Gundam Galaxy Fanfics: GundamWing Next Generation Gundam Wing: Next Generation 1 Its name was Black Epyon Gray smiled as the Leo Mobile Suit crashed into the ocean. He turned his Gundam to face the oncoming twelve Taurus suits. He slid Black Epyon’s right arm into the beam cannon attachment on its back. He brought Epyon’s arm to where he could fire. He aimed the incredibly destructive weapon at them. The barrel of the cannon glowed as it powered up. "Surrender now Gray and you will not be shot down!" yelled the leader. Gray laughed. They’re oblivious to their destinies. Oh well, Gray thought to himself. "I’ll surrender when Hell freezes over!" Gray yelled back. He fired the beam cannon at the center of their tightly packed group. A thick yellow beam flew out of the barrel at the incoming Tauruses. A second or two passed before the explosion died. "Who wants some more?" The OZ mobile suits fled, clearly they did have a sense of self-preservation. He slid the attachment back onto Epyon’s back. He activated the heat rod. In a swipe that appeared only as a blur to the naked eye the whip hit the retreating mobile suits. Ten of them disappeared in a fiery explosion. "Pitiful," he whispered to himself. He decided to head back to the cave where he stored Epyon. The Gundam that was called Black Epyon was the original version of Epyon save for the black paint that covered its villainous form. The two heavy machine guns that were below its chest plate and then beam cannon attachment that attached it self to Epyon’s right arm and when wasn’t being used was attached to its back. He decided it was time to move to another area. He had already destroyed all OZ forces here. It would only be a matter of hours before he was on his way to another location to rage his war. He turned back to Seattle and flew at the city. Within five minutes he was back in the cave under the ocean’s surface where he stored Epyon. He had discovered that there was a tunnel that lead to the surface in the cave. He climbed out of the cave on the outskirts of the large city. He started to walk toward his little apartment in the center of the city. It was near dusk and it would be the perfect time for him to leave. As he walked up the stairs to his cramp apartment, he saw the landlady. He walked up to the old woman. "Where is my rent Gary?" the old hag yelled at him. He hated assumed names. He reached into his pocket and dug out the money and gave it to her. "I’m leaving tonight," he said in a cold voice. "Fine you won’t get your security deposit back," the hag told him as he walked to his apartment. He walked into the dark apartment and flicked the light switch. He heard the sound of a door closing. He reached for the Desert Eagle .50AE magnum with a twelve-inch barrel painted black and walks toward the sound of the door closing. He kicked down the door and saw a female with what looked like a star tattooed around her right eye. In her right hand was a VP70 aimed at his head. "Can I help you?" he asked in a calm voice. "Depends,"she said clicking the safety off the gun, "Are you Gray Khushrenada?" "Yes. Now who the hell are you?" "Casey Alexandra," she said lowering the gun. Gray turned the light on in the room and got a good look at her. She wore a black trench coat that covered a tight black leather body glove. "Ok so what do you want?" Gray demanded. "Well, I have two questions for you. Question number one: why are you here? And question number two: who sent you?" "Hmm. Well, the answer to number one is: to destroy OZ completely and for number two is: my colony," Gray told her, "now you answer your own questions". "Same as you," she said in a matter-of-fact tone. Casey stood up and walked past him. "Just where the hell do you think you’re going?" Gray demanded. "Well. Mister I’m so big and bad because I got gray hair and eyes," she told him, "since we are on the same side I should disconnect the bomb I set,". Figures, Gray thought to himself. He walked past her and into the tiny bed room. "Where the hell do you think you’re goin’?" Casey asked. Gray ignored her and went on into the tiny room. He reached under the bed and grabbed the bag of weapons, ammo, and money. "None of your damn business," Gray said walking out the door. Odd kid, Casey thought, he can’t be older than I am. We shouldn’t even be fighting this war we’re to young. "Ya know two soldiers are better than one," she called to him following him. "Listen girly, I’m in this for my colony and they chose me because of two reasons: I’m the "perfect soldier" like Heero Yuy was and I’m an orphan no family no one to worry about no one to cloud my judgment," Gray told her. "Perfect Soldier, eh? Well guess what Heero was different from when he landed on earth and I’ll be my life you will too!," Casey yelled," besides were only fourteen! There’s not a lot we can do ya jackass!" Casey followed him down to the sea cave where he kept Epyon. "This is where your journey with me ends," Gray said coldly. He turned around and pointed the Desert Eagle at her. "You mean we cant be together anymore?" she said playfully. Gray kept walking to the edge of the lagoon. He hit a button on his watch. Casey looked in awe as a black almost evil shape rose from the sea. The black Gundam walked over to the edge of the lagoon. "Is that your’s?" Gray smiled as he looked at the machine. "Yes," he said calmly. The evil-looking Gundam lowered its platform and Gray walked across the short platform and into the cockpit. He put the shapeless bag on the floor by his feet. She admired his professionalism