A/n- hey guys, book two is finally here! I know that you all have been patiently waiting for this, so let's begin.

I had gotten some serious writers block on this story, so I moved onto my other big series; Terra Beginning Book 1 Arc 1: Legends of Change. I've completed Arc 1, so after I post the final chapter of this book, I'll be taking a break from this series to work on Arc 2: Web of Deceit.

Ahem, anyways, onto the story!

-Zako-

The land of the Dark Axis was a demonic wasteland. From the cracked and shattered rock, to the rivers of lava that flowed around them, the area was truly a nightmare to behold.

But even more terrible than the land around it was the main base of the Dark Axis, which floated high in the air like a purple moon. It had three twisted horns growing from it- two on the top, and one on the bottom. Covering it were large, spike-like structures, looking like needles sticking out of a basket ball. Its center glowed blood red, a light that seemed to pulse like a heartbeat.

If one were to do the unthinkable and enter the main base, to go inside and keep going, until they reached the very center, they would find a massive chamber. In this room, big enough to hold several airships, they would find piles upon piles of trash and refuse, thrown away weapons, and empty suits of armor and shields. Around these stacks of metallic waste there were pools, smelting pits, that each had a single river that led to a tree of twisting metal. At the very top of the tree, in the middle of the wall, was a giant, horned, red head. This head was not human, nor did it resemble anything like a human. It was a robot, and fearsome one at that. It was completely round, like a dome, and with its red teeth it almost resembled a mouth. On a black surface under the red, three mono-eyes moved in intricate, seemingly random patterns. The monstrous thing roared and screeched, bellowing eldritch mumblings in a deep voice. And yet, over it a silky voice could be heard.

"Great General… Please, calm your anger."

A small figure moved silently through the piles of trash, clutching a tanto sword. He knew this was the place. All he had to do was hide and wait. Curiosity soon got the better of the intruder and he poked his head out from behind one shield to look at the horned head. He ducked away when he heard that silky voice again.

"We beg of you… be merciful."

The intruder watched as two robots floated up to the head on a red, torch-like platform, with slowly spinning antenna sticking out from the sides of the top. The male robot had a mono eye over where its face should be. On its large shoulders was the insignia of the Dark Axis, a picture of an eye with three horns, like the main base. But there was something odd about the robot. While its top half was mostly crimson, there seemed to be black parts mixed in as well. From its back protruded three cybernetic rods, one above two. Its arms were black as well, but each had a special gauntlet attached to the wrist. Though there was crimson armor over its torso and forelegs, there was no hiding the black parts underneath it.

"Please, our magnificent General," The robot continued, his eye flashing as he spoke. "Kindly spare us your wrath."

Beside the robot stood a black Gundam well known by others; Override. The dark knight who was raised by the Dark Axis and was part of the Neotopian invasion. Curled around her neck was Sunlight, the creature she found during her 'trip' to Lacroa.

The General, that monstrous face, glowered at the robots. It growled.

"Perhaps I have come at a bad time."

The red robot and Override turned around to where the new voice had come from. "What's this…?"

Over one of the melting pools, a strange symbol appeared. It looked like a cross between a compass and a sick daisy, with runes at the end of each point. As it rose up, rings like ribs appeared beneath it. On top of the new platform a green, ghostly figure with yellow eyes appeared.

"Well," The ghost purred, "It looks to me as though two someones have made the General rather angry…Professor Gerbera and Override."

Professor Gerbera, science officer of the Dark Axis, relaxed. Why, it's Deathscythe, the Knight of Darkness. Aloud, he said, "The General demands more gundanium."

"Yes, understood. I'd be happy to re-supply him with it. However…" Deathscythe turned from the two, and looked at the mounds of trash. "…we've used up the resources from my homeland Lacroa."

Gerbera nodded. "We appreciate the Knight Gundams being such an excellent source of gundanium."

"At the General's command we melted them all down, and there is no one left, except for her," Deathscythe continued, motioning to the Dark Gundam, "And now with the miserable defeat of Commander Sazabi, I can understand the General's rage."

Override growled at the ghost while Gerbera bristled as Deathscythe glanced meaningfully at them. "Merely the failure of a single advance force." Gerbera spat.

"That's tough talk, Prof. Gerbera!" A deep voice interrupted.

"What?" The two turned from Deathscythe towards the room's entrance.

Floating in on a large, wooden box was a Musha Gundam, a samurai Gundam from the land of Ark. This Musha Gundam had a yellow beard and sharp mustache, brown eyes amid a white background, and wore gold and black armor adorned with lightning bolts and pointed wings that made him resemble a god of thunder. On his helmet was a small statue of a horse's head with a jagged spike, like an evil unicorn. On each shoulder pad was an emblem of a black trident. At his side was a sword in a jagged purple sheath.

"With the loss of the Zakurello Gate, we now have no way to attack their world," the Musha Gundam said, "And we must now all consider the very real possibility of their attacking our world!"

