in the castle.”

“Big sister's back!” A small green kid gundam swung towards them holding onto a tapestry, pulling it from its rings as she went.

Baku looked up, “There's Azural.”

The little water princess let go of the cloth, flying into her eldest sibling, “Where have you been big sis?”

 

“Busy. Where's Papa and Lucky?”

Azural shrugged, “Dunno. But Aunt Rubia, Uncle NickNack, and Uncle Mack are in the library.”

“Who?” Zero asked.

Azural then noticed the others and wiggled from her sister's hold, “Hi guys!”

“About time you showed up!” A blond headed human tackled Fleur, holding her in a head lock.

“Joey!” She yelped.

“That's my name,” the green eyed, glowing human replied, “Hi Gundam Force.”

“Hey Joey,” Shute answered, “Have you seen King Phoenix?” They knew Joey was just playing around and would never hurt Fleur, so they didn't bother to help her.

The youth sunk into thought, “Not for a while.”

“How hard can it be to fine a king?” Ninko asked slightly irked.

Azural then noticed the new gundams, “Who are you two?”

The green one smiled down at his aunt's younger self, “I'm Gio and this is Ninko.”

She then circled around Ninko and asked in curiosity, “Why are you wrapped up?”

“Well, can you keep a secret?” he asked. Azural eagerly nodded. Ninko whispers, “I'm here to protect Gio but he doesn't need to know and neither do they. I'm a ninja and can't let anyone know my real name.”

Her eyes grew wide and she smiled, “I won't tell anyone.” The kid mecha then ran off smiling, causing Gio to chuckle.

“E-yah!”

“Tr-ahh!”
< br> “Warned ya,” Fleur spoke.

Joey sat on his knees, catching his second wind, “I didn't think you would do it.”

“Joey!?” Shute said concerned.

“Relax, Shute,” Joey replied, “She didn't even bruise me.” He quickly rose to his feet then bowed again, “Hello King Phoenix.”

Fleur lowered her head, “Hello Papa.”

Captain, Zero, Shute, Baku, Gio, and Ninko spun around, finding King Phoenix standing right behind the newest Gundam Force members. After the initial shock, they to bowed before the gold and white royalty, “Greeting King Phoenix.”

Phoenix nods, allowing them to rise, “I was worried about you Fleur.”

“You shouldn't be,” she softly spoke

Making the Gundam Force part, the old wise king approached his eldest, “I should. You are getting married,” He circled behind her, “If I blink again, I'll be a grandfather.”

Zero, Fleur, and Gio stiffened while Shute, Bakunetsu, and Ninko broke into laughter. The Lacroix attempted to avoid the awkward moment, “Let's not think about that yet.”

“Yet?” Phoenix loomed over the Winged Knight glaring daggers as the knight looked around for anything to say and avoid being fried.

“Keep it up and you'll scare him out of getting married,” Lucky hovered over head, “`Sup Gundam Force?”

The aged royal shrugged, “It would be a start.”

“Papa!”

“What?”

Lucky landed behind Zero and leaned of his head, “Not scared are ya?”

“No,” the knight answered, “I have no reason to be.” Then thought, `Yeah right Zero'

The prince wore confusion, “You haven't met them yet?”

 

Zero asked, “Who is `them'?”

 

“Crap!” Fleur slapped her forehead, “I completely forgot!” She grabbed Zero's hand and pulled him towards the library.

Captain asked what everyone was thinking, “What was that about?”

Lucky answered still in his leaning position, “Marriage rights.”

Phoenix then spoke, “Rubbish may scan Skylark.”

Gio was impressed, “How did-”

“Don't ask,” Baku answered.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Fleur! Where are we going?” Zero asked trying his best to get airborne.

She answered, “Well…in order to marry me you have to face both sides of my family. Since my mom is dead, you have to face her siblings.”

The knight puffed up, “An easy task my love.”

“I hope so…,” she replied unsure. Zero caught it. Was she suggesting he couldn't?

Pass a heavy wood door, they entered a room with several books scattered around, five grumbling voices echoed around.

“Rubia! NickNack! Mack!” Fleur called, “You in here?”

 

A dark blue and gold gundam hoisted himself to where his head and upper torso showed above the bookcase, “Fleur!” He wagged his fishlike tail, which stuck out from behind the bottom of the bookcase shocking the knight. That must be one long gundam. “What?” he asked before switching his head and tail, “Never seen a water gundam before?” Zero knew that was impossible, he went wide-eyed and slowly backed away.

Fleur doubled over in laughter, “Alright Uncle NickNack he's confused enough.”

“NickNack?” he asked.