as he climbed into the Gundam. He had never taken the powerful pistol away from pointing at her chest. "Two Gundams are better than one," she said. "In most cases that’s true, but in this case it’s not," Gray said strapping in. The platform drew itself up and the cockpit door closed. Sealing the mysterious Gray Khushrenada in his war machine. The Gundam rose the rest of the way out of the water, turned and shot out of the cave not leaving any sign it was there or it was moving. Blending perfectly into the dark night. Casey sighed and walked out of the cave. She had to get to her Gundam before Gray got too far away. 2 Enter the Gundam Dragon Gray yawned as he flew over Australia. It was rumored that another Gundam was here. Whether it was an OZ Gundam or no didn’t matter, he just wanted to see if it was true. He landed Epyon one mile outside of Sydney. He cloaked Epyon to make sure it wasn’t found. He made sure his magnum was in its holster and made the trek to the city. Serena watched as the black Gundam landed. She wondered which pilot it was. Since it was black chances were that it was Gray and his villainous Black Epyon. He was supposedly the grandson of Trieze Khushrenadah. She doubted his loyalty to the colonies. He was a freak to from what she had heard. Gray hair and eyes, cold-blooded, super-intelligent, super-quick, anti-social, and he could heal from a wound twice as fast as a normal human. He wasn’t just a freak but a super freak. Apparently he was the only human who could withstand and master the ZERO-ONE system. The ZERO-ONE system is similar to the ZERO system except the pilot could control his Mobile Suit as if it was part of the pilot. It got its name for two factors. The ZERO was earned the same way the original was, but the ONE was for when the system was activated the pilot and suit became one, hence the name. More often then not the pilot ended up going insane if his MS was destroyed and he survived. Often saying: I died at that battle or half of me is dead, etc.. That’s why only Gray’s gundam had it installed. She guessed Gray was about a kilometer away from her spot. She stood up and jumped down from here gundam’s platform. She looked up at the green Gundam. "Just like the original, eh, Nataku?" Serena patted the Gundam’s leg and walked off toward Sydney. Gray watched as the Nataku pilot walked toward the city. He admired the gundam but not the pilot. It was a marvelous machine. An exact replica of Altron, but like Wufei, she called it Nataku. He was supposedly the leader of the new Operation: Comet . So far he had only met one of the gundam pilots. Casey, her features still fresh in his mind. Especially the tattoo of the star on her eye. Her long black hair and tanned skin made her seem more exotic . Time to find some more about my sub-ordinates, he thought to himself. He waited behind a building until the Nataku pilot had walked past. He jumped from his position and rammed the magnum into her back. "Don’t move and you don’t die, got me?" he said in faint but firm tone. "Yeah," the pilot said. "Walk into that alley," Gray commanded. The pilot did as he ordered. "Who are you? And what the hell do you want with me?" the pilot asked. An almost evil laugh emerged from Gray. "I am Gray, and I want to know who sent you and that Gundam," Gray told her. Holy shit! The freak had her. She didn’t let her surprise show. "Well, if you must know the colonies sent me and my name’s Serena Adulo," Serena said in a calm voice. She turned to face the freak. "Well then. I won’t kill you," Gray paused for a second, "yet." "Why are you here?" Serena asked. "Making sure you weren’t a rumor," Gray said. "Well I’m not," Serena said. Now that it was secured that she was real he looked her over. She wore jeans, a button-up shirt that was an inch above her waist. Her red and blue hair was down to her waist and her green eyes made her more exotic than Casey had been. God, did all they send one guy and two very, very exotic females. Gray turned and headed back to Epyon. "Where the hell do you think your going?" Serena asked. "That’s my business," Gray said in his cold tone. "Well, there is an OZ base that’s on an island about five miles off the coast. Wanna come help me take it out?" Serena asked. "Maybe," Gray said, disappearing into the shadows. "Freak," Serena mumbled. She turned and headed toward a diner. She hadn’t eaten in a day. After dinner she would head out to the base for some after dinner destruction. Epyon’s chest plate opened and the heavy machine guns opened fire. Two Aries exploded under the barrage. Two Leos came from behind and fired their Doberguns. Gray smiled. Their futile weapons were no match for Epyon’s reinforced gundanium. He turned his devilish gundam around. "Cease your attack now or be destroyed!" yelled one of the Leo pilots. Gray smiled again. How should I destroy these fools, he asked himself. He drew the beam sabre. The blood red energy blade glowed in the dark night. With one powerful swipe the Leos were cut through the waist. The pieces of the ruined suits hit the ocean and exploded. He figured that dying by beat cut in half was better than dying in an explosion. In his career he had seen bodies of those who bad been in an explosion. "This is too easy. Only four Mobile Suits?" he said. As if answering his complaint a white blur flew by him. "Hello," he said to the newcomer. The mobile suit stopped and pointed a double barrel beam cannon at him. "Well, well, well, if it isn’t the legendary Wing ZERO," Gray said looking at Gundam "Wrong," came a