"Well," Deathscythe murmured, "If it isn't-"

"-Kibaomaru." Override finished.

The intruder's eyes glinted. Yes, I've found him!

-z-

"Long fly and it's…outta here!" Tommy laughed as he and his mobile friend played catch.

The Dark Axis invasion had come as quite a shock to the people of Neotopia. Such a terrible force had almost brought an end to everything the people held dear about their city. That their way of life could've been extinguished had caused a fright for the citizens, and yet it also gave them a new hope as well. While they could no longer tell themselves "We are at peace." they could now comfort each other by saying "We are protected."

On one of the grassy decks on the sides of Neotopia Tower's twin pillars, the people, such as Tommy and his friend, were enjoying their recaptured peace, now more grateful than ever for their quiet lifestyle. A large form in the sky cast a shadow over them, but it didn't alarm them.

"Wow…that's cool…" Tommy whispered as everyone looked at the ship passing overhead, the sound of its rockets filling their ears.

"Wow…"

"What is it?"

"It's the Gundam Force!" Tommy cried, and began to wave at the airship as it flew off into the distance. "Bye! Fly safe!"

Yes, they were protected indeed.

-z-

"Hurry!"

In the desert regions outside of the main city, a robotic horse in red armor galloped across the sands, as his similarly-armored rider clutched the reins. Bakunetsumaru, a Musha Gundam called the Blazing Samurai and his horse Entengo had been stuck in Neotopia for months, ever since the SDG's Dimensional Transport Device malfunctioned and brought him from the land of Ark in the other dimension to here. And while he had learned to appreciate the city's beauty and splendor, his desire to return home had never diminished. And now that he had been told that the way back had finally been achieved, his yearning had intensified.

"Hurry up! Faster, Entengo!" Bakunetsumaru urged, "I've been waiting for this day, I must get there before everyone else!"

"Oh, really?"

Bakunetsumaru blanched and looked to his side. Flying through the air, thrusters burning softly, on his back with his hands tucked under his head as if he was in an invisible hammock, was Zero, the Winged Knight. Zero was a Knight Gundam, one that came from the same world as Bakunetsumaru, though in a different country, the kingdom of Lacroa. Lacroa had suffered by the hands of the Dark Axis, and Zero had come to Neotopia in hopes of finding a way to restore it.

"Then you'd better hurry up!" Zero said calmly, "The day will end before you get there!"

Bakunetsumaru shook a fist at the knight in blue armor. "Blast you, Zero! What's the matter, you can't get there on your own two feet!"

Zero made no changes to his position. Instead, he moved ahead, flying off into the distance laughing, "So says the one who's riding his horse!"

Bakunetsumaru shook with rage at being slighted. "Sure, it's easy when you can fly with a cape…!" Bakunetsumaru muttered, then he hoped from the saddle, picked up a mystified Entengo and took off in a run. "Let's go, Entengo!"

-z-

Zero arrived at their destination first - Lab C, the construction grounds for the Dimensional Transport Device. There, as Gunperries flew around in the air, was the project head, the young Dr. Bell Wood. The teen genius was doing an unconventional hustle as he whistled.

"Woo-ee! It's finally complete!" He laughed, "Am I great or what?"

Zero looked up at the Device, momentarily amazed at its resemblance to the inner workings of a clock.

"It's wonderful!" The Winged Knight said.

Bell Wood smirked. "After all, I am a genius!"

Zero's gaze drifted across, as he looked at the monstrous circular yellow thing besides the device. It looked a great deal like the jaws of a terrible beast, with green eyes and horns at the top. In its 'mouth' was a holographic emblem for the Super Dimensional Guard, spinning. It was the Zakurello Gate, once the Dark Axis' means of inter-dimensional travel, now in the control of the SDG.

"Did you make that one, too, Bell Wood?" Zero asked.

"That little old gate?" Bell Wood asked, and shrugged. "Nah, that's just a recycle job. Y'know, the Dark Axis left it behind, and I picked it up and fixed it up. After all," He smiled broadly. "I am a genius!"

Bell Wood began to do another little dance of triumph, but stopped when he saw the improbable sight of a horse rider carrying his horse.

"With that thing we can finally travel to Ark and Lacroa, right?" Bakunetsumaru asked, panting.

Zero spared Bakunetsumaru a bemused smile. "You finally made it, huh?"

Bakunetsumaru had a retort, but it never left his mouth as a thought occurred to him. Looking around, he asked, "Wait, where are Shute and Captain?"

Zero looked around. It was true. Neither Shute or Captain could be seen. This was odd, considering that the two of them were supposed to have arrived before them…

"Hey, guys! You're here!"

Zero and Bakunetsumaru looked up. Standing on one of the modem towers surrounding the Dimensional Transport Device, waving his arms, was a boy with red hair that was topped off by a tuft at his forehead. He wore a backpack of some sort.

