[Author's Note: This chapter takes place after episode 17. Credit to my bro, "KoH4711", for creative consultation. There was a two-year break in the completion of this chapter and I know it shows but hopefully things will improve from here on out! | No offense meant toward the Irish with the appearance of the Neo-Ireland gundam for this Fight; it's all in the cheesy spirit of G Gundam. :) ]

F.C. 60. Paris, France
Jehan thought it was a fine day -- other than the news he had heard of a Gundam Fight that afternoon. He remembered his promise to George but considered breaking it. He had little to gain from watching the match, no matter what the knight had said. He kept his promise to Jacques, however, and used a morning performance to take his mind off of other things. He could only wish he could do the same in an afternoon show. But the word was all over town of the Fight and no one would be interested in some meager street performance with the glory and excitement of a gundam battle so near.
He sneered, now, as he helped Franchesa take the rose-patterned curtains off the back of their stage. Paquette had been right about the images gaining attention. Jehan resented it, accustomed to the idea that their acrobatic skill was enough to draw a crowd. When they were done, he snuck off without a word, not wanting to tell either Jacques or Paquette where he was going; he knew Jacques would have something -- possibly encouraging -- to say about it. He did almost tell Franchesa, just in case his nagging fear of spectator casuality occurred again, so someone would know where to find him.
He took a dark green cloak with a hood to cover his face, not wanting to be immediately identified by others flocking to the buildings along the avenue a block over from the area by the River Seine, where Gundam Rose was stationed to answer the challenge from the Patrick Gundam Mk-5 of Neo-Ireland. Jehan gritted his teeth as he hurried along, feeling the vibration in the cobblestones as the other nation's Mobile Fighter approached.
When he reached a designated spectator rooftop that he deemed a reasonable distance away, he saw the Patrick Gundam in all its green-armored glory. From tophat-like helmet to foot it was about six different verdant shades, with a bit of white in a v-shape on the middle of its torso. Someone nearby was talking about this being a recurring design in Neo-Ireland's Gundams, in the hopes it would bring them luck in the Tournament. Jehan himself had no opinion, instead raising an eyebrow as the Patrick set a giant black kettle on the edge of the river bank.
Gundam Rose took a ready stance, holding its chevalier blade before its face while the Patrick sidled in front of it, placing its white hands on its hips. A brogue-accented voice called out over the external comm, "Gundam Fight..."
George de Sand's voice recited clearly, "Ready?"
"GO!!"
The Patrick slid backward, at the same time raising its arms, its hands up to reveal gun muzzles in the wrists. A stream of disks shot out of each, bullets shaped like...gold coins? Jehan gaped. Real gold that size would solve the poverty of the Court's population for a quarter of a year at a time. Too bad it was all just weaponry.
Rose began an attempt to dodge and defend, but the coins unerringly struck the chevalier-weilding arm and its half-cape, leaving a multitude of stings along George's sides. He clenched his teeth, eyes flicking to the quickfire damage screens that popped up around the cockpit interior. "A swift and precise attack. You came prepared, and I had hoped to hold my trump card for a while longer. But you..." He grunted as the mild stinging became more painful. "...leave me no choice." He straightened up, whipping the chevalier blade outward, much to the cheers of the crowd. Ignoring the continued battering of the coins, he called out, "Rose Bits!"
The front and back of Gundam Rose's cape lifted up. The bit weapons flew out, an untold number soon surrounding their master. Unsure of the wall of small devices arrayed before him, the Irish fighter stopped firing coins and moved toward the kettle he had set down earlier. Before the spectators' very eyes water seemed to jump from the river into the kettle, which then emitted a bright green blast of steam that carried with it the hint of a boggy scent. Jehan, accustomed to the aroma of sewers that occasionally permeated into the Court of Miracles, paid it no mind, but those of more delicate constitutions covered their mouths and noses with handkerchiefs.
Meanwhile, George was regarding the flux of steam with irritation even as, at a mental command, he had Rose's scanners analyze the emissions from the cloud. Results claimed it was plain old regular steam, but he didn't want to take chances of a distraction. He spoke his thoughts aloud, although he kept the comm off for that moment. "I am sure you did not pick up that trick from a fight with Msr. Chapman, but even so, I do not intend to fall for it again. Go, Rose Bits!"