voice, " this is the gundam Dragon!" Dragon?! The incredibly powerful Gundam was supposed to be as powerful as Black Epyon. It had Wing ZERO’s body and had a wicked looking dragon head and its right arm was a claw. "So this is Dragon?" he said, "And who is the pilot of this powerful Gundam?" "Ha! The pilot of Dragon is Jacen Yuy," said the pilot. Dandy, Gray thought. Gray put Epyon’s arm into the beam cannon attachment and brought it to bare on Dragon. The powerful Gundams aimed their most destructive weapon at the other. Gray was for the first time in his entire life nervous. A double barrel beam cannon would no doubt destroy Epyon and him. He was ready to switch from the beam cannon to the new gundanium switch blade he had installed under both of Epyon’s wrist. Jacen smiled. The one that was called Gray was nervous, he could feel it. He charged the beam cannon. He could see Gray doing the same. He fired the cannon. He knew Gray wouldn’t be fast- Gray dodged with incredible speed. The switch blade swung out of the left wrist and he rushes at the other Gundam. He swung intending to take its arm off, but Jacen caught the arm. He kicked Epyon back.. Epyon was falling toward the ocean. This was a calculated risk. Gray intended for Jacen to come in to finish him off. Then he would slice the gundam in half with the heat whip. He saw that Jacen wasn’t moving merely aiming the beam cannon again. He recovered and drew his beam sabre. Jacen fired again but Gray dodged. The stray beam hitting the base. Wow, Gray thought to himself. Our little fight got me closer to the base. I’ll kill two birds with one stone. Jacen drew the Gundam’s beam sabre. Gray flew at the slower Gundam with half of his speed. He raised the beam sabre of the gundam’s head. Jacen knew he was down for. The black Gundam raised its sabre over its evil head. He closed his eyes and waited. BOOOOOM!!!!! The missile exploded in front of the Gundams, knocking them both back. Gray was first to recover and look at their attacker. He could have sworn it was the Deathscythe except it was blood red. It did however have a double beam scythe like Deathscythe HELL. Over its right shoulder was a missile launcher. "Now, isn’t that pretty. Two cocky Gundam pilots trying to kill each other," came Casey’s voice, "now you guys wouldn’t going to let a girl join this fight, are ya?" "Damnit Casey!" Gray yelled, "What the hell are you doing here?" "I’ve come to torment you my love," she said playfully. Gray sighed. She didn’t take this war seriously. Dragon aimed its beam cannon at Casey’s Gundam. Casey in turn aimed the drill bit that was on her gundam’s left arm at Jacen’s gundam. Gray laughed. He turned Epyon around to face the base and fired his beam cannon. The base disappeared into the explosion. Epyon’s viewscreen darkened to stop the explosion from blinding him. He turned Epyon around and saw the other two gundams locked in combat. If either of them lost and crashed into the ocean less than a hundred feet down hey knew that one would die. The thought of Yuy dying pleases him, but he wanted to kill him. "Stop fighting!" he yelled over the communication channel, "or I’ll blow you both to hell!" The Gundams stopped. Yuy’s voice broke the silence, "I will deal with you both later. Until then." He turned his gundam to the north and flew away, leaving Gray and Casey alone. He made Epyon face Casey’s red Gundam. It shined as the sun started to rise over the horizon. "Just what the hell is that things name?" he asked. "Let me introduce you to Shadow Beast," she said, "Do you have a place where me and Shadow Beast can lay low?" Gray cloaked Epyon, turned to face the east and kicked its thrusters, making the Gundam reach its full speed of Mach 5. "How rude," Casey thought. 3 The Siberian Encounter It had been two weeks since Casey had encountered the two Gundam pilots of the coast of Australia. She had grown increasingly interested in this little operation the colonies had sent them on. She looked at the main monitor and saw that a piece of debris was lodged in one of Shadow’s thrusters. It was going to be a bitch to remove it. She jumped down from the platform and walked to a hardware store. She would need a crowbar to remove the debris. Her mind was drifting back to the Dragon pilot. Jacen Yuy. Now there were to psychos on this ‘team’. Gray being the most psychotic of the lot. On her way back to Shadow she noticed something green in a lake. That’s odd, she thought to herself. She walked out until the water was at her waist and she stopped dead in her tracks. "A Gundam?!" she said out loud. She head a clicking of a safety of a gun going off. Shit, she thought to herself. She turned and saw a girl with blue and red hair. "Just who the hell are you, girl?" she red and blue haired girl said. "Who are you?" Casey responded. "I asked you first." "Drop the damn gun and I’ll tell you." "Fine!" Serena said. She dropped the gun on the ground. "My name’s Serena. Serena Adulo, and what is yours?" "Casey Alexandra," she said extending her hand to Serena, "it’s a pleasure." "Same here," Serena said shaking her hand. "Is that your Gundam?" Casey asked looking back at the lake "Yeah. Its name is Nataku. It’s a replica of the Altron Gundam," Serena said. "Wow," Casey said. "Do you have a Gundam?" Serena asked. "Huh? Oh yeah, Shadow Beast. Wanna see it?" "Yeah." Casey lead Serena to her Gundam. Serena stared at the Deathscythe-like Gundam. Casey gave Serena the full tour of her Gundam and in turn Serena lead Casey back to her Gundam and did the same. Serena