The once thought elongated gundam was in fact two. Identical twins none the less. They hopped in front of the book case.

“Greetings I'm Nick.”

“Hey there I'm Nack.”

Then in unison, “There's only one way to tell us apart.”

Nack started, “Nick had a lot of knacks.”

“And Nack has a lot of knicks,” Nick finished.

And once more together, “Any questions?”

Zero held his pounding head fully confused, “Wait, what?”

Fleur forced herself to stop laughing, “Don't think about it to hard sweetie.”

Heavy footsteps approached the lovebirds before something big scooped them up, delivering a tight squeezing hug, “Long time, no see Fleur.”

“Hi, Uncle Mack,” she wheezed short breathed. Zero gasped for air and looked over his shoulder finding the biggest gundam he had ever seen. Mack stood close to seven feet, white and green armor scuffed and smeared with engine grease. Big grey eyes set on yellow smiled down on the knight, “Is this Zero?”

“You're choking them Mack!” Nick called out.

“Whoops,” Mack dropped them, “Sorry.”

Zero looked up at the giant falling back as he did, “Hello.”

“Hi!” Mack replied.

Fleur nudged Zero, “Don't worry, Mack may be a giant but he's the sweetest guy I know.”

A soft, caring feminine voice is heard, “I hope my little brothers didn't frighten you too badly.” A deep ruby red gundamess perched herself on a ladder, gold accents highlighting her curves.

Zero smiled, “Not at all milady.”

“My, a gentleman,” she purred.

“You hitting on my fiancé Rubia?” Fleur asked.

Rubia laughed, “No, no, dear He's too young for me.”

Nack snapped, “Careful he doesn't hear that.” She scoffed, rolling her eyes.

“Rubia won't do that,” Mack spoke in defense.

“We know baby brother,” the twins replied simultaneously.

 

It was Nack's statement Zero paid attention to, “I pray I will not regret this but who is he?”

“What!”

“You haven't told him?”

Fleur grew nervous, “Um…no….”

“Oh hell!” NickNack shouted.

Mack petted Zero, “You poor gundam.”

Rubia shook he head, “I hope you are one lucky bastard.”

Zero faced his beloved, “Is there something I should know about Fleur?”

The Skylarkain princess froze, “Well uh…you see….”

“Aww…I'm hurt.” A cold icy blast chilled the room, forcing the gundams to shiver, “Forgotten me so soon?” A fifth gundam jumped from hiding in a flash of deep dark green, his high collar cape ruffled in the wind he created. Upon landing, his silver accents shined brightly in the light against his green. Cold harsh battle worn, hate filled green eyes outlined by an `x' shaped scar, broken command fin holding a well worn hat, Zero knew this gundam, “Captain Narcissus!”

“Very good,” the pirate remarked drawing his saber.

The knight summoned his Vatras sword, “Vile fiend I shall cast thee from this castle!”

“I like to see you try!”

“Zero!”

“Captain!”

Mack and Fleur held fast holding back Zero while Rubia grabbed Narcissus's tail and Nick and Nack held him back.

“Let go of me!”

“I'll kill him!”

Fleur shouted, “Zero! Captain Narcissus is my uncle!”

This took a second to sink in, “He's your what!” Zero shouted.

Mack explained, “Narcissus is our eldest brother.”

The pirate captain struggled against his siblings, not wanting to hurt them, “Let me go! I won't let something happen to Fleur!”

Zero fumed, “what makes you think she will be harmed!”

Rubia calmly explained, “All the females in our family have had something awful happen to them. Our mother found herself broken hearted over and over. One has to be blind not to see we all look different save the twins. I was severely injured and lost my ability to have kids. Aquarmia, Fleur's mother, was killed by EagleEye as I'm sure you know.”

Mack sniffled, “Little Long-Tail why!!”

NickNack spoke, “Calm down Mack. She got off easy compared to us.”

Narcissus stopped struggling, “I don't even want to imagine what will happen to Fleur or Azural.”

Zero waved it off, “Have no fear, no harm will come to Fleur while she is with me.”

The pirate stood in front of and puffed up at Zero, “I'm making sure of it. The Kraken already knows your scent.” He placed his sword on Zero's throat, “Now…tell anyone who I am and your life is mine.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Later on the training grounds, countless servants, knights and the visiting gundams, save Gio and Ninko who were with Rubbish, and human lined the sand bag barrier which marked a fighting ring. Phoenix and Zero stood on opposite ends stretching and preparing for combat. This fight is to be pure hand-to-hand. The one who surrendered or drew a weapon first automatically lost. And just to be clear, a weapon was anything the gundam did not have naturally.