He directed them to fire into the steam, evaporating it before it could overtake the area. Yet, water continued to pour into the kettle. George considered a moment, then ordered, "Roses Screamer!" A select number of bits surrounded the kettle and energy began to flow among them, creating a net over it that disrupted its water-gathering mechanism. The river returned to normal. The bit energy then turned inward. It took mere seconds to overload the kettle's circuitry and make it explode.
"Bloody frenchman," the Patrick's fighter swore over the comm. He began firing coins again, but the Rose Bits swarmed upward and deflected them.
George raised the chevalier blade in a final salute. "I believe, monsieur, that you are out of tricks."
"Not quite yet, boy-o." The Irish Gundam reached up and pulled off its flat-topped helmet, revealing a featureless white pate beneath it. With a few rapid twists the Patrick now held a heat-metal sword.
George smiled. "Very well. Rose Bits, return!" The small laser weapons drifted into a passive cloud behind him, petals closing. He then stepped forward to meet the Patrick's first thrust, easily parrying that and the next few swipes of the sword. The Irish Gundam drew back, then drove forward again with more wild, yet strong, swings. George decided to retreat a few steps for the moment.
Jehan backed away, cringing at the sound of the clashing metal, so loud, so...big. Yet he forced himself to not compare it to the sound of gundam weapons from four years ago. He did admit that watching George's style was different from the last fighters he had seen. However, that didn't change anything about the Tournament. He glanced at the street, littered with coin-shaped gun shells. He shook his head and turned away from the duel. At that moment he was not concerned with the outcome. He also wasn't sure if what George had hoped to inspire was going to come to pass.
The giant blades clashed twice more, then strained with creaking robotic elbows as each contestant tried to force the other back. Rose's chevalier saber bent from the rigidity of its oppoent's thicker blade, but George's arm proved the stronger, pressing the Patrick's sword outward then forcing it out of its hand.
"Roses Screamer!" The bit weapons swarmed around the Irish Gundam's head, leaving dozens of scorch marks all over it.
"I yield! I yield! Stop firin'!"
The Rose Bits flew back to their master. "I accept your surrender."
The crowd cheered. Jehan looked over, indifferent, as Rose sheathed its blade. The Patrick Gundam produced a second kettle from out of nowhere and began to pick up the spent coin shells. The other spectators dispersed, many talking excitedly of Gundam Rose's increasing chances to reach the finals. Jehan cautiously approached the building edge, lifting his hood enough so that if George happened to be looking he would know the youth had attended as asked. Jehan wasn't overly concerned if he didn't notice.

The next day the papers extolled George's victory, as well as announcing that Rose would be travelling abroad again for its next match. Jehan was glad for that tidbit. He could breathe easier without any Gundams around for the moment. Jacques' constant glances and the related stress was beginning to eat at him. Yet even though he thought he could let life go back to normal he felt that something was not quite right. A few days after the match he made another errand run and he found the air in the Court of Miracles riddled with an unusual tension. He was unable to find the source despite talking with some of the long-time residents. People were looking around as if they expected something to jump out at them from every shadow. None of these paranoid residents could say what it was when asked, however.
A lead on the mystery appeared two weeks later. People -- above and below the ground -- were talking about strange news from Japan although not a single person had managed to hear anything firsthand, so the details were unclear. They wondered if their Gundam Fighter knew anything, but George de Sand was no where to be found on the streets after he returned home from Shinjuku. The word was that he was planning his next strategy so no one tried to bother him or any one else from the palace.
Meanwhile, the tension in the Court of Miracles kept growing.
Jehan entered one evening to find Jacques desperately trying to break up a fight between two men right in the middle of the main thoroughfare by the entrance. The taller one was yelling a constant stream of curses in French; he happened to be the one losing the fight. The shorter of the two, now trying to continue his assault while others attempted to stop him, threw a punch that sent Jacques reeling. The blond youth ran to his aid, catching hold of Jacques' shoulder before he kissed the cobblestoned floor. Jacques rubbed his jaw and nodded his thanks, sitting down on his own. Jehan gave him a quick glance over, then turned to help the others attempting to stop the fight. The cursing went on. Jehan shook his head and made a grab for the winning man's left arm.