running a systems check on Nataku and Casey was sitting on the platform dangling her feet over the edge. Serena looked at the main screen with despair. "Casey! Get over here now!" Serena yelled. Casey stood up and walked in the doorway of the cockpit. "What’s wrong?" she asked. Serena pointed to the main screen. Casey’s jaw dropped as she read the message: request assistance, surrounded by seventy Taurus Mobile Dolls, eastern Siberia. "That’s Jacen! C’mon we have to help him before he is destroyed!" Casey yelled jumping down from the platform. She ran as fast as she could to her Gundam. She wanted to know more about this Jacen Yuy. How did I manage to get myself into this mess, Jacen thought to himself. He had decided to attack an OZ R&D installation and wound up being trapped. His beam cannon was empty, one of the beam sabres had lost its energy and the Vulcan guns on Dragon’s neck had ran out of ammo. He was left with one beam sabre and his shield. A dramatic last stand he thought to himself. Four Taurus flew at him. Their Doberguns firing, he raised his shield to deflect the attack and slices one’s head off as it landed in front on him. The other mobile dolls raised their guns at his battered gundam. Oh hell, he though to himself. Gray read the message for the fifth time. It was Yuy who was in distress(he had rigged a link between Epyon’s communications system to his watch this way he could accept missions while away from Epyon). He could get there faster than the other two gundams. He was as of now in England, enroled as a student at some preppy school under his real name for a change. He yawned as the Saturday morning sun rose. Epyon was stored in a cave not far from the school. He grabbed his black trench coat and walked out the door of his apartment. He walked down the stairs and out of the lobby. He could see people doing their usual Saturday morning rituals. He walked into a pastry shop and ordered a doughnut and cappachino. He paid for them and walked out of the shop. It was going to be a long walk to Epyon. Nataku opened fire with the nuclear fire spewing Dragonfists. Several Dolls exploded from the sudden attack. Shadow Beast came in after Nataku and launched its drill bit at a group of MDs. Jacen watched as the MDs spread to avoid the fire. They regrouped and headed for the newcomers. The red Gundam that had interfered with him at Australia sliced four of the MDs with its double beam scythe, while the green Gundam firing its double beam cannon and destroying several more. I’ll be damned, he thought to himself, they actually came. Shadow Beast turned and slice four more MD’s heads off. Shadow rammed the other end of the scythe into a MD’s chest and it went limp, slid off and exploded. Nataku grabbed two MDs with the Dragonfists and crushed them. Even with their help they would he and the two other gundams would be destroyed. Dragon sliced a MD in half vertically and stabbed another in the cockpit. "Now, now Jacen. Why did you have us come all the way here when you could have handled this by yourself," came the playful voice of Casey. "These Mobile Dolls ain’t any fun," came the voice of Nataku’s pilot, "oh how rude of me. My name is Serena Adulo at your service." A thick yellow beam hit the ground behind the three Gundams followed by a sonic boom. An evil black shape hovered above the Gundams. Its right arm as a beam cannon and in its left arm held a blood red beam sabre. The three Gundams on the ground looked up at the black gundam. It raised the cannon arm again and aimed at them. "Damn you, Jacen. I was going to sleep in today, but no, you had to get yourself neck deep in shit didn’t you?" Grays voice came over the communications, "You people are useless." Gray fired them beam cannon again. The three gundams activated their thrusters and flew out of the way of the beam. The remaining MDs however weren’t fast enough and were destroyed. Gray turned his evil Gundam around and sped back toward London, causing another sonic boom, leaving the three Gundams and their pilots alone with the flaming wreckage of the MDs. 4 Enter Gray’s Heart Gray followed the woman into the large room. The school uniform was itchy. He felt the eyes of thirty-odd kids no older than he was staring at him. He didn’t look at them as the woman led him to a small stage. She stood behind a pedestal. "Children, we have a new student," she said waving her hand at him. Time for my little act...again, he thought to himself. "My name is Gray Khushrenada," he said in his typically cold tone. "Good," the teacher said, "you make take the seat next to Tia." Gray sighed and walked up the stairs to the second to last row. He sat down next a fairly attractive girl of his age but didn’t let his feeling show. "Hello, Gray. My name is Tia. It’s very nice to meet you," the girl said. Gray heard her but didn’t acknowledge it. He merely closed his eyes. "We are going to have a pop quiz," announced the teacher, "Gray do you wish to take it or not?" Gray thought for a moment, opened his eyes and said "I will take the quiz," in his cold tone as usual. After taking the quiz, the class was dismissed for lunch. While the students walked toward the cafeteria he walked toward a balcony to be alone. If he loved something other than fighting or Epyon it was being alone where e could think. The four girls were eating their lunch when one of them stopped eating. "Tia, are you going to have your end of the year party this year?" asked a red haired girl. "Yes," Tia said. Her beautiful features were sad. "What’s wrong, Tia?" asked