Gun X Sword: The Lost Region

Chapter 1: Tuxedo in the Shadows

(DISCLAIMER: No, I don't own Gun X Sword because it belongs to the likes of Geneon and FUNimation. So, enjoy the show! Rated M for violence, adult content, and adult language.)

Two months had passed since the liberation of Zetsuei as everyone was still ready to be off towards their destination. After restoring the city to brand new, everyone was on their way to the Lost Region as they were ready to go. Just as they were about to do so, they noticed that Van was being badgered by Nancy all day as she wanted to get him to see the rest of the old underground sanctuary. She didn't like what he was doing as she noticed that he was geared up to go towards the Lost Region. She wanted him to see more of the mural as it was also crucial to what he has been through many centuries ago.

"Van," said Nancy as she was standing in his way. "Aren't you forgetting something?"

"I'm not forgetting anything, okay?" he said as he was starting to get irritated.

"What about the underground sanctuary below the sterile environment above it? It can't be left undiscovered by the new king of the Lost Region, you know."

"I don't have time for it! Just let me through, please."

Nancy didn't budge as she wanted Van to know more about what he had been through over the centuries. He wanted to push her out of the way, but he had a lot more honor when it concerned the lives of women as he decided to go for a little more sightseeing in the underground sanctuary. When he got to the central square, he went downstairs to the sterile environment as he saw the hole in the floor. It wasn't long until he jumped down with the help of his sword as he decided to look at the sanctuary where the murals were painted at. He stared at them very carefully as he found them to be very familiar to him.

It was the very image of his father, Siegfried, as he stood by his wife, Arwen with their baby son put into the painting. For centuries, Van had forgotten about the path that he was hiding in as he also found the small schoolroom where he was being taught by the Mother Superior. It was a vague memory for him as it was slowly starting to come back to him. It was here that he had been schooled very well as the Mother Superior was also the one who taught him how to read and write. He wanted to find out more as he walked towards the hydroponics lab where the garden grew with such intensity. He had noticed that the vegetables had sprouted out of control as they were more than just a bumper crop. It was the Mother Superior's garden as it proved to be vital in the survival in the underground sanctuary. Just as he was about to explore the hydroponics lab a little bit more, he heard footsteps coming towards him as he turned around to see Pavel standing in front of him.

"What the hell are you doing here?" he asked.

"Nancy told me where you were," said Pavel.

"This place has a lot of secrets and memories here."

"Secrets and memories? You should see this garden down here. There's enough fruits and vegetables to rival Undomiel's stockpile."

"Mother Superior..., I've come back."

"Van, are you okay?"

Pavel was concerned for Van as he saw him standing in front of the mural of his parents. It was one of many images that was drawn in the underground sanctuary as it also symbolized the memory of the once powerful House of Telfer. Both man and boy stared at the mural as they had found it to be something that was worth preserving here. It wasn't long until they went back to the schoolroom where Van was taught how to read and write. They sat down on the floor as there was only one desk in front of a chalkboard. It was just pure nostalgia for Van as he had finally remembered the lessons that he had to go through while being schooled by the Mother Superior. He even missed her as she was like a mother to him. He was most likely to carry on the torch for the restoration of the House of Telfer as he was there in this underground sanctuary to pay his respects to this place.

"I guess you miss whoever gave you a lot of schoolwork," said Pavel.

"This was the place that I was taught here," said Van.

"And this Mother Superior, who is she?"

"She was a close friend of mine. She was also my guardian when my parents were killed. I owe her this much because she foretold that I would overthrow the House of Feanor when the time was right."

"Then you should put it to good use and nail those jerks for what they were doing inside and outside their borders. I'm an Armor pilot now, but I'm still just a kid. I may not know about you and your past, but you've got a future with Wendy and the twins. We're in this together, Van. Even I am willing to put my life on the line against those freaks."

"Pavel, I know that you want to put your life on the line for me and my family, but you're just a kid. You've got a bright future ahead of you and you would also become a great doctor with all the experience that you had on this journey. You might even grow up and get yourself a wife, especially that girl that had a crush on you."

"You mean Iris?! I'm not ready for girls yet."

"She was all over you when we were in Jade Creek."

"Oh, come on!"