"Hey! Duh! Up here!" Shute laughed.

"Oh!" Bakunetsumaru cried, setting Entengo down. 'What are you doing up there? Come down here now!"

Shute grinned, and took hold of the straps. "Here I go!" He cried, and…

…jumped from the tower!

Both Gundams, seeing Shute fall from a height of fifty feet, felt their eyes bulge as they freaked out.

"Hey-whoa-wait- Zero, catch him!" Bakunetsumaru babbled hysterically.

Zero was already flying up to Shute, his arms outstretched.

"No wait!" Shute cried, "I'm okay!"

Blue fire burst out from the bottom of Shute's backpack, just as Zero had gotten underneath him for the catch. The result was that Shute hovered for several minutes in the air as Zero's head got burned. The Winged Knight, after a coughing fit, sank back to the ground.

"Sorry, Zero!" Shute apologized, an awkward look on his face. Once he was back on the ground, he scratched his head and explained, "Actually, I just wanted to show you guys my new backpack," He turned around, showing that his backpack had small boosters underneath, a pipe-like handle sticking out on the top left, with the Gundam Force badge in the middle of the back. "I modeled it after the one Captain uses!"

Shute did some rocket-boosted jumps. Zero, his head black with soot, watched him go up and down while Bakunetsumaru and Entengo snickered from behind.

"I think you need a smog check." The Knight Gundam muttered.

Shute suddenly pointed mid-jump. "Look!"

The Gundams looked, and saw a large, white airship fly into the area. It's nose was capped off with a giant Gundam Force badge, and on its front were three cannons that looked like Balls. On its sides were faces that looked like a tennis ball with eyes, two on each. At the very top was a Gundam Head that served as the bridge, which had another Gundam Force badge right where the V-fin was. And on a look-out on the Gundam head, waving, was the leader of the Gundam Force.

"It's Captain!" Shute laughed and began to wave back.

"Oh my!" Zero gasped, "When did they build that magnificent airship?"

Bakunetsumaru rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm. I don't know where, but I'm sure I've seen that ship somewhere before."

With a wild cry, Chief Kao Lyn, head scientist for the SDG and champion kung fu artist suddenly leapt in front of the three, causing them to jump.

"You're right!" the scientist said, "This is the ship we made by retrofitting the Magnamusai the Dark Axis left behind in Neotopia!"

As the new battleship came to a landing, Zero recalled what Bell Wood had said earlier. "I see." The Zakurello Gate had also been property of the Dark Axis, but had been reclaimed by the SDG.

"Looks nice." Bakunetsumaru commented.

"So, this is another recycle job, as you would say." Zero remarked.

"How cool!" Shute breathed, entranced by the new vessel.

But there were some not so pleased with the SDG's creation. From behind another modem tower, three Zako Soldiers– grunts for the Dark Axis, now reduced to service workers for Neotopia- poked their heads out and stared at the white ship.

"Zako! The Zakos' Magnamusai! What a horrible thing to do!" They cried, and wept for their lost battleship. They calmed down instantly when an idea struck.

"Wait a minute, Zako!" One Zako cried.

"We'll use that ship…" Began the second Zako.

"…To get to the Dark Axis!" The third finished.

With a simultaneous cry of "Zako!" they ducked back behind the modem. They had to tell the others!

-z-

Captain saluted. "I, Captain Gundam, have returned from the test-flight of the Gundamusai, the new flagship for the Gundam Force."

In front of Captain stood Chief Haro, leader of the SDG, a man who had the distinction of having head like tennis ball- round and green. To the chief's sides were Bell Wood and Kao Lyn, the latter of whom was doing martial arts. They, along with the rest of the Gundam Force stood on a platform around the Dimensional Transport Device.

"Good work, Captain," Chief Haro said, returning the salute. Relaxing, he held out a small capsule with a robotic insect inside. It was a White Bagubagu, the antidote to the Dark Axis' petrification. While the normal green Bagubagu's sting would turn anything organic it stung to stone, Captain was able to reprogram the Bagubagu in Neotopia, turning them white. "Now, I want you to bring this White Bagubagu with you to save the petrified people of Lacroa."

Zero gave a joyous shout and punched the air. "Aha! The time has finally come to save my homeland!"

"We must hurry, and return the triplets to normal!" Bakunetsumaru added.

"Yes, you're right!" The entirety of Lacroa's human population had been turned to stone by the Dark Axis- save three identical brothers, who the Gundam Force had met when they were summoned to the ruined kingdom not long ago. But they, too, had been petrified by the time the Gundam Force left. It had been very upsetting for Zero to see his desolated homeland, but now he could go back in good spirits.

Captain took the capsule from Haro, and Shute asked, "Are we finally taking off?"

Captain nodded. "Yes."

"Shute."

Shute turned to Chief Haro. "Yeah?"