It took another five minutes but at last the two were seperated, the shorter being dragged off and shouting protests. The other man was guided to a stone step with friends trying to talk to him. He looked dazed -- if not stupified that he had been losing. Jehan went to where Jacques stood, rubbing his jaw again. "What was that about?"
"Ivar apparently insulted Basir and a row broke out. I didn't know Basir had it in him, though." Jacques shook his head. "I know he likes to pretend to be tough by hiding in Andry's shadow but he's never one to pick a fight on his own. It didn't seem like it should have gone that far."
"Maybe everyone is feeling discontent because of what's going on."
Jacques cast a hard look at him. "Not everyone feels the same way about the Gundam Tournament as you do."
Jehan rounded on him, shocked that he had been so blunt. It took him a moment to form a response. "I meant the rumors about Japan."
Jacques scowled. Then his expression relaxed and he nodded. "Something is definitely going on."
Something that needs to be found and stopped before things get out of hand. The question is, what could it even be? Jehan didn't offer his thoughts out loud. Instead he turned to go back up the stairs while Jacques went to talk with Ivar. The youth took a left at the entranceway then a couple of rights and another left, eventually ending up at an old gate -- or what was dressed to look like an old gate. It swung out on silent hinges into a dripping tunnel. Jehan headed along the walkway until he came to another gate, this one genuinely aged and slick with dampness. He was about to push it open when he heard the noise of another scuffle from outside the gate's alcove, which was hidden under a bridge. The echoes off the stone made it difficult to tell which direction it was coming from. Someone laughed and spoke mocking words. Jehan knew the voice -- Andry. Why was it when one of his thugs caused a problem, he wasn't too far away making trouble for someone else?
He looked around for a suitable weapon but saw nothing except an old warped torch stick in the sconce behind the door. He took it anyway -- it was something. He pushed open the gate and glanced around the side of the alcove. No one in the immediate area; they must have been on the street above. He edged farther out and then saw movement beyond the side of the bridge. A familiar cape slipped over the edge as its owner was shoved into the wall to the point where he would have fallen over it had he not possessed excellent reflexes. All the same, it appeared to Jehan that George de Sand was losing. He was already fighting bare-handed. The youth tucked the torch into his belt and started to scale the wall with the hope he wouldn't be spotted.
Andry had claimed George's sword once it had been liberated from the knight after he had fumbled an attack and now swung it around with no skill in the slightest. Not that it was necessary for him to have the blade since two of his gang were working the Gundam Fighter over quite well with plain punches. It was a barrage George had trouble evading and escaping long enough to regain his composure. He was taking them with little more than his arms half-heartedly up to block while he tried to put together a plan. Why did I falter? How could this knight of Neo France be attacked by the citizens of the very country he is fighting for? He gritted his teeth and forced his crossed arms outward against the rain of blows from one of the thugs. The man stumbled at the sudden force and George leapt to the side to avoid the second man, who he recognized as Damek from the night he and Jehan had fought Andry. He was glad the one who'd had a hook wasn't present.
George looked around for Andry, intent on reclaiming his epee but the rogue had disappeared. Or so it had seemed -- the pommel of the sword slammed into the back of George's neck, bringing him to his knees. Andry laughed and swung the blade around over his head. With some pain George turned his head to look up at him. The Gundam Fighter's eyes abruptly widened and he fell back, one arm rising before him. Andry laughed and brought the blade whistling downward.
A blackened stick collided with the side of Andry's head, tipping him and his attack off balance. A kick followed to send the rogue plowing into the cobblestones -- which did not yield, much to Andry's discomfort. Jehan tossed aside the broken torch and snatched up the epee before anyone else got any ideas about it. Damek and his cohort were on their way over, murder in their eyes. Jehan gripped the sword in one hand, holding it awkwardly, and made a grab for George's arm with the other. "Let's go, monsieur knight, you've overstayed your welcome."
But George yanked his arm free, pushing himself away until he bumped into the wall. "N-No! Stay back!" He raised his arm in front of him again, trembling.
Jehan gaped at him. From the look in the knight's eyes, he was not seeing Jehan. The youth had no idea what could be going on in George's mind but he wished he had picked a better time to flake out. He turned to face Damek, attempting to wield the epee with something that might in part resemble competence. He wasn't fooling anyone.
"Drop that, boy. You shouldn't have interferred." Damek sneered, beckoning with one hand for Jehan to comply.