Van laughed at that notion of Pavel being chased by Iris as he had viewed a possible marital match in the future. It wasn't long as they left the schoolroom as they were ready to be on their way out of the underground sanctuary. After taking their time in looking at the murals and hydroponics lab, they noticed that Wendy was standing next to the painting on the wall as she saw the glimpse of the two fallen lovers. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she saw the image of their baby in their arms. She was aware that the baby had a strong resemblance of both parents in the mural as he had grown straight into manhood. It was something that could never be erased as the memories were painted in stone.

"What are you doing here?" asked Van.

"This painting here..., it's the portrait of your parents, isn't it?" said Wendy.

"It is, but it's been centuries since this one was painted on the wall."

"As for that baby in there, was that you?"

"Yeah, but right now, we have to get back to the airship in order to get to the Lost Region."

"That's right," said Pavel. "With all four bordering cities freed, we have an advantage over the House of Feanor."

"We may have an advantage over the House of Feanor, but we can't be cocky and charge in there without skills"

Van made his point there as he continued to survey the underground sanctuary carefully. He decided to look for more clues as he was searching all over the place that he once stayed in. Even Wendy and Pavel followed him as he later saw something near a wall. It was a grave with an obsidian pillar over it as it had a silver ribbon around it. Van had finally remembered that it was none other than the grave of the Mother Superior as she was laid to rest there. He was sad to look at it as he saw her pass on after many years of taking care of him over the centuries. Someday, he would come back here as he would also lay flowers on her grave in her memory. It was the least he could do whenever he came back to visit Zetsuei again.

When all the reminiscences were done, he ushered Wendy and Pavel out of the underground sanctuary. When they were back on the surface, they saw the fresh snow fall on the city. It was the cold of winter as it came in early. It wasn't long until Van, Wendy, and Pavel went back to the airship as they were there with the company that they needed. After spending time in the underground sanctuary, Van decided to check up on the twins as they were nearing two months old. He noticed them with Undomiel as she was on babysitting duty taking care of the children, along with little Penelope. Even Lemuel was present as he was busy chasing after the turtles. Life in the airship had been a lot more livelier as Van was impressed to see such activity all over it. He was home with Wendy and the rest of everyone as he was also ready to cross into the Lost Region and take back the throne that was taken from the House of Telfer.

###

Pavel was busy cleaning the dishes as he was helping out in the kitchen. He was starting to get the hang of both being responsible and careful at the same time as he was scrubbing some of the pots and pans in sight. After cleaning them all up, the dried them off as he put them away where they go, for he was starting to get a little exhausted. Just as he was about to leave the kitchen, he saw Undomiel rush in there as she had some milk and cheese to put in the fridge.

"It sure is nice to have a lot of people around," she said as she put away the milk and cheese.

"I'm glad that Van and Wendy are on their way to the Lost Region, but it's really cold over there," said Pavel. "The place itself is extremely inhospitable because of the cold."

"According to Edoras, there is some winter animals prowling around along with some wolves. It may be cold there in the Lost Region, but there might be Vikings over there as well."

"Yeah, but they've probably have a grudge against the House of Feanor for control of the land there."

"As for Van and Wendy, I'm hoping that they would be alright when they get over there."

Pavel had both high hopes and concern for Van and Wendy as he had viewed them more than just some travelling companions. He viewed them as family as he would do anything to protect them from the House of Feanor's deadly machinations. It had been six months since he accompanied them on their journey from their marriage, to their children, and to the ongoing travels to the Lost Region as they had reached their end. Sooner or later, he would aid them on their journey once again as the time to go over there in such inhospitable terrain would be calling them forth into frozen territory.

###

Night had settled in as Van was busy taking a shower. After spending time in the underground sanctuary, he was finally cleaned up as he turned off the water and got out of there. With a towel wrapped around his waist, he was finishing up as he later got out of the bathroom and walked towards the bed. He was tired as he even noticed that Wendy was asleep after taking care of the twins and putting them to bed. He also discovered that she was naked as she was also waiting for him to come into bed. With his towel drooping off of his waist, he simply climbed into bed as he was looking directly at Wendy. She looked a lot more beautiful since she had the twins as her hair had gotten a lot longer than normal. Van wanted her all to himself as he noticed that she had woken up and stared at him. She found him to be quite inviting as she saw him stare directly at her.