Chief Haro, with Kao Lyn and Bell Wood standing to attention at his side, said, "If it were possible, Shute, I would not have you go on such a dangerous journey…" The three of them saluted. "…But the Gundam Force needs you. Please, be very careful."

Shute, catching the concerned, almost parental tone in the chief's voice, straightened up and nodded. "I will." Grinning, he then jumped up and punched the air. "Heeeere we go, to Lacroa!"

"Yeah!" The Gundams cheered.

-z-

The Gundam Force boarded the Gundamusai, and after a quick tour of the main body, they took an elevator to the uppermost room. Shute gazed around the colorful and brightly lit room in wonder. In the middle at the back was a raised platform where an upside down spinning clockwork device like Bell Wood's Transport Device was on the ceiling. At the front were four seats, two in a row. The two windows in front told Shute that they were in the Gundam head of the ship.

"Welcome," Captain said, "To the Gundamusai's bridge."

"Ohhh, this is so great!" Shute gasped, and ran to the windows and looked out. "Awesome view! How cool!"

"Shute," Captain said, getting his attention. He gestured towards the smallest seat, the one in the front-left. "This is your seat."

"Right next to you, Captain?" Shute asked in an awed voice. Captain's seat, of course was not so much designed for sitting in as it was needed to plug into.

"Uh-huh," Captain then gestured to the two seats that Zero and Bakunetsumaru were inspecting in the back. "And you guys take a seat over here."

Bakunetsumaru hummed, looking from one seat to the other. "Hm, which one should I pick?"

"Hey!" Zero exclaimed, "Don't decide without asking me!"

Bakunetsumaru smirked. "Oh, I assumed you were just going to hover around!"

"What did you say!"

Shute suppressed a groan. The trip hadn't even started and those two were about to have it again. He wondered why Zero and Bakunetsumaru bickered like they did.

"There is no fighting onboard the ship."

Shute, Zero, and Bakunetsumaru looked up suddenly. Where did that woman's voice come from? As Shute looked around, he heard a shift of machinery and Zero and Baku' cry out in alarm. Turning back, he saw that two robotic arms had descended from the ceiling, and were now clutching the two flabbergasted Gundams.

"Please cease fighting and take your seats." The woman's voice said.

"Wh-what is this!" Bakunetsumaru cried.

Captain pointed to the very front of the bridge. "It's Miss RAIMI."

In the space between the eyes of the bridge, a holographic helm appeared, and in front of it came a holographic Gundam Force badge. The top of the badge read RAIMI while the bottom read GUNDAMUSAI.

"I am RAIMI, the control AI of this ship." RAIMI greeted, "It is nice to meet you all."

Shute smiled. "It's nice to meet you too!"

-z-

Outside, the supplementary members of the Gundam Force- Gunbike, Captain's instructor, the air-combat specialist Guneagle, the deep-sea experts, the seven Gundivers, and Entengo. It had been decided that in Lacroa's uneven ground and narrow caves, the horse would run into difficulty, and so he would be excluded from this mission.

At his console, Bell Wood typed in commands. "Start the Dimensional Transport Device…let's go!"

The parts of the Dimensional Transportt Device slowly began to spin, picking up speed with each rotation, while the Gundamusai lifted up into the air and turned to face the Zakurello Gate. As all those in attendance to the grand take-off saluted, Entengo, with tearful eyes, gave a sad neigh at the departing ship. He was very distressed that his master was leaving again without him.

In the ship's bridge, Bakunetsumaru seemed to hear Entengo's distress and thought, Just wait, Entengo. Ark is next!

In the seat on the right next to Bakunetsumaru's, Zero thought, Princess, I'm finally coming back with worthy comrades!

"Hey, Shute, try this out." Captain held up the something that looked like a miniature Zakurello Gate.

"The Zakurello Phone." Shute said, taking it.

"That's right," Captain nodded, "With that, we can command the Zakurello Gate to send us to any dimension."

"All right!" Shute held the Phone up to his mouth and said, "Zakurello Gate, I now command you to open to Lacroa!"

The Zakurello Gate sparked and glowed as its 'mouth' shimmered with multicolored lights. It growled a guttural "Rello."

"Gundamusai, launch!" Captain ordered.

The main rockets of the ship ignited, and the Gundamusai blasted off towards the Gate, which slowly absorbed the ship.

Just as the ship was halfway through, the three Zakos climbed up onto the Gate's top. Compared to the Gate's immense size, they looked like mere bugs.

"Wait for us, Zako!" Zako Soldier #3 cried.

"Hey, Zakurello Gate, don't close yet, Zako!" Zako #2 cried.

"Let us Zakos get back to the dark Axis, Zako!" Zako #1 pleaded.

The Zakos began to do a silly dance, chanting "O please, zako!"

But the Gate said, "No take orders from you! You not my master, rello!"

This vexed the Zakos. "What, Zako!"

"Do what we ask," Zako #1 threatened, "Or you'll get…"

"Tickle torture!" The Zakos cried as the entire Zako Horde leapt onto the Gate and began to scurry about.