"No, I think I'd rather hold on to it. It could be a souvenir." Jehan flicked the blade back and forth in warning, retreating a step. "Besides, this is our Gundam Fighter you're trying to beat up. Where's your patriotic spirit?" As if I can talk.
"Should that impress us? He isn't much of a sight right now." Damek smirked and pointed his chin at George.
Jehan looked down. George cowered against the wall, frightened gaze now on Damek. Jehan was tempted to wave his hand in front of the knight's face. What could he possibly think he was seeing that brought him to such a state? While Jehan could hardly claim to know him personally, this wasn't something he would expect based on his previous impressions. He made a decision and grabbed George's arm again, pulling him up. "I'm sure there's irony in here somewhere but I don't care. Let's GO!"
Something in the insistence of that last word got through to the knight, for George looked at Jehan more clearly and nodded, then the two dodged past Damek and ran. They headed up the next street, Jehan tossing the epee to George on the way. Andry joined his cohorts as the two pounded after their quarry. Jehan ducked into an alley while George leapt for a window sill and soon made his way up to the rooftop, Andry not far behind. Shinjuku had taught him that unusual terrain could be used to one's advantage. He took off across the row of rooftops, easily gliding over the occasional steepled window or missing tiles. Andry scrambled noisily behind.
While crossing an alley gap George missed some movement from just below the roof's edge. A hand caught his ankle and sent him rolling across the tiles until he fetched up against the top of an eave; his sword went clattering away in another direction. He quickly gained his feet and whirled to face his newest assailant, who was pulling himself up from the edge. It was Robuert. "Two against one again. How I tire of such dishonorable tactics."
"Interesting words from a man who was terrified of me only moments ago." Andry regarded him suspiciously. "An act? Or are you pretending to be brave now?"
"You will have to find out for yourself." George located his sword and made a leap toward it. Andry darted toward him at the same time and George had to duck a punch. He raised his arms to block as Andry struck at him again, and allowed himself to be backed toward the epee. As soon as he was close enough to the blade George stamped his heel down on the pommel, causing it to flip upward. He grabbed the hilt and spun around, slashing Andry's arm. Then Robuert came at him brandishing his hook. George tapped each thread of discipline he contained to weave into a pattern of parries, thrusts, and steps that would have belonged in a dance -- all keeping him in motion that avoided the thug's attacks. Finally George sidestepped as Robuert lunged, letting him have a taste of the medicine he had doled out earlier.
Not waiting for Andry to start in again, the knight dashed for the edge of the roof and crossed another alley. He spotted a ladder leading over the far side and headed for it, sheathing his sword as he went. He grabbed the top rail and swung himself around to the steps, quickly descending. He needed to locate Jehan and make sure the youth was all right -- or extricate him as was needed then offer him an explanation. He was bound to ask, and George was aware of what had happened.

Jehan, meanwhile, was making things difficult for Damek and the new fellow he didn't know, evading them with a series of acrobatic tricks. He didn't think he could engage them anyway. No torches here, nothing conveniently laying around that would work. He had given up looking and stuck with aggravating them by keeping out of reach. They, however, were not adverse to improvising. At one point Damek got his hands on a flowerpot and made to smash it with a right hook into Jehan's jaw. The youth did a hasty backflip out of the way. He landed down on one knee, hand braced on the ground and consternation across his face. He was getting too close to the walls. He darted to the right, back onto the main street.
As it so happened that was the exact time George arrived back on the ground. Jehan gave him a thumb's up then waved for him to run. The knight fell in beside him and they headed for the next corner, turned it, and with practiced ease Jehan had a door open before George could blink. They ducked inside and closed the door two seconds before Andry's gang came past. Not taking chances, Jehan lead the way to another, hidden door. George was beginning to wonder if this part of the city was nothing but a vast maze of passageways through houses. As they walked down a tunnel he asked, "Is there a house in this district that does not have a secret path in it?"
"Probably not," Jehan replied cheerfully. "While the ruling class wasn't looking the peasants made modifications for their own reasons. It comes in handy now and then."
"So what is to be done about that fellow? I have a feeling he will not simply give up."
Jehan turned to him, shrugging. "You're probably right. Unless someone finds a way to arrest him and have it not be the Court officers who do it since, well, there isn't really anyone policing the Court of Miracles."