The mood of a good night's pleasure had made Van more hungrier for Wendy as he decided to fish out one of those condoms that he had in the nightstand. He wanted to make love to her as he was kissing her soft lips. He wanted her so badly as he was even fondling at her breasts. They were still big as Van was still touching them with such passion in his eyes. It wasn't long until he was starting to feel such a powerful urge to give Wendy more pleasure than ever. With his member hardened, he tore open the condom from its wrapper as he placed it over his treasure. He was all over Wendy as he was on top of her while entering inside of her. She felt his heat as it was such a strong presence that accompanied him. She accepted him as he continued to thrust back and forth all over her.

She was wanting him as she felt his hot breath caress her breasts. The passion between them had intensified as he was giving her more pleasure than she can handle. She moaned with such intensity as she felt Van's hardened member giving her more than just erotic pleasure. When they were in the point of climax, they continued to give it their all beyond the limit until they let out a satisfying moan of orgasmic pleasure. They were tiring out as they were fully sated with each other. Their insatiable appetite for each other hadn't changed as they were together for the rest of their lives.

When Van pulled out of Wendy, he removed the condom as he put it in the wastebasket. It wasn't long until he went back to bed as he was sleeping next to his wife. They were tired as they fell asleep in each other's arms. Sooner or later, they would be on the road again, but this time, they were ready to go into the Lost Region, for the days of the House of Feanor were about to come to an abrupt end.

###

The next morning, Pavel was up as he was looking at the snow from midair. He found it to be both intimidating and beautiful at the same time as he always loved to play in the snow. He wanted to go out in it, but it was extremely too cold for him right now and he was also in the airship as well. It wasn't long until he went into the mess hall as he saw Van fully dressed and cooking up a storm. The smell of waffles had filled the air as Pavel's stomach started to growl. He was very hungry for breakfast as he grabbed a plate and rushed into the kitchen.

"I'll take the morning special," he said.

"Hey, they're not done yet," said Van.

"You've been hard at work this morning."

"It was Wendy's turn to cook, but I didn't want to wake her up. As for the twins, they haven't gotten up yet, either. As soon as they get up, they'll be chowing down on their mother's milk the moment they make some noise."

"By the way, we're on our way to the Lost Region. It's also like everyone says when the weather is inhospitable to live at. By the way, weren't you born in the Lost Region?"

"I was, but I had to leave the moment the home invasion started. I was five years old when it happened. These old memories of mine are starting to come back to me after blocking them out for so long."

"Why did you block them out?"

"It's because they were very painful at the time. Anyway, I need to finish up breakfast and-"

"Wait!" cried Wendy as she was dressed up and running into the kitchen. "I'm sorry that I overslept!"

"What are you talking about? I did most of the cooking in here."

"There is a lot of people here, you know. It's not just us, you know."

Wendy had a point there as she grabbed an apron and wrapped it around her waist. She was ready to get out the sausage and biscuits as she was preparing for the sausage gravy that was on hand. Even Pavel helped out as he was getting his first hand in making breakfast. When he opened up the cupboard, he found various cans of fruit filling as he had never seen anything like it before. It was as if Undomiel had stacked them in the cupboards instead of her stockpile as Pavel was in hog heaven to see such fruit filling there in the cupboards. When he got out a few cans of it, he set them on the table as he was eager to put a few of them on his waffles.

"These babies are worth the wait," he said as he was staring at the cans of fruit filling.

"Hold on," said Van. "It's not just us you know. Besides, we've got some new guests here on the airship."

"It must be that chef, that woman, those rebels, and that monk, isn't it? I guess that they're on board for the long run."

"Dulkas Holden was once an old friend of Nancy's. It seems that they don't get along because of a past grievance. His partner in crime, Ghazim, is somewhat a man who is more devoted in Allah than anyone, but he's also a descendant from the House of Moria. As for Dana, he's a chef that doesn't want to back down from teaching others to cook. Marta, however, is also the older sister of Zira, but it turns out that they are Elena's biological children. Finally, we have Guofeng, who is a Shaolin monk who is devoted in both martial arts and scholarly mysticism. That's all I know, but I can't be talking about it too much now, can't I?"