a brown haired girl. "Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about that new boy," Tia answered. "About him? But Tia he’s a freak," said a black haired girl "I find him quite...intriguing," Tia said, "maybe I will invite him to my party." Gray sensed the large group of girls heading toward him. They tried to be silent but their footsteps alerting him. He looked over the edge of the balcony. A good thirty feet down. He looked back up to see the girl that he had sat by in class standing there, a white envelope. He instantly recalled something from his training. He had studied all the original players in Operation: Meteor. One incident in particular: a young Heero Yuy was standing much like him and a young Relena Peacecraft had offered him an invitation to her party. Something like that will happen here. He couldn’t recall whether or not Yuy and Peacecraft had pursued a relationship or not. "Excuse me," Tia said, "but I didn’t introduce myself to you in class. My full name is Tia Peacecraft." Dandy, a Peacecraft, Gray thought, our name’s have a history. "That’s nice. What do you want?" he asked in his cold tone. "Well, I usually have party at the end of the school year and I was wondering if you would like to come," she said handing him an envelope, "I would really like it if you came." Time for the drama, Gray’s mind told him. He looked at the envelope. He looked back at the Peacecraft’s face. Hope was clear in it. He knew if he did have a relationship with the girl and OZ found out where he was they would no doubt use her a piece and their game. He liked killing those who deserved to be killed but Tia was innocent. He handed her the envelope back. "No," he said coldly. "But, but why?" Tia said trying to suppress tears. Gray walked past her. "They will destroy you, that’s why," he said. He climbed to the top of the waist high brick rail. Spread his arms and fell. "GRAY!!!!" Tia yelled running to the short wall. She saw him complete two somersaults and land on his feet. She breathed a sigh of relief. She would have to follow him and find more about this new person in her life. Gray strapped the last of the body armor on. This class might just be his favorite: marksmanship. He walked out of the locker room and into the gymnasium. There a man in his early forties was telling them about weapons safety and the like. "We will be using laser-light guns, but they are guns none the less..." the man said. Gray didn’t pay attention to the later half of his lecture. "Now, will there be anyone who wishes to be solo or a duo?" Gray raised his hand. He looked around and saw only one other person raise their hand. Tia. She was persistent. It had only been two hours since he declined her invitation and she had dogged him the entire time. "Alright then. Gray and Tia will be team one. Anyone else want to join them or not participate in this class?" the teacher asked. About a dozen girls and one boy walked out. He looked at the remaining students. It was twenty to two. He could hold his end but Tia was another matter entirely. The teacher walked Gray and Tia out into the simulated combat zone. He told them that the others would be there in five minutes and to get ready. "What should we do, Gray?" she asked him. "You will get into that tree and I will attack them from behind. I want you to cover me, got it?" Gray told her. "Yes," Tia said climbing into the tree. She looked back to see Gray but he was gone. Gray saw them break up into five groups of four. Cocky bastards, he thought to himself. He picked out a group that had the two of the stronger looking boys. He aimed his gun at one of the smaller boys and fired. Harmless red light flew at the small boy. "Damn, I’ve been hit. See you in the locker room," he said walking back to them gym. Damned preps, Gray thought. He took a deep breath, rolled from his position and fired three shots into the other members chest sensors. He watched them head back to the gym. He heard foot steps coming in his direction. His gun firing must have drawn attention. He started running in the direction of the footsteps. The four preps opens fired and missed by a considerably distance. He kicked one in the back and shot him. He took his gun and shot the other three. He heard another gun fire from the direction where he left Tia. He ran to her aid and shot the only one left standing. He saw her smiling as she watched the four preps walk back to the gym. He ran back off into the woods. He saw one of the teams sitting down on a log. Lazy bastards, he thought. He aimed and shot each on in the chest sensor before th knew what hit them. He heard a twig snap behind him. "Shit," he muttered. "Well, well, well we have Gray Khushrenada. It wasn’t very nice to jump off the ledge like that and scare Tia like that," came a cocky voice from behind him. He heard someone else curse as he fell. "What the hell?" said another of the preps. Gray turned around and shot the remaining three. "You should have shot me when you had the chance," he said. He looked as Tia walked slowly to him. "You owe me, Gray," she said, "tell me why you said they would destroy me?" "I will later," he said, his voice firm and cold. "How about over dinner?" she said. Gray sighed. She really wouldn’t let up. "Fine, when would you like me to pick you up?" he asked. "Around eight o’clock would be nice," she said. "Where?" he asked. "My house. Would you like to know where it is?" "You’re the richest girl in this school. Your house shouldn’t be hard to find," he said heading back to the gym. He was back