Phoenix smirked, “Don't get to cocky now Zero.”

Zero tossed his head, “A hand-to-hand combat is nothing to a valiant-”

“Zero watch out!” Shute's warning came too late. Phoenix flew in as a flash of fire nailing an uppercut to his opponents jaw.

Zero was sent flying backwards and into the barricade, “That was a cheap shot.” He commented rubbing his sore chin.

“Raah!” Phoenix slammed his left fist into the ground just as Zero rolled out of the way and took to the air, receiving a small scratch from the king's right hand claws, “Why are you running knight!? I thought you wanted to marry Fleur!”

Zero hovered into a more open area, “He's fast. You will have to do more than taunt me your majesty.”

Phoenix charged once more, body lit like a torch, gold claws at the ready. As he swung, Zero ducked onto his hands, spun his wrist, and kicked his opponent hard in the side, sending him tumbling. Leaving claws trails in the dirt, Phoenix slid to a stop on his backside. The Winged Knight charged him; however, the old gundam darted away in a small burst of speed and was back on his feet, out of breath.

Taking note, Zero developed a plan, “Young in spirit but his body is old. That is my advantage.”

Winded but ready, Phoenix called out, “Young and quick. I thank you for the challenge. But enough warm up.”

“Very well,” Zero shot at the old gundam like an arrow. Before he could strike, Phoenix block the youthful warrior with his right arm, catching the knight off guard. In one smooth motion, the royal sunk his claws into Zero just above a very painful spot and tossed him. After sliding to a halt, the Lacroix curled over in immense pain. The male audience hissed and groaned, any lower and that could have really hurt.

Phoenix roared in laughter, “A near fatal mistake Zero! Did you forget I am left handed?”

Though armored, the blue one breathed in pain. In fact he had forgotten, `Mana, which could have been a lot worse,' he thought, `Not going to forget that now.'

“Give up!” the white and gold one asked.

“Never!” Zero returned to his feet still in slight pain, the charged at Phoenix feet first. Seconds before impact, Phoenix grabbed his ankles, just as planned. Zero swung his body forward and feet back, catching Phoenix by surprise. He then hammered Phoenix's gunsoul cover with a twin fisted punch.

Falling back, Phoenix griped his chest, allowing Zero to fly pass him. Winded, the old king stood on hands and knees coughing while rubbing the dented armor, “Well? Attack me!”

 

Zero landed and shook his head, “Not while you cannot attack defend yourself. I will wait until you catch a second wind.”

Nodding, the royal gundam stood up still short of breath, “You may marry my daughter.”

Zero dawned a confused and shocked stare, “I won?”

“You didn't attack me when I couldn't fight back,” Phoenix spoke, “That proves you are honorable and have a good heart. You win.” Not that he was complaining, but Zero was still did not fully understand how.

“Thank you Papa!” Fleur planted a kiss on her father's cheek then hugged Zero tightly bringing him out of it.

Phoenix smiled, “Have fun with Rubia and her siblings.”

“Don't worry sire,” Rubia spoke, “We'll make sure he's worthy.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After allowing Zero ten minutes for recovery, Captain, Shute, Bakunetsumaru, Fleur, Lucky, Azural, and Phoenix stood back a little ways as Zero waited, hovering by the lake's edge. Rubia appeared to be standing on the surface of an enormous lake; waves dampen her feet, “Ready for round two, Winged Knight of Lacroa?”

Zero closed his eyes and replied bluntly, “I will not harm a maiden.”

She held on hand under her chin as she laughed, “It's not me you should worry about.” Two pillars of water emerged from the lake under Nick's and Nack's control. The twins grabbed and pulled Zero towards the lake. Before going under, The knight fired Mana knocking away the twins and flew higher. The distinct sound of rushing water came from behind Zero as Mack leapt from the water, Rubia on his head. “Get him Mack!” Rubia preformed a back dive off of Mack and into the water as the giant grab Zero in a crushing hold and plunged head first into the lake's murky depths.

“Zero!!” Fleur and Baku shouted.

“He can't swim!” Shute shouted.

Phoenix softly remarked, “Neither could I.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Zero struggled for freedom against Mack's iron hold, the knight's systems slowly flooding. Once on the bottom, the white and green gundam forced him across the silt before letting go and swimming out of sight. Shaking off what he could, Zero made a desperate attempt for the far off surface.

“Don't leave yet Zero,” Nick and Nack appeared, “The fun is just beginning.”

Rubia laughed, “Don't you want to play our pirate games?”

Ignoring their taunts, Zero pushed his flight boasters to full power, water continuing to flood in.

“What's wrong?” asked Nick.