"What's that?!" Chief Haro cried, upon seeing dozens of little green dots on the Gate's top, like warts that had come to life.

The Gate's eyes spun and it rocked with laughter. "No-ho-ho, Zakos! Stop! That tickles! Rello-ho-ho!"

In the Gundamusai's bridge, Shute, Zero, and Bakunetsumaru did their best to cling to their seats as the ship titled left and right.

"A problem has occurred with the Zakurello Gate." RAIMI announced.

"What?" Captain cried.

"Rello-ho-ho! I give up!" The Gate chortled, "Rello-ho-ho!"

"Okay, Zakos," Zako #1 ordered, "Now!"

The Zakos jumped off the Gate, and were sucked into it just as the Gundamusai vanished into. As they spiraled into the unknown, the Gate managed to gasp out, "You no play fair! Rello!"

The Zakurello Gate's mouth released a flash of purple light, causing everyone to shut their eyes. Kao Lyn was so surprised that he nearly fell over.

-z-

In the Zakurello Tunnel, the light-streamed darkness that Zakurello Gate used to connect to dimensions, the Gundamusai continued to rock as it hurtled through the space.

"The ship is out of control." RAIMI reported.

"Stop transport, now!" Captain ordered, and hoped that groan behind him wasn't Bakunetsumaru losing his lunch.

"Communications are disabled as well." RAIMI answered.

As the ship tilted and tumbled through the Tunnel, the Zako Soldiers, carried by naught but momentum, fell after it, their wails and screams echoing soundlessly into the nonexistent air.

-z-

In the General's room, Kibaomaru stood proudly in front of the General himself and stated, "General, I intend to show the result of the swift conquest of my homeland."

Deathsycthe regarded him. "But, you're still having a hard time conquering Ark, aren't you, Kibaomaru?" Kibaomaru shot him a dark look.

"Well, if you need help, I can let you borrow more of the Dark Axis forces…" Gerbera offered.

"Unnecessary!" Kibaomaru snapped, glaring. "I've captured the Tenchijo Castle already! I shall unify Ark shortly, and I will fill this room with Musha Gundams for the sake of the General!"

Amid the piles of junk, the intruder began to trace lines into the air, forming a crude box. However, as he did so, blue light came from his fingertip, becoming the lines. After he finished the box, it solidified into a 3-dimensional # symbol, with the center being pitch black. It grew and expanded, until the square hole became large enough for the intruder to fit through. The intruder glanced back at Kibaomaru. So far, no one had seen him.

"'Till then, General, I beg you," Kibaomaru continued, "Calm your rage. Have patience!"

The intruder leapt through the square hole, and it vanished. At this time, Kibaomaru heard a shimmer behind him and looked to see a hole exactly like the one the intruder made appear not to far behind him. Out from it came the intruder, a small being who wore naught but a helmet and a piece of armor with the character for GEN on it over his front, with guards over his knuckles and sandals on his feet. On his back was some kind of plastic axe, and sticking out from the top of his helmet was a topknot. His eyes were brown amid a green screen, and his yellow eyebrows were large. But most disturbingly was the fact that he had a sword.

"Who are you?!" Kibaomaru asked.

"I am the Musha Gundam Genkimaru!" the intruder yelled, his soft voice indicating he was a child.

"What!" Deathscythe cried as Gerbera stared at this intrusion. Override stumbled back in shock, before lunging forward and grabbing Sunlight before the spirit could pounce.

"Kibaomaru, you are a traitor to Ark!" Genkimaru shouted, "Your head belongs…to me!"

Genkimaru swung his blade down- but Kibaomaru casually caught and snapped it between his fingers. Discouraged, Genkimaru landed on Kibaomaru's platform and grabbed his little axe. He pulled the handle, revealing it was actually a dagger- for a brief moment, the light of the chamber gleamed off of the Kibao crest at the bottom of the blade- but before he could use it, Kibaomaru leaned down and grabbed him, almost crushing the boy's arm. As he was lifted up, Genkimaru fitted the dagger back into the axe.

"Let me go!" Genkimaru cried out in both pain and anger.

"Where are you from, foolish one?" Kibaomaru asked.

"I'm amazed you were able to infiltrate our sacred space," Gerbera commented, moving his shared platform closer to Kibaomaru's. "How curious. In fact, I'll disassemble you myself-" He held out his left arm, and the gauntlet on it opened up to reveal several claws and drills. "-to find out exactly what you're made of."

Genkimaru's eyes widened and his heart stopped as he watched Gerbera's tools, clicking and spinning, get closer…and closer…and closer…

"No!" He cried.

Deathscythe cackled with glee. "On with the show!"

Override rolled her eyes, unamused.

"Okay you two, stop right there!" Kibaomaru barked, unintentionally saying what Override was about to, and pulled Genkimaru away from Gerbera. "Such behavior in front of the General…pitiful!"