into the uniform just as the last bell rang. As he walked past a group of girls they began to giggle. He just sighed and walked to the parking lot where he had parked his jet black motorcycle. He hoped on the black motorcycle and sped toward his apartment on the other side of the city. At 7:30 pm Gray waled out of his apartment and down to the parking garage. As he drove out of the dark and damp artificial cave, he looked up at the darkening sky. It was a combination of it being dusk and an on coming storm. He sped off toward Tia’s house, his long black trench coat flapping in the breeze. Gray walked up to the door and knocked. A tall bald man opened the door and looked down at him. Trying to make himself seem more intimidating by looking down on me, typical, Gray thought. "Can I help you, boy?" the butler asked. "Yes, I am here to pick up Lady Tia," Gray answered. "Is she expecting you?" the butler asked him in a superior tone. Are you expecting a swift kick in the groin, Gray thought. "Yes," he answered. "Wait here." Gray looked up and saw a flash of lightning. He might have to give Tia his trench coat. He looked back at the door as it opened. He saw Tia in a light green dress with matching shoes. Over the dress she wore a light blue jacket. As they turned to go to his bike Tia reached for his hand. When the go to the bike she frowned. "What’s wrong?" Gray the helmet and handed it to her. "You take it," he said. "But," she tried to argue "No buts, were the helmet. You’re more important than asked. "There’s only one helmet," Tia said. Gray reached for I am," he said. He picked her up by her waist and set her on the bike. He then got on it and kicked it to life. She put her arms around his waist. They sped off out of the large driveway and onto the city’s main street. They stopped at a french restaurant. Tia took over the helmet and set it on the seat. She put her arm around his and they walked into the restaurant. When they walked in all eyes gazed upon them. Since Gray spoke French fluently he did all the talking. They were sat in an intimately dark corner. "Alright, Gray why did you say they would destroy me," Tia asked, "and who are they?" Gray looked at her. Hey saw the fear in her eyes. "They are OZ, and they aren’t very fond of me and they would kill or kidnap anyone to get to me," "Why is OZ after you?" she asked. "I...I can’t tell you," he said, "but I can show you. But you must swear not to tell anyone, or else I’ll have to kill you and who ever you tell, okay?" "Okay," she said. The waiter brought their food to them as she finished. "Would you like to see it now?" Gray whispered. Tia nodded. They heard the front door being kicked down. Gray looked to see who had done it. Four men stood clad in black and wearing black ski masks. In their hands they held various automatic weapons. "Okay! Everyone put your valuables on your table and no one gets hurt!" one of them commanded. People started emptying their wallets, purses, and pockets. Gray saw Tia reach into her purse. He put his hand on her delicate hand. "Don’t. I can handle this." Tia opened her mouth to speak but Gray put a finger on her mouth. Gray stood up and walked up to the men. "What do you want, boy?" one of them asked. Gray smiled. "I don’t like being called ‘boy’" he said. "Really," said the leader of the group, "well I don’t like cocky little boys who think they can stop four grown men with guns." "I don’t think I can... I know I can," Gray said in a cold voice. He knew that the eyes off everyone in the restaurant were on him. "You do, do you?" said the leader. Gray nodded. The leader put the barrel of his gun to Gray’s forehead. "You cannot kill me with an empty gun," Gray said. "Ha, that won’t work, boy, I made sure this gun was fully loaded," the leader said. "Oh. Well then. How about this?" Gray responded. "How about what?" the leader asked. Gray drew his hand back and with incredible strength and power punched the leader in the forehead. He fell back and Gray grabbed his gun and aimed it at the other three. One of them reached for his gun but Gray shot him in the kneecaps. He fell down crying in pain. "Now, any of you other two brave, brave men wanna say a boy can’t beat four men with automatic guns?"Gray asked. They shook their heads. "Drop your guns before I get really angry!" he ordered. They complied. Gray dropped the gun and walked back to Tia. A thunderous amount of applause bombarded his ears. The manager stepped in front of him. "Please, let me show my gratitude. This and all meals here for a year are complementary. And anything you want from my staff we shall get," said the manager. "Thank you," Gray said reaching for Tia’s hand, "when the police arrive tell them my name is Gray Khushrenada. I do not doubt they will be able to find me." With that, Gray and Tia walked out of the restaurant. Just before Gray was about to get on the black motorcycle, Tia tapped him on the shoulder. Gray turned around and found that Tia had put her mouth to his and kissed him. Gray to his own surprise took her in his arms and returned the kiss. Tia broke the kiss and looked at him and smiled. "Why did you kiss me and why are you smiling?" Gray asked, genuinely curious. "I kissed to for two reasons, one: I think you are the bravest human on the planet and I’ve wanted to kiss you since I first saw you. The reason I’m smiling was that it was my first kiss and you are a very good kisser," Tia said as she mounted the bike. Gray looked at her with curiosity and mounted the bike. "So, you going to show me your big secret?" Tia