“Not water tight?” taunted Nack.

As they reached for him, Zero used Mana once more at the twins, weaker but still effective. Avoiding Rubia, he broke the surface and grabbing a low branch and pulling himself out. The half drowned gundam cough and sputtered as water drain out.

“Are you alright!?” Captain asked in concern. Zero merely nodded, expelling more lake water.

“Hey what gives?” Nick and Nack appeared under him, “You can't expect to win hanging up there.” Arching their backs, the identical gundams dove under, wrapping their tails around Zero's legs in an attempt to pull him down again.

“Don't kill him!” Azural cried out.

Next thing they knew, Zero's vice grip plus the twins pulling snapped the branch, causing the knight to be submerged once more. Not wanting to be pulled to the bottom, Zero summoned his shield and sword. However, the extra gundaium made him sink even faster.

Rubia clicked her tongue, “Tsk, tsk. Those won't help you.”

“Makes my job easier.”

Zero struck with fear, Captain Narcissus swam just above the quickly sinking gundam. With a snap of his fingers, an amazing feat being under water, his ship and pet, the Kraken appeared and pinned Zero to the deep lake bed. Systems flooding, the knight struggled for freedom in those cold dark depths vainly. Narcissus landed harshly on Zero's chest and forced his thin saber into the knight's shoulder joint. A pained yell escaped as soundless bubbles. Narcissus smirked, “Tell me Zero. Are you scared? What is going through your head now as we speak?” He peered deeply into the drowning knight's eyes. The cold hearted pirate suddenly stiffens, that was one the most bizarre mind reads he had ever done. Giving a heavy sigh, he motioned the Kraken off, “Today you live.”

Intensely watching the water's edge, the gundams and human waited with baited breath. Suddenly, a whirlpool formed in the center of the lake's exact, soon tossing Zero out and onto dry land. Having almost drowned, the knight propped himself up, coughing up all the water he could as most drain out through his armor.

“Zero!” Fleur shouted relived.

“Are you alright?” asked Baku.

 

He merely nodded. The feathered princess ran to him, hugging her fiancé tightly. Zero coughed one last time, “Wish you warned me.” He then smiled sweetly at her.

“Sorry about the rough treatment, dear,” Rubia spoke, “But you win.”

Azural cheered, “Alright!”

“Crap…,” Lucky grumbled.

 

Shute asked, “What happened to you?”

 

“That is not important,” Zero replied.

Phoenix smiled then spoke, “Last bit of info Zero. Break her heart, I break your neck.” Zero didn't acknowledge the threat, or didn't hear it seeing as how he was currently in a lip lock with Fleur.

 

The moment was short lived; Gio and Ninko came dashing down the castle's outer wall, “We found it! We found it!”

“Hurry! Hurry!” Gio raced off behind Rubbish followed closely by Ninko on Reauma.

“Move out!” Captain and Shute quickly gave chase followed by Bakunetsumaru on Entango, Zero and Fleur bringing up the rear.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“No time to waste fellows!” Rubbish shouted, “Our task is nearly complete. The Angel of Death's weakness lies just beyond these wastelands!” The Wastelands were marked by an obvious line of dead grass and weeds. Any and all plant die easily turned to dust if even the wind blew by. Silvery white trees cast long creeping shadows across the barren earth.

Shute rubbed his arms, “This place freaks me out.”

“Yeah,” Fleur agreed, “Why would it be here?”

“Well…why not?” Daichimaru asked.

Rubbish stopped at a pit, “That's a long way down….”

Baku leaned over, “I wonder what's down there?”

“The Demon Citadel,” Fleur answered. Shute gave an audible gulp.

“Into the Citadel then,” Celestin flew down into the pit, everyone else hot on his heels.

After the initial drop, they hit a steep slope followed by a maze of tunnels, each darker then the last. Glowing fungus lined the finals caves and leading them into a deserted under ground city The air was stale, buildings crowded together in a bowl shape. Dully glowing fungus gave it a slight ethereal look, trace amounts of demon dust swirled around the buildings only adding to the eerie feeling. Sour painful memories returning, Fleur ducked behind Zero whimpering.

“It's okay,” Zero spoke reassuringly.

“Rubbish,” Captain spoke, “Where exactly is it?”

“In that castle,” the time sprite replied.

 

Shute coughed painfully, “Let's hurry. It's hard to breathe down here.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A lone figure sat slumped in the castle. Battered and beaten, it laid on an elongated chair staring into space, a pile of books stacked close by, “My strength…it still flees my battered body.” It closed its glowing red eyes, sliver and black body marked with defeat, tattered wings draped across its shoulders, “Just a little longer…I am safe here….”