Gerbera saw his point and retracted his tools. "Indeed," He glanced at Genkimaru, who had resumed his struggle against Kibaomaru's fingers. "Yet he is a Musha Gundam, so why not just toss him into furnace?"

"Lemmegolemmegolemme…go?" Genkimaru froze when he heard Gerbera's words. Then with added desperation, he struggled even harder.

"Why not do so with Override? She is a Gundam is she not?" Kibaomaru retorted.

Gerbera growled, armour puffing out defensively. "Don't you ever threaten her. You are a Gundam as well, Kibaomaru."

Kibaomaru growled, before replying to Gerbera's first question. "You do have a point, Professor." Gerbera bristled.

"That would calm his rage a bit." Deathscythe remarked, trying to stop the coming feud. Override second the comment in agreement.

"I am well aware of that, Deathscythe, Override." Kibaomaru replied coldly, and moved his platform over towards one of the smelting pits. As it traveled, he stared at the boy, and remembered the hole in space he came out from. He asked in a hushed voice, "That technique you just showed me…"

"What about it?" Genkimaru growled, still trying to get free.

"Perhaps you have the key to the Daishinshou," Kibaomaru suggested, "If you tell me, I might go easy on you!"

On the word 'easy' Kibaomaru kicked the pieces of the broken sword off the platform. They landed into the purple liquid of the smelting pit, and Genkimaru watched as they dissolved away.

"Well?" Kibaomaru asked, "What's it going to be?"

Genkimaru glared at the adult Musha Gundam. "Forget it, Kibaomaru!"

From behind, Kibaomaru could feel the stares of Gerbera, Override and Deathscythe.

"Drop him!" Gerbera ordered, "Now!"

"Quiet!" Though his face didn't show it, Kibaomaru was getting worried. Talk, brat, or we'll both have to wash our necks!

"You're nothing but a dirty rotten traitor!" Genkimaru snarled, and yelped in pain as Kibaomaru tightened his grip.

"This is your last chance," The Musha Gundam lord threatened, "If you don't tell me now, down you go."

It was at that moment that Kibaomaru saw the air in front of him shimmer. He and Genkimaru watched as sparks of yellow and purple vortex appeared, shaping into what looked like a giant yellow set of jaws with purple insides.

"What's this!" Kibaomaru shouted.

Gerbera stared as the apparition tilted, until it was set at an angle. "It's the Zakurello Gate!"

"What?!" Override cried.

Kibaomaru's raised an eyebrow as two yellow spikes appeared from the Gate. "Something's coming through!" As the Gundam head of the Gundamusai rose out, like prairie dog from its hole, he wondered, Is it a giant Gundam? His eyes narrowed as he heard the distinctive sounds of rockets. No…it's a battleship!

Just as the Gundamusai's head was completely out, the ship stopped, giving the General clear view of a giant Gundam head. The terrible being was not happy with this, and bellowed in fury.

-z-

Inside the ship's bridge, Shute pulled himself up back into his seat.

"Where are we?" He asked, staring at the nightmarish chamber outside of the ship. Getting up, he asked, "Is this supposed to be Lacroa?"

"Miss RAIMI - Status report!" Captain ordered.

"Confirming coordinates now. Our ship seems to be trapped in-between the Zakurello Tunnel and the Zakurello Gate. The cause is currently unidentified."

-z-

Outside on the space at the back of the ship under the bridge, the Zakos tried to untangle themselves from the pile they ended up in. One managed to pull himself out and look around.

"What's going on, Zako?" He asked.

-z-

"This is not my beloved Lacroa!"

Shute turned around to Zero, who had spoken. He and Bakunetsumaru were peering out of the Gundamusai's window-eyes in horrid fascination.

"And such a horrible place couldn't possibly be my homeland Ark…" Bakunetsumaru said, perplexed.

Before any of them could discuss their circumstances further, a deep voice pulled their attention.

"You, inside the ship! Show yourselves!"

The Gundam Force looked out to see two free-floating platforms hovering towards the ship; a box-shaped one carrying what was unmistakably a Musha Gundam - older and more heavily-armored than Bakunetsumaru; and one that looked like a poisoned blossom, carrying some kind of green ghoul. Upon seeing them, both Zero and Bakunetsumaru's eyes hardened.

"Fiend!" Bakunetsumaru snarled.

"What is he doing here?" Zero hissed venomously. Without another word, the Winged Knight flew to the elevator. "C'mon!"

"Prepare yourself!" Bakunetsumaru shouted, running in after Zero.

"Hey, wait!" Shute cried, but the elevator doors closed.

-z-

"You, traitor to Ark!" Bakunetsumaru shouted as he and Zero appeared on top of the bridge, "The one who sided with the Dark Axis - Kibaomaru!"

Kibaomaru looked away from Genkimaru (Who had tried to escape by biting his hand) to the speaking Musha Gundam.