asked. "Yes," Gray said kicking the motorcycle to life. Tia looked at the black villainous thing that stood before her. She looked at the thing with awe. "Black Epyon," Gray said from behind her. Tia swallowed. "Epyon? As in the Epyon, that Milliardo Peacecraft pilot?" Tia asked. "Somewhat. It is Epyon except for a few minor details," Gray said. "That’s a Gundam right?" Tia asked. "Yes. the only differences between Black Epyon and the original Epyon are: the two heavy machine cannons under its chest plate, the beam cannon attachment on its back, the two switch blades under its wrist which are made out of gundanium, the ZERO-ONE system and the black paint," Gray said with pride. "Wow..." Tia said, "Gray tell me about you." "What?" Gray asked a hint of surprise in his voice. "Tell me about yourself," she said again. Gray sighed. He was going soft. "Okay," he said, "I’m from the L3 cluster...." 5 The Destruction Gundam... Jacen reattached the piece of armor that went to Dragon’s back, in the last battle in Siberia Dragon had taken extensive damage. He looked up at the African sun as he wiped away the sweat from his brow and jumped down. He looked and saw Serena looking at him. The two of them had gotten close in the week that had past since she and Casey rescued him. Serena walked to him with a solemn look on her face. "What’s wrong?" Jacen asked. "It’s OZ. They have a Gundam. Its supposed to be more powerful than Dragon and Epyon combined. Mission Control wants all gundams to go destroy it," Serena told him. "You’ve got my vote to go and destroy it. But getting Gray to do shit for us is like pulling teeth," Jacen said. "I’m aware of that. We might have to do this alone," Serena said with a sadder look. Jacen nodded. "When should we leave?" Jacen asked, "and where is it?" "South America, and we’re leaving tonight," she said walking back to Nataku. At least I got Dragon back to perfect condition, Jacen thought as he jumped up to Dragon’s platform, the best thing about this mission is that I might get to destroy Gray. It wasn’t a rivalry that made the boys hate each other. It was just the desire to kill the other. "Son of a bitch!" Gray said as he looked at his watch. He saw Tia walking toward him. He was in his favorite spot and Tia walked carefully toward him. She wrapped her arms around him. She kissed him full on the mouth. "What’s wrong, my love?" Tia asked. "Nothing. I’m just going to have to go away for a few days. I’m really sorry," said Gray as he looked down at the girl he loved. He kissed her for a long time until the giggling of several other students made them part. "I love you Tia Peacecraft," gray said as he jumped over the ledge. "I love you, too, Gray Khushrenadah," she said as he watched him land and run off toward his motorcycle. "What’s so special about him?" asked a male voice from behind her. "Well Jeremy. Except for the anti-social part he’s perfect," Tia said, "if people gave him a chance they would find out how wonderful he really is." "I see. Tia is in love with Gray. The Hero of the school," Jeremy said sarcastically. God damnit to all hell. Damn OZ. Damn the other three Gundam pilots. And damn that OZ Gundam. Those were the only thoughts that were in Gray’s mind as he raced toward Epyon. Then Tia’s beautiful face came into his mind and calmed him. Being around her made him happy. He had found someone to fight for, to protect...to love. Gray did have a heart. He saw the cave he stored Epyon in. At one time, this war machine was his only companion. Now he had Tia. He shook off those thoughts. Thinking about Tia and not paying attention more important matters at hand was the best way to be killed. He knew the other Gundams would be there already so all he had to do was kick Epyon to Mach 5 and he would be there in a few minutes. He strapped himself into the familiar chair. He started Epyon up and flew out of the cave and went to Mach 5 almost the second when he got out of the cave. The three Gundam pilots stared at the Gundam that stood before them. It looked just like Black Epyon. Except it was blood red. Only one thought went through Casey’s mind: we’re all gonna die. It just stood there its feet in the mud. It was taunting them. Shadow’s beam scythe was ready to swipe. She looked to her and saw Dragon’s beam sabre in the same position. She turned her head right and saw Nataku’s double beam trident was held in a throwing position. Gray wasn’t coming, she thought, and that thing is going to kill us. As if hearing her the red Epyon rushed at them. It drew its beam sabre and swung at Shadow. Casey managed to dodge...barely. The beam blade sliced off some armor. Nataku threw its trident at the Epyon. It caught it and broke it over its knee. Dragon grabbed it with its giant claw. The Epyon broke free, the golden talons of Dragon’s claw flew off their hinge and fell into the mud. We can’t stop it, Casey’s mind told her. Shadow fired all four of its missiles at the other red gundam. They hit their target. "That got him!" Casey yelled. The smoke cleared and the Epyon was still standing unscathed. "Shit," she heard Jacen say. Jacen drew the powerful beam cannon and aimed at the Epyon. The Epyon turned to face him. It raised its arm and a piece of armor slid back and a cannon came out. It was a beam cannon. The barrel of it was charging. He closed his eyes. He put his hand on the self-destruct switch. He heard a loud sonic boom. His eyes shot open and there it stood. The Black Epyon. He felt a surge of hope. The Black Epyon was the strongest Gundam in existence. With