"By the way, we should be about done with breakfast," said Wendy with a smile on her face.

And so, breakfast was nearing its completion as it was about to be served up nice and hot. After taking so much time in the kitchen, it was served along with some scrambled eggs and toast on the side. With the crew coming in to eat, they all dug in as they decided on their mode of breakfast. Even Van was pleased to see his cooking improve as he was grateful that everyone enjoyed their fair share in breakfast. It was a pleasant mealtime as it got everyone together in the airship, for they would also venture out into dangerous territory in the long run on their way to the Lost Region.

###

After eating a full breakfast, Edoras was staring at the snow outside as it was falling slowly. He was busy monitoring the weather patterns as he was busy tracking a blizzard from outside. After spending two months repairing Zetsuei, the airship had plenty of supplies and toiletries on board as it even had the spare Armors there as well. Soon, it took off as it was headed towards the Lost Region as planned since its departure from Zetsuei with plenty of new passengers as it had been fully renovated by the power of the resonance. The airship had a full crew complete with pets and children as it was flying in the air throughout the Endless Illusion. Just as Edoras was about to enjoy the smooth sailing to the Lost Region, he saw something appear on screen as it indicated that a blizzard was approaching. He had to land the airship somewhere fast as the blizzard was coming at it in a full force.

"This weather's intense," he said as he took the helm of the airship. "Everyone, listen up!" He turned on the intercom. "We're in for a blizzard coming from the Lost Region! We have to land somewhere immediately!"

"What's going on?" asked Nancy as she came to the main bridge.

"There's a storm coming. We have to land to the nearest outpost before we get blown off course."

"There's a village in the mountains that's close to the Lost Region. We can surely land there."

"The village of Shirohana? It's more than just a village, but it also has some mountains as well."

"We have to land there. It's close to the Lost Region, but it's also on its border as well."

"So, be it. The crew's also gonna be in for a very bumpy ride."

With Edoras at the helm, he took the airship as he was trying to land on the nearest mountain peak. The blizzard was already in motion as it was spinning the airship to and fro. It was too much for it to bear as Edoras was landing it safely near the village of Shirohana. When the airship finally landed, it was officially grounded as it was damaged by the strong winds of the storm. It wasn't long until Josie ran into the bridge as she wanted to know what was going on. The cold air was intense outside as snow and frost were covering the windows. She had never seen anything like this as she found it to be as cold as the outskirts of Gujran. There was a long cold winter coming from the Lost Region as it was a harsh one indeed.

"It's starting to get cold out there," she said.

"The weather from the Lost Region can be harsh even beyond its borders," said Nancy.

"I'll make preparations to winterize Cupcake. It may be a normal Armor, but it needs to be fully prepped just in case."

"It's not the only normal Armor here," said Edoras. "Priscilla's gonna need to fix up Brownie in this weather. Come to think of it, there is also Custard and Donut to be winterized as well. These Armors are not like Dann or the Imperium Twelve, but the wintry weather's very unpleasant."

"Then we have to get a move on," said Nancy. "By the way, we're gonna need some arctic gear if we're gonna go out there."

"There's no telling when the next winter blast will take effect, even though it's the last month of the year. If I'm gonna be here in Shirohana, then I'm gonna need a team to go out there and survey the damage of the airship."

Edoras was very screwed when he was aware of the blizzard's powerful snow and winds. Even though that the rest of the crew hadn't gotten up yet, he had no choice but to go out and survey the damage himself. Dressing up in arctic clothing, he had his memory-cloth weapon as it wrapped around his waist. With gloves, hat, and goggles, he was ready to go as he went outside of the airship. The wings and rudder had taken the worst damage as it was most likely to be grounded near this village. The place itself was more like Sajinar as it had not only mountains, but a lot of snow as well. It was more like an outpost rather than a village as it even had people dressed in warm clothes. They were even on guard as they were on the lookout for possible threats coming from the Lost Region.

After surveying the damage, he went back inside as he saw Nancy and Josie dressed in arctic clothing as they were also gearing up to go outside. They also wanted to go into the village as they had known it to be a place near the border of the Lost Region. Shirohana itself was a place that not only had winter all over it as the snow continued to fall from the outside. It was a very impossible risk, but there had to be a survey team to scope it out sooner or later. Just as Edoras was about to check in, he saw Van coming into the main bridge as he was dressed in the same tuxedo and hat as usual.