"Blazing blades of justice! I am Baku! Netsu! Maru!" The samurai yelled, making the characters appear in the air. He leapt at Kibaomaru, landing on his platform as the warlord jumped back to avoid the blow. Bakunetsumaru continued to make jabs and slices at the Musha Gundam lord, who kept evading the swords.

"Ha! Very nice, samurai!" Kibaomaru applauded, and held up Genkimaru in front of him. "Be careful, you might hit my little shield by accident!"

Bakunetsumaru froze in mid-swing. Lowering his swords, he yelled, "How dare you! You're nothing but a coward!"

Meanwhile, Zero was facing off against Deathscythe, summoning his shield and sword.

"Come to me," He chanted, unsheathing his claymore, "Legendary, sacred Vatras Sword!"

Deathscythe's eyes shimmered with twisted delight. "So, some of the Knight Gundams from Lacroa still survive!"

The air in front of Deathscythe shimmered, and a black-purple double-sided scythe - with two blades on either side - appeared. The scythe began to spin, manipulated by invisible hands, and swung at Zero, who blocked and parried the blows.

"Deathscythe!" Zero yelled, "For harming Lacroa, you will now pay!"

Deathscythe snickered, which served to further enrage the normally cool-headed knight. His swings became harder and more predictable, allowing Deathscythe to easily parry the attacks, and even take his back once or twice. At one point, however, Zero was able to get a clean slice at the evil knight, only for it to pass right through his ghostly body!

"That tickles!" Deathscythe cackled.

"What!" Zero gaped, and was barely able bring up his shield in order defend against a blow from the scythe. He was knocked down, landing right on the edge of one of the smelting pits.

"Why don't you just melt away like all the other Knight Gundams!" Deathscythe asked sadistically.

Zero forced himself up and glared at Deathscythe. "What do you mean!"

Meanwhile, Shute and Captain, who had his shield and beam rifle, appeared at the top of the ship.

Shute cupped his hands over his mouth and yelled, "Zero! Bakunetsumaru!"

Shute stopped when he saw Gerbera, with Override standing beside him (Sunlight had hidden behind the Gundam's neck). The mono-eyed robot hadn't moved his platform, but his head was down and it looked like he was shaking with rage. Override's body was crouched down, and looked like a cat ready to pounce.

Override's alive! Captain thought in slight panic when he spotted the black knight. He remembered how she had disappeared after the Horn of War had exploded, supposedly taking her with it. How did she escape?!

"Really, now…" Gerbera hissed, looking up to glare at the Neotopians. Override hissed with barely restrained anger. Even at that distance, Shute could feel the unnatural amount of venom in the two robots' gaze. Then, a giant hand, with red fingers and a purple wrist, floated up from behind Gerbera and Override as the General growled. There was a mono-eye in the wrist, and in each of the finger tips was some kind of green hole…

"What's that?" Shute asked worriedly.

The index finger began to glow, and with a sickening burst of light, a beam shot out from it. It streamed at Kibaomaru and Bakunetsumaru, the latter of whom jumping to avoid it. The beam hit a round point in the wall, but instead of creating a large hole, it split off into four separate beams. One of these beams shot at Zero, who did a barrel role to avoid it. That beam hit another point in the wall and separated, and the number of beams started to grow exponentially, and multiple beams were bouncing all over the place. The fighters began to do an odd dance, trying to attack each other while avoiding the beams. One beam was flying straight at the Gundamusai, and was about to take Shute's head off when Captain got in front of him, deflecting the beam with his shield.

"Thanks, Captain!" Shute said.

Captain nodded and cried, "I have to help the others!"

Shute grinned and punched the air. "Right. Let's do it!"

As Captain rocketed off, Shute heard Bakunetsumaru cry "Look out!" and looked. One of the beams had narrowly grazed Bakunetsumaru and Kibaomaru, causing Bakunetsumaru to fall back in pain as the beam streaked across his chest. But it was worse for Kibaomaru. As the heat from the beam burned his arm, he let go of Genkimaru! The boy Musha Gundam screamed as he plummeted towards the smelting pit.

"No!" Shute cried, and leapt from the Gundamusai.

Genkimaru, meanwhile, calmed himself down and began to trace another portal for himself, same as the last one. But before he could fall into it, Shute rocketed by and caught him, unaware of the Musha Gundam's plan. Once they were on the floor, Shute set Genkimaru down and asked, "Are you all right?"

Genkimaru shot him a cold look. "Stay outta my way!"

Shute wasn't sure what to say. He saved this kid's life, but he was upset? What was up with that?

Before explanations could be exchanged, the two boys saw a beam heading their way and panicked. But just before it hit, Captain jumped in and pulled them out of harm's way. However, it was a close one. Captain's backpack was torn off and landed into the smelting pit.

"Captain!" Zero cried, seeing this as he clashed with Deathscythe.

As Captain landed on another part of the floor, Shute cried, "Captain! You're backpack!"