“Whoa!”

“Careful Baku.”

“What the?” The figure sat up with a start. Several rocks clattered down the castle and into the street far below. Metal footsteps, wings flaps, flight boasters. It grew wide-eyed, summoned what little strength it had left, and pulled the chair onto its side, cowarding behind.

“Up here,” Rubbish flew into the window followed by Captain and his head light. Next was Shute, followed by Baku, Zero, Celestin, Daichimaru, and finally Fleur.

Celestin looked around, “Where Rubbish?”

“There,” Rubbish pointed to the overturned chair.

The figure remained absolutely quiet and still, praying whoever is was would just leave.

Baku slowly approached the chair, keeping a low profile, Daichimaru and Celestin tense. Soon they could return home heros.

The Blazing Samurai softly counted, “One…two…three!” In a split second, the chair was tossed aside, everyone prepared to attack expecting an ambush only to find the beaten frighten figure slowly backing away wide-eyed.

Celestin lowered his weapons, “Wh-who are you?”

“That Master Celestin,” Rubbish answered, “Is the younger version of the Angel of Death.”

“Huh?”

“What!”

“Come again?”

“This guy is the Angel of Death?”

“He's a gundam!”

The gundam then asked, “The who of what?”

Captain then recognized the gundam, “You are Demon General!”

“What!” Shute shouted.

“How is he?”

“He should be dead!”

“I missed one?”

The long thought dead Demon General looked around at the Gundam Force. Two looked ready to kill him no questions asked while the others stood dumbfounded.

Daichi then asked, “We can take him with us right?”

“And fix our home?” Celestin added.

“I think not.”

Everyone save the two future gundams looked for the voice. The duo however froze in fear, “Nooo….” Without warning, the floor exploded propelling the Gundam Force from the castle and onto the rooftops. Entango neighed loudly while Reauma revved her engine. Demon General however, was perfectly safe on a floating platform. Next to him formed a giant dark black mass with two glowing eyes. The mass spoke in a deep, threatening, deadly voice, “We meet at last…Gundam Force of old.”

“Kuso!” Daichimaru shouted launching a barrage of bomb arrows. Celestin held his plasma cannon and beam rifle ready but was to far paralyze with fear to use them.

Unaffected, the mass spat demon dust onto the group, “You're attack tickles Bomb Archer.”

Captain ordered, “Who are you!”

“Why,” the mass answered, “The one and only, Angel of Death.” The mass slowly swirled into its true form, “Did you honestly think I would stand by and let you harm my younger self? Ha! You fools!”

D.G. asked, “I am the messenger of Death?”

“In good time and with the annihilation of the desert kingdom Areno, yes, General,” Death Angel hovered before the petrified Gundam Force in his true form. Black armor gleaming, as though it had just been polished, glowing red eyes shining brightly, battle worn bat like wings slowly beating, a single slender sword resting at his side. His body was bulky even for a gundam, and his solid mouth guard came to a point

Celestin fumbled his weapons, he scrambled behind the group, pained yells and vivid memories filling his tormented mind.

“Death Angel, we must not linger,” a white time sprite appeared on his shoulder.

“Purity!” Rubbish shouted alarm ringing, “You are helping him!”

“Oh,” she replied in a bored tone, “Hi Junkheap.”

“It's Rubbish.”

D.G. asked, “What in demons' name?”

“In good time I will explain everything,” Death Angel replied, “I must cut our meeting short, plans to carry out. See you in good time.”

“Ciao!” Purity created a time portal which Death Angel and D.G. promptly entered.

“After them!” Lead by Captain, the Gundam Force gave chase, Reauma and Entango with their masters.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

They first entered the Minov Sea then the Time Stream. Various moments in time were seen as they flew forward, pulled by the Time Sprites power.

“Fire!”

“No!” Rubbish shouted, “Do nothing! We must not damage the flow of time! Wait until we are out!”

Daichi and Baku growled at the command but obeyed, no point in causing more damage then they already had.

The ex-general looked behind them, “Older me! They're gaining!”

The Angel of Death `hmmm-ed', “We'll have to fix that.” With a flick of his wrist, he fired a pulse energy. It rammed into their pressures knocking back in time, “So long suckers!”

“No!” Celestin cried out.

Rubbish created another portal directly in their path. It threw them into the Minov Sea and then onto SDG base in Neotopia.

Shute looked around, “How did we get back here?”

Rubbish sighed in relief, “Right time.”

Celestin seethed clenching his fists before pounding them into the base, “Damn it!”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
Ooooh! So close and yet so far. He got away. Now what? Review please.