this Red Epyon a close second. Would power be enough to stop the murderous Red Epyon? The two Epyons stared each other down. The other three Gundams waited at the edge of the valley. The Red Epyon rushed at the black one. Gray expected it to move first. He punched the red one in the shoulder and the switch blade swung out and sliced into the enemy Gundam. Black Epyon kicked its red counterpart into the mud. Gray saw the beam sabre fly into the red ones hand. He quickly sliced that hand off. He let the red Epyon get to its feet. Its chest split in two and slid apart. A huge telescopic barrel came out. The huge beam cannon was just above the cockpit. The beam shot out at Black Epyon. Gray felt a surge of adrenaline fly into his system. He dodges the beam and puts Epyon’s right hand into the attachment, aims and fired four times at the red Epyon. "DIE!!!!!!!!" he yelled. The cockpit of Epyon glowed red. The legendary ZERO-ONE system was activated. Gray closed his eyes. When he opened them again he felt like he was Epyon. The machine and its master had bonded. Whatever Gray thought Epyon would do. Epyon drew its beam sabre and started making wild slices at the Red Epyon. The Red Epyon dodged and fires its super powerful beam cannon once more. Epyon dodged it. Epyon kicked the Red Epyon back into the mud. Gray watched as it stood up and took careful aim. It fired its powerful cannon a third time. Epyon dodged, but the Red Epyon fired again. Epyon couldn’t dodge. Time stood still for Gray as the beam hit his beloved Gundam. Though not a direct hit it still damaged Epyon. The black Gundam as thrown into the side of the valley. It slid down the face of the mountain and into a lake. Jacen watched with joy and fear as the powerful Gundam was hit, thrown into the mountain and sank into a lake. His enemy was dead. He was now in control of the second most powerful Gundam. He was going to make Dragon the most powerful. He rushed at the red Gundam and shoved his green beam sabre into the red Gundams beam cannon and brought it up, slicing it in half, rendering it useless. The gundam kicked Dragon back. Nataku attacked it next. It extended the Dragonfists and slammed them into the blood red Gundam. "You fools," came a voice. "Is that....Red Epyon’s pilot?" Casey asked. As if answering, Red Epyon’s wrist beam cannon fired at her. Casey sidestepped and fired Shadow’s drill bit. The red Gundam knocked it away. Nataku moved in to hit the red Gundam again with the Dragonfists but the red Gundam fired its weaker beam cannon at her, forcing her to abort her attack. "We can’t beat him!!" Casey yelled, "retreat!" the remaining Gundams flew into the air and left both Red Epyon and Black Epyon alone. 6 .... Black Epyon Gray regained consciousness and saw the distorted image of Red Epyon. His Epyon was damaged beyond repair. He could however let Black Epyon take an enemy with it. "I’m sorry, Epyon. You and I will have to part," Gray said as he patted his damaged gundams console. He started Epyon up and made it fly out of the lake. "What the hell? You’re supposed to be dead!" yelled Red Epyon’s pilot. "I no- we don’t die without a fight!" Gray said. He made Epyon grabs the other Epyon’s waist. He set the self destruct delay for fifteen seconds. "I’m sorry," was all he could say as a tear ran down his cheek. He loved this Gundam almost as much as he loved Tia. That is why he wasn’t going to die with his best friend. He had to avenge his friend’s death. He jumped from the cockpit and hit the ground running. He counted down until he would lose his best friend. He jumped into a lake just as Black Epyon blew up. Debris rained down in the valley. Epyon’s massive head landed in the lake and threw him out as it displaced tons of water. He looked up and saw that the Red Epyon was still standing. But badly damaged. The now red and scorched Epyon jumped and shot out into the sky. Leaving Gray and the burning pieces of his now dead best friend alone. Gray didn’t move for a while. He finally decided to leave the damned valley. He guessed he was only a few miles away from a city with an airport. OZ would no doubt be here to investigate the explosion and collect what was left of the Black Epyon. He walked into the city and headed straight to the airport. He bought a ticket back to London and waited for the plane to board. "Do you think Gray is dead?" Casey asked. "That is definitely a possibility," Jacen answered. It had been two days since that blunder in South America and they were repairing their Gundams. Casey sighed. I hope your okay, Gray, she thought and went back to working on her Gundam. Gray walked into the school yard. He was too depressed to go to school today and just wanted to see Tia. She walked out of the main door. She saw him and ran to him. She kissed him like this would be the last time they embraced. "What’s wrong?" she asked. "He’s gone," Gray said barely audible. "Who? Black Epyon?" "Yes..." he trailed off. "Oh Gray, I’m so sorry," she said as she hugged him. "Finish construction of the new Gundam," came a voice from the shadows. "Yes, sir!" snapped a lieutenant. The young officer turned and walked out of the room. "So Gray’s Gundam has been destroyed. I wasn’t going to send him this for awhile but it seems urgent that we finish it up now. Gray your grandfather would have been proud. I hope you enjoy your gift..." the voice said. Assassin Gray This site is © copyrighted to Gundam Galaxy (saberflare)! You may not take content from this site without permission. To obtain permission, contact me!