"It's too late to save it!" Captain told him, before turning to Genkimaru. "But who is this Gundam?"

Genkimaru snored. The boy had either passed out from the excitement, or had fallen asleep from the strain of making two portals in such a short time.

"We have to get him to somewhere safe!" Shute decided. Putting Captain's arm over his shoulder and picking up Genkimaru, they two made their way towards the Gundamusai.

Kibaomaru saw what they were up to and roared "He's mine!" before jumped back over Bakunetsumaru's attack from behind.

"Curse you!" Bakunetsumaru snarled.

With the help of Shute's backpack's boosters, Captain and Shute jumped up onto the Gundamusai.

"Zero! Bakunetsumaru!" Captain ordered, "Retreat now!"

As he and Deathscythe continued to clash their blades, Zero demanded, "What, run away!"

Bakunetsumaru made slice at Kibaomaru and shouted, "We cannot run away from the Dark Axis!"

But with his attention drawn from their fight, Bakunetsumaru received a punch in the gut from Kibaomaru. The Blazing Samurai went flying off of the platform, and would have landed in a smelting pit had Zero not caught him. As the Winged Knight carried Bakunetsumaru away, the hot-headed Musha Gundam shouted, "Let me at 'em, let me at' em!"

With a terrible screech, the General's three eyes lined up into one single eye and began to glow. The cannon barrels on the hands fingers began to glow…all five of them.

Meanwhile, Zero was just about to deposit a struggling Bakunetsumaru onto the Gundamusai's lookout with Shute and Captain.

"No, I don't wanna run away!" Bakunetsumaru continued to shout when a stray beam exploded behind them. Zero dropped the samurai in shock.

"Emergency take-off!" Captain ordered.

"Affirmative." RAIMI replied, and the ship began to sink back into the Zakurello Gate.

"Don't let them get away!" Kibaomaru shouted. He would not lose that brat after all this trouble. "Cobramaru!"

There was a rush of movement, and on the wall appeared a Musha Gundam ninja wearing a giant purple, robotic cobra hood.

"Yes, sir," Cobramaru replied, bowing. "I'm at your command." He quickly zipped away.

Deathscythe, meanwhile, had a similar idea. His scythe glowed and compacted into ball of green magic.

"Where do you think you're going!" the Knight of Darkness hissed, and sent the ball at the Gundamusai. The magic struck the ship and sank into it, just Cobramaru hopped aboard and faded from sight.

"Follow them Override!" Gerbera growled. The Black Gundam flew forward, landing on the ships face, next to where Cobramaru had been. Shadows wrapped around her, and she, along with Sunlight, vanished.

At this time, the five cannons on the hand's fingers fired, sending five beams of energy at the ship.

Seeing this, Zero raised his hand and chanted, "Super Magical I-Field!"

A shimmering blue force field appeared around the Gundamusai's bridge just as the beams struck. The Gundam Force covered their eyes as the entire room lit up, and Zero struggled to keep the I-Field up. Shute felt the ship shake from the impact, gave one last yell…

…And then they were gone. Kibaomaru, Deathscythe, and Gebera turned to look at the General, who was muttering eldritch curses in what could have been considered a stage whisper. Only one word could be recognized.

"…Gundam…"

-z-

"Shute? Are you awake?

At the sound of Captain's voice, Shute slowly opened his eyes. His first thought was that he had died, but that idea was debunked by the beating of his heart. The dead didn't have heartbeats. Looking up, he saw the rest of the Gundams looking at him, relatively unharmed. Lying next to Bakunetsumaru was the small boy they had rescued from the Dark Axis, still asleep.

"You guys are all safe…" Shute said softly.

Bakunetsumaru nodded. "Yeah…"

"We all survived." Captain announced.

"Yes," Zero looked around. "But where are we?"

Shute looked up. All he could see was clouds in an endless sky. On their left and right he could see two oceans…lying vertically.

"What kind of place is this?" He asked, looking to the Gundams for explanation. They did not answer. "Where are we…?"

The only sound was the gentle roar of the Gundamusai's thrusters.

A/N: Now then, ome explanations. In the original Japanese airing, the General's speech is simply rendered as beastly roars and screeches, while in the English dubbing they use a strange, garbled language instead. So, I decided to try and merge the two speeches together, you know, 'sit on the fence'.

And if you've reas the previous book, then yes, Deathscythe is Tallgeese's servant! I didn't give him a name before because A) they didn't mention it and B) He wasn't that important to the plot. Now he is! It adds mystique, I think. That unimportant guy actually has more character is very gripping…

Oh, and Kibaomaru's thought about washing necks comes from a Japanese threat "Wash your neck and prepare for the axe!" I guess it refers to the common execution method of beheading enemies. Basically, what the speaker is saying is that you should prepare to die.

And Override is baaaaack! And just like the title, things are gonna change big time!

Anyway, send plenty of reviews to keep me motivated, especially now!