"Looks like we're grounded," he said.

"You're not gonna be going outside in that, are you?" asked Edoras.

"Hey, a lot worse could happen."

"Van, this is serious," said Nancy. "You should be dressed up in weather gear, not your tuxedo."

"It's getting colder by the minute," said Josie.

"Hold on," said Edoras. "Van, I need you to come with me, please."

And so, Van followed him as he was lead straight into a room where clothing was stored. In a special compartment, there was the clothing that was made for wintry weather as it was made to withstand such cold conditions. Van has never seen anything like it before as the arctic clothing was made for such frigid conditions like this. Very soon, he would be wearing some of that clothing as it was the only suitable choice so far.

"So, you've got a tricked-out wardrobe that can rival anything," said Van.

"It's a useful type of clothing that is capable of withstanding the freezing conditions outside," said Edoras. "It'll also keep you warm in such wintry weather like that blizzard."

"Well, that's a very nice way to put it."

"By the way, you're gonna have to put on a different hat than the one you got."

"What kind of hats are in that wardrobe?"

"They're the ones that keep your head warm instead of that flimsy cowboy hat."

"Fine, if you insist." Van took off his hat as he got one from the wardrobe and put it on his head. "I guess that it suits me fine in the least."

"You've got the hat, now you need the rest."

"Fine, but can I have a little privacy first?"

Without hesitation, Edoras left the room as Van grabbed out some of the arctic clothing. Removing his coat, he decided to put on the snowsuit as he was completely warm. When he got out of the wardrobe room, he took his coat with him as he went back to his room to find his trenchcoat. Putting his tuxedo coat on the coat rack, he grabbed his trenchcoat as he put it on so he could keep warm out there in the cold. Before he was about to head out into the wintry weather, he decided to look at the twins as they were asleep in their little bassinet. He didn't want to leave them, but they had their mother and the rest of the crew to watch over them as he touched at their tiny little hands. He loved them as he was eager to return from the survey outside.

"Don't worry, I'll be back," he said as he kissed their little heads. "It'll be a cold one out there, but I'll make damn sure that I'll return for you and your mother, my little ones. Wait for me..."

With that, he left the twins asleep, he was ready to leave the room as he was off to survey the damage of the airship outside. Just as he was about to do so, he saw Wendy standing in front of him as she was concerned for his safety. She didn't want him to go out there, but he had a job to do as he was ready to see what kind of damage that the weather did.

"Hey, I'll be fine, okay? Don't worry too much," he said.

"Van, are you sure about this?" asked Wendy.

"I'm positive, but the repairing the airship is our top priority right now."

"I see... By the way, while we were still in Zetsuei, I kind of bought some yarn and fabric to make things. It seems kind of frivolous, but I kind of made you something just for the winter weather that is outside." She goes into the room as she comes back out again with a long multi-colored scarf. "This is what I made for you. I know it isn't much, but at least it'll keep you warm." She drapes it around Van's neck. "Please be careful out there. I just don't want you to freeze to death."

"I'll be fine." He notices tears streaming down Wendy's cheeks as he wiped them off of her face. "At least that I'll be warm in that icebox outside."

And so, Van hugged Wendy as he kissed her lips whole-heartedly. He didn't want to part with her, but he was only going outside to survey the damage of the airship as he was heading back to the main bridge. When he went outside, he had his sword around his waist from beneath his trenchcoat as he was ready just in case there was trouble brewing. The damage that the airship had wasn't good as it is was in dire need of repairs. It was gonna be hell for the airship as it was most likely to be grounded next to the village.

"Looks like we're screwed," he said.

CLANG! CRASH!

Van heard trouble coming as he ran out into the open. To his shock, he saw an Armor coming towards the airship as it resembled a drill. He had to do something fast as he used his sword to summon Dann in order to combat that scourge. The drill Armor was getting closer as Van saw Dann come down from the sky. There was a battle brewing as he went inside of Dann and was ready to go up against his latest opponent that was coming towards the village. He had to defend both the airship and the village as he was about to stop the drill Armor from doing so.