"A most gracious hint, monsieur Jehan." George chuckled quietly.
"I'm sure there's a rule somewhere about accosting a Gundam Fighter outside of a match, anyway. So, would you like to stay for tea or will you be on your way?" The abrupt change of subject took George by surprise and he blinked at the youth, who watched him with amusement. "Something does seem to be affecting your reflexes today," Jehan then commented evenly.
George cleared his throat. "I appreciate your being polite in referencing the strange lapse I experienced earlier. There is..much involved." To himself, he thought, Given your adverse feelings toward the Gundam Tournament, I will have to spare you all of the details. In this I feel fortunate you have not heard general news from the colony. "It has to do with my recent trip to Japan. I was defeated there and the events surrounding it have brought to light some unpleasant things. The particulars are complicated so I will spare you the telling." A sudden twinge in his right hand encouraged him to continue. "Suffice to say there is a threat that must eventually be dealt with and I find myself lacking in my ability to fight."
"Should the rest of us be worrying about this threat?"
George gave pause. "There is no need to worry for now."
Jehan looked at him for a moment then said bluntly, "You don't sound convinced."
George drew back, mouth partway open to protest but none came. Then he bowed his head. "No, I am not." Now it was Jehan who was startled as a weight became clear over the knight with that admittance. "I have no idea what lies in store for France, nor the rest of the world for that matter. The beast was met in Shinjuku and was not defeated there...and I do not know if I have the strength to face it again just yet." He raised his head, expression pained.
He's afraid. A Gundam Fighter, afraid. Jehan watched him, not offering a response.
George cleared his throat. He wasn't sure if this was the time to take a confidant among the citizenry. He had Raymond, after all, who already knew the details about the Devil Gundam. "There is not much that the average person can do because of the nature of this threat..."
Jehan crossed his arms. "But it sounds like there isn't much the above-average Gundam Fighter can do."
George gave a slight nod of his head, silently agreeing to something. He raised his right fist. "You have no idea how much of that 'above-average' title applies." His Shuffle crest appeared, glowing at the edges. Jehan jerked back. "This is the symbol of the Jack in Diamond. It was granted to me yet I do not fully understand its significance nor if I can live up to it. The warrior who passed it to me had great power and was near-unparalleled in skill. My...disgrace at losing has made me wonder if he made the right decision in choosing me."
Jehan laughed. The knight blinked at him. "If he gave it to you, it must mean you're already good enough. Unless it's a job no one really wants, whatever it is. And if you don't think you can do it, maybe you should practice some more. You can't learn new tricks just standing around being afraid." He grinned. "Advice my father gave when I was learning to walk a tightrope."
The knight nodded, considering something to himself. Then he asked, "Do any of these tunnels lead to the palace?"
Jehan smirked. "As if there should be any doubt."

George returned to his room with a fresh set of clothes and a wealth of new thoughts on his mind. Raymond had been asking how he got into the palace without anyone noticing, but he waved the question off, as well as the one about where he had managed to pick up so much soot on his clothes. The butler eventually gave up and presented him with new clothes as well as news of a few messages from the colony. George first read the one from the king about His Highness' assessment of his report on Shinjuku -- the king had been the only one George had told. His Highness did not feel the Devil Gundam was George's concern -- it was Neo Japan's doing and they were responsible for taking care of it. I had counted it the same. However...
He sighed and flipped to the next message, straightening immediately upon reading the subject line. It was a response from Maria-Louise.

My dear George de Sand~
In regards to your previous request, I was able to locate Mademoiselle L'Marlon through a chance event. She was in attendance at a gathering hosted at the palace and I was able to speak with her. Even though you did not include the name of your acquaintance she drew her own conclusion of who it was. She asked if you could let him know that she is well and awaiting a chance to see him again.
I think it was very noble of you to take that young man's request. You are, as ever, the perfect knight.

The 13th Gundam Tournament went on but did not end as expected. Soon the world and all the colonies knew of the Devil Gundam as well as the heroism of the Shuffle Alliance. Things were to change, but in just as many ways stayed the same. In some cases, colonies were training their next potential Gundam Fighter a mere week after the last fight ended. In others, rebuilding took the highest priority with repercussions following close behind. In time, however, all thoughts turned to Fight 14.