"Let's do this, Dann," he said.

And so, he and Dann were ready to go, but he noticed that Edoras has joined the battle as he summoned Armos when it came down from the sky. When Edoras went inside of Armos, he was ready to help out with Van and Dann as they were going up against the drill Armor together. With the drill Armor getting the upper hand, it fired lasers at Dann and Armos as they had repelled its attacks. Just as they were about to advance forward, they saw that the drill Armor opened up its wings as it set off a piercing sound that shook the ground.

"What the hell just happened?!" cried Van.

"That Armor's been equipped with the technology to produce soundwaves," said Edoras. "The sound's intense, so be careful."

"I suggest that you be careful. Whatever we're dealing with, it's probably from the Lost Region's borders."

The drill continued to carry out its soundwave attack as it pushed Dann backwards. Van was afraid that he would crash into Edoras and Armos as he was trying to keep Dann upright in battle. With the soundwaves intensifying, the effects of the attack had pushed Dann straight into Armos as something strange was about to happen. Both Armors that were going up against their opponent hadn't had any impact as they were now one strange entity.

"What the hell's going on?" asked Van as he noticed that he was still alive. "Why haven't we been crushed on the battlefield?"

"I have no idea, but it seems that your Armor has picked up the ability to merge with the Imperium Twelve."

"That's impossible! We're supposed to be bits and pieces, but something must have clicked when we bumped into each other."

"I guess that we've got a combination here."

"Anyway, let's take down that bad boy with the drill."

The combination of Dann and Armos had made it twice as powerful as it lunged directly at the drill Armor. The attacks coming from the mixture of both Armors had damaged their opponent in many ways than one as it continued to deal out its soundwaves against them. It wasn't long until the combined Armor finally dealt the lethal blow as it was ready to finish off their opponent once and for all. It was a combined effort, but it was also a useful one as both Van and Edoras had something that made their Armors more compatible in order to become one lethal fighting machine.

"CHESUTO!" they both yelled.

With the drill Armor finally finished, it was destroyed into many pieces as it was no more. As for Dann and Armos, they reverted back into their normal forms as they returned to their satellites. Even thought that the battle was over, both Van and Edoras had surveyed the remains of the drill Armor as it had nothing in it but a corpse inside. It was like the Armors that attacked Gloria as it was none other than the House of Feanor's dirty work in the making.

"It's just like before," said Van.

"It must have been Eomer who did this heinous deed," said Edoras.

"At least we saved both the airship and the village, that's all."

"Van, your Armor has officially unlocked a technique that no Original Seven Armor has ever tapped into before."

"And what is that, pray tell?"

"You have the ability to combine Dann with the Imperium Twelve Armors and mine was the first one."

"It's almost nighttime. I bet that Wendy and Priscilla are worried to death about us. Anyway, let's go back to the airship."

And so, both men returned to the airship as they saw more snow blowing from the gloomy sky. After they went inside, they saw that Wendy and Priscilla were standing there as they were worried for them. Even though the cold was coming, there was plenty of warmth in the airship as there was the signs of concern in them.

"What took you so long?" asked Priscilla as she grabbed Edoras by the arm. "You had me worried sick about you! I bet that you're starting to get a cold."

"Priscilla, I just came back from going up against an Armor that tried to destroy the airship," answered Edoras. "Luckily, we've took it out before it did anything."

"Speaking of which, you're getting out of those clothes and into a hot bath. This is insane that you went out there in that cold weather."

"And what about you, Van?" said Wendy. "You're also gonna need a hot bath as well."

"There's something that happened when we went up against that drill Armor," he said. "Both Dann and Armos had combined into one being when it took out that thing."

"It's true," said Edoras.

"I guess that the both of you must have tangled with something out there," said Wendy.

"It's the feat of evolution at work," said Priscilla. "As for that 'male bonding,' I guess that you two need to take a bath and go straight into the sickbay. It's very cold out there and there's no telling when or where the next blizzard will show up."

And so, Van and Edoras were escorted out of the main bridge by their wives as they were being lead into the sickbay. As for the weather outside, it was starting to get a little colder as the snow was falling outside. Everyone here was in rough terrain as the real battle was only the beginning...

To be continued...